Abstract
A commercial vehicle wheel including a rim configured to hold a tire and a wheel disc attached to the rim with an attachment region for removable attachment to a wheel carrier. The wheel disc is formed from at least two parts, which are joined together. At least one of the parts consists of a multiphase steel alloy or a heat-treatable steel alloy.
Claims
1.-11. (canceled)
12. A commercial vehicle wheel, comprising: a rim configured to hold a tire, and a wheel disc attached to the rim, the wheel disc including an attachment region configured to removably attach to a wheel carrier, wherein the wheel disc is formed from at least two parts, which are joined together, wherein at least one of the wheel disc parts consists of a multiphase steel alloy or a heat-treatable steel alloy.
13. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12, wherein the multiphase steel alloy is a dual-phase steel, a complex-phase steel, a ferrite-bainite steel or a martensite-phase steel alloy, wherein the structure of the multiphase steel alloy consists of at least two of the phases: ferrite, bainite, austenite or martensite, or the heat-treatable steel alloy is a hot forming steel or air hardening steel alloy, wherein the structure of the heat-treatable steel alloy consists predominantly of martensite.
14. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein the multiphase steel alloy has a tensile strength of at least 500 MPa.
15. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein the heat-treatable steel alloy has a tensile strength of at least 700 MPa.
16. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 13, wherein more than 90% of the structure of the heat-treatable steel alloy consists of martensite.
17. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12, wherein the at least two parts each consist of a multiphase steel alloy or a heat-treatable steel alloy.
18. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12, wherein the wheel disc is substantially shell-shaped, having a center region with a center opening and a peripheral web region, in which several openings arranged round the center opening are provided for receiving connection means, wherein at least a portion of the web region forms the attachment region for removable attachment to a wheel carrier, and a collar region radially projecting onto the web region, wherein the collar region comprises an end region forming the attachment region to a rim.
19. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 18, wherein the web region and the end region are formed by at least a first part of the wheel disc.
20. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12, wherein at least one second part of the wheel disc is substantially ring-shaped and formed in particular as a single piece and is arranged at least for a section in the web region on the side facing the wheel carrier or at least for a section in the web region on the side facing away from the wheel carrier.
21. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 20, wherein the second part of the wheel disc protrudes into the collar region and is arranged at least for a section in the collar region of the wheel disc.
22. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 20, wherein at least one third part of the wheel disc is substantially ring-shaped and formed as a single piece and is arranged at least for a section in the web region on the side situated opposite the second part of the wheel disc.
23. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12, wherein the parts at first are each individually formed by pressure forming, tensile forming, tensile compressive forming, bend forming, shear forming, flow forming and/or deep drawing.
24. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 23, wherein the parts at first are each individually formed by hot forming with at least partial press hardening and are then joined together to form the wheel disc.
25. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12, wherein the materials are formed together in the state by pressure forming, tensile forming, tensile compressive forming, bend forming, shear forming, flow forming and/or deep drawing.
26. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 25, wherein the materials are joined together.
27. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 25, wherein the materials are formed together by hot forming with at least partial press hardening to form the wheel disc.
28. The commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12, wherein the at least two parts of the wheel disc are joined together by integral bonding, non-positive and/or positive locking.
29. A commercial vehicle comprising a plurality of commercial vehicle wheels according to the commercial vehicle wheel of claim 12.
Description
[0018] In the following, the invention will be explained more closely with the aid of a drawing depicting sample embodiments. The same parts are given the same reference numbers. In the drawing:
[0019] FIG. 1a) shows a schematic cross section through a first sample embodiment of a commercial vehicle wheel according to the invention,
[0020] FIG. 1b) shows a first starting material in top view and in cross section for the production of a wheel disc according to the embodiment in FIG. 1a),
[0021] FIG. 2a) shows a schematic cross section through a second sample embodiment of a commercial vehicle wheel according to the invention,
[0022] FIG. 2b) shows a second starting material in cross section for the production of a wheel disc according to the embodiment in FIG. 2a), and
[0023] FIGS. 3a) and 3b) show schematic cross sections through a third and fourth starting material for the production of a wheel disc.
