A ROLLING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The rolling assembly has a rotation axis and a rim having rim seats and flanges, an adapter and a tire having beads. The adapter provides the connection between one of the beads and the rim. The rim comprises a portion of a width W extending outwardly from the flange and a connecting introduction portion and a body. The body has a point A that is 10% of W axially inward from an axially outermost of the body or from an axially outermost of the adapter. The portion creates a virtual straight line GD between an innermost of the connecting introduction portion and the point A. The portion and the adapter has a radial distance d at the point A. The body has a maximum radial distance e from the virtual straight line GD at axially inward from the point A, and the body has no contact with the adapter.

Claims

1. A rolling assembly having a rotation axis and comprising a rim having two rim seats being axially outwardly extended by rim flanges, at least one adapter and a tire having two beads, the at least one adapter providing the connection between one of the beads and the rim, the at least one adapter comprising an axially inner end that is adapted to be mounted on one of the rim seats, an axially outer end that is adapted to receive one of the beads and an adapter body connecting the axially inner end and the axially outer end as to form a single piece, the rim comprising at least one extending portion of an axial width W extending axially outwardly from the rim flange and consisting of at least a connecting introduction portion and an extending body, the extending body having a point A that is 10% of the axial width W of the extending portion axially inward from an axially outermost of the extending body or from an axially outermost of the adapter whichever locates axially inward, the extending portion creating a virtual straight line GD between an axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion and the point A, the extending portion and the adapter has a radial distance d at the point A, and wherein the extending body has a maximum radial distance e from the virtual straight line GD at axially inward from the point A, and wherein the extending body has no contact with the at least one adapter at inflation state.

2. The rolling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one extending portion positions on a side intended to be outside when the rolling assembly being mounted onto a vehicle.

3. The rolling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rolling assembly comprises two adapters, and wherein the rim comprises two extending portions extending axially outwardly from the rim flange.

4. The rolling assembly according to claim 1, wherein an axially outermost of the extending portion locates axially inward of an axially outermost of the adapter.

5. The rolling assembly according to claim 4, wherein the axially outermost of the extending portion locates axially inward of the bead.

6. The rolling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the axial width W is at least equal to 30% of an axial width of the adapter axially outwardly from the rim flange.

7. The rolling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the virtual straight line GD is extending axially downwardly from the axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion.

8. The rolling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the maximum radial distance e is less than or equal to 80% of the radial distance d.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] Other characteristics and advantages of the disclosure arise from the description made hereafter in reference to the annexed drawings which show, as nonrestrictive examples, the embodiment of the disclosure.

[0040] In these drawings:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a rolling assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a rim of the rolling assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a rolling assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a rolling assembly according to prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below referring to the drawings.

[0046] A rolling assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described referring to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a rolling assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a rim of the rolling assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] The rolling assembly 1 is a rolling assembly having a rotation axis XX where X is a direction intended to be outside when the rolling assembly 1 being mounted onto a vehicle, thus X is a direction intended to be inside when the rolling assembly 1 being mounted onto a vehicle, and comprising a rim 2 having two rim seats 21 being axially outwardly extended by rim flanges 22, two adapters 3 and a tire 4 having two beads 41, each the adapter 3 providing the connection between one of the bead 41 and the rim 2. In this FIG. 1, the rolling assembly 1 is in an inflation state.

[0049] The adapter 3 comprising an axially inner end 31 that is adapted to be mounted on one of the rim seats 21, an axially outer end 32 that is adapted to receive one of the beads 41 and an adapter body 33 connecting the axially inner end 31 and the axially outer end 32 as to form a single piece.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, on a side intended to be outside when the rolling assembly 1 being mounted onto a vehicle of the rim 2, an extending portion 23 of an axial width W extending axially outwardly from the rim flange 22 is provided. The extending portion 23 is consisting of a connecting introduction portion 231 extending from the rim flange 22 as to extend a curvature of the rim flange 22 and an extending body 232 extending from axially outward of the connecting introduction portion 231 in a straight form. An axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion 231 locates at a position where the rim flange 22 has a maximum diameter.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the extending portion 23 creating a virtual straight line GD between an axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion 231 and a point A that is on the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23 and 10% of the axial width W of the extending portion 23 axially inward from an axially outermost of the extending body 232 or from an axially outermost of the adapter 3 whichever locates axially inward. The extending portion 23 and the adapter 3 has a radial distance d at the point A. The extending body 232 has a maximum radial distance e from the virtual straight line GD at axially inward from the point A, and the extending body 232 has no contact with the at least one adapter 3 at inflation state.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, an axially outermost of the extending portion 23 locates axially inward of an axially outermost of the adapter 3, and also the axially outermost of the extending portion 23 locates axially inward of the bead 41 of the tire 4.

[0053] The axial width W of the extending portion 23 is at least equal to 30% of an axial width of the adapter 3 axially outwardly from the rim flange 22.

[0054] The virtual straight line GD is extending axially downwardly from the axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion 231.

[0055] The maximum radial distance e is less than or equal to 80% of the radial distance d.

