Motor Vehicle Wheel Spokes with Varying Masses

Solution Overview

Problem

Light metal wheels with a large number of spokes compromise NVH properties due to reduced inherent frequency and impaired rigidity, despite being visually attractive, as all spokes having the same mass lead to undesirable noise and vibration issues.

Innovation Solution

Configuring wheel spokes with varying masses, where some spokes have a higher mass and others a lower mass, while maintaining a symmetrical and visually appealing design, to increase the inherent frequency and rigidity without altering the total weight significantly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a large number of wheel spokes are used, then visual attractiveness is improved, but inherent frequency decreases leading to poor NVH properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual attractivenessVSAvoidNVH properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making individual wheel spokes have different masses rather than uniform mass distribution. Specifically, at least one wheel spoke has a higher mass than at least one remaining wheel spoke, creating localized mass variations that increase the overall inherent frequency of the wheel while maintaining the visually attractive multi-spoke design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If a large number of wheel spokes are used, then visual attractiveness is improved, but wheel rigidity is impaired due to smaller cross-sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual attractivenessVSAvoidwheel rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making individual wheel spokes have different masses rather than uniform mass distribution. Specifically, at least one wheel spoke has a higher mass than at least one remaining wheel spoke, creating localized mass variations that increase the overall inherent frequency of the wheel while maintaining the visually attractive multi-spoke design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If all wheel spokes have the same mass, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but NVH properties deteriorate due to reduced inherent frequency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidNVH properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making individual wheel spokes have different masses rather than uniform mass distribution. Specifically, at least one wheel spoke has a higher mass than at least one remaining wheel spoke, creating localized mass variations that increase the overall inherent frequency of the wheel while maintaining the visually attractive multi-spoke design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally creating unequal mass distribution among wheel spokes. This asymmetric mass configuration breaks the symmetry of uniform spoke designs, thereby increasing the inherent frequency and improving NVH properties while still maintaining overall wheel balance and visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS10252569B2Motor vehicle wheel

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A wheel for a motor vehicle having a wheel rim connected to a wheel flange via wheel spokes. At least one wheel spoke having a higher mass than at least one of the remaining wheel spokes. The higher mass of the at least one wheel spoke partially compensated for by the lower mass of the at least one remaining wheel spoke.