[0024] FIG. 1a) shows a cross section through a first sample embodiment of a commercial vehicle wheel (1) according to the invention, wherein because of the rotationally symmetrical design only the upper region of the commercial vehicle wheel (1) above the axis of symmetry (10) is depicted. The commercial vehicle wheel (1) comprises a rim (2) to hold a tire, not shown, and a wheel disc (3) attached to the rim (2). The wheel disc (3) consists of or is formed from two parts (4, 5), which are joined together. The connection to one another may be integral bonding, positive and/or non-positive locking. The wheel disc (3) is substantially shell-shaped. The wheel disc comprises a center region (11) with a center opening (7) and a peripheral web region (12), in which several openings (8) arranged round the center opening (7) are provided for receiving connection means, not shown, such as for example bolts and/or screws. At least a portion of the web region (12) forms the attachment region (9) for removable attachment to a wheel carrier. The wheel disc (3) moreover comprises a collar region (13) radially projecting onto the web region (12), in which openings may be provided, which function for example as ventilation holes and/or by specific cut-out or omission of material provide additional weight savings. The collar region (13) comprises an end region (14) forming the transition region for attachment to the rim (2). The web region (12) and the end region (14) are formed by at least the first part (4) of the wheel disc (3), in particular at least the first part (4) extends between the two attachment regions (9, 14). Preferably, the first part (4) is configured as the base support of the wheel disc (3). The web region (12) is configured for example at least partly planar, in order to provide a certain attachment surface (contact surface) to the wheel carrier. The second part (5) of the wheel disc (3) is substantially ring-shaped and formed in particular as a single piece and is arranged entirely in the web region (12) or covers it entirely, wherein the second part (5) is arranged on the side facing the wheel carrier. In particular by the material doubling thanks to the first and the second part (4, 5), the wheel disc (3) is given a certain stiffness in the web region (12) and in the attachment region (9), respectively, for removable attachment to a wheel carrier. For the at least partial strengthening of the collar region (13), the second part (5) of the wheel disc (3) protrudes into the collar region (13) or is situated at least for a section in the collar region (13) of the wheel disc (3). Alternatively, and not represented here, the second part of the wheel disc may be arranged on the side facing away from the wheel carrier at least for a section in the web region. Owing to the use of a multiphase steel alloy or heat-treatable steel alloy for at least one of the parts (4, 5) which form at least one component of the wheel disc (3), a steel alloy is used which has a higher strength as compared to the conventionally used material (unalloyed steels or structural steels). In this way, small material thicknesses may be used for substantially comparable or the same performance, which on the one hand have an advantageous effect on a reduction of the overall weight and on the other hand have higher cyclic bending fatigue strengths, which increase in particular the service life of the corresponding parts (4, 5) and in particular substantially prevent a premature material failure.
[0025] FIG. 1b) shows a first starting material in schematic top view and in cross section for the production of the wheel disc (3). The starting material consists of a first, flat and ring-shaped material (4.1) and a second, flat and ring-shaped material (5.1), the second material (5.1) being of smaller dimensions than the first material (4.1) and being connected in the web region (12) to be created by non-positive locking, positive locking and/or integral bonding to the first material (4.1) to increase the stiffness of the attachment region (9) to be created on the wheel disc (3). The embodiment corresponds for example to a tailored product, for example a patchwork blank. The center opening (7) may be punched out each time before or after the connecting of the two materials (4.1, 5.1). The first material (4.1) consists of a multi-phase steel alloy, such as a dual-phase steel alloy, a complex-phase steel alloy, a ferrite-bainite steel alloy or a martensite-phase steel alloy with a tensile strength of at least 500 MPa, preferably at least 600 MPa, particularly preferably at least 700 MPa, wherein the structure of the multiphase steel alloy consists of at least two of the phases: ferrite, bainite, austenite or martensite, or it consists of a heat-treatable steel alloy, such as a hot forming steel or air hardening steel alloy with a tensile strength of at least 700 MPa, preferably at least 800 MPa, particularly preferably at least 900 MPa, wherein the structure of the heat-treatable steel alloy consists predominantly of martensite, in particular more than 90% consists of martensite. The thickness of the first material (4.1) depending on the design of the commercial vehicle wheel is between 3 and 8 mm. The second material (5.1) may consist of a multiphase steel alloy or a heat-treatable steel alloy, wherein the material (5.1) is identical to the first material (4.1) or differs in regard to at least one property, such as strength and/or breaking elongation, from the first material (4.1). The thickness of the second material (5.1) is between 3 and 8 mm. It is also conceivable to use the heretofore conventional steel alloys as the second material (5.1). By means of pressure forming, tensile forming, tensile compressive forming, bend forming, shear forming, flow forming and/or deep drawing, in particular by means of hot forming with at least partial press hardening, the two materials/parts (4.1, 5.1) are formed in the joined-together state for the creation of the wheel disc (3). The wheel disc (3) consisting of two parts (4, 5) is attached to the rim (2) to create a commercial vehicle wheel (1) (see FIG. 1a)).
