Abstract
The disclosure is directed to a wheel having a rim that is at least partially made from several layers of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a wheel center having multiple spokes extending from a wheel hub, which constitutes an axis of rotation, to the rim in a radial direction. According to the disclosure the rim comprises a rim well extending in transversal direction between an inboard flange and an outboard flange suitable to receive a tire to be mounted thereon. The wheel includes a circumferential collar that extends from the outboard flange radially inwards towards the axis of rotation and that has an outboard collar face that constitutes an aerodynamic surface.
Claims
1. A wheel comprising: a. a rim that is at least partially made from several layers of fiber-reinforced plastic, and b. a wheel center comprising multiple spokes extending from a wheel hub, which constitutes an axis of rotation, to the rim in a radial direction, and wherein the rim comprises a rim well extending in transversal direction between an inboard flange and an outboard flange suitable to receive a tire to be mounted thereon, and wherein c. the wheel comprises a circumferential collar that extends from the outboard flange radially inwards towards the axis of rotation and that has an outboard collar face that constitutes an aerodynamic surface.
2. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential collar is essentially annulus-shaped having an inner radius and an outer radius.
3. The wheel according to claim 2, wherein the minimum distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel to the centripetal side of the rim well is greater than the inner radius.
4. The wheel according to claim 2, wherein the minimum distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel to the centripetal side of the outboard rim shoulder is greater than the inner radius.
5. The wheel according to claim 2, wherein the ratio between the outer radius and the inner radius is between 1.2 and 1.8.
6. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein the outboard collar face of the circumferential collar is flat.
7. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the circumferential collar is an integral part of the rim.
8. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential collar comprises at least one layer of a fiber-reinforced plastic.
9. The wheel according to claim 8, wherein in a sectional view of the wheel a first layer of reinforcing fibers emerges from the centrifugal side of the rim and extends via the outboard flange into the circumferential collar.
10. The wheel according to claim 9, wherein the first layer of reinforcing fibers starts at the outboard rim shoulder and extends via the outboard flange into the circumferential collar.
11. The wheel according to claim 9, wherein the first layer of reinforcing fibers starts at the rim well and extends via an outboard rim shoulder and via the outboard flange into the circumferential collar.
12. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein the wheel center is at least partially made from several layers of a fiber-reinforced plastic.
13. The wheel according to claim 12, wherein the rim and the wheel center are formed as a one-piece structure.
14. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein the wheel center is at least partially made from a metal.
15. The wheel according to claim 14, wherein the spokes are at least partially made from a metal.
16. The wheel according to claim 14, wherein the wheel center comprises a circumferential ring that interconnects the centrifugal ends of the spokes and is mechanically interconnected with a connecting face arranged at the centripetal side of the rim.
17. The wheel according to claim 16, wherein the circumferential ring forms at least part of the circumferential collar.
18. The wheel according to claim 14, wherein the wheel center and the rim are mechanically interconnected by at least one fastening means.
19. The wheel according to claim 18, wherein at least one fastening means extends from a spoke to the circumferential collar.
20. The wheel according to claim 18, wherein the fastening means comprises a screw having a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the outboard collar face.
21. The wheel according to claim 14, wherein a cover means extends from the outboard flange towards the axis of rotation forming at least part of the outboard collar face of the circumferential collar.
22. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises a circumferential cavity arranged adjacent to the circumferential collar.
23. The wheel according to claim 22, wherein the circumferential collar constitutes a wall of the circumferential cavity.
24. The wheel according to claim 22, wherein the circumferential cavity is essentially hollow.
25. A fastening arrangement (700) for use in fastening a wheel (1) with a wheel center (100) made at least partially from a fiber-reinforced plastic to a vehicle hub by means of at least one elongate fastener means, wherein a. the wheel center (100) comprises at least one fastening aperture (720) having at least one inner engagement surface (721) and a fastening axis (Af) wherein b. the fastening arrangement (700) comprises, i. at least one bushing arrangement (710) having at least one inner bushing opening (711) through which the at least one elongate fastener is inserted for fastening of the wheel (1) and ii. the bushing arrangement (710) configured to extend along the fastening axis (Af) into the fastening aperture (720) for fastening of the wheel (1) and iii. the bushing arrangement (711) comprising at least one outer engagement surface (712) configured to face the at least one inner engagement surface (721) when the bushing arrangement (710) is arranged in the fastening aperture (720) and wherein iv. the at least one outer engagement surface (712) is configured to apply an expanding force (F) on the inner engagement surface (721) when the bushing arrangement (710) is inserted into the fastening aperture (720), thereby widening at least a portion of the fastening aperture (720).
26. The fastening arrangement (700) according to claim 25, wherein the at least one outer engagement surface (712) of the bushing arrangement (710) has an essentially frusto-conical shape having an outer opening angle (Wo) of between 5° and 20°.
