Insert element for a vehicle wheel and vehicle wheel with at least one such insert element

Abstract

An insert element for a vehicle wheel comprises several supporting bodies for supporting the insert element on supporting surfaces of the vehicle wheel. The supporting bodies have a supporting shoulder, which can be brought to bear against a supporting surface of the vehicle wheel, and a fastening extension with an axial hollow channel and with at least one outwardly protruding locking projection, arranged at an axial distance from the supporting shoulder, for engaging behind an installation opening reaching through the supporting surface of the vehicle wheel. The supporting bodies are designed as elastomer components which are elastically deformable in the radial and axial direction and sit with their hollow channel on a supporting core. The supporting cores bear a radially protruding retaining flange and are held on the rear side on the insert element. Each supporting body is held by the retaining flange in a form-fitting manner against being pulled off from the supporting core.

Claims

1. An insert element for a vehicle wheel, the insert element having a front side being an axially outboard side and a rear side being an axially inboard side, comprising: a plurality of supporting bodies arranged at a distance from one another on the rear side on the insert element for supporting and holding the insert element on supporting surfaces of the vehicle wheel, wherein the supporting bodies each have a supporting shoulder for bearing against a supporting surface of the vehicle wheel, and a fastening extension with an axial hollow channel and with at least one outwardly protruding locking projection arranged at an axial distance from the supporting shoulder for engaging axially inboard of an installation opening extending through the supporting surface of the vehicle wheel, wherein the supporting bodies are designed as elastomer components which are elastically deformable in a radial direction and an axial direction, and a plurality of supporting cores which each have a radially protruding retaining flange and are held on the rear side on the insert element, wherein the supporting bodies with their hollow channels each sit on a supporting core, and each supporting body is held in a form-fitting manner by the retaining flange of the supporting core bearing the supporting body in the axial direction against being pulled off from the supporting core.

2. The insert element of claim 1, wherein the locking projection of the supporting body protrudes in the radial direction with respect to the retaining flange of the supporting core.

3. The insert element of claim 2, wherein the diameter of a lateral surface of the retaining flange of the supporting core is smaller than the diameter of the installation opening of the vehicle wheel which is to be reached through.

4. The insert element of claim 1, wherein the diameter of a lateral surface of the retaining flange of the supporting core is greater than the diameter of the installation opening of the vehicle wheel which is to be reached through, and the supporting core, starting from the retaining flange thereof, has at least one gap following a longitudinal extension of the support core with a gap width, such that, as a result of a diameter reduction of the retaining flange made possible by the gap, the retaining flange is insertable through the installation opening of the vehicle wheel.

5. The insert element of claim 4, wherein the supporting core is formed by at least two supporting core segments which are spaced from one another by a respective gap.

6. The insert element of claim 5, further comprising a securing element, wherein the securing element is arranged between the supporting core segments for blocking the diameter reduction of the retaining flange after connection of the insert element on the vehicle wheel.

7. The insert element of claim 6, wherein the supporting core segments are half-shells and the securing element is a securing pin, wherein the securing pin has a blocking section of larger diameter on which a guiding section of smaller diameter is formed, wherein the securing pin is movable in the axial direction in a channel formed by the two supporting core half-shells, wherein, in a securing position, the blocking section of the securing pin engages in the channel and, in a non-securing position, the blocking section of the securing pin does not engage in the channel, such that the two half-shells are adjustable with respect to one another for the diameter reduction of the retaining flange in the non-securing position.

8. The insert element of claim 7, wherein the securing pin has guiding pins which engage in each gap separating the supporting core half-shells.

9. The insert element of claim 4, wherein the retaining flange of the supporting core and the locking projection of the supporting body have an axially inboard side designed as a truncated cone.

10. The insert element of claim 1, wherein the locking projection, on a side thereof facing the supporting shoulder, has a locking surface designed as inclined.

11. The insert element of claim 1, wherein the supporting shoulder is a hollow chamber structure with a plurality of hollow chambers separated from one another in a circumferential direction by respective webs extending in the radial direction.