[0026] FIG. 2a) shows a second sample embodiment of a commercial vehicle wheel (1′) according to the invention. Unlike the first sample embodiment, the wheel disc (3′) is formed or consists of three parts (4′, 5′, 6). The wheel disc (3′) is substantially shell-shaped, comprising a center region (11) with a center opening (7) and a peripheral web region (12), in which several openings (8) arranged round the center opening (7) are provided to receive connection means, not shown. At least a portion of the web region (12) forms the attachment region (9′) for removable attachment to a wheel carrier. The wheel disc (3′) moreover comprises a collar region (13′) radially projecting onto the web region (12′), and comprises an end region (141 forming the transition region for attachment to the rim (2′). The web region (12′) and the end region (14′) are formed by at least the first part (4′) of the wheel disc (3′), in particular at least the first part (4′) extends between the two attachment regions (9′, 14′). Preferably, the first part (4′) is configured as the base support of the wheel disc (3′). The second part (5′) of the wheel disc (3′) is substantially ring-shaped and formed in particular as a single piece and is arranged entirely in the attachment region (9′) of the web region (121 while the second part (5′) is arranged on the side facing the wheel carrier. The third part (6) of the wheel disc (3′), which is substantially ring-shaped and formed in particular as a single piece, is arranged at least for a section in the web region (12′) on the side situated opposite the second part (5′) of the wheel disc (3′), in this example on the side facing away from the wheel carrier.
[0027] FIG. 2b) shows the starting materials for the production of the wheel disc (3′) in schematic cross section. The starting materials consist of a first, shell-shaped material (4′.1), which substantially already corresponds to the geometry of the first part (4′) and thus forms the base support of the wheel disc (3′), a second flat and ring-shaped material/part (5′.1), and a third flat and ring-shaped material/part (6.1). The second and third material/part (5′.1, 6.1) are preferably formed as a single piece, having the same geometry and smaller dimensions than the first material (4′.1) and being joined by non-positive locking, positive locking, and/or integral bonding to the first material (4′.1) in order to increase the stiffness of the attachment region (9′) to be created on the wheel disc (3′) in the web region (12′). The center opening (7) in this example was punched out prior to the connecting of the three materials (4′.1, 5′.1, 6.1). The first material (4′.1) consists of a multiphase steel alloy or a heat-treatable steel alloy. The thickness of the first material (4′.1), depending on the design of the commercial vehicle wheel, is between 3 and 8 mm. The second and/or the third material (5′.1, 6.1) may consist of a multiphase steel alloy or a heat-treatable steel alloy. The thickness of the second and/or third material (5′.1, 6.1) is between 3 and 8 mm. By means of pressure forming, tensile forming, tensile compressive forming, bend forming, shear forming, flow forming and/or deep drawing, in particular by means of hot forming with at least partial press hardening, at least the first material (4′.1) is converted into a geometry which substantially corresponds to the geometry of the first part (41 and thus preferably to the geometry of the base support of the wheel disc (3′). The second and the third material (5′.1, 6.1) are joined by non-positive locking, positive locking, and/or integral bonding to the first material (4′.1) or part (4.1) for the partial stiffening of the substantially finally shaped web region (121 wherein they need not be converted into a flat shape, depending on the design, but rather may also have a preliminary geometry or a final geometry. The openings (8) for receiving the connection means can, as shown in this sample embodiment, be respectively made before or alternatively after the joining of the materials (4′.1, 5′.1, 6.1). The wheel disc (3′) “built” from the individual, partly shaped materials (4′.1, 5′.1, 6.1) is attached to the rim (2′) in order to create a commercial vehicle wheel (1′) (see FIG. 2a)).
