A TIRE FLANGE AND BEAD SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR A MULTI-PIECE WHEEL RIM

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim. The tire flange and bead seat assembly includes at least one tire flange (101) and at least one bead seat (201). The tire flange (101) includes an end face (103a) and a circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b). A first tapered surface (203a) includes a taper with angle .sub.1 configured on a circumferentially extending radially outward surface (205a) of the bead seat and a second tapered surface (203b) includes a taper with angle .sub.2 configured on a circumferentially extending radially inward surface (205b) of the bead seat (201). The circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b) includes a taper matching the taper of the first tapered surface (203a) and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b) of the tire flange mounted completely within the first tapered surface (203a) of the bead seat.

Claims

1. A tire flange and bead seat assembly of a multi-piece wheel rim, comprising: at least one tire flange (101); at least one bead seat (201); characterized in that wherein the tire flange (101) including an end face (103a) and a circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b); a first tapered surface (203a) including a taper with angle of inclination .sub.1 configured on a circumferentially extending radially outward surface (205a) of the bead seat (201); a second tapered surface (203b) including a taper with angle of inclination .sub.2 configured on a circumferentially extending radially inward surface (205b) of the bead seat (201); the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b) of the tire flange provided with a taper matching the taper of the first tapered surface (203a); and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b) of the tire flange mounted completely within the first tapered surface (203a) of the bead seat upon tire inflation, thereby preventing fretting.

2. The tire flange and bead seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tire flange (101) including a radially extending axially outward surface (101b) and a radially extending axially inward surface (101a), wherein the radially extending axially outward surface (101b) divided into an upper surface (102a) and a lower surface (102b); wherein a thickness T1 formed between the upper surface (102a) and the radially extending axially inward surface (101a) and a thickness T2 formed between the lower surface (102b) and the radially extending axially inward surface (101a); and wherein the thickness T2 less than the thickness T1 for providing a clearance between the lower surface (102b) and a radially extending axially inward flange surface (207a) of a bead seat flange (207).

3. The tire flange and bead seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer fillet (104a) provided at an edge between a radially extending axially outward surface (101b) of the tire flange (101) and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b) and an inner fillet (104b) provided at the edge between a radially extending axially inward surface (101a) of the tire flange (101) and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface (103b) for reducing stress concentration on the tire flange (101).

4. The tire flange and bead seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of inclination .sub.1 greater than the angle of inclination .sub.2 for gradually increasing section in critical region of the bead seat (201) under load, thereby enhancing rigidity of the bead seat and restricting the tire flange (101) in not establishing contact with a radially extending axially inward flange surface (207a) of the bead seat (201) upon tire inflation.

5. The tire flange and bead seat assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness T1 and T2 of the tire flange (101) determined based on load acting on the wheel, thereby reducing weight of the wheel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a tire flange of the multi-piece wheel rim, according to an embodiment herein;

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a bead seat of the multi-piece wheel rim, according to an embodiment herein;

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a tire flange and bead seat assembly of the multi-piece wheel rim, according to an embodiment herein;

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a multi piece wheel rim assembly showing rim base, saddle ring, endless ring, bead seat and tire flange, according to an embodiment herein;

[0024] FIG. 5a illustrates exemplary stresses acting on bead seat of a multi piece wheel rim, according to prior art;

[0025] FIG. 5b illustrates stresses acting on the bead seat of the multi piece wheel rim, according to an embodiment herein;

[0026] FIG. 6a illustrates a multi piece wheel rim assembly with saddle lock ring according to prior art;

[0027] FIG. 6b illustrates a multi piece wheel rim assembly with conventional split lock ring, according to prior art; and

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a conventional multi piece wheel rim assembly showing radial clearance between tire flange and bead seat band, according to prior art.

LIST OF NUMERALS

[0029] 101Tire flange [0030] 101aRadially extending axially inward surface [0031] 101bRadially extending axially outward surface [0032] 102Transition point [0033] 102aUpper surface [0034] 102bLower surface [0035] 103aEnd face [0036] 103bCircumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface [0037] 104aOuter fillet [0038] 104bInner fillet [0039] 201Bead seat band [0040] 203aFirst tapered surface [0041] 203bSecond tapered surface [0042] 205aCircumferentially extending radially outward surface [0043] 205bCircumferentially extending radially inward surface [0044] 207Bead seat flange [0045] 207aRadially extending axially inward flange surface [0046] 401Rim [0047] 403Gutter region [0048] 405Saddle ring [0049] 407Endless ring [0050] 70Radial clearance

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0052] As mentioned above, there is a need for an improved tire flange and bead seat assembly of a multi-piece wheel rim for preventing fretting. In particular, there is a need for a tire flange and bead seat assembly with reduced stresses and imparting improved life of the multi-piece wheel rim. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing A tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a tire flange of the multi-piece wheel rim. The tire flange 101 includes an end face 103a and a circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b, a radially extending axially outward surface 101b, and a radially extending axially inward surface 101a. In an embodiment, a transition point 102 divides the radially extending axially outward surface 101b of the tire flange into an upper surface 102a and a lower surface 102b. The tire flange includes a first thickness T1 formed between the radially extending axially inward surface 101a and the upper surface 102a, and a second thickness T2 formed between the radially extending axially inward surface 101a and the lower surface 102b. In an embodiment, the first thickness T1 is greater than the second thickness T2.

