A composite wheel assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The composite wheel assembly includes a lightweight annular fiber-reinforced barrel having an inner surface and an outer surface configured to support a tire thereon. A lightweight metal central hub assembly is fixed to the barrel. The metal central hub assembly includes a central hub portion and plurality of support spokes extending outwardly from the metal central hub portion. A wheel cladding contrasting in at least one of material type, color, texture and surface finish to an outwardly facing surface of the central hub assembly is fixed to the outwardly facing surface of the central hub assembly.

To provide an idler of a crawler-type traveling device which secures the strength while suppressing an increase in the weight and cost, and a crawler-type traveling device provided with the same. An idler includes a hub section that is axially supported; a rim section that is disposed coaxially with the hub section; and plates that connect the hub section and the rim section. At least one of the hub section and the rim section has flange sections that rise toward the other. The plates are mounted to the flange sections.

Presented are hybrid metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wheels for vehicle wheel assemblies, methods for making/using such wheels, and motor vehicles equipped with such wheels. A wheel for a motor vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel face with multiple spokes that are circumferentially spaced about and project radially outward from a central hub. The central hub rotatably attaches to the vehicle's body, e.g., via a corner module. The wheel face is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from an FRP material. A wheel barrel, which circumscribes the wheel face, includes an annular rim that mounts thereon an inflatable tire. The wheel barrel is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from a metallic material. Multiple overmold through holes and/or inset tabs are circumferentially spaced about the annular rim. The FRP material extends through and/or surrounds the overmold through holes/inset tabs and thereby mounts the wheel face to the wheel barrel.

Presented are hybrid metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wheels for vehicle wheel assemblies, methods for making/using such wheels, and motor vehicles equipped with such wheels. A wheel for a motor vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel face with multiple spokes that are circumferentially spaced about and project radially outward from a central hub. The central hub rotatably attaches to the vehicle's body, e.g., via a corner module. The wheel face is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from an FRP material. A wheel barrel, which circumscribes the wheel face, includes an annular rim that mounts thereon an inflatable tire. The wheel barrel is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from a metallic material. Multiple overmold through holes and/or inset tabs are circumferentially spaced about the annular rim. The FRP material extends through and/or surrounds the overmold through holes/inset tabs and thereby mounts the wheel face to the wheel barrel.

A liner plate for a work machine has a frame with a frame surface and an axle opening, and a guard member at least partially disposed above the axle opening. The guard member has a lower face, a region of the frame surface and a region of the lower face define a volume. The liner plate includes a body portion defining an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface. The body portion defines a first side surface and a second side surface. The body portion is adapted to be coupled to the frame surface proximate the first side surface. The body portion is adapted to be coupled to the guard member proximate the second side surface. Further, upon coupling of the body portion to the frame surface and the guard member, the body portion prevents at least some debris from entering the volume.

A vehicle driveline component with a housing, a tube and a plurality of slugs. The housing has a tube mount with a body and a plurality of slug bores. The body defines a tube bore that extends along an axis. The slug bores are spaced circumferentially apart about and are formed through the body. Each of the slug bores intersects the tube bore. The tube is received in the tube bore. Each of the slugs is received into an associated one of the slug bores and is welded to the tube. Each of the slugs engages an inside surface of one of the slug bores to inhibit movement of the tube relative to the tube mount. The body has a wall thickness and each of the slugs engages the inside surface of one of the slug bores over a distance that is less than the wall thickness.

A method of machining a carrier housing for an axle assembly comprises obtaining a carrier housing including circumferentially spaced apart tabs and positioning a datum setting tool in engagement with the carrier housing. The carrier housing is clamped to a fixture to position the carrier housing at a first orientation relative to a coordinate system within a work cell. The datum setting tool is disengaged from the carrier housing. Portions of the carrier housing along a first side are machined to define features including a carrier mounting flange and a cylindrical bearing bore extending perpendicular to the carrier mounting flange while the carrier housing remains clamped at the first orientation. Different portions of the carrier housing, on a second opposite side of the carrier housing, are machined to define additional geometrical feature while the initial clamped orientation continues to be maintained.

A composite wheel assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The composite wheel assembly includes a lightweight annular aluminum barrel having an inner surface and an outer surface configured to support a tire thereon. A lightweight metal central hub assembly is fixed to the barrel. The metal central hub assembly includes a central hub portion and plurality of support spokes extending outwardly from the central hub portion to free ends, wherein the free ends are fixed to the inner surface of the aluminum barrel. A wheel cladding contrasting in at least one of material type, color, texture and surface finish to an outwardly facing surface the central hub assembly is fixed to the outwardly facing surface of the central hub assembly.

A wheel for a vehicle comprises a rim to support a tire and a wheel disc connected to the rim and configured to engage an axle hub of a vehicle. The wheel disc comprises one or more spokes extending outwardly from a center section of the wheel disc to the rim, each spoke being formed by a substantially planar curbside spoke member and a substantially planar inside spoke member, The curbside and inside spoke members are oriented transversely to each other and to a portion of the center section lying between the curbside and inside spoke members to define a triangle. A plane of the triangle is substantially parallel to a center axis of symmetry of the disc.

The omnidirectional wheel includes a first support portion which rotates around a rotation axis line, a second support portion which rotates together with the first plate-like member, a number of support shafts respectively supporting a number of rollers, and a number of support plates fixed to the first and the second support portions and which support one or more of the support shafts between the first and second support portions.