VEHICLE WHEEL AND USE

Abstract

A vehicle wheel may include a rim for receiving a tire and a wheel disk attached to the rim in a cohesive connection, in a force-fitting connection, and/or a form-fitting connection, with an attachment region for releasably attaching to a wheel mount. The wheel disk may be formed of a steel workpiece that is heat-treated at least in certain regions. To provide a utility vehicle wheel vehicle wheel having high operational strength and reliability relative to the prior art, the wheel disk may have at least in a transition region for attaching to the rim a heat-treated structure with at least one of a tensile strength of between 500 and 1300 MPa or a hardness of between 150 and 400 HV 0.1.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A vehicle wheel comprising: a rim configured to receive a tire; and a wheel disk attached to the rim by at least one of a cohesive connection, a force-fitting connection, or a form-fitting connection, the wheel disk comprising an attachment region configured to be releasably attached to a wheel mount, wherein the wheel disk is comprised of a steel workpiece that is heat-treated at least in some regions, wherein the wheel disk comprises at least in a transition region configured to be attached to the rim a heat-treated structure with at least one of a tensile strength between 500 and 1300 MPa or a hardness between 150 and 400 HV 0.1.

12. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the tensile strength of the heat-treated structure if between 800 MPa and 1200 MPa.

13. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the tensile strength of the heat-treated structure if between 900 MPa and 1050 MPa.

14. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the hardness of the heat-treated structure if between 250 HV 0.1 and 375 HV 0.1.

15. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the hardness of the heat-treated structure if between 280 HV 0.1 and 325 HV 0.1.

16. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the wheel disk is comprised of a hot-forming steel.

17. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the wheel disk is comprised of an air-hardening steel.

18. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the heat-treated structure extends at least in part from the transition region of the wheel disk into a first region of the wheel disk that comprises ventilation holes.

19. The vehicle wheel of claim 18 wherein the heat-treated structure extends at least in part from the transition region of the wheel disk into a second region of the wheel disk that comprises ventilation holes.

20. The vehicle wheel of claim 19 wherein the wheel disk comprises a third region that has a structure with at least one of a tensile strength of more than 1300 MPa or a hardness of more than 400 HV 0.1.

21. The vehicle wheel of claim 19 wherein the wheel disk comprises a third region that has a press-quenched structure.

22. The vehicle wheel of claim 19 wherein the wheel disk comprises a third region that has a press-quenched structure with at least one of a tensile strength of more than 1300 MPa or a hardness of more than 400 HV 0.1.

23. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the heat-treated structure extends of an entirety of the wheel disk.

24. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein the rim is comprised of a heat-treatable steel, the rim including in a region a heat-treated structure with at least one of a tensile strength between 500 and 1300 MPa or a hardness between 150 and 400 HV 0.1, wherein the transition region of the wheel disk lies against and/or is pressed in and attached to the heat-treated structure of the rim.

25. The vehicle wheel of claim 24 wherein the heat-treated structure of the region of the wheel disk is established prior to a forming operation by heat treatment at least in certain regions.

26. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein at least one of the wheel disk or the rim is formed by hot-forming with at least partial press-quenching.

27. The vehicle wheel of claim 11 wherein at least one of the wheel disk or the rim is formed by compressive forming, tensile forming, tensile-compressive forming, bending, shear forming, flow forming, or deep drawing.

28. The vehicle wheel of claim 27 wherein the heat-treated structure at least in the transition region of the wheel disk is established prior to a forming operation by heat treatment at least in certain regions.

29. The vehicle wheel of claim 27 wherein the heat-treated structure at least in the transition region of the wheel disk is established during a forming operation by heat treatment at least in certain regions.

30. The vehicle wheel of claim 27 wherein the heat-treated structure at least in the transition region of the wheel disk is established after a forming operation by heat treatment at least in certain regions.