12. The insert element of claim 1, wherein, in a region of the supporting core connected to the insert element, a plurality of supporting bars are arranged with an angular distance from one another around the supporting core, and the supporting bars extend radially from the supporting core.

13. The insert element of claim 12, wherein the supporting bars are formed both on the supporting core and on the rear side of the insert element.

14. The insert element of claim 1, wherein, for supporting the insert element at contact regions between the vehicle wheel and the insert element, a plurality of projections as spacer elements are located on the insert element side and/or the vehicle wheel, and wherein the insert element is in contact with the spacer elements in the axial direction and/or in the radial direction of the supporting cores and this contact provides, in addition to the retaining flanges of the supporting cores, abutment for pretensioning.

15. A vehicle wheel having a plurality of openings with at least one insert element connected to the vehicle wheel, wherein the at least one insert element is an insert element according to claim 1.

16. The vehicle wheel of claim 15, wherein the vehicle wheel openings are delimited in a circumferential direction of the vehicle wheel by one or more spokes.

17. The vehicle wheel of claim 15, wherein the vehicle wheel is a light metal wheel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The below description is provided in reference to the appended figures based on embodiment examples, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a top view of a vehicle wheel segment with an insert element which partially covers a wheel opening and is mounted on the vehicle wheel;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the vehicle wheel segment of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a fastening point of FIG. 2 by which the insert element is fastened on the vehicle wheel;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an isolated view of a supporting core formed on the rear side of the insert element of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5a shows a side view of a supporting body which sits on the supporting core of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of the supporting body of FIG. 5a with a view onto its base surface;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the fastening point of FIG. 3, with the cutting line in radial direction with respect to the hub of the vehicle wheel;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a fastening point for fastening an insert element according to a design with securing pin on a vehicle wheel in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 3;

(10) FIG. 8 shows an isolated view of a supporting core formed on the rear side of the insert element of FIG. 7 with the securing pin;

(11) FIG. 9 shows a side view of a supporting body which sits on the supporting core of FIG. 8; and

(12) FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view through the fastening point of FIG. 7, with the cutting line in radial direction with respect to the hub of the vehicle wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) In FIG. 1, a vehicle wheel 1 with only one segment is shown. The light-metal vehicle wheel 1 made of an aluminum alloy has several wheel openings 2 arranged distributed in peripheral direction. Each wheel opening 2 is delimited by two spokes 3, 3.1 in peripheral direction. In radial direction, the wheel opening 2 is delimited by the side of the rim well 5 facing the hub region 4. The wheel opening 2 is partially covered by an insert element 6 designed as a plastic part in the embodiment example shown. The remaining residual opening of the wheel opening 2 is used for supplying air during a rotation of the wheel 1 to a brake disk arranged on the wheel inner side. In addition to design-related aspects, the insert element 6 is used simultaneously for the defined supply of air through the remaining residual opening of the wheel opening 2.

(14) In the embodiment example shown, the fastening of the insert element 6 occurs via three fastening points, wherein an installation of the insert element 6 on the vehicle wheel 1 occurs without a tool. The fastening points can be seen in the rear view of the vehicle wheel 1 of FIG. 2 and are identified therein with reference numerals B.sub.1, B.sub.2 and B.sub.3. The fastening of the insert element 6 on the vehicle wheel 1 is explained in greater detail below based on fastening point B.sub.1. These explanations apply equally to fastening points B.sub.2 and B.sub.3.

