Wheel Flange Discharge Structure for Rigidity and NVH
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel assemblies suffer from reduced rigidity due to foreign matter discharge passages, which deteriorates the noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) performance of vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A wheel assembly design that includes a wheel flange portion with a foreign matter discharge portion featuring first and second discharge surfaces indented in different directions, along with a hub portion having a disk guide portion with a third discharge surface, to improve rigidity and facilitate smooth foreign matter discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a foreign matter discharge passage is formed in the inner side of the wheel, then foreign matter can be discharged from the hubcap joint, but the rigidity of the wheel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge passage is designed with different surface characteristics in different regions: the first discharge surface is formed along the inner side surface of the wheel flange portion, while the second discharge surface is formed along the inner side surface of the hubcap coupling portion with a predetermined slope. This local differentiation allows optimized foreign matter discharge while minimizing impact on overall wheel rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge passage utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by forming surfaces in different directions and orientations. The first discharge surface extends in one direction along the wheel flange portion, while the second discharge surface extends in another direction along the hubcap coupling portion, creating a multi-dimensional discharge path that efficiently removes foreign matter without requiring large material removal.
2Ease of operation
If the second discharge surface is provided with a predetermined slope, then foreign matter discharge is facilitated, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second discharge surface is designed with a predetermined slope having an angle of about 8 degrees to about 45 degrees relative to the inner side surface of the hubcap coupling portion. This specific angular parameter range optimizes foreign matter discharge smoothness while remaining within manufacturable limits for standard machining and forming processes.
3Strength
If the discharge passage is formed to improve rigidity, then NVH performance is improved, but foreign matter discharge capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge passage is segmented into multiple components: the first discharge surface formed along the inner side surface of the wheel flange portion, and the second discharge surface formed along the inner side surface of the hubcap coupling portion. This segmentation allows the passage to be distributed across different structural regions, maintaining wheel rigidity while providing effective foreign matter discharge pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a wheel assembly including a wheel portion, and optionally, a hub portion transmitting driving force transmitted through a drive shaft to the wheel portion. The wheel portion further includes a wheel flange portion connected to the hub portion, and the wheel flange portion includes a foreign matter discharge portion having a first discharge surface and a second discharge surface indented in different directions on an inner side surface.