Design Modification and Analysis of Automobile Wheel Rim using Finite Element Analysis

Importance of wheel in the automobile is obvious. The vehicle may be towed without the engine but at the same time even that is also not possible without the wheels, the wheels along the tire has to carry the vehicle load, provide cushioning effect and cope with the steering control. Generally wheel spokes are the supports consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim. Spokes make vehicles look great but at the same time they require attention in maintenance. To perform their functions best, the spokes must be kept under the right amount of tension. If a spoke does break, the wheel generally becomes instantly unbalanced also the hub may break. The purpose of the car wheel rim provides a firm base on which to fit the tire. The motorcycle riders are subjected to extreme vibrations due to the vibrations of its engine, improper structural design of the motorcycle and the bad road conditions. So in this project the attempt has been made to reduce the vibrations of vehicle by providing springs instead of the spokes at the wheel. The springs will work as suspension members at wheels as well as they will provide proper strength that is adequate to proper operation of the wheel. The CAD model of a motor cycle will be made in solid works and later it is analyzed in ANSYS 14.5. The results of suspension of ordinary wheel rim and spring based rim will be compared.