Vehicle Wheel Disk Flange Layout for Brake Clearance and Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The window-forming flanges of existing wheel disks protrude into the inner space of a vehicle wheel, causing interference with the brake and limiting the ability to reduce the dimensions of the blank, which hinders further weight saving of the wheel disk.
Innovation Solution
The wheel disk design includes a hat portion with alternating welding and window-forming flanges, where the window-forming flanges are configured to form windows between themselves and the inner periphery of the wheel rim, allowing for reduced protrusion and enabling the flanges to be disposed opposed to the brake in the axial direction, thus reducing the radial dimensions and weight of the wheel disk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If window-forming flanges are disposed outside the brake in radial direction to avoid interference, then interference with brake is avoided, but radial dimensions of the blank increase, preventing further weight saving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the window-forming flanges from a radial arrangement (outside the brake) to an axial arrangement (opposed to the brake). This dimensional change allows the flanges to form windows between themselves and the inner periphery of the wheel rim, reducing radial protrusion and enabling the use of a smaller blank while avoiding brake interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hat portion by introducing connecting portions that protrude outward in the axial direction. This allows the window-forming flanges to be positioned closer to the brake in the radial direction without causing interference, thereby reducing the overall radial dimensions of the blank and enabling weight reduction.
2Weight of moving object
If window-forming flanges are positioned closer to the brake in radial direction, then radial dimensions are reduced, but interference with brake may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the arrangement dimension from radial to axial. The window-forming flanges are positioned opposed to the brake in the axial direction rather than radially outside it. This allows the flanges to extend closer to the brake radially without causing interference, enabling reduction of blank dimensions and weight while maintaining clearance from the brake.
3Strength
If window-forming flanges are formed by bending blank portions, then rigidity is enhanced and thickness/weight are reduced, but protrusion into wheel inner space causes brake interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hat portion by introducing connecting portions with specific protrusion heights in the axial direction. This allows the window-forming flanges to achieve the desired rigidity-enhancing structure while controlling their radial position to avoid brake interference. The connecting portions act as structural elements that maintain strength while enabling compact radial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction between rigidity enhancement and brake interference by changing the structural arrangement from radial protrusion to axial positioning. The window-forming flanges achieve rigidity enhancement through their configuration opposed to the brake, with connecting portions providing structural support without radial protrusion that would cause interference.
Data Source
AI summary
It is an objective of the present invention to reduce weight further in a wheel disk 1 for vehicle. A hat portion 20 of the wheel disk 1 for vehicle includes an annular top portion 21, an inner peripheral portion 22 and an outer peripheral portion 23. The inner peripheral portion 22 connects the top portion 21 and a hub attachment portion 10. The outer peripheral portion 23 connects the top portion 21 and welding flanges 30 and connects the top portion 21 and the window-forming flanges 40. The welding flanges 30 are welded to an inner periphery of a wheel rim 2. Windows 5 are formed between the window-forming flanges 40 and the inner periphery of the wheel rim 2. The outer peripheral portion 23 of the hat portion 20 includes first regions 231 and second regions 232 alternately in a circumferential direction. The first regions 231 are connected to the welding flanges 30 and the second regions 232 are connected to the window-forming flanges 40. Connecting portions 45 connecting the second regions 232 and the window-forming flanges 40 are protruded outward in an axial direction with respect to corresponding portions 231a of the first regions 231. The connecting portions and the corresponding portions are disposed at equal distances from a wheel central axis L.