Stepped Wheel Spacer Disc for Secure Hub-Centered Rim Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel spacer disk arrangements face challenges in efficiently mounting and centering rims on wheel hubs with different stud bolt circles, leading to potential imbalance and inadequate thread engagement.
Innovation Solution
A wheel spacer disk with symmetrically arranged step openings of varying diameters, combined with centering elements, allows for precise centering and secure fastening of the rim relative to the wheel spacer disk and hub, using shaft nuts and stud bolts, while maintaining a balanced mass distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wheel spacer openings are used, then the wheel spacer can be attached to the wheel hub, but the shaft nuts cannot protrude sufficiently into the stepped openings for secure thread engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is divided into two distinct sections: a first section with a larger diameter that allows shaft nuts to protrude for secure thread engagement, and a second section with a smaller diameter that provides structural support. This segmentation enables the opening to simultaneously achieve secure fastening and maintain structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the opening have different diameters tailored to specific functions. The first section has a larger diameter locally optimized for nut reception and thread engagement, while the second section has a smaller diameter optimized for structural support and centering, creating local quality variations that solve the contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If the wheel spacer disc is mounted without precise centering, then assembly is simpler, but the rim becomes unbalanced during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped opening structure creates a self-centering effect where the rim and wheel spacer automatically align to a balanced position during assembly. The varying diameters establish equipotential zones that guide the components into proper alignment without requiring complex external centering devices or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel spacer's stepped openings perform the centering function automatically during the assembly process itself. The structural design enables the components to self-align through their own geometry, eliminating the need for separate centering operations while ensuring rotational balance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If single-diameter openings are used in the wheel spacer, then the structure is simpler, but shaft nuts cannot securely engage threads on studs of different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped opening structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it accommodates shaft nuts for thread engagement, provides structural support, enables centering, and adapts to different stud lengths and configurations. This multi-functionality achieves versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening diameter parameter varies along its length, creating sections with different diameters. This parameter change enables the opening to adapt to different stud configurations and nut positions, providing versatility across various wheel hub designs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel spacer disc for motor vehicles, comprising: - a plurality of wheel bolt openings, - a rim centering element for centering a rim relative to the wheel spacer disc, and - a wheel hub centering element for centering the wheel spacer disc relative to a wheel hub, characterized in that the plurality of wheel bolt openings are designed in each case as stepped openings for the respective partial reception of shaft nuts, wherein a section of the stepped openings, having a greater diameter, is arranged on a side of the wheel spacer disc, on which the rim centering element is arranged.