TRIM FOR A RIM OF A WHEEL OF A VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR A MOTOR VEHICLE, ARRANGEMENT OF SUCH A TRIM ON A RIM FOR A WHEEL OF A VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A cover for a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. The cover, with fastening of the cover on the rim, can be arranged in at least partially overlap with a through opening of the rim delimited in the circumferential direction of the rim by respective spokes of the rim, whereby the through opening can be at least partially covered by the cover. The cover is directionally formed and has at least two slats, which delimit at least one channel arranged between the slats, through which air can flow in the installed position of the cover diagonally to a plane extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rim. The slats at least partially mutually overlap with respect to the installed position of the cover in the circumferential direction of the rim and along the axial direction of the rim.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A cover for a rim of a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a fastening of the cover on the rim, arranged in at least partially overlap with a through opening of the rim delimited in the circumferential direction of the rim by respective spokes of the rim, whereby the through opening can be at least partially covered by the cover, wherein the cover is directionally formed and has at least two slats, which delimit at least one channel arranged between the slats, through which air can flow in the installed position of the cover diagonally to a plane extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rim, wherein the slats, with respect to the installed position of the cover, at least partially mutually overlap in the circumferential direction of the rim and along the axial direction of the rim.

13. The cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slats mutually overlap in such a way that the channel, with respect to the installed position of the cover, is secured both against a through airflow extending precisely along the axial direction of the rim and also against a through airflow extending in the plane.

14. The cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slats, with respect to the installed position of the cover, are curved against a forward rotational direction of the rim.

15. The cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slats are designed, with respect to the installed position of the cover, to effectuate a negative pressure on a rear side of the cover facing toward the rim during a rotation of the rim and the cover fastened thereon taking place in the forward rotational direction of the rim.

16. The cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slats, with respect to the installed position of the cover, completely mutually overlap in the circumferential direction of the rim.

17. The cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slats are integrally formed with one another.

18. The cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cover is formed from a plastic, in particular from a fiber-reinforced plastic.

19. The cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cover is produced by a generative manufacturing method, in particular by 3D printing.

20. An arrangement of at least one cover on a rim for a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: the cover is fastened on the rim and is arranged in at least partially overlapped with a through opening of the rim delimited in the circumferential direction of the rim by respective spokes of the rim, whereby the through opening is at least partially covered by the cover in the axial direction of the rim, wherein the cover is directionally formed and has at least two slats, which at least partially mutually overlap in the circumferential direction of the rim and along the axial direction of the rim and delimit at least one channel arranged between the slats, through which air can flow diagonally to a plane extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rim.

21. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the through opening is at least predominantly, in particular completely, covered by the cover in the axial direction of the rim.

Description

[0031] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter. In the figures:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a cover according to the invention for a rim of a wheel of a vehicle;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic and perspective front view of the cover;

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic and perspective front view of the cover;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic and perspective front view of the cover;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a schematic rear view of the cover;

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a schematic and perspective rear view of the cover;

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a further schematic and perspective rearview of the cover;

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a schematic and perspective sectional view of the cover;

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of the cover on the rim; and

[0041] FIG. 10 shows a schematic front view of the arrangement.

[0042] The exemplary embodiment explained hereinafter is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention to be considered independently of one another, which can each also refine the invention independently of one another and are thus also to be considered to be part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further ones of the above-described features of the invention.

[0043] In the figures, identical reference signs each identify functionally-identical elements.

[0044] FIGS. 1 to 8 show a cover 10 for a rim 12, recognizable from FIGS. 9 and 10, of a wheel of a vehicle. In this case, FIGS. 9 and 10 show an arrangement 14 of the cover 10 on the rim 12, also referred to as a mounting arrangement or fastening arrangement. In the arrangement 14, the cover 10 is fastened reversibly detachably on the rim 12. In the completely produced state of the vehicle, it has a body designed, for example, as a self-supporting vehicle body and two axles arranged successively or one after another in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The respective axle comprises, for example at least two wheels spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction, wherein the following and preceding statements are transferable to the arrangement 14, to the rim 12, and to the cover 10 on the respective wheel. In the completely produced state of the vehicle, the wheels are rotatable around respective rotational axes in relation to the body and are held at least indirectly rotatably on the body at the same time. In its completely produced state, the vehicle can be supported or is supported downward on the ground or on a roadway via the wheels in the vehicle vertical direction. If the vehicle is driven forward along the roadway in a state in which the vehicle is supported from top to bottom via the wheels in the vehicle vertical direction, the wheels thus rotate around the respective rotational axes in a forward rotational direction, which is also referred to as the running direction of the respective wheel and thus of the rim 12.

