Wheel hub definition and function

Definition of wheel hub
The wheel hub, also known as the rim, rim, wheel, tire bell, refers to the cylindrical metal parts that support the tire's inner rim and are centered on the shaft. It is an important part that connects the wheel and the vehicle, and can carry and support the weight of the vehicle to ensure the stability and safety of the vehicle. There are many kinds of wheels, mainly classified according to diameter, width, molding method and material.

Hub function

Bearing and support: The primary function of the hub is to carry and support the weight of the vehicle, including the weight of the body, engine and other parts. This weight is eventually transferred through the wheel hub to the tire, which in turn makes contact with the ground. Therefore, the wheel hub must have sufficient strength and rigidity to ensure that it can support the vehicle stably under various road conditions and driving conditions.
Transfer power: During the driving process of the car, the power generated by the engine needs to be transmitted to the wheel hub through the transmission system, and then drive the tire rotation, so that the vehicle forward or backward. As a key component of power transmission, the design and manufacturing accuracy of wheel hub directly affect the efficiency of power transmission and vehicle driving performance.
Absorb and buffer vibration: During the driving process, the vehicle will encounter a variety of uneven road surface, which will produce vibration and shock. Through its special structural design and material selection (such as spoke design, rim reinforcement, etc.), the wheel hub can effectively absorb and buffer these shocks and shocks, improve the ride comfort and protect other parts of the vehicle from damage.

Ensure handling and stability: The combination of wheels and tires plays a crucial role in the handling and stability of the vehicle. Factors such as the diameter, width and shape of the hub will affect the ground area, adhesion and rolling resistance of the tire, which will affect the handling performance and driving stability of the vehicle. Excellent hub design can make the vehicle more stable and safe when driving at high speeds, turning or braking.
Heat dissipation function: During the driving process, the tire and the ground friction will produce a lot of heat. If these heat can not be dissipated in time, it will cause the tire temperature to rise, affecting the safety of driving. The design of the wheel hub usually takes into account the heat dissipation performance, through reasonable structural design (such as traditional multi-claw or radial line type, etc.) and material selection (such as aluminum alloy and other materials with good thermal conductivity), improve the heat dissipation efficiency and ensure that the tire temperature is within the normal range.
Aesthetic function: The wheel hub plays a crucial role in the appearance of the car. As a key component to support the tire, it not only carries the weight and impact of the car when driving, but also an important element to show the personality and style of the car. The exquisite wheel hub design can significantly enhance the visual impact of the vehicle, making the appearance of the car more fashionable and dynamic. At the same time, the material, shape and color selection of the wheel can also be coordinated with the body lines and colors to create a unique visual effect.

Type of wheel hub

Classification by material

Steel wheel
Features: Steel wheels are popular for their high strength and affordable price. It is commonly used in large duty trucks and is resistant to metal fatigue, providing a reliable foundation for the vehicle.
Advantages and disadvantages: the advantage is strong and durable, the disadvantage is that the weight is large, which has a certain impact on the acceleration performance and fuel consumption of the vehicle.
Iron hub
Features: Iron wheels are used more in minivans and some low-fitting versions of compact models. Although it is not as common as steel wheels, it also has the characteristics of affordable and durable.
Advantages and disadvantages: the advantage is that the price is cheap, the patience is better, the disadvantage is that the weight is large, and the appearance is not beautiful enough.

Aluminium alloy wheel hub
Features: Aluminum alloy wheels are the most common type of wheels on the market. With its lightweight characteristics, it can significantly improve the acceleration performance of the vehicle and reduce fuel consumption. At the same time, the aluminum alloy wheel also has good heat dissipation performance and beautiful appearance.
Advantages and disadvantages: the advantages are lightweight, good heat dissipation, fashion appearance, the disadvantage is that the price is relatively high, and not suitable for extreme road conditions.
Carbon fiber wheel hub
Features: Carbon fiber wheels are a symbol of high-end performance vehicles, such as the Sibel, Porsche and BMW M4 GTS models. It is known for its extremely light weight and extremely high strength, which significantly improves the performance and handling of the vehicle.
Advantages and disadvantages: the advantage is light weight, high strength, excellent performance, the disadvantage is expensive, not suitable for the mass market demand.

Classified by manufacturing process

Cast hub
Features: The casting wheel is formed by casting the material through the mold. This manufacturing process is relatively simple, low cost and suitable for mass production.
Advantages and disadvantages: the advantages are simple process, high efficiency and low cost, the disadvantage is that the overall texture may be relatively loose, and the strength and weight may not be as good as the forged wheel hub.

