Aero weel inserts/covers vs aero hubcaps

[Logic]

I came across a lot of these, some downloadable from 3D print sites like ThingyVerse etc, by searching:
3d printed aero aerodynamic hubcaps


https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/t...ls.7039/page-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncJGRlKAADY

https://pinshape.com/items/58961-3d-...c-modification



https://www.ioniqforum.com/threads/w...iciency.36492/
This link has economy numbers: 195.5 to 181.3 Wh/km at 110km/h (Highway)
City drive cycle???

These should be a bit lighter than full covers.
They seem easy to attach with clips built in and more practical.
They leave your bling-bling mags 'on show'! More or less.

I assume many of these originated here and have been posted here already?

[freebeard]

Back in the 1990s or so Honda had an alloy wheel that had a single piece that did the same function but left circumferential slots for air passage.

I've failed to find a reference before, and certainly don't have time at the moment.

[j-c-c]

I think on this topic the motoring public/aeroists (?) should just bite the bullet and incorporate full wheel opening covers. Louver enough or design in controllable flaps when extra air movement for cooling, when needed. The rears can be hinged and latched. The fronts can be latched to multiple circumferential mounted springs, and when the wheels are turned/steered, they merely push out against the spring mounted covers on whichever side the front wheel is turning. A u shaped bracket mounted on the steering hub behind the wheel, but extending outward slightly past the wheel front and rear would move the spring mounted cover. For steering safety there is no direct mechanical connection between the cover and the wheel. Steering effort is only increased by the small force the springs add, but still enough to control the cover. The front covers could also have short retaining pins at play when tires are turned say at less than 5? degrees to allow extra retention and safety during most of normal drive time.

Of course the amount possible of drag reduction would need to be quantified and optimized, but I would think it would significantly surpass the current hubcap style wheel covers everyone is currently focused on.

[freebeard]

I got something done (removed corrosion from an old Craftsman electric saw) so I tried two search strings. From the first*:

https://whyisthisinteresting.substac...-wheel-edition
It was like a combination of the two in the lower left, a solid center with fingers that curved into the gap between spokes.

From the second:

What's interesting is that the website https://asktheman.xyz/ attributes the picture 'From ecomodder.com' but the URL is Pelican Parts. So somewhere on this site is a thread that contains this pic.

*This is an interesting article, about aero wheel covers going in and out of fashion

An industrious person could likely then look back at the points in the last 100 years when energy efficiency and conservation were at the height of collective consciousness (1920s-30s, 1970s-80s, 1990s-00s, 2020-today) and find that the occurrence of aero wheel designs to emerge shortly after those crests, only to disappear again in the trenches of time between—where they move from a vision of the future, to a dominant style, to a passé look cast aside for something a bit flashier.

And their wheel of the day:

[Logic]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I got something done (removed corrosion from an old Craftsman electric saw) so I tried two search strings. From the first*:

https://whyisthisinteresting.substac...-wheel-edition
It was like a combination of the two in the lower left, a solid center with fingers that curved into the gap between spokes.

From the second:

What's interesting is that the website https://asktheman.xyz/ attributes the picture 'From ecomodder.com' but the URL is Pelican Parts. So somewhere on this site is a thread that contains this pic.

*This is an interesting article, about aero wheel covers going in and out of fashion


And their wheel of the day:

Where's that mirrored, different left and right, aero vented hubcaps post again?
I cant find it?
That should be here.

Back to inserts:
Better?
I think so.
I want those mirrored vents in inserts!

[Logic]

Originally Posted by j-c-c

I think on this topic the motoring public/aeroists (?) should just bite the bullet and incorporate full wheel opening covers. Louver enough or design in controllable flaps when extra air movement for cooling, when needed. The rears can be hinged and latched. The fronts can be latched to multiple circumferential mounted springs, and when the wheels are turned/steered, they merely push out against the spring mounted covers on whichever side the front wheel is turning. A u shaped bracket mounted on the steering hub behind the wheel, but extending outward slightly past the wheel front and rear would move the spring mounted cover. For steering safety there is no direct mechanical connection between the cover and the wheel. Steering effort is only increased by the small force the springs add, but still enough to control the cover. The front covers could also have short retaining pins at play when tires are turned say at less than 5? degrees to allow extra retention and safety during most of normal drive time.

Of course the amount possible of drag reduction would need to be quantified and optimized, but I would think it would significantly surpass the current hubcap style wheel covers everyone is currently focused on.

Steering actuated front wheel 'flaps? Hinged above the wheel?

Hmmm...
I was typing like crazy, but think I'll keep that idea under my hat for now.
Thx for the getting me thinking about it!

[Logic]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I got something done (removed corrosion from an old Craftsman electric saw) so I tried two search strings. From the first*:

https://whyisthisinteresting.substac...-wheel-edition
It was like a combination of the two in the lower left, a solid center with fingers that curved into the gap between spokes.

From the second:

What's interesting is that the website https://asktheman.xyz/ attributes the picture 'From ecomodder.com' but the URL is Pelican Parts. So somewhere on this site is a thread that contains this pic.

*This is an interesting article, about aero wheel covers going in and out of fashion


And their wheel of the day:

If you spun that BMW wheel in the air; the centrifuge fins are on the outside.
ie: Air would be blowing out from the inside..?

As soon a the wheel is rolling on the road, I don't know. 2X faster forward movement than roadspeed at the top = ?? Square double roadspeed..?
While the bottom is standing still for a moment at point of contact.
So a flow difference there for sure.

But air blowing into a centrifuge pump's outer, blow side..?
Because the bottoms getting slower air..?
ie: The arrows in the pic are wrong??

[freebeard]

The arrows in the pic are wrong??

It appears to be a right rear wheel. The text asserts there are lefts and rights.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by freebeard

It appears to be a right rear wheel. The text asserts there are lefts and rights.

Not from what I can see. Maybe bigger pics would be illuminating.


Where's that mirrored, different left and right, aero vented hubcaps (on a Honda concept IIRC) post again freebeard?
I continues to evade me!?

That should be here!