Vehicle Wheel Cover Fastening for Easy Removal and Secure Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheels face a challenge in achieving a stable and loss-proof connection of cover elements while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, which is necessary for design variability and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wheel design featuring a rim, hub section, and spokes with a cover element that is partially covered by a fastening device mounted on the outside, held in place by a wing element protruding from the inside, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without direct connection to the wheel, using a form-fitting or frictional connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a wheel cover is designed to fit tightly over the wheel rim to improve aerodynamics and appearance, then the aerodynamic performance and visual appeal are enhanced, but the ability to remove the wheel cover for wheel maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cover removal system is segmented into multiple components: a tool with protrusions that engage with corresponding recesses in the wheel cover, and a hubcap retention tool with levers that apply force to specific retention points. This segmentation allows the wheel cover to remain tightly fitted during normal use while enabling controlled removal through specific engagement points, thus maintaining both aerodynamic performance and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
A specialized removal tool acts as an intermediary between the user and the wheel cover. The tool features protrusions that engage with recesses in the wheel cover, and a hubcap retention tool with levers that apply force to retention points. This intermediary mechanism allows the wheel cover to be removed without damaging the tight fit design, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of removal for maintenance.
2Loss of energy
If wheel covers are made with a tight fit over the wheel rim to reduce drag, then aerodynamic efficiency improves, but access to the wheel for servicing becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cover design includes pre-positioned recesses and retention points that are prepared in advance for tool engagement. The protrusions on the removal tool are designed to fit into these pre-configured recesses, and the hubcap retention tool has levers positioned to apply force at predetermined retention points. This preliminary preparation allows the tight-fitting wheel cover to be quickly and easily removed for wheel servicing without compromising the aerodynamic seal during normal operation.
3Loss of energy
If the wheel cover design includes tight sealing to improve aerodynamics, then energy loss from drag is reduced, but the complexity of the removal mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal mechanism extracts the complexity from the wheel cover itself and places it in a separate, dedicated removal tool. The wheel cover maintains its simple tight-fitting design with integrated recesses and retention points, while the complex mechanical action of lever engagement and force application is contained in the external hubcap retention tool. This separation keeps the wheel cover design simple while providing the necessary complex removal functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel of a vehicle comprising a rim, a hub section and at least two spokes which connect the hub section to the rim, wherein at least one spoke interstice between the spokes is at least partially covered by a covering element mounted on the wheel from the outside of the wheel, wherein the covering element is held in the installed position by a fastening device, the fastening device being mounted from the inside of the wheel and being connected to a wheel flange arranged in the inside of the wheel.