Forged hub
Features: The forged wheel is forged by high temperature and high pressure. This manufacturing process makes the wheels tighter and denser, which makes them lighter and stronger.
Advantages and disadvantages: the advantages are tight texture, high density, light weight, strong and durable, and beautiful appearance, the disadvantage is that the price is relatively high.

Hub maintenance and maintenance

Daily cleaning
Choose the right cleaning agent: Avoid using household cleaners and common dishwashing liquid on the market, because these cleaners tend to be alkaline or acidic, and are more corrosive to the surface of the wheel. It is recommended to use neutral soapy water for cleaning, which can reduce damage to the wheel surface.
Cleaning method: When the temperature of the wheel is high, it should be cleaned after waiting for its natural cooling, and do not rinse directly with cold water to avoid damage to the aluminum alloy wheel and even lead to the deformation of the brake disc. When cleaning, you can use a sponge or soft cloth to gently wipe, avoid using a brush or wire ball with strong wool, so as not to scratch the surface of the wheel.
Regular cleaning: It is recommended that the owner clean the wheel at least once a week, especially when it is touched by hard objects during driving, it should be cleaned and checked in time.

Scar treatment

Check the scar: When the wheel is found to have a scar, first check whether the scar is hurt to the inside of the wheel. If there is no damage to the inside, you can use paint diluent to wipe around the wound to remove dirt. In order to prevent irrelevant areas from getting paint, you can place adhesive paper around the wound before cleaning.
Repair marks: For minor marks, use the tip of a brush to apply retouching paint to the damaged area of the wheel hub. After the retouching paint is dry, apply it with water-resistant paper dipped in soapy water to make the surface smooth. Finally, shine with a mixture and wax to protect the hub surface.

Corrosion protection and maintenance
Avoid corrosive substances: Protect the wheel from sunlight for a long time, and avoid tire contact with oily, acidic substances and hydrocarbons and other corrosive substances. These substances may cause erosion of the wheel hub and affect its service life.
Regular waxing: In order to maintain the luster and corrosion resistance of the wheel surface, it is recommended to wax the wheel every two months. Before waxing, ensure that the surface of the wheel is clean and free of stains.
Pay attention to the driving environment: When driving in wet or near the seaside area, the wheel should be cleaned frequently to avoid salt corrosion on the aluminum surface. At the same time, in daily driving should pay attention to the low obstacles on the road, and avoid being too close to the roadbed when parking, so as not to cause injuries to the wheel hub.

Professional maintenance
Professional repair shop: If the wheel is seriously damaged or cannot repair itself, it should be repaired in a timely manner to a professional repair shop. Professional repair shops have professional equipment and technicians to ensure that the wheels are properly repaired and maintained.
Regular inspection: In addition to daily cleaning and maintenance, the owner should also regularly conduct a comprehensive inspection of the wheel hub, including checking the deformation of the wheel hub and the fastening of the bolts. In this way, problems can be found and solved in time to ensure driving safety.

The market price of wheels

Price range

The price range of wheels is wide, ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Generally speaking, the price of wheels for ordinary family cars is more affordable, while the price of wheels for high-end luxury cars or special purpose vehicles may be higher.

Price influencing factor

Material: The material of the wheel has a direct impact on the price. Common wheel materials include aluminum alloy, steel and so on. Aluminum alloy wheels because of its lightweight, corrosion resistance and other advantages, the price is usually higher than steel wheels.
Size: The size of the wheel is also an important factor affecting the price. Generally speaking, the larger the wheel diameter, the higher the price. In addition, the wheel size of different models is different, which also leads to the difference in price.
Brand and performance: Well-known brands of wheels tend to have better quality and performance, so the price is relatively high. At the same time, the price of some wheels with special properties (such as lightweight, high strength, low noise, etc.) will also increase accordingly.
Market supply and demand relationship: the market supply and demand relationship is also an important factor affecting the price of wheels. When market demand is greater than supply, wheel prices may rise; Conversely, when supply is greater than demand, prices may fall.

Specific price examples

Ordinary family car wheels: For ordinary family cars, the price of wheels is usually between several hundred yuan and several thousand yuan. The price depends on factors such as the material, size and brand of the wheel.
High-end luxury car wheels: The wheel price of high-end luxury cars is usually higher, and the price of some special materials and designs may even exceed Yuan. These wheels not only have excellent performance, but also have high decorative and recognizable.
Special purpose wheels: such as off-road wheels, racing wheels, etc., these wheels are usually more expensive. They require performance characteristics such as higher strength, better passability and lower rolling resistance to meet the special needs of use.