A chassis component for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The chassis component (1) is manufactured at least partially from a multi-layer steel sheet (10, 20, 30). The multi-layer steel sheet (10, 20, 30) includes at least three steel layers, including two outer steel layers (11, 12; 21, 22; 31, 32) and one inner steel layer (13, 23, 33). At least one outer steel layer (11, 12; 21, 22; 31, 32) of the multi-layer steel sheet (10, 20, 30) has a tensile strength of at least 1200 MPa. A method for producing a chassis component for a motor vehicle, in particular a wheel (1) or a part thereof, is also disclosed.

A spare wheel assembly comprising a tire and a rim to which the tire is attached is disclosed. The rim includes a center mounting plate having a center bore, inner and outer opposed flanges, and a disk between the center bore and the flanges. The disk includes a pair of elongated, curved slots formed on opposite sides of the center bore. Each of the slots is an ergonomically-formed hand hold for receiving fingers of an operator's hand. The inner and outer opposed flanges of the rim define perimeters of the rim between which the tire is held. The curved slots are concentric with respect to the perimeter of the outer flange and with respect to the center bore. A centerline is formed radially through the assembly. The disk is positioned on one side of the centerline and the mounting plate is positioned on the other side of the centerline.

A bicycle rim comprises a radially outer peripheral part, a radially inner peripheral part, at least one sidewall, and at least one cover member. The at least one side wall radially extends between the radially outer peripheral part and the radially inner peripheral part. The at least one side wall comprises at least one opening. The at least one cover member covers the at least one opening, and the at least one cover member comprises a metallic material.

A bicycle rim comprises a radially outer peripheral part, a radially inner peripheral part, at least one sidewall, and at least one cover member. The at least one side wall radially extends between the radially outer peripheral part and the radially inner peripheral part. The at least one side wall comprises at least one opening. The at least one cover member covers the at least one opening, and the at least one cover member comprises a metallic material.

An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.

An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.

An adjustable rim includes a first annular ring rotatable about a first axis, the first ring having radially extending first linear slots circumferentially spaced about the first ring, a first annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the first axis, the first hoop having circumferentially and radially extending first arcuate slots spaced about the first hoop, a second annular ring rotatable about a second axis, the second ring having radially extending second linear slots circumferentially spaced about the second ring, a second annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the second axis, the second hoop having circumferentially and radially extending second arcuate slots spaced about the second hoop, and an axially extending arcuate member having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end is circumferentially and radially aligned with a first linear slot of the first annular ring and a first arcuate slot of the first annular hoop. The first linear slot and the first arcuate slot interact to move part of the arcuate member in only a radial direction.

A bicycle rim comprises a base member, a cover member, and a spoke attachment member. The base member includes a truss structure that defines at least one opening. The cover member at least partly covers the at least one opening of the base member. The spoke attachment member is a separate member from the base member and the cover member. The spoke attachment member is non-rotatably attached to the base member.

A bicycle rim comprises a base member, a cover member, and a spoke attachment member. The base member includes a truss structure that defines at least one opening. The cover member at least partly covers the at least one opening of the base member. The spoke attachment member is a separate member from the base member and the cover member. The spoke attachment member is non-rotatably attached to the base member.

A piezoelectric energy harvesting system for converting mechanical energy of a tire of a vehicle to electrical energy includes sets of piezoelectric beam assemblies, a tire electrical jack, a conductive bearing, and an electrical storage unit. The sets of piezoelectric beam assemblies are embedded in multiple layers of the tire of the vehicle and electrically connected in a parallel configuration. Each of the sets of the piezoelectric beam assemblies are electrically connected in a series configuration for converting mechanical strains into electrical energy. The tire electrical jack is mounted on a rim of the tire and receives the electrical energy generated by the sets of piezoelectric beam assemblies via output terminals. The conductive bearing transmits the electrical energy received by the tire electrical jack to the electrical storage unit, which filters, rectifies, adapts and stores the transmitted electrical energy for powering components of the vehicle.