VEHICLE WHEEL COMPRISING A WHEEL RIM AND A WHEEL DISC

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle wheel comprising a wheel rim, a wheel disc and at least one connecting element that connects the wheel disc and the wheel rim, wherein the connecting element is guided through a through-hole of the wheel rim and is joined in a joining channel of the wheel disc. According to the invention, an elongated sleeve (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) is provided that surrounds the connecting element (3, 3.1, 3.2) coaxially, which sleeve is designed and arranged in such a way that at least part of said sleeve interlockingly extends into a corresponding recess (7) of the wheel rim (1.1, 1.2) and into a corresponding recess (8) of the wheel disc (2.1).

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. A vehicle wheel, wherein the wheel comprises a wheel rim, a wheel disc, and at least one connecting element which connects the wheel disc and the wheel rim and is guided through a clearance hole of the wheel rim and joined in a joining channel of the wheel disc, and wherein an elongated sleeve surrounds the at least one connecting element coaxially, the elongated sleeve extending at least partially into a corresponding recess of the wheel rim and a corresponding recess of the wheel disc in a form-fit manner.

14. The vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein the corresponding recess of the wheel rim is at least partially a radial extension of the clearance hole.

15. The vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein the corresponding recess of the wheel disc is partially a radial extension of the joining channel.

16. The vehicle wheel of claim 14, wherein the corresponding recess of the wheel disc is partially a radial extension of the joining channel.

17. The vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein the elongated sleeve is of an annular cylindrical design.

18. The vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein a section of the elongated sleeve that extends in the wheel rim and/or a section of the elongated sleeve that extends in the wheel disc is firmly bonded and/or connected in a force-fit manner to the wheel rim or the wheel disc respectively.

19. The vehicle wheel of claim 14, wherein the elongated sleeve comprises, on an end facing a rim outer side, a widened peripheral area with a seat surface for a seat of a head section of the connecting element.

20. The vehicle wheel of claim 19, wherein the widened peripheral area is tapered and the head section is of tapered design.

21. The vehicle wheel of claim 19, wherein the seat surface has a rough surface structure.

22. The vehicle wheel of claim 21, wherein the rough surface structure is a corrugated or serrated surface structure.

23. The vehicle wheel of claim 19, wherein a contact surface of the head section corresponding to the seat surface has a rough surface structure.

24. The vehicle wheel of claim 23, wherein the rough surface structure is a corrugated or serrated surface structure.

25. The vehicle wheel of claim 21, wherein a contact surface of the head section corresponding to the seat surface has a rough surface structure.

26. The vehicle wheel of claim 25, wherein the rough surface structure is a corrugated or serrated surface structure.

27. The vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein the wheel further comprises at least one perforated disc that is arranged between an inner side of the wheel rim and a wheel attachment side of the wheel disc.

28. The vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein the elongated sleeve comprises a flange ring which is arranged between an inner side of the wheel rim and a wheel attachment side of the wheel disc.

29. A vehicle wheel, wherein the wheel comprises a wheel rim, a wheel disc and at least one connecting element connecting the wheel disc and the wheel rim, which connecting element is guided through a clearance hole of the wheel rim and joined in a joining channel of the wheel disc and comprises a piston-like shaft section which has a radially extended cross section compared with a cross section of a shaft section at its end and at least partly extends into, in each case, a corresponding recess of the clearance hole and of the joining channel of the wheel disc in a fatal-fit manner.

30. The vehicle wheel of claim 29, wherein the wheel further comprises at least one perforated disc which encompasses the piston-like shaft section and is arranged between an inner side of the wheel rim and a wheel attachment side of the wheel disc.

Description

[0083] The vehicle wheel in accordance with the invention is explained in more detail below using various embodiments. The associated drawings show the following:

[0084] FIG. 1 an extract of a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel with a wheel rim and wheel spider in accordance with the prior art,

[0085] FIG. 2 an extract of a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel in accordance with the invention with a wheel rim and wheel spider, connected by means of a connection arrangement according to a first design variant with a flat-head bolt and an annular cylindrical elongated sleeve,

[0086] FIG. 2a an extract of a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel in accordance with FIG. 2, connected by means of a connection arrangement according to a second design variant with the flat-head bolt according to FIG. 2 and a annular cylindrical elongated sleeve in a recessed arrangement,

[0087] FIG. 3 an extract of a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel, connected by means of a connection arrangement according to a third design variant with a countersunk bolt and an elongated sleeve with a peripheral area widened in a tapered manner and collar-shaped support flange,

[0088] FIG. 4 an extract of a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel, connected by means of connection arrangement according to a fourth design variant with the countersunk bolt according to FIG. 3 and an elongated sleeve with a peripheral area widened in a tapered manner in a recessed arrangement,

[0089] FIG. 4a a detailed view X of the connecting point of the vehicle wheel according to FIG. 4 without the connection element,

[0090] FIG. 5 an extract of a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel, connected by means of a connection arrangement according to a fifth design variant with the countersunk bolt and the elongated sleeve according to FIG. 3 and a perforated disc,

[0091] FIG. 6 an extract of a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel, connected by means of a flat-head bolt with a piston-like shaft section.

