Wheel Rim Hub Plate Segmentation for Gauge Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel rims for agricultural and construction vehicles face challenges in minimizing material waste, reducing production costs, and optimizing delivery times due to the need for a large stock of varied dimensions and colors, while also lacking efficient mechanisms for adjusting wheel gauges and minimizing material consumption.
Innovation Solution
The wheel rim design features a central hub plate with radial tabs and a second hub plate, both made from a single piece of material, which are joined using bolts, allowing for adjustable wheel gauges and reduced material waste through overlapping tabs and a method that minimizes production steps, with optional surface treatment for color customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a large stock of prefabricated rims with different dimensions, hub plates, and colors is maintained, then delivery time can be shortened, but inventory costs and capital tie-up increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hub plate is divided into multiple interchangeable parts (central hub plate with different hole patterns, second hub plate with tabs) that can be combined in various configurations. This segmentation allows a single rim body to be adapted to different wheel gauge requirements and hub types by simply replacing the hub plate components, eliminating the need to stock multiple complete rim variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub plate configuration is made dynamically adjustable through the tab system. The second hub plate includes tabs that can be positioned at different angles and orientations relative to the central hub plate, allowing the wheel gauge to be changed on-demand. This dynamic adaptability replaces the static inventory approach with a flexible, reconfigurable system.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional hub plate designs with large circular cutouts are used, then hub mounting is simplified, but material waste increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using large circular cutouts that waste material, the hub plate is segmented into functional zones: a central mounting area with precisely positioned holes for hub attachment, and peripheral tabs for wheel gauge adjustment. This segmentation allows material to be retained in areas that provide structural strength while removing only the minimum necessary material for functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub plate design applies local quality by concentrating material removal only where absolutely necessary for hub mounting holes and tab formation, while preserving material in surrounding areas to maintain structural integrity. The tabs are formed with precise geometry to provide the required functionality with minimal material waste.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hub plate variants with different hole patterns are produced to fit different hubs, then adaptability to various vehicle hubs is improved, but production complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second hub plate is designed as a universal component with multiple tabs that can be positioned and oriented in different configurations. This single universal hub plate design can accommodate multiple central hub plate variants with different hole patterns, providing broad hub compatibility without requiring multiple specialized hub plate designs. The tab system serves multiple functions: structural connection, wheel gauge adjustment, and adaptation to different hub configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub plate system is segmented into two independently configurable parts: the central hub plate with hub-specific hole patterns and the second hub plate with universal tab configurations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide overall adaptability, simplifying production compared to manufacturing multiple complete hub plate variants.
4Adaptability or versatility
If wheel rims are customized with specific colors to meet customer demands, then customer satisfaction is improved, but delivery time increases due to painting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hub plate components are designed to be pre-assembled and pre-configured in the desired wheel gauge arrangement before final delivery. The tab system allows for pre-adjustment of wheel gauge settings, so that when the rim is delivered, no time-consuming field adjustments are required. The customer receives a pre-configured system that can be quickly adapted to different hubs and colors without extended lead times.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a wheel rim and a method for making a wheel rim of the type suited for use on an agricultural or construction vehicle. The new feature of the wheel rim according to the invention is that the central hub plate at the outer periphery includes a number of tabs extending away from the centre of the central hub plate, where the second hub plate at its inner periphery also includes a number of tabs extending towards the centre of the hub plate, where the tabs have a geometric shape such that the tabs fit between each other, where the tabs include holes arranged at the same pitch circle diameter and at right angles to the tabs. In connection with the making of the hub plate, the second hub plate and the central hub plate can be produced from a single piece of suitable material, preferably steel plate, as the mentioned tabs extend over each other when two parts are separated and turned such that the tabs come to lie upon each other. The two hub plate parts are then joined by bolts in the holes formed in the mentioned tabs.