[0056] Since the adapter 3 providing the connection between one of the beads 41 and the rim 2, the adapter 3 can deform at least in radial and in axial directions, thus it is possible to improve comfort and ability to withstand curb impact. The adapter 3 also makes it possible to improve interior noise performance by shifting vibration mode frequency lower.

[0057] Since the rim 2 comprises at least one extending portion 23 of an axial width W extending axially outwardly from the rim flange 22 and consisting of at least a connecting introduction portion 231 and an extending body 232, and the extending body 232 has no contact with the at least one adapter 3 at inflation state, the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23 is able to receive the adapter 3 deformed due to excessive load, it is possible to improve steering of a vehicle while maintaining improvement on comfort, ability to withstand curb impact and interior noise performance under usual loading condition in which the adapter 3 being supposed not in contact with the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23.

[0058] Since the extending body 232 having a point A that is 10% of the axial width W of the extending portion 23 axially inward from an axially outermost of the extending body 232 or from an axially outermost of the adapter 3 whichever locates axially inward, the extending portion 23 creating a virtual straight line GD between an axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion 231 and the point A, the extending portion 23 and the adapter 3 has a radial distance d at the point A, the extending body 232 has a maximum radial distance e from the virtual straight line GD at axially inward from the point A, it is possible to avoid contacting the adapter 3 with the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23 of the rim 2 during non-excessive loading condition in which the adapter being supposed not in contact with for securing deformation of the adapter 3 thus improvements on comfort, ability to withstand curb impact and interior noise performance are maintained. Thanks to the maximum radial distance e from the virtual straight line GD at axially inward from the point A with the extending body 232, the extending body 232 can receive the adapter 3 deformed during excessive loading.

[0059] Since an axially outermost position of the extending portion 23 locates axially inward of an axially outermost position of the adapter 3, it is possible to prevent the extending portion 23 of the rim 2 contacting directly to a curb or the like, as a result damage to the rim 2 can be prevented.

[0060] Since the axially outermost of the extending portion 23 locates axially inward of the bead 41, it is possible to prevent further the extending portion 23 of the rim 2 contacting directly to a curb or the like, as a result damage to the rim 2 can further be prevented.

[0061] Since the axial width W is at least equal to 30% of an axial width of the adapter 3 axially outwardly from the rim flange 22, it is possible to improve steering of a vehicle while maintaining improvement on comfort, ability to withstand curb impact and interior noise performance under usual loading condition in which the adapter 3 being supposed not in contact with the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23.

[0062] If the axial width W of the extending portion 23 of the rim 2 is less than 30% of the axial width of the adapter 3 axially outwardly from the rim flange 22, there is a risk that the extending portion 23 of the rim 2 cannot receive fully the adapter 3 deformed due to excessive load. As a result improvement on steering of a vehicle would not be satisfactory.

[0063] The axial width W of the extending portion 23 of the rim 2 is preferably at least equal to 40% of the axial width of the adapter 3 axially outwardly form the rim flange 22, more preferably at least equal to 50% of the axial width of the adapter 3 axially outwardly form the rim flange 22 and still more preferably at least equal to 60% and at most equal to 95% of the axial width of the adapter 3 axially outwardly form the rim flange 22.

[0064] Since the virtual straight line GD is extending axially downwardly from the axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion 231, it is possible to improve steering of a vehicle while maintaining improvement on comfort, ability to withstand curb impact and interior noise performance under usual loading condition in which the adapter 3 being supposed not in contact with the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23.

[0065] If the virtual straight line GD is not extending axially downwardly from the axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion 231, there is a risk that the adapter 3 touches too soon to the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23 during load transfer even at the load in which the adapter 3 being supposed not in contact with. As a result comfort, ability to withstand curb impact or interior noise performance under usual loading condition is degraded.

[0066] Since the maximum radial distance e is less than or equal to 80% of the radial distance d, it is possible to improve steering of a vehicle while maintaining improvement on comfort, ability to withstand curb impact and interior noise performance under usual loading condition in which the adapter 3 being supposed not in contact with the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23. This configuration also allows flexibility of a shape of the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23.

[0067] If this maximum radial distance e is more than 80% of the radial distance d, there is a risk that the adapter 3 does not contact with the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23 of the rim 2 even under excessive load. As a result, steering of a vehicle cannot be improved.

[0068] The maximum radial distance e is preferably less than or equal to 75% of the radial distance d, more preferably less than or equal to 70% of the radial distance d.

[0069] The rim 2 is preferably made of a material selected from steel or alloys of aluminum and/or magnesium, composite materials based on carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, plant fiber, the said fibers being contained within a matrix based on thermosetting or thermoplastic compounds, or from a complex composite comprising an elastomer and a complex based on resin and fibers selected from carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, plant fibers or any combinations of materials.

[0070] The matrix based on thermosetting compounds is selected from epoxy resins, vinylester, unsaturated polyesters, ester cyanate, bismaleimide, acrylic resins, phenolic resins, polyurethanes and combinations thereof.