[0092] FIG. 1 shows a section of a vehicle wheel in accordance with the prior art with a wheel rim 1 and a wheel spider 2, which are connected by means of a connecting element (flat-head screw) 3 in the area of the rim base in the transition zone to the well of the wheel rim 1. The loads arising on the wheel construction are composed, to different and changing proportions, of longitudinal forces (F.sub.A), transverse forces (F.sub.Q) and bending moments (M.sub.B), which are transferred from the wheel disc or from the wheel spider 2 via the individual connecting elements 3 to the rim base of the wheel rim 1. From the connecting element 3, on the one hand the longitudinal and/or tensile forces (F.sub.A) acting in the longitudinal axis, and on the other hand the transverse forces (F.sub.Q) acting at right angles to the longitudinal axis, must be transferred through the provision of corresponding frictional locking at the contact surfaces between the rim base and the wheel disc or the wheel spider 2, which requires a very great preload force of the connecting element.

[0093] The first embodiment of the invention shows, in FIG. 2, a section of a vehicle wheel in accordance with the invention consisting of a wheel rim 1.1 with a rim base made from fiber composite material and a wheel spider 2.1 made from aluminum.

[0094] In order to attach the wheel spider 2.1 to the wheel rim 1.1, several connection arrangements in accordance with the invention, arranged distributed around the circumference of the wheel rim 1.1 or the wheel spider 2.1 and corresponding to the number of spokes, are provided in the area of the rim base in the transition zone to the well; these each comprise a flat-head bolt 3.1 as a connecting element and an elongated sleeve 4 with an annular cylindrical shape, each of which occupy a clearance hole 5 of the rim base and an assigned joining channel 6 of the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.

[0095] The annular cylindrical elongated sleeve 4 extends with a first section across the entire cross section of the rim base and with a second section into the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.1. The first section of the elongated sleeve 4 completely occupies the clearance hole 5 of the rim base and is flush with the clearance hole 5 on the rim outer side; on the rim inner side the second section of the elongated sleeve projects beyond the clearance hole 5, so that the elongated sleeve 4, in the assembled state, occupies part of the joining channel 6 in the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.1.

[0096] In order to achieve the form fit of the elongated sleeve 4 according to FIG. 2 with the rim base and the wheel spider 2.1, the first section of the elongated sleeve 4 is embedded in a radial extension 7 of the clearance hole 5 designed with the same shape as its (the first section's) outer contour, whereby the second section of the elongated sleeve 4 that projects beyond the rim inner side of the rim base is inserted into a recess 8 of the joining channel 6 of the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.1 that corresponds and has the same shape as its (the second section's) outer contour.

[0097] The recess 8 of the joining channel 6 is a partial radial extension 8 of the joining channel 6 and extends approximately across a third to a half of the total length of the joining channel. The end of the recess 8 forms an axial contact surface for the elongated sleeve 4 that is inserted.

[0098] The flat head of the flat-head bolt 3.1 contacts with the rim outer side of the rim base and with the elongated sleeve 4 that ends flush on the rim outer side. The shaft of the flat-head bolt 3.1 is guided loosely, i.e. at a distance from the inner lateral surface of the elongated sleeve 4, through the latter. A shaft end of the flat-head bolt 3.1 projects beyond the end of the elongated sleeve 4 mounted in the recess 6 is inserted, glued in, screwed in, or pressed into the joining channel 6 of the wheel spider 2.1. A shaft end of the flat-head bolt 3.1, which projects beyond the elongated sleeve 4 mounted in the recess 8, has a thread which engages with the joining channel 6 of the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.1 equipped with an internal thread.

[0099] Thereby on the one hand the elongated sleeve 4 is fixed in a form-fit manner and on the other hand the necessary preload of the flat-head bolt 3.1 for the creation of the effective connection between wheel rim 1.1 and wheel spider 2.1 is generated. This connection in accordance with the invention thereby occurs with functional separation of force absorption.