(15) The fastening point B.sub.1 shown in an enlarged perspective representation in FIG. 3 is designed as follows. The vehicle wheel 1 has an installation flange 7. The rear side of the flange 7, which cannot be seen in FIG. 3, forms a supporting surface. In the installation flange 7, an installation opening 7.5 designed as an installation bore is introduced (see FIGS. 6 and 10). It is not visible in FIG. 3, since a supporting body 9 sitting on a supporting core 8 engages in it and reaches with parts through the installation bore. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the supporting core 8 is formed on the rear side of the insert element 6 and therefore made of the same hard plastic component as the insert element 6 itself. In the embodiment example shown, the insert element 6 with its supporting core 8 is made of a polyamide material. In the embodiment example shown, the supporting core 8 is a pipe length which bears a retaining flange 10 at its free end away from the rear side of the insert element 6. The retaining flange 10 protrudes beyond the diameter of an annular cylindrical shaft section 11, and therefore has a greater diameter than the diameter of the shaft section 11. The maximum diameter of lateral surface 10.5 of the retaining flange 10 is smaller by a necessary installation clearance than the diameter of the installation bore 7.5 reaching through the installation flange 7 (see FIG. 6). In the region of the connection of the shaft section 11 of the supporting core 8 to the rear side of the insert element 6, several supporting bars 12, four in the embodiment example shown, are located arranged radially with respect to the shaft section 11. Said supporting bars are formed on the rear side of the insert element 6 on the shaft section 11. With their narrow sides according to the longitudinal extension, said supporting bars face the retaining flange 10.

(16) The supporting body 9 sits on the supporting core 8. For this purpose, the supporting body 9 has a hollow channel 10a (see FIG. 5b). The supporting body 9 is an elastomer component, and therefore has a clearly lower hardness than the material of the supporting core 8. The supporting body 9 is made of a soft plastic and namely, in the embodiment example shown, of a silicone material having a Shore-A hardness of 65. Because of its elastic properties, the supporting body 9 can be shifted without problem over the retaining flange 10 of the supporting core onto the shaft section 11.

(17) The supporting body 9 has a supporting shoulder 13 which bears with its base surface 14 against the small sides of the supporting bars 12, which face the retaining flange 10. The surface of the supporting shoulder 13 opposite the base surface 14 is a contact surface 15, against which the hole marginal region of the installation hole, which faces the insert element 6, bears as complementary supporting surface. A holding section 16 is formed on the supporting shoulder 13. The diameter of the holding section 16 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the installation bore. On the holding section 16, a locking projection 17 which is peripheral in the embodiment example shown is formed with a locking surface 18 facing the contact surface 15. The locking projection 17 protrudes beyond the holding section 16. The supporting body 9 is tapered by the holding section 16. The holding section 16 and the locking projection 17 together form a fastening extension. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5a, the side of the locking projection 17, which faces away from the supporting shoulder 13, is in the form of a truncated cone 17.5. The truncated cone shape transitions into an identical truncated cone shape of the retaining flange 10 (see also FIG. 3 and fastening point B.sub.2 in FIG. 6).

(18) In the embodiment example shown, the supporting shoulder 13 is designed as hollow chamber part and has several hollow chambers 19 arranged peripherally distributed. Two adjacent hollow chambers 19 are each separated from one another by a web 20 extending in radial direction.

(19) The fastening point B.sub.1 is shown in cross section in FIG. 6. The supporting body 9 sits on the shaft section 11 of the supporting core 8. The tapered front side of the locking projection 17 is supported on the side of the retaining flange 10 which faces the insert element 6. In this way, the supporting body 9 is held in axial direction in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner on the supporting core 8. In this embodiment example, the base surface 14 of the supporting shoulder 13 is supported on the supporting bars 12. The support of the supporting body 9 via its base surface 14 on the support bars 12 of the supporting core 8on the one handand with the front side of its locking projection 17 on the retaining flange 10 of the supporting core 8on the other handis under a certain pretension. The hole marginal region of the installation bore reaching through the installation flange 7 is accommodated in the holding section 16 of the supporting body 9. The axial extension of the holding section 16 of the supporting body 9 is slightly smaller than the material thickness of the installation flange 7, so that the hole marginal region of the installation bore is clamped in between the contact surface 15 of the supporting shoulder 13 and the locking surface 18 of the locking projection 17. In this way, a secure fastening, which is under pretensioning, of the fastening points B.sub.1 to B.sub.3 of the insert element 6 on the vehicle wheel 1 is ensured.

