Wheel Rim Scraper Protection for Drum Brake Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles with drum brakes face issues as snow, ice, or mud accumulation inside the wheel rim can disrupt or damage the mechatronic actuators due to lack of protection.
Innovation Solution
A device with a scraper mechanism secured to the axle arm, featuring a rigid plate with a sharp edge, continuously cleans the rim interior by removing foreign substances, protecting the drum brake and mechatronic actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no protection device is installed, then the structure remains simple, but the mechatronic actuator is vulnerable to damage from foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is divided into multiple segments: a first fixing part for mounting to the axle arm, a second cleaning part forming the scraper, and a closing plate. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall structure manageable and installable on existing vehicle architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper acts as an intermediary element between the foreign substances and the mechatronic actuator. By positioning the scraper between these two elements, it intercepts and removes snow, ice, and mud before they can reach and damage the actuator, thus protecting the vulnerable component without requiring direct modification of the actuator itself.
2Productivity
If the scraper is positioned close to the rim surface for effective cleaning, then cleaning efficiency improves, but the risk of damaging the rim or interfering with brake operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper is designed with specific local characteristics: a sharp edge for effective cutting of snow and ice, a rigid plate structure for durability, and a precisely controlled distance from the rim surface. The sharp edge is positioned at an optimal distance to effectively remove foreign substances while the rigid plate provides structural integrity. This local optimization allows the scraper to perform its cleaning function efficiently without causing harmful effects to the rim or brake system.
3Strength
If the scraper is made rigid for durability, then structural strength improves, but adaptability to varying rim conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper is pre-positioned at an optimal distance from the rim surface during installation, and the support arm is adjustable to accommodate different rim sizes and conditions. This preliminary configuration allows the rigid scraper to effectively handle various accumulation conditions (snow, ice, mud) without requiring real-time adjustment during operation, thus maintaining both strength and adaptability.
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
Efficiently protects the drum brake and mechatronic actuator by continuously removing foreign substances, ensuring uninterrupted operation and preventing damage.
Implementation Method 1
a first fixing part (4) secured to a second cleaning part (5) forming a scraper (6) configured to remove foreign substances likely to accumulate on an inner surface (7) of the rim (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
This protection device (1) for a rim (2) of a motor vehicle wheel equipped with a drum brake (3) comprises a first fixing part (4) secured to a second cleaning part (5) forming a scraper (6) configured to remove foreign substances likely to accumulate on an inner surface (7) of the rim (2). The first fixing part (4) comprises a tubular portion intended to be fitted to one end (9a) of an arm (9) of an axle (10) supporting the rim (2).