Wheel Machining Fixture With Flexible Support For Trace-Free Rim
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Solution Overview
Problem
The wheel machining process often results in machining traces on the outer rim, leading to wheel balance out of tolerance, which affects the comfort and safety of vehicles and increases rejection rates.
Innovation Solution
A fixture comprising a bottom plate, base, pressure plates, steel balls, rubber strips, and positioning columns that expand the wheel's center hole and compress the inner rim to counteract machining forces and vibrations, allowing for trace-free machining of the outer rim.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional wheel machining process is used, then machining efficiency is maintained, but machining traces are formed on the outer rim causing wheel balance out of tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a static rigid support to a dynamic flexible support that adapts during machining. The flexible support plate with rubber material and steel balls allows dynamic adjustment to counteract machining forces and vibrations in real-time, eliminating machining traces while maintaining machining continuity and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure changes its physical parameters during operation. The steel balls move from a resting state to an activated state under centrifugal force, changing the support rigidity and damping characteristics dynamically to match machining conditions, thereby achieving trace-free machining without sacrificing productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid support structure is used to hold the wheel, then positioning stability is improved, but tool vibration increases causing machining traces
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support structure with rubber material and steel balls is pre-configured to provide vibration damping and force counteraction before machining begins. This beforehand cushioning absorbs machining-induced vibrations and prevents them from transmitting to the tool, eliminating machining traces while maintaining positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible support plate acts as an intermediary between the rigid fixture and the wheel. It mediates the interaction by absorbing vibrations and machining forces through its flexible material and steel ball mechanism, preventing direct transmission of destabilizing forces while maintaining secure positioning.
3Measurement precision
If expanding sleeve is used to secure the wheel center hole, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expanding sleeve serves multiple functions: it secures the wheel center hole, provides precise positioning, and works in conjunction with the flexible support structure. This multi-functionality achieves high positioning accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity, as the expanding mechanism integrates with the existing fixture framework.
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 fixture ensures precise wheel balance by eliminating machining traces and reducing tool vibrations, thereby improving wheel balance precision and reducing rejection rates.
Implementation Method 1
as the wheel rotates at a high speed, the steel balls are thrown outwardly by the centrifugal force, and thus drive the rubber strip to move outwardly to compress the inner rim of the wheel
Implementation Method 2
After the operation is completed, the steel balls roll inwardly under the action of self-weight and thus disengage from the rubber strip to facilitate removal of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A fixture for machining wheel outer rim without trace includes a positioning and clamping portion and a flexible support portion. A base is fixed on a bottom plate, and a screw is configured to compress an expanding pressure plate during being tightened so that the outer circumference of an expanding sleeve expands a center hole of a wheel; and the positioning columns are inserted into bolt holes of the wheel. A lower pressure plate is fixed on the base, and limiting columns and an upper pressure plate are installed on the lower pressure plate, with steel balls and rubber strip being enclosed in a space formed by the lower pressure plate and the upper pressure plate. The fixture meets the requirement for machining the wheel outer rim without trace, has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient manufacture, stable performance and precision, and meets the requirements of automatic production.