WHEEL COMPONENT FOR A WHEEL OF A TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE OPERATED AT LEAST IN PART BY MUSCULAR ENERGY, AND A WHEEL, AND A METHOD

Abstract

A wheel component for a wheel of an at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle, including a rim provided to be connected with a hub by means of spokes, the rim including a rim base with a plurality of spoke socket sections having one spoke hole each, to which the spokes can be attached by means of spoke nipples. The wheel component includes at least one washer for placement between a spoke socket section and a spoke nipple. The washer includes a through hole extending between a top face and a bottom face. The rim base includes two opposite rim flanks extending obliquely relative to one another. In its bottom face, the washer shows a canted support flank at least in sections. The washer can be supported on the rim flanks by means of its support flank such that only the support flank bears against, and contacts, the rim.

Claims

1. A wheel component for a wheel of an at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle, comprising: at least one rim provided to be connected with a hub by means of spokes; the rim comprising a rim base with a plurality of spoke socket sections having one spoke hole (32) each, to which the spokes can be attached by means of spoke nipples; and comprising at least one washer for placement between a spoke socket section and a spoke nipple; wherein the washer comprises a through hole extending between the top face and the bottom face; the rim base comprises two opposite rim flanks extending obliquely relative to one another; in its bottom face, the washer comprises a canted support flank at least in sections; and that the washer can be supported on the rim flanks by means of its support flank such that only the support flank bears against and contacts the rim.

2. The wheel component according claim 1, wherein the bottom face of the washer comprises at least one supporting section extending between the through hole and the support flank, such that in the intended mounting position of the washer in a wheel, the supporting section is disposed floating above the rim base.

3. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the support flank is configured spherical and preferably convexly curved.

4. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the support flank is configured as a closed circle.

5. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein between the support flank and the top face of the washer, at least one circumferential cover section is configured, which preferably extends transverse to the bottom face and/or top face.

6. The wheel component according to claim 5, wherein the cover section is configured with at least one positioning mark and preferably at least one lug.

7. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the top face is also configured with at least one support flank.

8. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein a nipple accommodation to accommodate a supporting area of the spoke nipple is disposed in the top face of the washer.

9. The wheel component according to claim 8, wherein the nipple accommodation is configured as a closed circle.

10. The wheel component according to claim 8, wherein the nipple accommodation is configured conical or spherical and preferably concavely curved.

11. The wheel component according to claim 8, wherein the nipple accommodation is configured showing an intended geometry divergence in relation to the supporting area of a spoke nipple provided for accommodation, such that the supporting area of the spoke nipple can be accommodated in the nipple accommodation showing a line contact.

12. The wheel component according to claim 11, wherein the nipple accommodation comprises a curvature showing a radius that is larger than a curvature of the supporting area of the spoke nipple.

13. The wheel component according to claim 8, wherein the bottom face is also configured with at least one nipple accommodation.

14. The wheel component according to claim 8, wherein the support flank is configured at an angle relative to the principal plane of extension of the washer that is narrower than the nipple accommodation.

15. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the washer is configured curved in the peripheral direction of the rim at least in sections.

16. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the washer is configured elongated.

17. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the washer is configured symmetrical in respect of a mirror plane of symmetry which is parallel to the principal plane of extension of the washer, or which corresponds to the principal plane of extension.

18. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the washer is configured symmetrical in respect of a mirror plane of symmetry, which is orthogonal to the principal plane of extension of the washer.

19. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the washer is configured rotationally symmetrical.

20. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the washer comprises a basic body and at least one coating applied thereon in sections.

21. The wheel component according to claim 20, wherein the coating comprises at least one antifriction layer made e.g. of a dry antifriction varnish.

22. A washer for a wheel component according to claim 1.

23. A method of manufacturing a wheel component for an at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle, wherein a raw material for manufacturing at least one washer is provided, and a blank is die-cut from the raw material, and wherein the blank is reshaped in at least one process step to form a basic body, and wherein at least one coating with at least one antifriction layer is applied on the basic body.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least one coating comprises a sliding varnish.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least one coating comprises PTFE and/or a UV additive.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the liquid coating material for applying the coating is provided in a dip tank.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein a basket carrying at least one basic body is immersed in the dip tank.

28. The method according to claim 23, wherein the basket is brought out of contact with the liquid coating material and rotated for centrifuging off excess coating material.

29. The method according to claim 23, wherein the coating material (the sliding varnish) is cured by air-drying.

30. The method according to claim 23, wherein the coating process is repeated twice or multiple times.

31. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least one process step is taken from a group of process steps comprising punching, embossing, bending, deep-drawing, barrel finishing, edge radiusing, deburring, and cleaning and degreasing operations.