[0100] The flat-head bolt 3.1, during operation of the vehicle wheel, essentially transfers only the longitudinal forces F.sub.A arising, whilst the elongated sleeve 4 mounted in a form-fit manner essentially absorbs the transverse forces F.sub.Q and bending moments M.sub.B arising.

[0101] The relieving of (the load on) the flat-head bolt 3.1 with the load distribution onto this connection arrangement enables, as outlined, a slim design of the flat-head bolt compared with a connection in accordance with the prior art according to FIG. 1 and a minimisation of the required friction surfaces between the rim base and the spoke ends of the wheel spider 2.1.

[0102] Through the lower compressive load on the rim base made from fiber composite material as a result of the reducible surface pressure, and through the avoidance of any shearing loads on the flat-head bolt 3.1 by means of the elongated sleeve 4 introduced in a form-fit manner into the wheel rim 1.1 and the wheel spider 2.1, the connection is extremely durable and reliable, which guarantees the security of the connection and thereby of the vehicle wheel to a high level.

[0103] In order to further improve the security of the connection, the section of the elongated sleeve 4 that extends in the rim base can be glued in the clearance hole 5 of the rim base or sit in the clearance hole 5 of the rim base by means of an interference fit.

[0104] Moreover, the section of the elongated sleeve 4 that extends into the wheel spider 2.1 can be glued into the recess 8 of the joining channel 6 of the wheel spider 2.1 or be inserted into the recess 8 by means of an interference fit.

[0105] FIG. 2a shows, in a second embodiment, the vehicle wheel according to FIG. 2 with an alternative connection arrangement for attaching the wheel spider 2.1 to the wheel rim 1.1.

[0106] Below, only the differences vis-à-vis the preceding embodiment shall be discussed.

[0107] With this embodiment according to FIG. 2a, the connection arrangements in accordance with the invention comprise, in each case, the flat-head bolt 3.1 according to FIG. 2 as a connecting element combined with an annular cylindrical elongated sleeve 4.1 in a shorter design.

[0108] With the shorter design of the annular cylindrical elongated sleeve 4.1, the first section of the elongated sleeve 4.1 arranged in the rim base extends, unlike the elongated sleeve 4 according to FIG. 2, across only part of the rim base cross section, so that the end of the elongated sleeve 4.1 directed towards the rim outer side ends in the rim base. The clearance hole 5 of the rim base has a corresponding recess 7 that extends to an appropriately shorter extent for the first section.

[0109] With an adjacent recess of the rim base that corresponds to the flat head, the flat-head bolt 3.1 can be arranged countersunk in the rim base.

[0110] The length of the first section of the elongated sleeve 4.1 that extends in the rim base is of such dimensions here that the head section that contacts flush with the end of the recess of the rim base and contacts with the elongated sleeve 4.1 is flush with the rim outer side.

[0111] Thanks to this design it is possible, without restricting the separation of functions, in accordance with the invention, of the force absorption by flat-head bolts 3.1 and elongated sleeve 4.1 and thereby without impairing the advantageous effect of the connection, to reduce the space and material requirement of the connection.

[0112] In addition, the recessed design of the flat-head bolt 3.1 facilitates the fitting of a tyre, not shown here, onto the rim base.

[0113] FIG. 3 shows, in a third embodiment, the vehicle wheel according to FIG. 2 with a further alternative connection arrangement for attaching the wheel spider 2.1 to the wheel rim 1.1.

[0114] Below, only the differences vis-à-vis the embodiment according to FIG. 2 shall be discussed.

[0115] With this embodiment according to FIG. 3, the connection arrangements in accordance with the invention comprise, in each case, a countersunk bolt 3.2 as a connecting element and an elongated sleeve 4.2.

[0116] The elongated sleeve 4.2 according to FIG. 3 has, unlike the annular cylindrical elongated sleeve 4 according to FIG. 2, in addition to an annual cylindrical area directed towards the rim inner side, a peripheral area widened in a tapered manner directed towards the rim outer side, with a collar-shaped support flange.

[0117] The first section of the elongated sleeve 4.2 thus formed that extends across the entire cross section of the rim base is arranged in a radial extension 7 of the clearance hole 5 designed to correspond to the shape of its (the section's) outer contour, whereby the tapered peripheral area of the elongated sleeve 4.2 contacts with a chamfered contact face of the recess 7 of the clearance hole 5 and the support flange of the peripheral area of the elongated sleeve 4.2 extends across the surface of the rim outer side.

