An axle-free wheel comprising: an outer rim member having a ground interface on an external surface thereof and an outer ball race or rolling race on an inner surface thereof; an inner rim member having an inner ball or rolling race on an outer surface thereof.

A method for producing a drop centre rim and to a drop centre rim for vehicle wheels of commercial vehicles. The rim has a plurality of zones, which form an inner rim flange and an outer rim flange, an inner steep-tapered bead seat and an outer steep-tapered bead seat and a rim drop centre with a drop centre base, an inner drop centre flank and an outer drop centre flank between the steep-tapered bead seats, wherein one of the zones is provided as a disc attachment region for a wheel disc, and the drop centre rim has at least one partial zone with a reduced wall thickness relative to the other zones. It is envisaged that at least one of the steep-tapered bead seats, preferably both steep-tapered bead seats, has/have a section with a wall thickness reduction of more than 20% relative to the wall thickness in the zone provided as the disc attachment region, wherein the wall thickness reduction is produced during one of the profiling steps.

A method for producing a drop centre rim and to a drop centre rim for vehicle wheels of commercial vehicles. The rim has a plurality of zones, which form an inner rim flange and an outer rim flange, an inner steep-tapered bead seat and an outer steep-tapered bead seat and a rim drop centre with a drop centre base, an inner drop centre flank and an outer drop centre flank between the steep-tapered bead seats, wherein one of the zones is provided as a disc attachment region for a wheel disc, and the drop centre rim has at least one partial zone with a reduced wall thickness relative to the other zones. It is envisaged that at least one of the steep-tapered bead seats, preferably both steep-tapered bead seats, has/have a section with a wall thickness reduction of more than 20% relative to the wall thickness in the zone provided as the disc attachment region, wherein the wall thickness reduction is produced during one of the profiling steps.

A bicycle disc wheel comprises a first disc panel and a second disc panel. The first disc panel has a first side outer surface and a first side inner surface and the second disc panel has a second side outer surface and a second side inner surface. The first side outer surface radially extends from a first disc panel outer perimeter to a center opening and the second side outer surface radially extends from a second disc panel outer perimeter to the center opening. The second side inner surface faces the first side inner surface. A brace is coupled to the first side inner surface and the second side inner surface that provide radial and axial structural support to the disc panels.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body, at least one wheel includes an annular tire that rotates to drive the vehicle body along a main driving direction, a wheel gear disposed on an inner surface of the tire, and an in-wheel actuator that is connected to the wheel gear and that rotates to rotate the tire, and positioning devices that are fixed to the vehicle body and that rotate the at least one wheel relative to the vehicle body to change positions of the at least one wheel relative to the vehicle body, the at least one wheel being coupled to at least one positioning device so as to be rotatable.

A bicycle disc wheel comprises a first disc panel and a second disc panel. The first disc panel has a first side outer surface and a first side inner surface and the second disc panel has a second side outer surface and a second side inner surface. The first side outer surface radially extends from a first disc panel outer perimeter to a center opening and the second side outer surface radially extends from a second disc panel outer perimeter to the center opening. The second side inner surface faces the first side inner surface. A brace is coupled to the first side inner surface and the second side inner surface that provide radial and axial structural support to the disc panels.

An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes a plurality of spokes attached to a hub, a frame, and a plurality of mechanical elements disposed between and engaging successive spokes. The spokes extend to locations radially inward and radially outward of the locations of engagement with the mechanical elements. A radial movement member moves the mechanical elements in a radial direction. The spokes are compressed by the mechanical elements, and retaining elements engage the mechanical elements to hold them and the spokes in this position. Release by the retaining elements and outward radial movement of the mechanical elements urge the spokes toward a shear band that is outward in the radial direction. Adhesive located between the spokes and the shear band is pressed there between through this urging to result in the spokes being attached to the shear band in a state of pre-compression.

An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes a plurality of spokes attached to a hub, a frame, and a plurality of mechanical elements disposed between and engaging successive spokes. The spokes extend to locations radially inward and radially outward of the locations of engagement with the mechanical elements. A radial movement member moves the mechanical elements in a radial direction. The spokes are compressed by the mechanical elements, and retaining elements engage the mechanical elements to hold them and the spokes in this position. Release by the retaining elements and outward radial movement of the mechanical elements urge the spokes toward a shear band that is outward in the radial direction. Adhesive located between the spokes and the shear band is pressed there between through this urging to result in the spokes being attached to the shear band in a state of pre-compression.

Disclosed is a method of forming a wheel assembly consisting of a wheel portion and a cover portion. The method includes handling the wheel portion from dunnage to a work cell with an outboard face of the wheel portion facing away from a supporting surface. Next, determining a planar position and a rotational position of wheel portion and retrieving the cover portion. The method proceeds with applying an adhesive to at least one of the back side of the cover portion and the outboard face of the wheel portion. Then, aligning the cover portion with the wheel portion utilizing the planar position and the rotational position. The next step is engaging the cover portion and the wheel portion with one another and maintaining the wheel portion in engagement with the cover portion for a predetermined amount of time with a predetermined amount of pressure to form the wheel assembly.

An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire that includes a base and a plurality of elements that move relative to the base. The plurality of elements have a central axis, and the elements are disposed in a circumferential direction around the central axis and move in a radial direction towards and away from the central axis. A radial movement member, hub, and a plurality of spokes are also present. Each one of the spokes is disposed between adjacent ones of the elements. The elements and the spokes are moved inwards in the radial direction by the radial movement member towards the central axis so that the spokes are moved in the radial direction towards the hub. Adhesive engages the spokes and the hub at an attachment location of the spokes and the hub.