Abstract
A self-adhesive balancing weight for a vehicle wheel has a top surface and a bottom surface with a self-adhesive tape. The bottom surface has a first curved section having a first radius and a second curved section having a second radius. The first radius is smaller than the second radius. This configuration allows to hold the balancing weight by the adhesive tape to almost every rim, as there are always at least two holding points (or holding lines) at which the balancing weight contacts the rim via the adhesive tape.
Claims
1. A self-adhesive balancing weight for a vehicle wheel, the weight comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is an attachment surface with a self-adhesive tape thereon, the bottom surface has a first curved section with a first radius, a second curved section with a second radius, and a third curved section with a third radius, the self-adhesive tape is disposed on the first curved section, on the second curved section, and on the third curved section, the first radius is smaller than the second radius, and the first, second and third curved sections are convex.
2. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive tape covers the first curved section and the second curved section as viewed in first and second directions that are tangential to the first and second curved sections, respectively.
3. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the first curved section and the second curved section are configured to form contact with the rim along at least one contact line via the self-adhesive tape, when the weight is applied to the rim.
4. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the center axis of the second radius is outside of the balancing weight.
5. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein at least one straight section is provided between a curved section, from the second and third curved sections, and the top surface.
6. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, further comprising: a straight section at at least one of the following locations: (i) between the first curved section and the second curved section, and (ii) between the first curved section and the third curved section.
7. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the first radius is of the second radius or the first radius is of the second radius.
8. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following conditions Is satisfied: (i) the first radius is 4 mm and the second radius is 8 mm, wherein a tolerance of values of the first and second radii is +/50%, and (ii) the first radius is 1.8 mm and the second radius is 9 mm, wherein the tolerance of values of the first and second radii is +/50%.
9. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the center axis of the first radius passes through the balancing weight.
10. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the second radius is equal to the third radius.
11. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the balancing weight comprises at least one insert element, the insert element further comprising a ferromagnetic material.
12. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 1, wherein the balancing weight comprises at least one recess at the bottom surface.
13. A chain of balancing weights comprising a plurality of balancing weights according to claim 1, wherein balancing weights in said plurality are interconnected by the self-adhesive tape.
14. The chain of balancing weights according to claim 13, wherein gaps or cutouts are provided at one or both sides of the self-adhesive tape.
15. The chain of balancing weights according to claim 14, wherein said gaps or cutouts are located between balancing weights of the chain.
16. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 2, wherein the self-adhesive tape further covers the curved surface section as viewed in a third direction that is tangential to the third curved surface section.
17. The self-adhesive balancing weight according to claim 8, wherein the tolerance is +/30%.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] In the following, the invention is described by way of examples, without limitation to the general inventive concept, and with reference to the drawings.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment, preferably for steel rims.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment in a top view.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a sectional cut of the first embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged sectional cut of the first embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged sectional cut of a second embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a slightly modified embodiment in a sectional view.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows a further modified embodiment in a sectional view.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment in a second sectional view.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment in the perspective view.
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a first sectional view of an embodiment with a recess.
[0041] FIG. 11 shows the embodiment in a second sectional view.
[0042] FIG. 12 shows the embodiment in the perspective view.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows a balancing weight of a first embodiment mounted to a rim.
[0044] FIG. 14 shows the balancing weight on a rim in detail.
[0045] FIG. 15 shows a chain of balancing weights from the bottom side.
[0046] FIG. 16 shows a self-adhesive tape with gaps or cutouts.
[0047] While embodiments of the invention can be variously modified and assume alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of examples in the drawings and described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the scope of the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives as recited in the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] In FIG. 1, a first embodiment, configured for use with preferably a steel rims, is shown. A balancing weight 10 has a top surface 12 and a bottom surface 11 opposing to the top surface. The top surface may bear at least one marking and/or ornamental design. In this embodiment, there is a first line 15 that indicates the operational orientation of the balancing weight and, in operation, is supposed to be aligned approximately parallel to the circumference of the rim. Also present is a second line 16, which may be under a right angle to the line 15 and which includes two dashes in this embodiment, is defined in a radial direction, and points towards the axis of the wheel when the weight is installed. The bottom surface 11 has a specific contour dimensioned to be adapted to a large number of different rims, which will be explained later in detail.
[0049] In FIG. 2, the first embodiment is shown in a top view. Here, a sectional cut A-A is indicated, which will be shown in detail in FIG. 3.
[0050] In FIG. 3, a sectional cut of the first embodiment is shown. This cut, as indicated in FIG. 2, is made along the cutting line A-A.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows a sectional cut similar to that of FIG. 3. For better visibility, this figure has been enlarged versus the previous figures. The bottom surface 11 of the balancing weight has at least a first curved section 43 and a second curved section 44. It is further preferred to have a third curved section 45. These sections are marked in FIG. 4 with short lines that are shown perpendicular to a perimeter of the sectional cut of the bottom surface 11. The first curved section 43 has a first length and a first radius of curvature 40. The second curved section 44 has a second length and a second radius of curvature 41. The third curved section 45, if present, has a third length and a third radius of curvature 42. The lengths of the radius-indicating and arrow-bearing lines 40, 41, 42 indicate the radius between a tip of a given arrow and the end of the corresponding line. The center axis for each curved section (43, 44, 45) therefore corresponds to a point at the end of the corresponding radius-indicating line (40, 41, 42). Preferably, the center axis for the first radius 40 (in this Figurethe axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the figure and passes through the center of curvature and the end of radius-indicating line) passes through the balancing weight body, while it is preferred, that the center axis for the second radius 41 is outside of the balancing weight body. In this embodiment, shown is a first straight section 46 between the third curved section 45 and the top surface 12, and a second straight section 47 between the second curved section 44 and the top surface 12. There may be a further straight section (not shown in this embodiment) between the first curved section 43 and the second curved section 44 and or a further straight section between the first curved section 43 and the third curved section 45. Any of the three curved sections or, alternatively, all three curved sections will result in at least two contact points with the rim of a large variety of balancing weights, which results in operably-sufficient contact with and an operably-sufficient force of adhesion to the rim if an adhesive tape is disposed between the balancing weight and the rim. Due to the curvatures of the curved sections, the distance to the rim in case of any deviations of the form of the rim is slightly decreased. Such a slight decrease in the distance may easily be compensated for by a self-adhesive tape disposed between the balancing weight and the rim, thus resulting in a comparatively larger section in which adhesive forces apply.