27. The fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claim 26, wherein the at least one inner engagement surface (721) of the fastening aperture (720) has an essentially frusto-conical shape having an inner opening angle (Wi) that is essentially equal to the outer opening angle (Wo).
28. The fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the bushing arrangement (710) comprises a first and a second bushing (713, 716), the first and the second bushing (713, 716) being configured to be inserted into the fastening aperture (720) from different sides respectively.
29. The fastening arrangement (700) according to claim 28, wherein the first bushing (713) comprises a first outer engagement surface (714) configured to apply a first expanding force (F1) on a first inner engagement portion (722) of the fastening aperture (720) and/or the second bushing (716) comprises a second outer engagement surface (717) configured to apply a second expanding force (F2) on a second inner engagement surface (723) of the fastening aperture (720).
30. The fastening arrangement (700) according to claim 29, wherein the first outer engagement surface (714) of the first bushing (713) has an essentially frusto-conical shape having a first outer opening angle (Wo1) of between 5° and 20° and wherein the first inner engagement surface (722) of the fastening aperture (720) has an essentially frusto-conical shape having an first inner opening angle (Wi1) that is essentially equal to the first outer opening angle (Wo1).
31. The fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claims 29 or 30, wherein the second outer engagement surface (717) of the second bushing (716) has an essentially frusto-conical shape having a second outer opening angle (Wo2) of between 5° and 20° and wherein the second inner engagement surface (723) of the fastening aperture (720) has an essentially frusto-conical shape having a second inner opening angle (Wi2) that is essentially equal to the second outer opening angle (Wo2).
32. The fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the first bushing (713) comprises a first front face (715) to be arranged in a mounted state within the fastening aperture (720) and which has a convex shape and wherein the second bushing (716) comprises a second front face (718) to be arranged in a mounted state within the fastening aperture (720) and which has a concave shape arranged to receive the first front face (715).
33. The fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein the bushing arrangement (710) comprises a first bushing flange (730) to face an outboard surface of the wheel center (100) about the fastening opening (701).
34. The fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein the bushing arrangement (710) comprises a second bushing flange (731) to face an inboard surface of the wheel center (100) about the fastening opening (701).
35. The fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the first and/or the second bushing flange (730, 731) are configured such that they restrict transversal expansion (Af-direction) of the wheel center (200) about the fastening aperture (720) when the fastening aperture (720) is widened.
36. The fastening arrangements (700) according to any one of claims 25 to 35, wherein the wheel center (100) comprises at least one bundle of fibers (800) that forms a loop (801) about the at least one fastening aperture (720) and about the fastening axis (Af).
37. The fastening arrangements (700) according to claim 36, wherein a first and a second end portion (802, 803) of the at least one bundle of fibers (800) extend in centrifugal direction of the wheel (1) towards the rim (200) of the wheel (1).
38. A wheel (1) with a wheel center (100) made at least partially from a fiber-reinforced plastic and comprising a fastening arrangement (700) according to any one of claims 25 to 37.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings schematically show:
[0054] FIG. 1 a variation of a wheel according to the present disclosure in a perspective view from above;
[0055] FIG. 2 a cross-section of the wheel of FIG. 1;
[0056] FIG. 3 a further variation of a wheel according to the present disclosure in a perspective view from above;
[0057] FIG. 4 a cross-section of the wheel of FIG. 3;
[0058] FIG. 5 a further variation of a wheel according to the present disclosure in a perspective view from above;
[0059] FIG. 6 a cross-section of the wheel of FIG. 5;
[0060] FIG. 7 a further variation of a wheel according to the present disclosure in a perspective view from above;
[0061] FIG. 8 a cross-section of the wheel of FIG. 7;
[0062] FIG. 9 a further variation of a wheel according to the present disclosure in a perspective view from above;
[0063] FIG. 10 a cross-section of the wheel of FIG. 9;
[0064] FIG. 11 detail E of FIG. 10;
[0065] FIG. 12 a front view of a further variation of a wheel according to the present disclosure;
[0066] FIG. 13 cross-section FF of FIG. 12;
[0067] FIG. 14 detail G of FIG. 13;
[0068] FIG. 15 detail G of FIG. 13, the bushing arrangement partially disassembled;
[0069] FIG. 16 a first variation of a bundle of reinforcing fibers forming a loop around a bushing arrangement;
[0070] FIG. 17 a second variation of a bundle of reinforcing fibers forming a loop around a bushing arrangement;
[0071] FIG. 18 a third variation of a bundle of reinforcing fibers forming a loop around a bushing arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0072] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be understood as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.