Description

[0020] There follows a more detailed explanation of the invention with reference to a drawing representing exemplary embodiments. Identical parts are provided with identical reference signs. In the figures:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a vehicle wheel according to the invention, and

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a partial cross section through the vehicle wheel of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle wheel (1) according to the invention, for example for a car. FIG. 2 shows a partial cross section through the vehicle wheel (1), in which, owing to the rotationally symmetric design, only the upper region of the vehicle wheel (1) above the axis of symmetry (12) is depicted in section. The vehicle wheel (1) comprises an in particular profiled rim (2) for receiving a tire (not shown), and a wheel disk (3) that is attached to the rim (2) in a cohesive connection, form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the wheel disk (3) is preferably attached to the rim (2) at least partially along its edge (3.1) by means of a joining seam (7), for example a fillet seam, which can be effected as a MIG, MAG, laser, weld or solder seam. Alternatively, the wheel disk can also be attached to the rim in its overlap/transition region by adhesive bonding and/or resistance welding and/or be means of a mechanical connection. Additionally, it is also provided to attach in a force-fitting manner in the overlap/transition region using a press fit, thus making it possible to relieve load from the joining seam during operation.

[0024] The wheel disk (3) is made of a hot-forming steel or an air-hardening steel, which have the advantage of being quenchable, and a high hardness and/or high tensile strength can be established in the corresponding component and thus the corresponding component can have greater cyclical flexural fatigue strength. It is also conceivable to use a composite material with for example three steel layers, of which at least one layer is heat-treatable, in particular quenchable.

[0025] The wheel disk (3) is in the form of a disk and comprises an at least partially and preferably fully circumferential angled end region which forms the transition region (8) for attaching to the rim (2). According to the invention, at least the transition region (8) has a heat-treated structure having a tensile strength of between 500 and 1300 MPa and/or a hardness of between 150 and 400 HV 0.1, which has a positive effect on the operational strength and reliability of the vehicle wheel, and provides sufficient strength and ductility or vibration resistance. The wheel disk (3) is formed by compressive forming, tensile forming, tensile-compressive forming, bending, shear forming, flow forming or deep drawing, in particular by hot-forming with optionally at least partial (press-) quenching, or by a combination of the stated production methods, wherein the heat-treated structure at least in the transition region (8) of the wheel disk (3) can be established prior to, during and/or after a forming operation by heat treatment at least in certain regions. By choosing suitable steel materials, preferably one of the previously mentioned steels, also in multiple layers as a composite material, it is possible, in combination with an at least local and tailored heat treatment, to establish, in the wheel disk (3), structures, heat-treated in a targeted manner, having a tensile strength of between 500 and 1300 MPa and/or a hardness of between 150 and 400 HV 0.1. For the establishment of the heat-treated structures, reference is made to the explanations in the general portion of the description, which merely indicate examples.

[0026] Adjoining the transition region (8) is a first region (9) in which there are provided, distributed around the circumference, openings (6) which act for example as ventilation holes and/or reduce the overall weight of the vehicle wheel (1) by stamping out or omitting material in a targeted manner. A preferably at least local expansion of the heat-treated structure from the transition region (8) into the first region (9) can have a positive effect on the transfer of forces with frequent reversals, in operation, from the tire mounted on the rim (2) into the wheel mount. It is further possible, if the heat-treated structure completely fills the first region (9), for subsequent stamping of the openings after completion of the final geometry of the wheel disk (3) to be simplified, for example with little mechanical tool wear.

[0027] The wheel disk (3) comprises a second region (11) which for example forms the attachment region for releasably attaching to a wheel mount, and in which there are provided openings (5) for receiving connection means (bolts/screws, not shown). The second region (11) adjoins a central opening (4) of the wheel disk (3) which for example serves for centering the wheel on a wheel hub (not shown) which is a component of a wheel mount (not shown). The central opening (4) is defined by a collar-shaped region (13). If the second region (11) has a heat-treated structure, this has, for example, the advantage that, in the region of the attachment face (11.1) for the connection means, local stress concentrations can be evened out or distributed over a large surface area into the surrounding region (13, 10), and it is thus possible to reduce the notch sensitivity.

