In the automobile manufacturing industry, lightweight design is one of the essential challenges to be solved fundamentally. The vehicle wheels are classified as safety related components as the main substructure of the vehicle. In this study, we illustrate a technique for selecting the appropriate number of spokes. Based on the basic model of the selected number of spokes, we propose a method to maintain stiffness and design lightweight using topology optimization software. Based on the basic model of the selected number of spokes, it was redesigned to be lightweight while maintaining stiffness by utilizing topology optimization software. By comparing and reviewing the structural analysis results of the basic model and the redesigned model, a design technique that can maintain structural safety and reduce wheel mass was proposed.

In this paper, the shape adjustment algorithm of the spoked wheel cable structures with retractable membrane system is studied. The initial tension of the membrane or cable is necessary to form the structure and its value is determined by the design shape. However, due to internal and external environmental influences, its shape may be different from the initial designed shape. In the case of the cable structures covered in this study, tension adjustment is necessary to maintain the designed shape because it influences the tension of the cable depending on the state of the retractable membrane. Therefore, we proposed an adjustment algorithm of an initial shape based on the force method. The effectiveness and validity of the methodology were examined through the applicable cable structures. The results of the shape adjustment analysis of the symmetric spoked wheel cable model were reliable and accurate results were obtained.

In spite of relatively high prices, aluminum wheels rapidly replace traditional steel wheels because of light weight and stylish design. To cope with expanding aluminum wheel market, steel wheel makers try to produce skeleton typed steel wheels adopting high strength steel which are light, stylish and lowprice compared with conventional steel wheel. But skeleton typed steel wheel disks are difficult to form because of complex shapes and low drawability of high strength steel. This paper presents the drawing process design for 5-spoke skeleton steel wheel disk. Through the finite element simulation of various alternatives for multi stage drawing processes, desirable draw die designs were proposed.