[0028] FIGS. 3a) and 3b) show a third and fourth starting material in schematic cross section for the production of a wheel disc. Both starting materials consist respectively of a first material (4″.1, 4′″.1), which consists of a multiphase steel alloy with a tensile strength of at least 500 MPa or of a heat-treatable steel alloy with a tensile strength of at least 700 MPa, and a second material (5″.1, 5″.1), which in turn may consist of a multiphase steel alloy or a heat-treatable steel alloy. The materials (4″.1, 4′″.1, 5″.1, 5″.1) are formed flat, ring-shaped, and substantially round or circular.
[0029] FIG. 3a) shows that the second material (5″.1) is joined by integral bonding to the first material (4″.1) at least partly, in particular entirely all around the (outer) edge (5″.3) of the second material (5″.1) by a fillet 16, which can be produced as a MIG, MAG, laser or solder seam. Another connection seam 17, which is provided at least partly, in particular entirely all around the (inner) edges (4″.2, 5″.2) of the two materials (4″.1, 5″.1), where the (inner) edges (4″.2, 5″.2) define the center opening (7), in addition to strengthening the connection between the two materials/parts, can also provide a seal between them.
[0030] FIG. 3b) shows that in the fourth starting material, unlike the third starting material, the second material (5′″.1) is joined by integral bonding to the first material (4′″.1) by discrete weld spots 15 arranged round the center opening (7). In addition, a polymer layer (18) is arranged in the entire contact region (K) between the two materials (4′″.1, 5′″.1), which may prevent the intrusion of spray water in particular and the concomitant corrosion between the parts of the finally shaped wheel disc in its later use. The polymer layer (18) consists for example of a silicone-containing layer, which is suitable for thermal welding as well as soldering, in particular. The third and fourth starting material are hot- or cold-formed preferably by means of flow forming into a wheel disc (see FIG. 1a). Alternatively, deep drawing may also be performed, in particular hot forming with at least partial press hardening, to create a wheel disc.
[0031] The invention is not confined to the sample embodiments presented in the drawing or to the embodiments in the general description, but instead the rim 2, 2′ may also consist of a multiphase steel alloy or heat-treatable steel alloy and be designed for optimal loading and/or weight preferably by means of flow forming. Moreover, parts or the starting material for the creation of the wheel disc and/or the rim may be formed from tailored products, such as tailored blanks, tailored rolled blanks and/or patchwork blanks.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0032] 1, 1′ Commercial vehicle wheel [0033] 2, 2′ Rim [0034] 3, 3′ Wheel disc [0035] 4, 4′ First part of the wheel disc, base support of the wheel disc [0036] 4.1, 4′.1, 4″.1, 4′″.1 First material [0037] 4″.2, 4″.2 (Inner) edge of first material [0038] 5, 5′ Second part of the wheel disc [0039] 5.1, 5′.1, 5″.1, 5′″.1 Second material [0040] 5″.2, 5″.2 (Inner) edge of second material [0041] 5″.3 (Outer) edge of second material [0042] 6 Third part of the wheel disc [0043] 6.1 Third material [0044] 7 Center opening [0045] 8 Opening to receive connection means [0046] 9, 9′ Attachment region [0047] 10 Axis of symmetry [0048] 11 Center region [0049] 12, 12′ Web region [0050] 13, 13′ Collar region [0051] 14, 14′ End region, transition region to attachment [0052] 15 Weld spot [0053] 16 Fillet [0054] 17 Connection seam [0055] 18 Polymer layer [0056] K Contact region
