Configurable Wheel Vanes for Brake Cooling and Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sports motor vehicles face the challenge of minimizing energy consumption due to aerodynamic drag caused by openings in the wheel rims, which are necessary for cooling brakes or electric motors.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design featuring a rim with movable vanes that can be configured between closed and open positions to control airflow through the rim openings, thereby managing aerodynamic drag while maintaining sufficient cooling for vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If openings are provided in the wheel rim for cooling brakes or electric motors, then cooling performance is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing movable vanes that can dynamically change the opening configuration of the wheel rim. The vanes are positioned to be movable between different angular positions, allowing the opening area to be adjusted based on cooling requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize the balance between cooling performance and aerodynamic drag, rather than having fixed openings that continuously increase drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the opening area parameter of the wheel rim. By changing the angular position of the vanes, the effective opening area through which air flows is varied. When cooling is required, the vanes are positioned to create larger openings; when cooling is sufficient, the vanes reduce the opening area to minimize aerodynamic drag. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining cooling performance and reducing energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If the vanes are kept in the closed position to reduce aerodynamic drag, then energy efficiency is improved, but cooling capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable vane mechanism enables dynamic response to cooling demands. Rather than maintaining a static closed position, the system can actively open the vanes when thermal conditions require increased cooling airflow. This dynamic capability allows temporary opening of the vanes to restore cooling capability while minimizing the overall time with increased drag, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables periodic or intermittent opening of the vanes based on thermal conditions. Instead of maintaining constant openings that would continuously increase drag, the system can periodically open the vanes when cooling thresholds are exceeded, then close them when cooling requirements are met. This periodic action pattern allows the system to achieve necessary cooling while minimizing overall aerodynamic drag and energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel for a vehicle includes a rim having a rotation axis and one or more openings for placing an inner volume of the rim in communication with a space outside the rim and in front of the rim according to the rotation axis, characterized by comprising one or more vanes coupled to the rim in a movable manner between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the one or more vanes close and open at least partially the one or more openings, respectively.