[0071] The matrix based on thermoplastic compounds is selected from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamides (PA), semiaromatic polyamides, polyester (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyethersulphone (PSU), polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (P1), polyamidelmide (PAl), polyphenylenesulphide (PPS), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyphenylene oxide (PPO).

[0072] The adapter 3 may be any kind being elastically deformable in the two, radial and axial, directions known to those skilled in the art. The adapter 3 may include an adapter bead (not shown) in the inner end 31 of the adapter 3 intended to catch the adapter 3 on top of the rim flange 22 of the rim 2, as being done conventionally by the bead 41 of the tire 4. The outer end 32 of the adapter 3 which accepts the bead 41 of the tire 4 in exactly the same way as the top of the rim flange 22 of the rim 2 conventionally does. The outer end 32 of the adapter 3 may also include an adapter bead (not shown), which may be the same or different with the adapter bead included in the inner end 31 of the adapter 3.

[0073] The adapter 3 may be made of elastomers such as rubbers that can be crosslinked by chemical vulcanization reactions by sulfur bridges, by carbon-carbon bonds created by the action of peroxides or of ionizing radiation, by other specific atom chains of the elastomer module, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in which the elastically deformable part forms a network between rather non-deformable hard regions, the cohesion of which is the product of physical connections (crystallites or amorphous regions above their glass transition temperature), non-thermoplastic elastomers and thermoset resins. The adapter 3 may also include a plurality of reinforcement along the inner end 31, adapter body 33 and the outer end 32, which may be made of metal (for example steel) cords or textile cords (for example rayon, aramid, polyethylene, nylon, glass fiber, carbon fiber, basalt fiber, PEN or PVA).

[0074] A form of the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23 may be in straight, curve, combination of several curves or combination of these forms.

[0075] At an axially outermost of the extending body 232 of the extending portion 23, a part in a form that reinforces the extending portion 23 may be provided.

[0076] A rolling assembly 51 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a rolling assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The construction of this second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment other than the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, thus description will be made referring to FIG. 3.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, the rolling assembly 51 is a rolling assembly having a rotation axis XX where X is a direction intended to be outside when the rolling assembly 51 being mounted onto a vehicle, thus X is a direction intended to be inside when the rolling assembly 51 being mounted onto a vehicle, and comprising a rim 52 having two rim seats 521 being axially outwardly extended by rim flanges 522, two adapters 53 and a tire 54 having two beads 541, each the adapter 53 providing the connection between one of the bead 541 and the rim 52.

[0078] The adapter 53 comprising an axially inner end 531 that is adapted to be mounted on one of the rim seats 521, an axially outer end 532 that is adapted to receive one of the beads 541 and an adapter body 533 connecting the axially inner end 531 and the axially outer end 532 as to form a single piece.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3, on axially both sides two extending portions 523 of each an axial width W extending axially outwardly from the rim flange 522 are provided. Each the extending portion 523 is consisting of a connecting introduction portion 5231 extending from the rim flange 522 as to extend a curvature of the rim flange 522 and an extending body 5232 extending from axially outward of the connecting introduction portion 5231 in a straight form. An axially innermost of the connecting introduction portion 5231 locates at a position where the rim flange 522 has a maximum diameter.

[0080] Since the rolling assembly 51 comprises two adapters 53, and the rim 52 comprises two extending portions 523 extending axially outwardly from the rim flange 522, it is possible to improve steering of a vehicle while maintaining improvement on comfort, ability to withstand curb impact and interior noise performance under usual loading condition in which the adapter 53 being supposed not in contact with the extending body 5232 of the extending portion 523 more certainly as the extending body 5232 of the extending portion 523 placed axially outward is able to receive the adapter 53 placed axially outward, and the extending body 5232 of the extending portion 523 placed axially inward is able to receive the adapter 53 placed axially inward, both deformed due to excessive load.

[0081] The disclosure is not limited to the examples described and represented and various modifications can be made there without leaving its framework.

[0082] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a rolling assembly 101 according to prior art. In this FIG. 4, the rolling assembly 101 having a rotation axis XX where X is a direction intended to be outside when the rolling assembly 101 being mounted onto a vehicle, thus X is a direction intended to be inside when the rolling assembly 101 being mounted onto a vehicle, and comprising a rim 102 having two rim seats 1021 being axially outwardly extended by rim flanges 1022, two adapters 103 and a tire 104 having two beads 1041, the adapter 103 providing the connection between one of the bead 1041 and the rim 102. The rim 102 of the rolling assembly 101 stops extending axially at the rim flanges 1022.

[0083] The adapter 103 comprising an axially inner end 1031 that is adapted to be mounted on one of the rim seats 1021, an axially outer end 1032 that is adapted to receive one of the beads 1041 and an adapter body 1033 connecting the axially inner end 1031 and the axially outer end 1032 as to form a single piece.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0084] 1, 51 rolling assembly
2, 52 rim
21, 521 rim seat
22, 522 rim flange
23, 523 extending portion
231, 5231 connecting introduction portion
232, 5232 extending body
3, 53 adapter
31, 531 inner end of adapter
32, 532 outer end of adapter
33, 533 adapter body
4, 54 tire
41, 541 bead