An air deflection ring that is configured to be attached to a wheel of a motor vehicle that includes a barrel including a cylindrical inner surface and an opposing cylindrical outer surface, a plurality of spokes that are each separated by an opening and attach the barrel to a center of the wheel. The air deflection ring includes a cylindrical mounting ring that is configured to be fixed to the cylindrical inner surface of the barrel, and an air deflection flange that extends radially inwardly toward the center of the wheel from the cylindrical mounting ring. The cylindrical mounting ring is configured to be fixed to the cylindrical inner surface of the barrel at a location positioned immediately adjacent to the plurality of spokes, and the air deflection flange is configured to direct a flow of air away from the openings during rotation of the wheel.

An autonomous mobile device may use a pair of main wheels and a caster assembly to provide mobility. The main wheels are driven by motors, providing steering and movement. Each main wheel may include a cover that conceals and protects a hub of the main wheel from the external environment. The covers may be held in place by elastomeric posts, allowing easy changeout. The caster assembly has a minimal overall height and a field replaceable caster wheel. The caster wheel may include a target that is detectable by a non-contact sensor to detect caster wheel rotation. The caster wheel may comprise an axle, caster wheel hub, and a pair of caster wheel endcaps on each end of the axle. A set of features on the caster wheel hub and each of the caster wheel endcaps provide a labyrinthian path that prevents debris from fouling around the axle.

A wheel (1) for a vehicle and a related method for manufacturing the wheel includes a rim (2) and a wheel center (3). The wheel center includes several spokes (4) extending from a hub (5), with a center opening (6), radially outwards to the rim (2). The hub (5) is made from a fiber-reinforced plastic material and is covered on the outboard side from a three-dimensionally shaped support cover (7) made from metallic material.

A wheel (1) for a vehicle and a related method for manufacturing the wheel includes a rim (2) and a wheel center (3). The wheel center includes several spokes (4) extending from a hub (5), with a center opening (6), radially outwards to the rim (2). The hub (5) is made from a fiber-reinforced plastic material and is covered on the outboard side from a three-dimensionally shaped support cover (7) made from metallic material.

Methods and apparatus for attaching a center cap a wheel of a motor vehicle. A specialized lug nut may replace existing lug nuts to provide a threaded receiving area for a screw. The screw may be used to secure a cap in place. Some embodiments include an adapter to match a lug bolt pattern to a cap diameter size. In preferred embodiments, a lug nut is provided of specific designs, size and shape to be installable to act as a mechanism to secure a wheel to a vehicle and also act as a holder for the screw to retain the cap. The center cap may then slide onto the lug nuts (or extension that attach to the lug nuts) and then stay on by tightening a screw through the top of one or more lug nuts on each wheel.

A wheel assembly includes a wheel having a surface and defining a plurality of slots and a cap having a cap surface. The cap includes a plurality of positioning posts extending from the cap surface, each positioning post including a pillar and a stop fixed to the pillar. The pillar extends farther from the cap surface than the stop. The stop has a distal end. Each pillar is received by one of the slots of the wheel and the distal end of each stop is engaged with the surface of the wheel.

A wheel assembly includes a wheel having a surface and defining a plurality of slots and a cap having a cap surface. The cap includes a plurality of positioning posts extending from the cap surface, each positioning post including a pillar and a stop fixed to the pillar. The pillar extends farther from the cap surface than the stop. The stop has a distal end. Each pillar is received by one of the slots of the wheel and the distal end of each stop is engaged with the surface of the wheel.