Vehicle Wheel Decorative Attachment Noise Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle wheels with decorative attachments face challenges in securely fastening these attachments without creating additional noise during vehicle operation, while also meeting performance standards for extended life and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates decorative attachments with rearwardly extending boss portions that fit into countersunk holes and are secured by fasteners, ensuring the attachments are spaced from the wheel to reduce noise, and may include self-tapping fasteners and materials like polycarbonate ABS alloy resin for weight reduction and noise dampening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If decorative attachments are securely fastened to the wheel using fasteners, then the reliability and durability of the wheel is improved, but noise is generated during vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fastening of decorative attachmentsVSAvoidnoise during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the decorative attachment and the wheel. This mediator absorbs and dampens vibrations and noise generated during vehicle operation, while still allowing the fasteners to securely attach the decorative attachment to the wheel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: the decorative attachment (potentially resin or lightweight material), the wheel structure (metal alloy), and the damping element (viscoelastic or rubber material). This composite structure achieves both secure fastening and noise reduction through material property differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If decorative attachments are made from resin materials, then the weight of the vehicle wheel is reduced, but the structural strength and durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel weightVSAvoidstructural strength of decorative attachments

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: the decorative attachment (potentially resin or lightweight material), the wheel structure (metal alloy), and the damping element (viscoelastic or rubber material). This composite structure achieves both secure fastening and noise reduction through material property differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel system is divided into separate functional components: the decorative attachment, the wheel structure, the damping element, and the fastening system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the decorative attachment for aesthetics and weight reduction, the wheel structure for strength, and the damping element for noise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the decorative attachment is spaced from the wheel to reduce noise, then noise issues are reduced, but the security and stability of the attachment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the decorative attachment and the wheel. This mediator absorbs and dampens vibrations and noise generated during vehicle operation, while still allowing the fasteners to securely attach the decorative attachment to the wheel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9452637B2Vehicle wheel with decorative attachments

Publication Date: 2016.09.27 GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A vehicle wheel includes a rim portion, a hub portion, a plurality of spokes and a plurality of decorative attachments. Each pair of adjacent spokes defines a window therebetween. The plurality of decorative attachments are secured to the wheel and each define a plurality of rearwardly extending boss portions. Each boss portion abuts the wheel. In certain applications, the boss portions may be received within a respective countersunk hole in the wheel and engaged by a fastener for securing the decorative attachment to the wheel. A free end of each of the boss portions abuts a bottom of its respective countersunk hole and the decorative attachment is otherwise spaced from the wheel to reduce noise issues. Alternatively, the ends of the boss portion may be spaced from the wheel and drawn toward the wheel with the threaded fasteners.