Wheel Rim Vent Structure for Brake Cooling and Lower Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheel designs face challenges in enhancing aerodynamic performance while maintaining low pressure in the rim, as air flow and centrifugal forces lead to increased air resistance and pressure.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle wheel incorporates a cylindrical rim, disk, and wall portion with a cap that partially closes air holes between spokes, featuring a facing portion to redirect air flow radially outward through openings, reducing perpendicular discharge and maintaining cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air holes are provided between spokes for cooling, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to increased air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is provided with selective openings at specific locations (radially outward from the rim inner peripheral end) rather than uniform coverage, allowing localized air discharge in directions that prioritize cooling while minimizing aerodynamic resistance. The openings are strategically positioned to exploit natural airflow patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge direction is changed from axial (perpendicular to vehicle side flow) to radial direction. By redirecting air flow radially outward through the cap openings, the discharged air aligns with the vehicle side flow direction, reducing turbulence and aerodynamic resistance while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If air flow is discharged axially outward from the rim, then cooling performance is improved, but aerodynamic resistance increases due to perpendicular discharge to vehicle side flow
Solution Approach 1:
The air discharge direction is changed from axial (perpendicular to vehicle side flow) to radial direction. By redirecting air flow radially outward through the cap openings, the discharged air aligns with the vehicle side flow direction, reducing turbulence and aerodynamic resistance while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle side flow that creates aerodynamic resistance is utilized to assist air discharge. The cap openings are positioned and oriented to allow the natural vehicle side flow to carry air radially outward, converting the harmful aerodynamic resistance into a beneficial force that enhances cooling without additional energy input.
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
This design improves aerodynamic performance by reducing air resistance and suppressing pressure increases in the rim, while maintaining effective cooling for the brake system.
Implementation Method 1
the air in the rim is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the rim by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the tire
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes a main body outer end which is an outer end of the rim body in the axial direction, a portion of the rim composed of a portion axially outer than the main body outer end, and a ring-shaped portion located on the innermost radial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the rim outer end portion is a rim inner peripheral end, the wall portion, so as to become a wall with respect to the air flowing axially outward along the inner peripheral surface of the rim body, the air hole and the axial direction overlapping portion of the rim inner peripheral end, an opposed portion arranged axially outward spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, extending radially outward from the opposing portion, so as to form one or more openings radially outward from the rim inner peripheral end, and an outer peripheral portion defining at least a portion of the opening.