Variable Height Rim Supports for Vehicle Wheel Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aesthetic vehicle wheel covers with design features like fillets and recesses result in non-uniform cross-sectional configurations, creating gaps with the backbone that increase thickness and complexity in assembly, requiring manual adhesive filling, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating structural supports on the backbone that match the dimensions and positions of recessed and non-recessed portions of the cover, eliminating the need for manual adhesive filling and reducing overall thickness where the cover meets the backbone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the cover includes design features like fillets and recesses to improve aesthetic appeal, then the aesthetic appearance is enhanced, but the cross-sectional configuration becomes non-uniform creating gaps with the backbone that increase overall thickness and require manual adhesive filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backbone includes varying support heights that correspond to different regions of the cover. First supports have a first height for recessed portions while second supports have a second height for non-recessed portions. This local variation in support structure allows the cover to maintain its aesthetic design features while eliminating gaps and reducing overall thickness at each specific location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The backbone is pre-configured with multiple support heights before the cover is attached. This preliminary structuring of the backbone with varying support heights eliminates the need for manual adhesive filling during assembly, as the supports are already positioned to match the cover's cross-sectional profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If the cover includes design features like fillets and recesses to improve aesthetic appeal, then the aesthetic appearance is enhanced, but the overall thickness increases in the area where the cover meets the backbone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidoverall thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If manual adhesive filling is used to fill gaps between the cover and backbone, then the gaps are filled, but time and cost increase for the assembly process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap fillingVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The backbone's varying support heights automatically fill the gaps between the cover and backbone through its own structural configuration. The system serves itself by using the backbone's geometry to eliminate gaps without requiring external adhesive materials or manual filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If manual adhesive filling is used to fill gaps between the cover and backbone, then the gaps are filled, but cost increases for the assembly process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap fillingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11420466B2Clad-style vehicle wheel including a variable height rim

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle wheel is disclosed that includes a cover and a backbone. The cover includes recessed portions and non-recessed portions defining inner surfaces that are spaced about a periphery of the cover, and the backbone defines at least one first support that is configured and positioned for contact with the inner surfaces defined by the recessed portions and at least one second support that is configured and positioned for contact with the inner surfaces defined by the non-recessed portions.