Wheel Rim Drilling Device with Funnel Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for processing wheel rims, particularly light metal rims, often result in stresses and distortion due to expensive centering means and inefficiencies in removing sprue residues, leading to quality issues and malfunctioning chucks.

Innovation Solution

A device with a funnel-shaped protective insert for supporting the rim, allowing for downward machining and lateral centering, which enables efficient removal of sprue residues and reduces stress by sealing chips and using hydraulic or mechanical means for precise alignment and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional centering means are used to hold the rim, then the rim can be processed, but the centering means are expensive and can lead to distortion of the rims

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverim processing reliabilityVSAvoidcentering means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A protective insert with a funnel-shaped element is introduced as an intermediary component between the support means and the rim. This insert seals the inner area of the rim and guides chips downward, preventing chip escape while avoiding the use of complex expensive centering means that cause distortion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful function of conventional centering means (causing distortion and requiring high complexity) is extracted and replaced. The invention removes the need for these complex centering means by using a different approach: supporting the rim on its inner side and using the protective insert to manage chips, thereby eliminating the source of the problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If individual positioning of rims is performed to remove sprue residues, then accurate removal is possible, but the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesprue residue removal accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rim is positioned in a standardized orientation (inner side downward) on the support means, creating an equipotential positioning system. This eliminates the need for time-consuming individual positioning while maintaining accurate sprue residue removal, as all rims are automatically positioned in the correct orientation for processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The protective insert is pre-positioned in the support means before the rim is placed. This preliminary action ensures that the chip sealing and guidance function is already in place, allowing immediate processing without additional positioning steps and maintaining both accuracy and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the rim is processed with material removal, then sprue residues can be eliminated, but processing chips may escape and cause malfunctions in the chuck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel hub qualityVSAvoidchip escape
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective insert with funnel-shaped element acts as an intermediary barrier that seals the inner area of the rim. This insert prevents processing chips from escaping into the outer area and potentially causing chuck malfunctions, while still allowing the material removal process to effectively eliminate sprue residues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The downward direction of chip flow, which could be harmful if chips escape, is converted into a benefit. The funnel-shaped element guides chips downward into a collection area, transforming the potential hazard of chip escape into a controlled chip management system that protects the chuck while maintaining processing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution allows for accurate and rapid removal of sprue residues without individual positioning, reducing stress on the rim and preventing chuck malfunctions, while maintaining rim quality and efficiency in processing.

Implementation Method 1

there is a substantially complete sealing of the outer area of the rim against escape of processing chips, in particular drilling chips, which can fall down due to gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3172003B1Device for the working of a wheel rim and method of using a device for the working of a wheel rim
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 GK UMFORMTECHN
  • EP3172003B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3172003B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3172003B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (21) and to a method for processing a rim (1) for a vehicle, in particular an automobile or truck, said device comprising means (2) for supporting the rim, means (3) for centering the rim, and means (4) for drilling, wherein the means for supporting the rim have a protective insert (5), in particular a funnel-shaped element, and can be inserted into an inside (6) of the rim, wherein the rim is arranged on the means for support with the inside in a direction (7) downward and is retained laterally by the means of centering, in particular two means for centering that are arranged opposite, wherein the rim should be oriented with a central wheel hub axis (8) substantially concentric with respect to a processing axis (9) of the means for support, wherein in a wheel hub region (10) the wheel hub region can be drilled into through the means for support from a direction (11) of the inside of the rim by means of the means for drilling.