[0028] The wheel disk (3) comprises at least a third region (10) which has a structure with a tensile strength of greater than 1300 MPa and/or a hardness of greater than 400 HV 0.1, in particular a (press-) quenched structure. The third region (10) is located between the attachment region for releasably attaching to a wheel mount (second region (11)) and the first region (9) which adjoins the transition region (8), and serves for local/overall stiffening of the wheel disk. The collar-shaped region (13) can, depending on the vehicle wheel type and requirement, have a heat-treated structure or be quenched.

[0029] Alternatively, and not depicted here, the entire wheel disk can have a heat-treated structure having a tensile strength of between 500 and 1300 MPa and/or a hardness of between 150 and 400 HV 0.1, which provides homogeneous strength and/or hardness in the wheel disk subjected to oscillating loads, and by which metallurgical notches can be largely prevented.

[0030] If use is made of a rim (2) which is formed of a hot-forming steel or an air-hardening steel, it preferably has, at least locally in a region (14), a heat-treated structure having a tensile strength of between 500 and 1300 MPa and/or a hardness of between 150 and 400 HV 0.1, in which the wheel disk (3) lies against with its transition region (8) and/or is pressed in and attached by means of a joining seam (7). It is also conceivable to use alternative joining methods, and to use a composite material with for example three steel layers, of which at least one layer is heat-treatable, in particular quenchable. The operational strength and reliability of the vehicle wheel can be increased when using the previously mentioned steels as the material for the rim. For example, the region (15) forming what is referred to as the rim flange has a heat-treated structure which is provided at least on that side oriented away from the wheel mount in the mounted state of the vehicle wheel (1) in order to avoid total damage to the rim (2) or to the vehicle wheel (1) in the event of curb contact. Where necessary, it is also possible for a heat-treated structure having a tensile strength of between 500 and 1300 MPa and/or a hardness of between 150 and 400 HV 0.1 to be established in the entire rim. For the establishment of the at least locally heat-treated structures in the rim (2), reference is made to the explanations relating to the wheel disk (3).

[0031] In order to ensure optimal operational strength and reliability of the entire vehicle wheel (1), the heat-treated structure of the transition region (8), of the first region (9) and/or of the second region (11), or alternatively of the entire wheel disk and/or rim, has a tensile strength of between 800 and 1200 MPa and/or a hardness of between 250 and 375 HV 0.1, preferably of between 850 and 1100 MPa and/or a hardness of between 265 and 340 HV 0.1, particularly preferably of between 900 and 1050 MPa and/or a hardness of between 280 and 325 HV 0.1. The heat-treated structure consists for example of at least two of the following phases: ferrite, perlite, bainite, austenite and martensite; in particular predominantly ferrite with at least one of the following phases: perlite, bainite, austenite and martensite. Alternatively, the heat-treated structure can for example have predominantly martensite, in particular tempered martensite.

[0032] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawing, or to the explanations in the general description, and rather it is also possible for the rim (2) and/or the wheel disk to be formed from a Tailored Product, for example a Tailored Blank and/or a Tailored Rolled Blank. Depending on the vehicle type, the vehicle wheel, with its wheel disk and rim, is configured in a load- and/or weight-optimized manner, with appropriate material thicknesses that can also vary along the respective cross section. Particularly advantageously, the invention can also find application in the context of utility vehicle wheels.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0033] 1 Vehicle wheel [0034] 2 Rim [0035] 3 Wheel disk [0036] 3.1 Circumferential edge of the wheel disk [0037] 4 Central opening [0038] 5 Opening for receiving connection means [0039] 6 Opening, ventilation opening [0040] 7 Fillet seam [0041] 8 Transition region for attaching to the rim [0042] 9 First region [0043] 10 Third region [0044] 11 Second region, attachment region for releasably attaching to a wheel mount [0045] 11.1 Attachment face for the connection means [0046] 12 Axis of symmetry [0047] 13 Collar-shaped region [0048] 14 A region of the rim [0049] 15 Region forming the rim flange