[0052] FIG. 5 shows a slightly different embodiment, where the third radius 42 is larger than the first radius 40, whereas in FIG. 4 the radius 42 is smaller than the first radius 40. Different ratio(s) of radii may be selected to get the broadest operation adaption of different balancing weights to various rims.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows a slightly modified embodiment of FIG. 5, with a symmetrical design, where the second radius 41 is equal to the third radius 42. The design of the bottom surface 11 comprising a first radius 40, a second radius 41, and a third radius 42 is adapted to fit to the 25 most commonly-used in Europe rims, and to a large number of rims used in the US as well as in other countries. It is preferred to have the radii of curvature of the first, second, and third curved sections in a range between 4 mm and 12 mm, whereas the radius of curvature of the first curved section is smaller than the radii of the second and third curved sections by about 0.5 mm to 3 mm. Most preferably, the radius of the first section is 7 mm, whereas the radius of the second and third sections is 8 mm.
[0054] In FIG. 7 a further embodiment is shown. It is similar to that of FIG. 6, but has larger first and second side walls 46, 47. The sidewalls may be parallel to one another, or they may be tilted under an angle 48 inwards, as shown, such that the planes of the sidewalls intersect one another above the top surface 12.
[0055] The larger sidewalls provide the balancing weight with additional height and, therefore, volume and mass. Such sidewalls further may allow to include an inlay or insert element 22 (comprising a ferromagnetic and preferably a soft magnetic material). The purpose of the use of inlay is to improve the handling of a weight by a magnetic handling apparatus. Preferred materials of this inlay are iron or steel.
[0056] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the same balancing weight, of FIG. 7, through the center of the inlay. The sectional view shows that the inlay is extending from a front side 25 and preferably is flush with the front side. The inlay is preferably dimensioned to end or terminate before the rear side 26 (opposing the front side 25) is reached, such that it does not penetrate through the surface corresponding to the rear side.
[0057] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the balancing weight with all the features as explained above.
[0058] In FIG. 10 a balancing weight similar to the balancing weight discussed above is shown. Here, at the bottom surface, preferably at the center of the bottom surface, it is preferred to have a recess 24. This recess results in a lower surface area of the first curved section 43. Due to the lower surface area of the first curved section, the total force required to compress an adhesive tape located at the first curved section is reduced as compared to the force required to compress all adhesive tape disposed in cooperation with the second curved second and the third curved section. Such structure helps to adapt the balancing weight to rims, if the shape of the rim is such that the distance or space between the rim and the surface of the first curved section is smaller than the distance between the rim and the surfaces of the second and third curved sections.
[0059] FIG. 11 is a schematic of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 8, but with the recess 24.
[0060] FIG. 12 is a schematic of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 9, but with the recess 24. It has opposing sidewalls 13 and 14.
[0061] In FIG. 13, a balancing weight 10 mounted to a steel rim 2 of a wheel is shown in a cross-sectional view. A wheel rim 2 comprises at least a wheel disk 4 and a wheel band 6 ending in a wheel horn 8, as known from the art. A tire 9 is mounted to the wheel rim 2.
[0062] In FIG. 14, an enlarged section of a balancing weight on a rim is shown. There is first contact area 50 between the balancing weight and the rim at the first radius 40 or the third radius 42 of the balancing weight. Furthermore, there is a second contact area 51 between the second radius 41 of the balancing weight and the rim. These two contact areas are at some distance to one another and are large enough to hold the balancing weight reliably and durably affixed to the rim at a chosen position for a long time durable.
[0063] FIG. 15 shows a chain of balancing weights from the bottom side. Here, preferably, gaps or cutouts 18 are provided in the self-adhesive tape, as shown, which gaps or cutouts allow for and facilitate easier bending of the tape to adapt the chain of weights to a radius of a rim.
[0064] FIG. 16 shows a preferred embodiment of a self-adhesive tape 17. Here, gaps or cutouts 18 are provided, which may allow easier bending of the tape to adapt to a radius of a rim. Such gaps or cutouts may be formed at one side of the tape only or at both sides of the tape as shown.
[0065] It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that this invention is believed to provide balancing weights for vehicle wheels. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0066] 2 wheel rim
[0067] 4 wheel disk
[0068] 6 wheel band
[0069] 8 wheel horn
[0070] 9 tire
[0071] 10 balancing weight
[0072] 11 bottom surface
[0073] 12 top surface
[0074] 13 first sidewall
[0075] 14 second sidewall
[0076] 15 first line
[0077] 16 second line
[0078] 17 self-adhesive tape
[0079] 18 cutout
[0080] 20 balancing weight
[0081] 22 inlay
[0082] 24 recess
[0083] 25 front side
[0084] 26 rear side
[0085] 30 balancing weight
[0086] 40 first radius
[0087] 41 second radius
[0088] 42 third radius
[0089] 43 first curved section
[0090] 44 second curved section
[0091] 45 third curved section
[0092] 46 first straight section
[0093] 47 second straight section
[0094] 48 side angle
[0095] 50 first contact area
[0096] 51 second contact area