32. A wheel including at least one wheel component according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] The figures show in:

[0064] FIG. 1 a simplistic illustration of a bicycle with a wheel component according to the patent application;

[0065] FIG. 2 a schematic detail illustration of a wheel component according to the patent application in a transverse sectional view;

[0066] FIG. 3 a schematic illustration of a washer of a wheel component according to the patent application in a perspective view;

[0067] FIG. 4 the washer of the FIG. 3 in a side section view;

[0068] FIG. 5 another schematic detail illustration of a wheel component according to the patent application in a transverse sectional view;

[0069] FIG. 6 a schematic cross-sectional view of a wheel component according to the patent application with a coating;

[0070] FIG. 7 a schematic illustration of a washer of a wheel component according to the patent application in a plan view; and

[0071] FIG. 8 a schematic illustration of another washer wheel component according to the patent application in a plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle 101, which is presently configured as a bicycle 110. The two-wheeled vehicle 101 comprises two wheels 100, a front wheel and a rear wheel, each provided with wheel components 1 according to the invention. Furthermore a frame 108, a fork 105, a handlebar 107, and a saddle 106 are provided. The drive provided is by pedals, and presently, a derailleur. The drive may e.g. also comprise an electric support. The front wheel and the rear wheel are each attached to dropouts at the fork 105 respectively the frame 108.

[0073] The wheels 100 each comprise a rim 2 and a hub 102, and spokes 103 and spoke nipples 104. The spokes 103 connect the rim 2 with the hub 102. The spokes 1 are shown schematically only, due to the image scale. Other than the rim 2, the wheel component 1 also comprises a washer 3 for each of the spoke nipples 104. The washers 3 are not shown, and they will be described in more detail with reference to the following Figures.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a detail illustration of a wheel 100 with a wheel component 1 according to the invention. The rim 2 comprises a rim base 12 with a plurality of spoke socket sections 22 having one spoke hole 32 each. The spoke nipple 104 and a spoke 103, not shown, extend through the spoke hole 32. The rim base 12 is provided with two rim flanks 4 positioned opposite one another and inclined to one another.

[0075] In the spoke socket sections 22 the wheel 100 is provided with washers 3. The washers 3 are disposed between the spoke socket sections 22 and the spoke nipples 104. In the top face 13 of the washer 3, a nipple accommodation 6 is configured. Correspondingly, the spoke nipple 104 shows a supporting area 114, so that the spoke nipple 104 is supported on the washer or one of the washers 3 for load transfer.

[0076] The washer 3 comprises a basic body 8. The basic body preferably consists of metal and may consist e.g. of steel. A coating 3a may be applied on the outer surface of the basic body 8. The coating 3a may be a sliding varnish, enhancing the sliding capabilities. This in particular enhances the rotation of the spoke nipple 104 on the supporting surface in the nipple accommodation 6 during mounting. This enhances mounting the wheel 100. The spoke tension can be set with better reproducibility.

[0077] The washer 3 is provided with a through hole 33 extending between the top face 13 and the bottom face 23. The longitudinal axis of the through hole 33 (dash-dotted line) extends orthogonal to the principal plane of extension 17 of the washer 3.

[0078] The washer 3 shown is provided with a nipple accommodation 6 in the bottom face 23 as well. Thus, when mounting it is not critical which of the sides 13, 23 is facing the spoke nipple 104.

[0079] In its bottom face 23, the washer 3 shows a canted support flank 5. The support flank 5 is configured corresponding to the rim flanks 4. Thus, the washer 3 is supported on the rim 2 for load transfer only by way of the support flank 5. To better illustrate load transfer, two arrows are shown in dotted lines. It can be clearly seen that the rim flanks 4 show a concave curvature. Correspondingly, the support flank 5 is configured with a convex curvature.

[0080] In this instance, the washer 3 contacts the rim 2 exclusively by its support flank 5. As can be clearly seen, the support flank 5 lies radially further outwardly than do the nipple accommodation 6 and the supporting area 114 of the spoke nipple 104. Thus, the force acting on the spoke nipple 104 is not simply dissipated downwardly but outwardly at an inclination. Thus, the forces are introduced into the rim 2 remote from the spoke hole 32. This is advantageous also because the rim base 12 tends to be weakened in the region of the spoke hole 32 due to the bore. The washer 3 shown offers on the whole a significant introduction of load into the rim 2. The washer 3 shown with its support flanks 5 transfers the forces to the rim 2 at an appropriate distance from the spoke hole 32.

[0081] In its bottom face 23 the washer 3 is provided with a supporting section 43 freely floating above the rim base 12. The supporting section 43 extends between the through hole 33 and the support flank 5. Thus, the bottom face 23 is configured largely contactless with the rim base 12. This offers advantages for example compared to types of washers transferring the forces directly into the rim base 12 through a bottom face with contact over large areas of, or even the entire surface.

[0082] The washer 3 shown is provided with a support flank 5 in its top face 13 as well. The support flank 5 in the top face is configured identical to the support flank 5 in the bottom face 23. Thus, it is not critical during mounting with which of the sides 13, 23 the washer is placed on the rim 2.