[0054] In an embodiment, the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b is tapered for matching a taper of a bead seat. The circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b is a circumferentially extending radially inward surface of the tire flange 101 including a single taper.

[0055] In an embodiment, the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b includes an outer fillet 104a, and an inner fillet 104b. The outer fillet 104a is provided at the edge between the radially extending axially outward surface 101b and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b and the inner fillet 104b is provided at the edge between the radially extending axially inward surface 101a and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b for preventing stress concentration on the tire flange.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a bead seat of the multi-piece wheel rim. In an embodiment, the bead seat 201 includes a circumferentially extending radially outward surface 205a and a circumferentially extending radially inward surface 205b. The circumferentially extending radially outward surface 205a includes a first tapered surface 203a. The first tapered surface 203a is provided for supporting the tire flange of the wheel rim. The circumferentially extending radially inward surface 205b includes a second tapered surface 203b.

[0057] The bead seat 201 includes a bead seat flange 207, wherein the bead seat flange 207 includes a radially extending axially inward flange surface 207a.

[0058] In an embodiment, the first tapered surface 203a is inclined at an angle .sub.1 relative to the horizontal. In an embodiment, the second tapered surface 203b is inclined at an angle .sub.2 relative to the horizontal. The angle .sub.1 of the first tapered surface is greater than the angle of inclination .sub.2 of the second tapered surface.

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates a tire flange and bead seat assembly of the multi-piece wheel rim. In an embodiment, the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b of the tire flange 101 is mounted on the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat. In an embodiment, the lower surface 102b of the tire flange forms a clearance C relative to the radially extending axially inward flange surface 207a upon tire inflation, thereby preventing contact between the tire flange 101 and the bead seat flange 207.

[0060] Dimensions of the first tapered surface 203a and the second tapered surface 203b of the bead seat 201 are determined based on load acting by tire forces to ensure rigidity of bead seat band wherein engagement of the tire flange 101 is restricted to the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat and does not establish contact with the radially extending axially inward flange surface 207a of the bead seat band.

[0061] In an embodiment, the taper of the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b of the tire flange matches the taper of the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat. The circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b is completely engaged within the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat.

[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates a multi piece wheel rim assembly showing rim base, saddle ring, endless ring, bead seat and tire flange, according to an embodiment. The wheel includes a rim 401, a gutter region 403, a saddle ring 405 and an endless ring 407. The circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b of the tire flange 101 is mounted on the bead seat 201 at the first tapered surface 203a. Upon tire inflation, the circumferentially extending tapered radially inward surface 103b is completely mounted within the first tapered surface 203a thereby the tire flange 101 not establishing contact with the radially extending axially inward flange surface 207a of the bead seat 201 and preventing fretting. In an embodiment, a tire force A from the tire flange acts on the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat, wherein the tire force A is supported by reactions B and C acting on the second tapered surface 203b of the bead seat. As the tire flange 101 and bead seat 201 assembly, restricts engagement of the tire flange 101 within the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat, the bead seat acts a simply supported beam, thereby reducing stresses induced in the bead seat and enhancing the life of both the tire flange and bead seat of the multi-piece wheel rim.

[0063] In an embodiment, the angle of inclination .sub.2 of the second tapered surface 203b being lesser than the angle of inclination .sub.1 of the first tapered surface imparts a gradually increasing section in the critical region under the load of the bead seat and enhances rigidity of the bead seat 201.

[0064] FIG. 5a illustrates exemplary stresses acting on a prior art bead seat of a multi piece wheel rim, designed for use in a 57 inch wheel of a 240T mining dump truck. FIG. 5b illustrates stresses acting on the bead seat of the multi piece wheel rim, according to an embodiment, wherein the multi-piece wheel rim is designed for use in the same 57 inch wheel of 240T mining dump truck. As illustrated, values of stresses of bead seat are lower approximately by 40% as against the stress levels induced in the bead seat of prior art.

[0065] A main advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly of a multi-piece wheel rim prevents fretting.

[0066] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly of a multi-piece wheel rim reduces stresses acting on the bead seat.

[0067] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly of a multi-piece wheel rim enhances rigidity of the bead seat band.

[0068] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly facilitates utilization of a tire flange with reduced thickness, thereby reducing weight of the wheel rim.

[0069] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly increases life of components of the multi-piece wheel rim.

[0070] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.