(20) In FIG. 6, as an example, a spacer element A is formed on the inner side of the insert element 6. Said spacer element is designed in the manner of a cap. The insert element 6 is supported on the outwardly facing side of the vehicle wheel 1 by the spacer element A. The spacer element A is located in the immediate vicinity with respect to the peripheral end of the insert element 6. The insert element 6 bears several spacer elements A arranged at a distance from one another for supporting the insert element 6 on the outer side of the vehicle wheel 1. This supporting is used to provide a uniform joint gap or a uniform clearance between the insert element 6 and the visible side of the vehicle wheel 1. The supporting of the insert element 6 by means of the spacer element A on the side of the vehicle wheel 1 facing the insert element 6 at the same time represents an abutment to provide, with the elastomer supporting bodies 9 sitting on the supporting cores 8 or their locking projections 17 which are elastically compressible in axial direction, a pretensioning which ensures a play-free and rattle-free seating of the insert element 6 on the vehicle wheel 1. The axial length of the supporting body 9 and in particular of its locking projection 17 and the design of the supporting core 8 with its retaining flange 10 are adjusted with respect to one another so that, when the insert element 6 is mounted on the vehicle wheel 1, the locking projection 17 is compressed in axial direction. The radial expansion of the locking projection 17 is indicated by block arrows in FIG. 6. The restoring force resulting from the elastic compression of the locking projection 17 in axial direction uses as abutment the bearing surface protruding radially with the retaining flange 10on the one handand the support of the insert element 6 via its spacer elements A on the outside on the vehicle wheel 1on the other handwhereby the locking projection 17 acts against the surface of the installation flange 7 which faces away from the insert element 6 in its region bordering the installation opening. At the same time, the insert element 6 is supported via the spacer elements A on the outside on the vehicle wheel 1. In FIG. 6, the above-described supporting on the abutmentsthe retaining flange 10 and the vehicle wheel outer sideis identified by block arrows.

(21) In a further development, it is provided that the supporting body 9 with its base surface 14, when attached to the installation flange 7 of the vehicle wheel 1, is not supported on the supporting bars 12, but it is provided that, in order to apply the desired pretensioning force, the abutment occurs due to the contact arrangement of the spacer elements A on the outer side of the vehicle wheel 1. In this design, a certain play is present between the base surface 14 of the supporting shoulder 13 of the supporting body 9 and the supporting bars 12. Thus, in this design, for applying the desired pretensioning, the retaining flange 10on the one handand the contact arrangement of the supporting elements A on the outer side of the vehicle wheel 1on the other handact as abutment. It is understood that the spacer elements can also be arranged on the vehicle wheel side.

(22) FIG. 7 shows an additional embodiment example of a fastening point B.sub.4 for fastening an additional insert element 6.1 on the vehicle wheel 1. The insert element 6.1 is in principle constructed in exactly the same way as the above-described insert element 6. Therefore, the explanations in this regard also apply to the insert element 6.1. In FIG. 7, one fastening point B.sub.4 of three fastening points is shown, as also described with regard to the insert element 6 of the preceding figures. In principle, the fastening point B.sub.4 is constructed like the above-described fastening point B.sub.1 of the insert element 6. The fastening point B.sub.4 differs from the above-described fastening point B.sub.1 in that the supporting core 8.1 is designed slotted with two gaps 21 lying opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis, of which only one of the two gaps 21 can be seen in the figures. The supporting core 8.1 has an inner channel, in which a securing pin 22 engages and is guided therein in axial direction. For the guiding, guiding pins 22.5 which engage in the gaps 21 are used. In this embodiment example, on the shaft section 11.1 of the supporting core 8.1, a retaining flange 10.1 is formed on each of the two supporting core half-shells. A supporting body 9.1 designed as elastomer component sits on the shaft section 11.1. Said supporting body 9.1 is shown in a side view in FIG. 9. The supporting body 9.1 also has a supporting shoulder 13.1 with a contact surface 15.1 and with an opposite locking surface 18.1 which protrudes beyond the holding section 16.1. The locking surface 18.1 is inclined.