[0045] It is apparent from FIGS. 9 and 10 that the rim 12 has multiple spokes 16a-e, which are arranged one behind another or successively in the circumferential direction of the rim 12. The circumferential direction of the rim 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 by a double arrow 18. The rim 12 additionally has a central region 20 and an outer ring 22, which is connected via the spokes 16a-e, also referred to as struts or webs, to the central region 20. In particular, the spokes 16a-e, the outer ring 22, and the central region 20 are integrally formed with one another. The central region 20 has a hub 24, in which an extension of a wheel above the vehicle can be arranged. In addition, the central region 20 has screw openings 26 formed as through openings, through which screw elements, for example in the form of wheel screws or threaded bolts, can be inserted. By means of the screw elements, the rim 12 and thus the wheel as a whole can be connected in a rotationally-fixed manner to the wheel hub, so that the wheel can be rotatably coupled via the wheel hub to the body. Furthermore, the rim 12 and thus the wheel can be secured on the wheel hub by means of the screw elements in the axial direction of the rim 12.

[0046] Respective through openings 28a-e of the rim 12 are arranged in the circumferential direction between the respective spokes 16a-e between the rim 12. Reference is made in the following to the through opening 28a and the spokes 16a and 16b, wherein the preceding and following statements on the through opening 28a and the spokes 16a and 16b can also be transferred to the other through openings 28b-e and to the other spokes 16c-e and vice versa. As is apparent from FIGS. 9 and 10, the through opening 28a is delimited on both sides in the circumferential direction of the rim 12 by the spokes 16a and 16b. The through opening 28a is delimited to the outside, for example, by the outer ring 22 in the radial direction of the rim 12. The through opening 28a is delimited, for example, to the inside by the central region 20 and/or by the struts 16a, b in the radial direction of the rim 12.

[0047] In the arrangement 14, the cover 10 is in particular fastened reversibly detachably on the rim 12. Moreover, the cover 10 is arranged in at least partial, in particular in at least predominant or complete overlap or coverage with the through opening 28a of the rim 12 delimited in the circumferential direction of the rim 12 by the spokes 16a and 16b. In this way, the through opening 28a is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely covered and thus closed in the axial direction of the rim 12 by means of the cover 10. The axial direction of the rim 12 is illustrated in FIG. 9 by a double arrow 30, wherein the axial direction of the rim 12 extends perpendicularly to the radial direction of the rim 12. The axial direction of the rim 12 coincides here with the above-mentioned rotational axis of the rim 12. Moreover, the circumferential direction extends around the rotational axis or around the axial direction.

[0048] It is apparent from FIGS. 9 and 10 that, for example, the through openings 28a-e are each assigned at least or precisely one cover 10, so that multiple covers 10 are fastened, in particular reversibly detachably, on the rim 12. In addition, in FIGS. 9 and 10, the above-mentioned forward rotational direction of the wheel and thus of the rim 12, which coincides with the circumferential direction of the rim 12, is illustrated by an arrow 32.

[0049] To now be able to implement particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the wheel and thus of the vehicle as a whole in a particularly weight-favorable manner, the cover 10 is directional, so that the wheels of the respective axes spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction have different covers. The respective cover is also referred to as a cover element, panel, panel element, lid, lid element, or flap. In addition, the cover 10 has multiple slats 34a-f arranged successively or one after another in the circumferential direction of the 12, wherein each two of the slats 34a-f directly or immediately successive in the circumferential direction of the rim 12 delimit at least or precisely one channel 36a-e arranged between them. Air can flow through the channel 36a-e in the installed position of the cover 10, in particular exclusively, diagonally to a plane extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rim 12. This imaginary or virtual plane is illustrated in FIG. 10 and identified therein by 38.

[0050] In addition, it is provided that the respective two slats 34a-f directly successive in the circumferential direction of the rim 12 at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, mutually cover or overlap one another in the circumferential direction of the rim 12 and along the axial direction of the rim 12. In this case, the respective slats 34a-f mutually overlap in such a way that the respective channel 36a-e is secured with respect to the installed position of the cover 10 both against a through airflow extending precisely along the axial direction of the rim 12 and also against a through airflow extending precisely in the plane 38. The rim 12 occupies its installed position in the completely produced state of the wheel or the vehicle. In particular, the cover 10 assumes its installed position in the arrangement 14. The feature that the respective channel 36a-e is secured both against a through airflow extending precisely along the axial direction of the rim 12 and also against a through airflow extending in the plane 38 is to be understood to mean that air cannot flow through the channel 36a-e precisely along the axial direction of the rim 12 and air also cannot flow through the channel 36a-e precisely in the plane 38 or precisely in the circumferential direction of the rim 12, but rather air can only flow diagonally to the plane 38 through the respective channel 36a-e. This is to be understood in particular to mean that, for example, the respective channel 36a-e extends linearly and at the same time diagonally in relation to the plane 38 or the channel extends curved, so that air can flow through the respective channel 36a-e along a linear flow direction, which extends diagonally to the plane 38 at the same time, or along a curved flow direction. The feature that air can flow through the channel 36a-e, in particular exclusively, diagonally to the plane 38, is to be understood to mean that tangents on the curved flow direction extend here diagonally and not perpendicularly to the plane 38 and also preferably diagonally and not parallel to the plane 38.

