Threaded Multi-Piece Wheel Rim Assembly With Fewer Fasteners

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel rim designs require multiple fasteners for assembly, leading to increased weight, manufacturing costs, and complexity, with a need for simplified assembly and reduced weight solutions.

Innovation Solution

A multipiece wheel rim assembly using a threaded connection between the inner and outer rim portions, with fasteners inserted to prevent rotation, eliminating the need for extensive fastening and allowing for a reduced weight design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple fasteners are used to connect inner rim and outer rim, then the structural integrity and reliability are improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidwheel rim weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel rim is divided into multiple segments (inner rim, outer rim, and additional rim portions) that can be assembled together using a threaded connection system. This segmentation allows for a simplified connection method that reduces the number of fasteners needed while maintaining structural integrity through the threaded engagement between rim portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical fastener system with a threaded connection system where one rim portion threads directly onto another. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple separate fasteners, reducing overall weight while providing reliable structural connection through the threaded engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple fasteners are used to connect inner rim and outer rim, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel rim is divided into multiple segments (inner rim, outer rim, and additional rim portions) that can be assembled together using a threaded connection system. This segmentation allows for a simplified connection method that reduces the number of fasteners needed while maintaining structural integrity through the threaded engagement between rim portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical fastener system with a threaded connection system where one rim portion threads directly onto another. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple separate fasteners, reducing overall weight while providing reliable structural connection through the threaded engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If fastener size and strength are increased to reduce the number of fasteners, then the connection reliability is improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidwheel rim weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical fastener system with a threaded connection system where one rim portion threads directly onto another. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple separate fasteners, reducing overall weight while providing reliable structural connection through the threaded engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the function of multiple fasteners into the threaded connection structure itself. The threaded portions of the rim portions provide both the connection mechanism and the structural integrity function that would otherwise require separate fasteners, thereby reducing total weight while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12043060B2Thread-together wheel rim

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 HUTCHINSON SA

AI summary

A wheel rim for a vehicle including a first rim portion including a first wheel flange, a second rim portion threadedly connected to the first rim portion, and a second wheel flange held on the first rim portion.