Wheel Center Cap and Hub Centering Ring Combination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hub centering rings for steel wheel rims do not allow for a secure and easy connection of a center cap to the hub, as they are thinner and do not cover the entire hub, leading to protrusions and a lack of space for securing a standard center cap, which results in vibration issues and the need for specialized adapters.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a wheel center cap with flexibly resilient fingers and a hub centering ring featuring a recessed groove allows for easy connection and concentric alignment, where the center cap's flange or stepped portion fits into the groove of the centering ring, providing a secure fit without covering the entire rim.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-piece flexible part is used to connect the center cap to the hub centering ring, then the connection is simple in structure, but the connection process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible part is divided into multiple segments (first flexible part and second flexible part) that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows each segment to be installed separately through the opening, making the connection process much easier while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second flexible parts are nested within each other, with the first flexible part having a first opening and the second flexible part having a second opening. This nested configuration allows both parts to be installed through a single opening in the center cap, simplifying the installation process while maintaining structural integrity.
2Length of stationary object
If the hub centering ring is made thin to fit on steel rims, then it fits better on thinner rims, but it cannot cover the entire hub resulting in protrusions and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The hub centering ring has different thicknesses at different locations. It is thinner at the rear end to fit on steel rims, but has a front end that extends forward to cover the protruding hub. This local variation in thickness allows the ring to adapt to both the thin rim and the protruding hub, eliminating vibrations while maintaining compatibility with steel rims.
3Device complexity
If a standard center cap is used on steel rims with protruding hubs, then the center cap design is simple, but there is no room to secure the center cap properly
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible parts are made of elastomeric material that can deform and flex. This dynamic property allows the flexible parts to be compressed during installation and then expand to engage with the hub centering ring, enabling proper securing of the center cap even on steel rims with limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material of the flexible parts allows for parameter changes in terms of flexibility and deformability. This enables the flexible parts to adapt to the limited space on steel rims while still providing sufficient engagement with the hub centering ring to secure the center cap properly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a cost-effective and secure connection of the center cap to the hub centering ring, ensuring proper alignment and reducing vibrations, applicable to both aluminum and steel rims, while allowing for adaptability to different car models without the need for multiple wheel designs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexibly resilient fingers extending substantially orthogonal from the rear side of the body portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
There is provided a combination of a center cap and a hub centering ring for wheel rims with a center bore. The combination comprises a wheel center cap having a body portion with a front side and a rear side and a plurality of flexibly resilient fingers extending substantially orthogonal from the rear side of the body portion, where each or at least part of the fingers having a free end with a flange or stepped portion. The combination further comprises a hub centering ring with a rear end, a front end, an interior surface and an outer surface. A radially outwardly turned retainer or retainer flange is provided at the rear end for retaining the ring in axial spaced relationship relative to the center bore of a wheel rim, and a recessed groove is provided at the interior or outer surface at a distance from the front end. The recessed groove is dimensioned and arranged for receipt of the flange or stepped portion of the fingers of the center cap to thereby retain the center cap in concentric relationship with the centering ring. In one embodiment, the flange or stepped portion of the fingers of the wheel center cap is radially outwardly turned, and the recessed groove is provided at the interior surface of the hub centering ring. In another embodiment, the flange or stepped portion of the fingers of the wheel center cap is radially inwardly turned, and the recessed groove is provided at the outer surface of the hub centering ring.