Wheel Rim Central Lock Cover Structure for Wear and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The central locking mechanism of vehicle wheels is prone to wear and damage from assembly and disassembly, affecting its aesthetic appearance and compatibility with elaborately painted rims, and is not environmentally protected.
Innovation Solution
A covering device with a central cylindrical base body and radially extending flange ring disks that can be connected to the central closure, featuring a protruding screw unit and sealing means, allowing customization and protection from environmental influences, while covering the central lock and enhancing aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the central locking mechanism is left exposed with black anodized coating, then the functional structure is visible, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to wear and damage from installation tools
Solution Approach 1:
A cover device is introduced as an intermediary element between the viewer and the central locking mechanism. This cover protects the locking mechanism from aesthetic damage while allowing functional access, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility and appearance protection
Solution Approach 2:
The cover device replicates the functional form of the central locking mechanism while providing a protective surface. The cover mimics the cylindrical shape and flange structure, creating a visual copy that preserves aesthetics without compromising function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the central locking mechanism is covered to improve aesthetics, then the appearance is protected, but the accessibility for wheel installation and removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a protective outer surface for aesthetics, and an access region with opening or removable elements that allow tool insertion. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of appearance protection and operational accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The cover device incorporates dynamic access mechanisms such as openings that allow tool passage or removable sections that can be temporarily displaced during wheel installation, then restored to their protective position afterward
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover device is made comprehensive to fully protect the central closure, then the aesthetic coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple protective functions are merged into a single integrated cover device structure. The cover combines aesthetic covering, access facilitation, and protective functions in one unified component rather than multiple separate elements, thus reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cover device (10) for the central locking mechanism of a vehicle wheel rim. The cover device (10) has a radial direction (R), a longitudinal direction (L), and a circumferential direction (U). The cover device (10) has a central cylindrical base body (12) which, when connected to the central locking mechanism, is arranged in a cylindrical blind recess of the central locking mechanism. A flange ring disc (14) extending radially outward in the R direction is integrally formed on the upper surface of the central base body (12). A longitudinally extending (L) downward-pointing, circumferentially extending (U) web ring disc (16) is arranged in the edge region of the flange ring disc (14). A further flange ring disc (18) extending radially outward in the R direction and circumferentially extending (U) is integrally formed in the lower edge region of the web ring disc (16).The central base body (12) of the cover device (10) has a screw unit (20) with an external thread projecting downwards in the longitudinal direction (L), which is screwed into the blind hole recess of the central lock for connection to the central lock. The geometry of the central base body (12) with flange ring washer (14), web ring washer (16) and further flange ring washer (18) is designed such that, when the cover device (10) is connected to the central lock, the entire upper outer contour of the central lock is covered in the circumferential direction (U).