[0118] The countersunk bolt 3.2 is guided loosely through the elongated sleeve 4.2, whereby its countersunk head is received by the peripheral area, widened in a tapered manner, of the elongated sleeve 4.2 and contacts with a seat surface 9 that corresponds to the countersunk head.

[0119] Thereby the attachment surface of the elongated sleeve 4.2 to the rim base is increased, by which means the surface pressure between the elongated sleeve 4.2 and the rim base is reduced, which, particularly with the rim base made from fiber composite material, means considerable preservation of material.

[0120] In addition, by means of the elongated sleeve 4.2 the attachment area of the countersunk head of the countersunk bolt 3.2 to the rim base is increased and hence, with the same advantages, the surface pressure between the countersunk bolt 3.2 and the rim base is reduced.

[0121] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a vehicle wheel in a similar design to FIG. 3 with a further alternative connection arrangement for attaching the wheel spider 2.1 to the wheel rim 1.1.

[0122] Below, only the differences vis-à-vis the embodiment according to FIG. 3 shall be discussed.

[0123] With this embodiment according to FIG. 4, the connection arrangements in accordance with the invention comprise, in each case, the countersunk bolt 3.2 according to FIG. 3 as a connecting element combined with an elongated sleeve 4.3.

[0124] The elongated sleeve 4.3 in accordance with FIG. 4 has, unlike the elongated sleeve 4.2 in accordance with FIG. 3, in addition to the annular cylindrical area directed towards the rim inner side, a peripheral area widened in a tapered manner and thickened and directed towards the rim outer side.

[0125] The first section of the elongated sleeve 4.3 that extends across the entire cross section of the rim base is arranged in a radial extension 7 of the clearance hole 5 designed so as to correspond to the shape of its (the section's) outer contour, whereby the tapered peripheral area of the elongated sleeve 4.2 contacts with a chamfered contact face of the recess 7 of the clearance hole 5.

[0126] The peripheral area, widened in a tapered manner and thickened, of the elongated sleeve 4.3 is flush with the rim outer side of the rim base.

[0127] The countersunk head of the countersunk bolt 3.2 is, in the peripheral area, widened in a tapered manner, of the elongated sleeve 4.3, placed so as to correspond to its seat surface 9, so that the entire connection arrangement is flush with the rim outer side.

[0128] Through this embodiment, too, the attachment surface of the elongated sleeve 4.3 to the rim base and the attachment surface of the countersunk head of the bolt 3.2 to the elongated sleeve 4.3 are increased and hence the surface pressure between the countersunk head of the countersunk bolt 3.2, the elongated sleeve 4.3 and the rim base of the wheel rim 1.1 is reduced.

[0129] In addition, the recessed design of countersunk bolt 3.2 and elongated sleeve 4.3 simplifies the fitting of the tyre, not shown here, onto the rim base.

[0130] The seat surface 9 of the peripheral area, widened in a tapered manner, of the elongated sleeve 4.3—like of the elongated sleeve 4.2 too—can additionally be designed roughened or corrugated, as shown in FIG. 4a in an enlarged detailed view X of the elongated sleeve 4.3 according to FIG. 4. In this detailed view, the countersunk bolt 3.2 is not shown so as to make things easier to see.

[0131] Preferably, a contact surface of the countersunk head of the countersunk bolt 3.2 facing the seat surface 9 is also designed roughened or corrugated.

[0132] As a result the self-retention of the bolt 3.2 against becoming loose is increased, which further increases the security of the connection.

[0133] FIG. 5 shows, in a fifth embodiment, a vehicle wheel in a similar design to that according to FIG. 3 with a further alternative connection arrangement for attaching the wheel spider 2.1 to the wheel rim 1.1.

[0134] With this embodiment according to FIG. 5, the connection arrangements in accordance with the invention comprise, in each case, a countersunk bolt 3.2 and an elongated sleeve 4.2 as per the design according to the embodiment in FIG. 3.

[0135] Unlike the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the connection arrangement additionally has a perforated disc 10 which surrounds the second section of the elongated sleeve 4.2 that protrudes beyond the clearance hole 5 on the rim inner side.

[0136] Preferably, in a pre-assembly stage the perforated disc 10 is, on the rim inner side of the rim base—in each case surrounding a clearance hole 5—connected to the wheel rim 1.1 or, on the attachment side of the spoke ends—in each case surrounding a joining channel 6—connected to the wheel spider 2.1.

[0137] The perforated disc 10 is, in the final assembly stage of the vehicle wheel, arranged between the contact surfaces of the rim inner side of the rim base and the attachment side of the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.1. It can, through a suitable choice of material and suitable design, be used to change and set the friction conditions between the contact surfaces, in order to further reduce the required preload force of the countersunk bolt 3.2.

