Wheel Hub Flange Extension for Large-Wheel Styling Without Tire Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle wheels struggle to balance weight reduction, aesthetic appeal, and safety while adhering to traditional size limitations, leading to suboptimal fuel efficiency and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an extension part on the wheel flange, increasing the visual diameter without altering the tire's specifications, achieved by a radial and axial extension that maintains structural integrity and compatibility with standard tires, while allowing for a 'large wheel-thin tire' appearance without increasing weight significantly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the wheel diameter is increased to achieve a 'large wheel-thin tire' appearance, then the visual appeal is improved, but the tire outer diameter change exceeds the 3% limit and adversely affects vehicle performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds an axial extension dimension to the flange, extending outward from the wheel front side. This creates a multi-dimensional solution where the visual diameter is increased through axial projection rather than radial expansion, allowing the tire outer diameter to remain within the 3% limit while achieving the desired 'large wheel' appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension part acts as an intermediary element between the flange and the external environment. It provides the visual effect of a larger wheel without directly increasing the functional wheel-tire assembly dimensions, thereby mediating between aesthetic requirements and performance constraints.
2Shape
If the wheel diameter is increased to improve appearance, then the visual impact is enhanced, but the fuel consumption increases due to weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the flange axially rather than radially, the invention achieves visual diameter increase without proportionally increasing the mass. The axial extension projects outward to create the large wheel appearance while maintaining a more compact mass distribution, thereby reducing the fuel consumption penalty compared to traditional radial expansion.
3Shape
If the wheel diameter is increased to achieve aesthetic goals, then the visual domineering effect is improved, but the comfort deteriorates due to compromised tire specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The axial extension of the flange allows the visual diameter to be increased while keeping the functional wheel-tire assembly dimensions within acceptable limits. This preserves the tire's ability to provide proper cushioning and comfort while achieving the desired aesthetic effect through dimensional reconfiguration.
4Shape
If the flange extension part is added to increase visual diameter, then the manufacturing complexity increases, but the structural integrity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The extension part is integrated with the flange to form an integral structure. This merging of components simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to assembling separate parts, while still achieving the increased visual diameter. The integral design ensures structural integrity through continuous material flow between the flange and extension part.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a wheel hub for vehicle, which comprises a flange, a rim, a spoke, a central hole, and bolt bores distributed around the central hole. According to the disclosure, the flange on the wheel front side is affixed with an extension part comprising a radial extension magnitude extending to the outer periphery of the wheel hub and an axial extension magnitude extending to the wheel front side, the extension part comprises a plurality of sections circumferentially distributed along the flange, so as to form on the wheel front side an envelope circle having a diameter size increased by twice the radial extension magnitude. The present disclosure further satisfies the additional needs of the user with respect to the overall design of the wheel.