(23) The maximum diameter of the supporting core 8.1 in the region of its retaining flange 10.1, provided by the lateral surface 10.5 of the retaining flange 10.1, is greater than the diameter of the installation bore 7.5 reaching through the installation flange 7 (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the retaining flange 10.1 engages behind the installation bore of the vehicle wheel 1. The diameter of the locking projection 17.1 forming the locking surface 18.1 of the supporting body 9.1 corresponds to the maximum diameter of the retaining flange 10.1.

(24) FIG. 10 shows the fastening point B.sub.4 and the adjacent fastening point B.sub.5 located in a perspective view behind it, in a cross-sectional representation. While the fastening point B.sub.4 is shown in a position of the securing pin 22 which prevents a shifting movement of the two supporting core segments or supporting core half-shells in the region of their retaining flange 10.1 toward one another, the securing pin 22.1 at fastening point B.sub.5 is in an installation position. The securing pins 22, 22.1 have the same design. Below, the securing pin 22 is described. The same explanations likewise apply also to the securing pin 22.1.

(25) The securing pin 22 has a blocking section 23, the outer diameter of which corresponds to the inner diameter of the inner channel of the supporting body 8.1. On the blocking section 23, a head 24 is formed for handling the securing pin 22. In the direction of the insert element 6.1, on the blocking section 23, a section 25 with reduced diameter is formed. If the section 25 is located in the region of the retaining flange 10.1, as is the case at fastening point B.sub.5, the two supporting core half-shells can be moved toward one another in the region of their retaining flange 10.1. Then it is possible to bring them through the installation bore. In the securing position of the securing pin 22, shown in FIG. 10 with regard to the fastening point B.sub.4, this position is additionally secured by a catch mechanism in the lower region of the securing pin 22 with respect to the supporting core 8.1. For this purpose, two small snap arms 26 are used, which lie opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the securing pin 22 and which engage in complementary openings or perforations in the supporting core 8.1. In the installation position with securing pin 22, 22.1 pulled out as shown at fastening point B.sub.5, these small snap arms 26 bear against the inner wall of the channel of the supporting core 8.1. When the insert element 6.1 with its fastening points is mounted on the vehicle wheel 1, the securing pins 22, 22.1 are inserted. This at the same time represents a visual inspection control for a connection according to intended use of one or more insert elements 6.1 on the vehicle wheel 1.

(26) In the embodiment example of FIGS. 7 to 10, the insert element 6.1 is supported via spacer elements on the outward facing side of the vehicle wheel 1, in the same manner as described with regard to the embodiment example of FIGS. 1 to 6. With regard to the application of a pretensioning force on the insert element 6.1 connected to the vehicle wheel 1, the same explanations apply as described with regard to the embodiment example of FIGS. 1 to 6 for the supporting body 9.1 with its locking projection 17.1. The bulge brought about due to the compression of the locking projection 17.1 in axial direction is indicated in FIG. 10.

(27) From this disclosure it becomes clear that not only can an insert element as described be mounted particularly simply, but also advantageous properties of a conventional screw connection can be implemented.

(28) The invention has been described using embodiment examples. Without departing the scope of the claims, numerous embodiments, modifications and possibilities for implementing said invention arise for a person skilled in the art, without needing to explain or show them in further detail in the context of this disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(29) 1 Vehicle wheel 2 Wheel opening 3, 3.1 Spoke 4 Hub region 5 Rim well 6, 6.1 Insert element 7, 7.1 Installation flange 7.5 Installation opening of vehicle wheel 8, 8.1 Supporting core 9, 9.1 Supporting body 10, 10.1 Retaining flange 10.5 Lateral surface of retaining flange 10a Hollow channel 11, 11.1 Shaft section 12 Supporting bar 13, 13.1 Supporting shoulder 14 Base surface 15, 15.1 Contact surface 16, 16.1 Holding section 17, 17.1 Locking projection 17.5 Truncated cone shape 18, 18.1 Locking surface 19 Hollow chamber 20 Web 21 Gap 22, 22.1 Securing pin 22.5 Guiding pin 23 Blocking section 24 Head 25 Section 26 Small snap arms A Spacer element B.sub.1-B.sub.5 Fastening point