Wheel Rim Ring With Double-Walled Cavity For Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing and assembly of existing wheel rims are complex and expensive, and they do not effectively address issues of statics, weight, and rolling noise.

Innovation Solution

A ring with a base lip that overlaps the inner rim base and a horn lip modeled on the inner rim horn, featuring a double-walled cavity area with radial walls, which can be partially hollow and filled with insulating materials, providing structural support and noise reduction without additional weight, and securely connected to the wheel rim using adhesive or welding methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If wheel rims are designed with additional structural elements to improve statics and reduce noise, then performance improves, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestaticsVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ring is divided into multiple functional sections: a base lip for mounting, a cavity area for noise reduction, and a horn lip for structural integration. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function efficiently without adding unnecessary weight to the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ring features localized structural enhancements only where needed: the double-walled cavity area specifically for noise reduction, the base lip for secure mounting, and the horn lip for structural integration. This localized approach improves statics and noise characteristics without uniformly increasing weight across the entire wheel rim.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If wheel rims are designed with additional structural elements to improve statics and reduce noise, then performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestaticsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ring combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: structural support through the base lip and horn lip, noise reduction through the cavity area, and mounting integration with the wheel rim. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps compared to using multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural reinforcement for improved statics, creates a cavity for noise reduction, and integrates with the wheel rim through its base and horn lips. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the ring is designed as a closed hollow chamber to improve statics, then structural integrity improves, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ring provides partial hollow chamber structures in the cavity area rather than a completely enclosed chamber. This partial approach maintains sufficient structural integrity for noise reduction and statics improvement while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of creating fully closed hollow chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 results in a 10% weight reduction of wheel rims with improved statics and noise reduction, ensuring a secure connection and robust assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

the hollow chamber can be filled with an insulating material, in particular with a metal foam or a plastic foam. In this way, noise reduction can be achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2823970B1Ring for a wheel, and wheel having such a ring
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 BBS MOTORSPORT GMBH
  • EP2823970B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2823970B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2823970B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a ring (10) for a wheel rim (20) of a wheel, in particular for a wheel rim of a light alloy wheel for motor vehicles, wherein the wheel rim (20) has an inner rim bed (21) and an outer rim bed (22), each of which transitions into an inner rim flange (23) and an outer rim flange (24), respectively, which are arranged facing a motor vehicle in a mounted state, such that the wheel rim (20) has a circumferential contour (25) axially on the inside. According to the invention, the ring (10) has a lip (11) that extends to the inner rim bed (21) or is designed to partially overlap the inner rim bed (21). On the side facing away from the lip (11), the ring (10) has a horn lip (13) whose radially inner surface shape is modeled on that of the inner rim flange (23). The ring (10) is at least partially double-walled in a cavity area (15) between the bed lip (11) and the horn lip (13).