[0051] It is particularly apparent from FIG. 1 that the slats 34a-f mutually overlap so strongly in the axial direction of the rim 12 that the through opening 28a is completely covered by the cover 10 precisely along the axial direction of the 12 and is thus closed. The through opening 28a is also, for example completely closed by the cover 10 in the circumferential direction of the rim 12. The respective channel 36a-e is, however, an opening through which air can flow. In this way, a braking system, which is arranged on a side 40 of the rim 12 facing away in the axial direction of the rim 12 from the cover 10 and is also referred to as the rear side, and which is also simply referred to as a brake, can be supplied with an adequate quantity of air, whereby the braking system can be adequately cooled. Furthermore, the slats 34a-f are oriented against the running direction, so that during a rotation of the wheel in the running direction, i.e., in the forward rotational direction, a negative pressure results or is effectuated by the cover 10 on the rear side (side 40), in particular in the region of the braking system. Hot air is thus discharged forward from the braking system, and sufficient ventilation of the braking system from the rear can be ensured. The feature that the slats 34a-f are oriented against the running direction is to be understood in particular to mean that the slats 34a-f are curved against the forward rotational direction of the rim 12 or the wheel illustrated by the arrow 32. The respective slat 34a-f is thus formed convex, so that the respective slat 34a-f has a convex curve which opposes the forward rotational direction.

[0052] In other words, the respective slat 34a-f is convexly curved against the forward rotational direction. It is particularly apparent from FIGS. 9 and 10 that the wheel has a particularly large surface 42, which is closed along the axial direction of the rim 12 and is thus airtight or through which air cannot flow. This large closed surface 42 is partially formed by the rim 12 itself, in particular by the spokes 16a-e, and partially by the respective cover 10. In particular, the respective cover 10 is completely closed along the axial direction of the rim 12, to thus be able to make the closed surface 42 particularly large. Moreover, it is preferably provided that the slats 34a-f mutually overlap completely in the circumferential direction of the rim 12.

[0053] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a front side 44 of the cover 10 facing away from the rim 12 in the axial direction of the rim 12, while FIGS. 5 to 7 show a rear side 46 of the cover 10 facing toward the rim 12 in the axial direction of the rim 12. Moreover, fastening elements 48 are particularly apparent from FIGS. 1 to 7, by means of which the cover 10 can be fastened, in particular reversibly detachably, on the rim 12. For this purpose, the respective fastening element 48 comprises, for example, an opening formed in particular as a through opening, which is also referred to as a screw opening. A fastening part, designed in particular as a screw element, can be guided through the opening, for example, by means of which the cover 10 is fastenable or is fastened on the rim 12. In particular, the cover 10 can be fixedly screwed onto the rim 12 by means of the fastening part. In the arrangement 14 or in the completely produced state of the vehicle, the respective opening is closed by means of the fastening part and/or by means of the rim 12, so that, for example no air can flow along the axial direction of the rim 12 through the cover 10.

[0054] The cover 10 is preferably integrally formed, so that the slats 34a-f are integrally formed with one another. It has been shown to be particularly advantageous if the cover 10 is formed from a plastic. The cover 10 is thus formed, for example as a plastic lid. The plastic is preferably a fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic or carbon, so that a particularly low weight and a particularly high rigidity of the cover 10 can be implemented.

[0055] It has furthermore been shown to be particularly advantageous if the cover 10 is produced by a generative manufacturing method and in this case preferably by 3D printing. The plastic lid is produced, for example by means of a 3D printing method from carbon by means of a 3D printing machine to thus be able to implement a particularly cost-effective mass production process. After the 3D printing, the cover 10 is subjected, for example to a finishing process. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the cover 10 is locked or clipped with the rim 12. It is thus conceivable that the cover 10 is fastened in a friction-locked and/or formfitting manner on the rim 12.

[0056] Since the through openings 28a-e as such can have air flowing through them, the through openings 28a-e in total form a so-called degree of opening of the rim 12. This degree of opening can be completely closed by means of the cover 10. Nonetheless, adequate ventilation of the braking system can be ensured since air can flow in through the channels 36a-e. A number and/or an angle enclosed by the respective slats 34a-f and/or a respective position of the slats 34a-f in relation to one another are dependent on the aerodynamic test results. Since the rim 12 and the cover 10 are formed as components produce separately from one another and connected to one another, which are moreover produced from materials different from one another, the weight of the wheel can be kept to a particularly small amount. In particular, the degree of opening can be at least nearly closed without additional material, from which the rim 12 as such is produced.