Wheel Flange Ventilation and Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel flanges for commercial vehicles face challenges in weight reduction and optimized ventilation of wheel bearings, especially under high loads and in compact axle designs, where thermal stress is increased due to spatial proximity of brake discs and wheel bearings.
Innovation Solution
A wheel flange design featuring a star-shaped arrangement of wheel screw and wheel bearing screw openings, with enlarged ventilation openings and radially projecting areas to absorb forces, allowing for weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity and efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of wheel bearing bolts is increased to transmit high forces through limited opening diameters, then the fastening reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the wheel bearing bolt openings, specifically increasing their diameter within the limits of the narrow inner ring section. This parameter optimization allows fewer bolts to transmit the required forces, reducing the number of fastening elements from the conventional twelve to a smaller number while maintaining adequate fastening reliability.
2Weight of moving object
If the wheel flange weight is reduced for improved fuel efficiency, then the moving mass is decreased, but the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by strategically distributing material in the wheel flange structure. The design features optimized thickness variations in different regions, reinforcing areas subject to high stresses while reducing material in less critical zones. This localized material distribution maintains structural integrity and load-bearing capacity while achieving overall weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel flange is segmented into distinct functional zones including the outer ring section, inner ring section, and transition section, each with optimized material distribution. This segmentation allows for targeted weight reduction in non-critical areas while maintaining strength in load-bearing regions.
3Volume of moving object
If the spatial arrangement is compacted to reduce axle space, then the space utilization is improved, but the thermal stress on wheel bearings increases due to proximity of brake discs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces enhanced ventilation openings in the transition section between the inner and outer ring sections, creating a three-dimensional heat dissipation pathway. This dimensional approach to thermal management allows heat to escape from the compact space between the brake disc and wheel bearing, reducing thermal stress despite the compact spatial arrangement.
4Temperature
If the ventilation openings are enlarged to improve heat dissipation from the wheel bearing, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the structural rigidity of the wheel flange may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the distribution and sizing of ventilation openings in the transition section, placing them in locations that maximize heat dissipation while minimizing impact on structural rigidity. The openings are strategically positioned to exploit natural convection currents for heat removal from the wheel bearing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition section features a curved, tapered geometry that smoothly connects the inner and outer ring sections. This curved design provides structural strength while accommodating ventilation openings, as the arch-like shape naturally resists bending forces better than flat configurations.
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
The design achieves significant weight reduction and improved ventilation of the wheel bearing, enhancing its performance under high loads without compromising structural rigidity or compatibility with standard commercial vehicle wheels.
Implementation Method 1
The ventilation openings ensure that heat is dissipated from the wheel bearing area, even when a brake disc located there reaches high temperatures during braking and the wheel bearing is exposed to correspondingly high heat radiation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel flange (1) for attaching a wheel to a commercial vehicle axle, on which it is rotatable about its central longitudinal axis (L) by means of a wheel bearing (2). The wheel flange (1) has an outer ring section (6) with wheel bolt openings (9, 9', 9"), an inner ring section (10) with wheel bearing bolt openings (14, 14', 14"), and a transition section (17) with ventilation openings (18, 18', 18") located between the outer and inner ring sections (6, 10). The wheel flange (1) according to the invention enables optimized ventilation of the wheel bearing (2) while minimizing weight. If the number of wheel bolt openings (9, 9', 9") is greater than or equal to the number of wheel bearing bolt openings (14, 14', 14"), each wheel bearing bolt opening (14, 14', 14") is assigned to one wheel bolt opening (9, 9', 9").In the case where the number of wheel bearing bolt openings (14, 14', 14") is greater than the number of wheel bolt openings (9, 9', 9"), each wheel bolt opening (9, 9', 9") is assigned to a wheel bearing bolt opening (14, 14', 14"). Regardless of which case applies, the centers (M, M') of the corresponding wheel bearing bolt openings (14, 14', 14") and wheel bolt openings (9, 9', 9") are each located on an imaginary connecting line (G, G', G") extending from the central longitudinal axis (L), and the ventilation openings (18, 18', 18") are each located in a region of the transition section (17) bounded by two adjacent connecting lines (G, G', G").