[0138] In addition, by this means the vibratory-rubbing wear arising between the rim base and the wheel spider 2.1 and if applicable also between the elongated sleeve 4.2 and the rim base can be reduced further, which has a particularly favourable impact in the case of the rim base made from fiber composite material and further improves the durability and reliability of the connection.

[0139] In addition, in an interaction between the elongated sleeve 4.2 and the perforated disc 10 the wheel spider 2.1 can be attached, contactless, to the rim base, so that the risk of contact corrosion between the materials of the wheel rim 2.1 and the wheel spider 2.1 can be minimised and better compatibility of the thermal expansion can be achieved.

[0140] FIG. 6 depicts a section of a vehicle wheel in accordance with the invention, consisting of a wheel rim 1.2 made from aluminum and a wheel spider 2.1 made from aluminum.

[0141] To attach the wheel spider 2.1 to the wheel rim 1.2, several flat-head bolts 3.3, arranged distributed around the circumference of the wheel rim 1.2 or the wheel spider 2.1 and corresponding to the number of spokes, are provided in the area of the rim base in the transition zone to the well as connecting elements which in each case occupy a clearance hole 5 of the rim base and an allocated joining channel 6 of the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.1.

[0142] The flat-head bolt 3.3 has a piston-like shaft section 11 with a smooth surface which directly attaches to the shaft end at the end, which is equipped with a thread for joining in the wheel spider 2.1. The piston-like shaft section 11 has, compared with the cross section of the shaft section at the end, a radially widened cross section and extends, in the assembled state, with a first section partially in the rim base and with a second section into the spoke end of the wheel spider 2.1.

[0143] The first section of the piston-like shaft section 11 occupies the clearance hole 5 of the rim base only partially, so that the clearance hole 5 of the rim base has a correspondingly partially constructed radial extension 7 for the first section. Attached to this is a recess for the flat head of the flat-head bolt 3.3.

[0144] The flat-head bolt 3.3 is, in the screwed-in state, flush with the rim outer side of the rim base, whereby the flat head is received by the recess envisaged for this and a bottom surface of the recess serves as a seat surface for the flat head.

[0145] The shaft section at the end of the flat-head bolt 3.3 brings about, by means of its external thread which engages with the internal thread of the joining channel 6 of the wheel spider 2.1, a force-fit screw connection.

[0146] In order to achieve the additional form fit between wheel rim 1.2, wheel spider 2.1 and piston-like shaft section 11, in the screwed-in state of the flat-head bolt 3.3 the first section of the piston-like shaft section 11 sits in a radial extension 7 of the clearance hole 5 that corresponds in shape to its (the section's) outer contour and the second section sits in a recess 8 of the joining channel 6 of the spoke end of the wheel spider 2 that corresponds in shape to its (the section's) outer contour. The recess 8 of the joining channel 6 is a partial radial extension 8 of the joining channel 6.

[0147] The first section of the piston-like shaft section 11 extends, in the screwed-in state of the flat-head bolt 3.3, approximately across half of the total length of the clearance hole 5 whilst the second section extends approximately across a quarter to a third of the total length of the joining channel 6.

[0148] As a result of this, on the one hand the piston-like shaft section 11 is fixed in a form-fit manner and on the other hand the necessary preload of the flat-head bolt 3.3 for creating the effective connection between wheel rim 1.2 and wheel spider 2.1 is generated.

[0149] The transverse forces F.sub.Q are, during operation of the vehicle wheel, not transferred via frictional locking between the contact surfaces of the rim base and the wheel spider 2 but primarily through the form-fit connection between the piston-like shaft section 11 and the extension 7 of the clearance hole 5 or the recess 8 of the joining channel 6.

[0150] As a result of this, less preload force of the flat-head bolt 3.3 is required to achieve a secure connection, which is why the thread cross section of the shaft section at the end—as apparent in FIG. 6—can be significantly smaller than the cross section of the piston-like shaft section 11.

[0151] The connecting point is thereby, compared with a connection in accordance with the prior art according to FIG. 1, designed slimmer and at the same time has smaller contact surfaces of the rim inner side of the wheel rim 1.2 and the spoke ends of the wheel spider 2.1 that contact with the rim inner side.

[0152] Owing to the lower compressive load on the rim base and the spoke ends of the wheel spider 2.1 made from aluminum, this connection is also less susceptible to damage and reliable in the long term, which guarantees the security of the connection to a high level.