[0083] For example, the washer 3 shown is configured rotationally symmetrical. The basic geometry is cylindrical. Both the support flanks 5 and the nipple accommodations 6 are configured as closed circles and circular. A cylindrical cover section 53 is configured between the support flank 5 of the bottom face 23 and the support flank 5 of the top face 13.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a washer 3 as it is described for example with reference to the FIG. 2. In the configuration shown, the washer 3 is provided with a positioning mark 63. The positioning mark 63 is configured as a lug and is located on the cover section 53.

[0085] The nipple accommodation 6 or the entire surface of the washer 3 may comprise at least one coating in the shape of an antifriction layer 3a. This reduces the dynamic friction when mounting the wheel 100.

[0086] For ease and speed of detecting the orientation, the washer 3 is configured with a positioning mark 63 in its cover section 53. The positioning mark 63 is for example configured as a lug.

[0087] To better differentiate between the top face 13 and the bottom face 23, a positioning mark 73 is also disposed in the top face 13 of the supporting section 43. The positioning mark 73 is for example a roundish depression.

[0088] The positioning marks 63, 73 allow reliability of verifying the orientation. This is advantageous for example when the washer needs to be remounted in the same, or in an intentionally different orientation, following removal. Moreover, the positioning marks 63, 73 also allow to detect whether the washer 3 has rotated about its longitudinal axis, e.g. due to low tension of the spokes 103.

[0089] FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view of the washer 3 described above. It can be clearly seen that the washer 3 is configured symmetrical in respect of a mirror plane of symmetry 7 corresponding to the principal plane of extension 17. It can also be clearly seen that the washer is configured symmetrical in respect of a mirror plane of symmetry 27 extending orthogonal to the principal plane of extension 17.

[0090] The support flanks 5 are configured flatter than the nipple accommodations 6.

[0091] The support flanks 5 are canted at a defined angle 25 relative to the principal plane of extension 17. The nipple accommodations 6 are likewise canted at a defined angle relative to the principal plane of extension 7. It can be clearly seen that the support flanks 5 extend at a flatter angle 25 than do the nipple accommodations.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the wheel component 1 described with reference to FIG. 2. The nipple accommodation 6 is configured showing a curvature 16 with a radius 26 larger than that of the curvature 124 of the supporting area 114 of the spoke nipple 104. This results in a contact line of the spoke nipple 104 on the washer 3.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross section of the washer 3 according to FIG. 4, wherein the coating 3a applied on the basic body 8 can be recognized greatly enlarged. It is pointed out that in particular the thickness of the coating 3a is not shown to scale. Basically, the layer is thin enough so that its true scale would show as a very thin line. The coating 3a is applied fully over a major portion of the surface or on the entire surface of the washer 3. The coating 3a is in particular applied on the contact surface with the spoke nipples 104. If required, multiple layers 3a, 3b, 3c of the coating can be applied successively respectively on top of one another, as the enlarged schematic detail in the FIG. 6 shows on the right.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows a washer 3 as described above e.g. with reference to the FIG. 2. This washer 3 shows a rectangular basic geometry. The support flank 5 is provided by two support flank sections 35. The support flank sections 35 extend on the longitudinal faces of the bottom face 23. The top face 13—not shown—is configured with two support flank sections 35, as is the bottom face 23. Alternately, an annular, closed support flank 5 may be provided.

[0095] The washer 3 is configured symmetrical in respect of a mirror plane of symmetry 7 corresponding to the principal plane of extension 17. The top face 13 is thus configured identical to the bottom face 23. Moreover, the washer 3 is configured symmetrical in respect of a mirror plane of symmetry 27 extending orthogonal to the principal plane of extension 17. It may be provided for the washer 3 to be configured curved in its longitudinal direction (respectively in the peripheral direction of the rim 2). For example, the top face 13 and the bottom face 23 are each curved concavely in their longitudinal directions.

[0096] FIG. 8 shows the washer 3 of the FIG. 7 with a different basic geometry. In the configuration shown, the washer 3 shows an elliptic basic geometry. The FIGS. 7 and 8 also illustrate on the top, a side view of the washers, showing variants in broken lines (not true to scale) where the washers are curved (curvature 16a) in the peripheral direction of the rim to then abut against the rim in the peripheral direction.

[0097] While a particular embodiment of the present wheel component for a wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle operated at least in part by muscular energy, and a wheel, and a method, have been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0098]

TABLE-US-00001 1 wheel component 33 through hole 2 rim 35 support flank section 3 washer 36 angle 3a coating 43 supporting section 3b coating 53 cover section 3c coating 63 positioning mark 4 rim flank 73 positioning mark 5 support flank 100 wheel 6 nipple accommodation 101 bicycle, two-wheeled 7 mirror plane of symmetry vehicle 8 basic body 102 hub 12 rim base 103 spoke 13 top face 104 spoke nipple 16 curvature 105 fork 16a curvature 106 saddle 17 principal plane of 107 handlebar extension 108 frame 22 spoke socket section 110 bicycle 23 bottom face 114 supporting area 25 angle 124 curvature 26 radius 134 radius 27 mirror plane 32 spoke hole