[0073] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a variation of a wheel 1 according to the present disclosure, which is made as a one-piece structure from a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. The wheel comprises a rim 200 and a wheel center 100 that are both made from several layers of fiber-reinforced plastic. The wheel center comprises multiple spokes 110 extending from a wheel hub 120, which constitutes an axis of rotation Ay, to the rim 200 in a radial direction. The rim 200 has a rim well 230 extending in transversal direction y between an inboard flange 210 and an outboard flange 220 suitable to receive a tire (not shown) to be mounted thereon. The variation of a wheel 1 shown further comprises a circumferential collar 300 that extends from the outboard flange 220 radially inwards towards the axis of rotation Ay and that has an essentially flat outboard collar face 310 that constitutes an aerodynamic surface. The circumferential collar 300 of the variation of a wheel 1 shown is essentially annulus-shaped and has an inner radius Ri and an outer radius Ro. As depicted in FIG. 2, the minimum distance Dw from the axis of rotation Ay to the centripetal side 201 of the rim well 230 is greater than the inner radius Ri. As well, the mini-mum distance Ds from the axis of rotation Ay to the centripetal side 201 of the outboard rim shoulder 221 is greater than the inner radius Ri. In addition, in the variation of a wheel 1 according to the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ratio between the outer radius Ro and the inner radius Riis about 1.5. Such a ratio allows obtaining particularly high mechanical competence as well as good aerodynamic properties, while still allowing good ventilation of a vehicle's brake system that may be arranged close to the wheel 1.
[0074] In the variation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the circumferential collar 300 is essentially an integral part of the rim 200 as well as of the spokes 110. As schematically indicated with the dotted line, the wheel further comprises a first layer of reinforcing fibers 600, 601 that emerges from the centrifugal side 202 of the rim well 230 and extends via the outboard rim shoulder 221 and via the outboard flange 220 into the circumferential collar 300. Thus, a particularly good transfer of load between the rim 200 and the wheel center 100 can be obtained. As well, the variation of the wheel 1 shown has a second layer of reinforcing fibers (not shown) that emerges from the centripetal side 201 of the rim 200 and also extends into the circumferential collar 300. In addition, the variation of a wheel 1 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a fourth layer of reinforcing fibers (not shown) that emerges at a spoke 110 and extends into the circumferential collar 300 as well as it comprises a fifth layer of reinforcing fibers (also not shown in detail) that emerges from the centripetal side 201 of the rim 200 and extends into at least one spoke 110 at an inboard spoke face 112. As shown in FIG. 2 the wheel 1 further comprises a circumferential cavity 250 that is arranged adjacent to the circumferential collar 300. The circumferential cavity 250 of the variation shown is hollow and was produced using an inflatable core structure that was re-moved after curing of the fiber-reinforced plastic. However, this variation of a wheel is not limited to being produced by such types of cores and other types of cores may be used as described herein. This circumferential cavity 250 increases the structural competence of the wheel 1 without significantly increasing its total weight. As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the spokes 110 comprise spoke cavities 114 that extend in radial direction from the wheel hub 120 to the rim 200. In the variation shown, the spoke cavities 114 are separated from a circumferential cavity 250 by means of bulkheads 115.
[0075] However, in other variations of a wheel 1, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, at the centrifugal ends 113 of the spokes 110, the spoke cavities 114 may also merge into the circumferential cavity 250 of the wheel 1.
[0076] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a hybrid-type variation of a wheel 1 according to the present disclosure, which has a wheel center 100 made from aluminum, having spokes 110 that are also made from aluminum. It is clear that such a variation of a wheel is not limited to aluminum and hence other metals may be used as described herein. As schematically shown, the wheel center 100 and the rim 200 are mechanically interconnected by screws that serve as fastening means 400. Therefore, the screws 400 extend from the spokes 110 to the circumferential collar 300, their longitudinal axes being essentially perpendicular to the outboard collar face 310. As also shown, the variation of a wheel 1 shown again comprises a circumferential cavity 250 that is part of the rim 200 made by a fiber-reinforced plastic.
[0077] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict another variation of a hybrid-type wheel 1 according to the present disclosure, which has a wheel center 100 with spokes 110 made from aluminum. It is clear that such a variation of a wheel is not limited to aluminum and hence other metals may be used as described herein. The wheel 1 comprises circumferential ring 116 that interconnects the centrifugal ends 113 of the spokes 110 with each other. The circumferential ring 116 is mechanically interconnected with a connecting face 240 arranged at the centripetal side 201 of the rim 200. In this variation of a wheel 1 according to the disclosure, the circumferential ring 116 forms a first part of the circumferential collar 300 and merges into the outboard flange 220, which forms a second part of the circumferential collar 300. As also shown, the variation of a wheel 1 comprises screw-type fastening means 400 that extend from the spokes 110 through the rim 200 at the region between the outer hump 222 and the rim well 230.
[0078] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a further variation of a wheel 1 according to the present disclosure, being again a hybrid-type of wheel 1. This variation of a wheel also comprises a circumferential cavity 250. However, the circumferential collar 300 and the rim 200 are not a one-part structure (respectively not integrally made). Instead, a cover means 350 extends from the outboard flange 220 towards the axis of rotation Ay and thereby constitutes part of the outboard collar face 310, respectively part of the circumferential collar 300. Thus, the cover 350 means constitutes part of the aerodynamic surface. As can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the fastening means 400 are covered by the cover means 350, improving the aerodynamic properties of the wheel and its visual appearance. As well, corrosion phenomena due to intrusion of humidity into the interstitial space between the fastening means 400 and the rim 200 and wheel center 100 can be prevented. This is highly advantageous for wheels 1 comprising carbon fibers and aluminum parts, as these types of wheels 1 are prone to corrosion phenomena. As well, the cover means 350 is made from a mechanically competent fiber reinforced plastic as well as it is mechanically interconnected with the outboard flange 220 as well as the centripetal part of the rim 200 that is adjacent to the spoke 100 by means of an adhesive film (not shown). Thus, the cover means can transfer load from the rim 200 to the wheel center 100, which increases the mechanical competence of the wheel 1 significantly.
[0079] FIGS. 12 to 15 show a variation of a wheel 1 according to the present invention that has a highly advantageous fastening arrangement 700. The wheel center 100 is partially made from a fiber-reinforced plastic and intended to be interconnected with a vehicle hub (not shown) by means of five wheel bolts/screws or similar elongate fastener means (not shown). The wheel center therefore comprises five fastening apertures 720 that have at least one inner engagement surface 721 and a fastening axis Af. It is clear that the present disclosure is not limited to a certain number of fastening apertures. In order to provide a concise description of the disclosure, it will be described subsequently with respect to one of the five fastening apertures 720 only. The variation of the fastening arrangement 700 shown further comprises, a bushing arrangement 710 having a first and a second bushing 713, 716, the first and the second bushing 713, 716 being configured to be inserted into the fastening aperture 720 from different sides (outboard and inboard side of the wheel center) respectively. The bushing arrangement 710 further comprises an inner bushing opening 711 through which a wheel bolt (not shown) can be inserted for fastening of the wheel 1. The bushing arrangement 710 is further configured to extend along the fastening axis Af into the fastening aperture 720 for fastening of the wheel 1. The bushing arrangement 710 further has an outer engagement surface 712 which comprises a first outer engagement surface 714 arranged at the first bushing 713 and configured to apply a first expanding force F1 on a first inner engagement portion 722 of the fastening aperture 720. The bushing arrangement 710 further comprises a second outer engagement surface 717 arranged at the second bushing 716 and which is configured to apply a second expanding force F2 on a second inner engagement surface 723 of the fastening aperture 720 when the bushing arrangement 710 is inserted into the fastening aperture 720. Thereby a portion of the fastening aperture 720 can be widened by means of the applied forces F1, F2, which leads to a tensioning of a bundle of fibers 800, which forms a loop 801 about the fastening aperture 720. The bundle of fibers 800 extends in centrifugal direction of the wheel 1 towards the rim 200 of the wheel 1 whereby the first and the second end portions 802, 803 of the bundle of fibers 800 extend in different spokes 110 of the wheel and via a circumferential collar 300, as illustrated in FIG. 12. As depicted in FIG. 14, the bushing arrangement 710 comprises a first and a second bushing flange 730, 731 which in a mounted state are configured such that they restrict transversal expansion (Af-direction—illustrated by means of the dotted arrows) of the wheel center 200 about the fastening aperture 720 when the fastening aperture 720 is widened. As shown in FIG. 15, the first outer engagement surface 714 of the first bushing 713 has a frusto-conical shape, which has a first outer opening angle Wo1 of about 15°. The first inner engagement surface 722 of the fastening aperture 720 has a frusto-conical shape with a first inner opening angle Wi1 that is essentially equal to the first outer opening angle Wo1. As well, the second outer engagement surface 717 of the second bushing 716 has also a frusto-conical shape with a second outer opening angle Wo2 that is about 15°. The second inner engagement surface 723 of the fastening aperture 720 also has a frusto-conical shape with a second inner opening angle Wi2 that is essentially equal to the second outer opening angle Wo2. As well, the first bushing 713 comprises a first front face 715 that has a convex shape and the second bushing 716 comprises a second front face 718 that has a concave shape which is configured to receive the first front face 715 in a mounted state. Thus, the first and the second bushing 713, 716 can be reliably aligned relatively to each other.
[0080] FIGS. 16 to 18 schematically show different types of loops 801 formed by bundles of fibers 800 as could be used for a fastening arrangement 700 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 16, the bundle of fibers 800 may sur-round the bushing arrangement 710 by slightly more than 360°. As depicted in FIG. 17, the bundle of fibers 800 may also be wound multiple times around the bushing arrangement, or less than 360°, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0081] The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
