A high-strength lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub relates to an aluminum alloy automobile wheel hub, and is provided with an aluminum alloy wheel hub, characterized in that a hollow reinforcement pipe network is provided in the aluminum alloy wheel hub, the reinforcement pipe network includes at least three annular rim tubes located at the rim, spoke tubes located at the spokes, and a center hub tube located at the center hub, the rim tubes are arranged in parallel in the axial direction of the hub, connecting pipes are provided between the rim tubes, the rim tubes are connected to the center hub tube via the spoke tubes, and the connecting pipes are located on the same plane as at least one spoke tube; the melting point of the material of the reinforcement pipe network is higher than the melting point of the aluminum alloy, and the strength is greater than the strength of the aluminum alloy. The invention has the advantages of simple structure, simple manufacturing method, light weight, high strength, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an aluminum alloy automobile wheel hub, in particular to a high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub with light weight, high strength and a hollow structure and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] We know that the current aluminum alloy wheel casting technology, whether low-pressure casting or gravity casting, is a solid core structure of the wheel, and the product is made of solid aluminum alloy inside and outside. The existing solid aluminum alloy wheel castings are generally heavy, and the strength performance is only average. The heavy wheel hub will increase the overall vehicle weight, affect vehicle performance, and increase fuel consumption and waste energy. With the rising fuel prices today, producing high-strength and lightweight wheels has become an important goal for wheel hub manufacturers. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art and to provide a high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub with a light weight, high strength and a hollow structure and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art is:

[0005] A high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub is provided with an aluminum alloy wheel hub, characterized in that a hollow reinforcing pipe network is provided in the aluminum alloy wheel hub, the reinforcing pipe network includes at least three annular rim tubes located at the rim, spoke tubes located at the spokes and a center hub tube located at the center hub, the rim tubes are arranged in parallel in the axial direction of the wheel hub, connecting tubes are provided between the rim tubes, the rim tubes are connected to the center hub tube via the spoke tubes, and the connecting tubes are located on the same plane as at least one spoke tube; the melting point of the material of the reinforcing pipe network is higher than the melting point of the aluminum alloy, and the strength is greater than the strength of the aluminum alloy.

[0006] The central hub tube described in the present invention is formed by connecting at least two parallel annular tubes via a central hub connecting tube, which is arranged in the axial direction of the aluminum alloy wheel hub.

[0007] The reinforced pipe network described in the present invention comprises a wheel rim pipe located at the wheel rim, and the wheel rim pipe is connected with the adjacent wheel rim pipe via a wheel rim connecting pipe.

[0008] The invention provides an annular central reinforcing tube outside the central hub tube and outside the central hub bolt hole of the aluminum alloy wheel hub, and the central reinforcing tube is connected to the spoke tube, thereby further reducing the weight of the aluminum alloy wheel hub and improving its strength.

[0009] The rim tube, spoke tube, center hub tube, connecting tube, center hub connecting tube, rim tube, rim connecting tube and center reinforcement tube described in the present invention are connected by welding to form a reinforced pipe network with the same appearance as the aluminum alloy wheel hub, and its outer diameter is 0.2-0.8 times the wall thickness of the aluminum alloy wheel hub, preferably 0.3-0.6 times.

[0010] At least three support and positioning blocks are arranged on the outer side of the reinforced pipe network of the present invention; the melting point of the three support and positioning blocks (material) is 630-660°C, preferably 640-655°C.

[0011] The support and positioning block described in the present invention is made of metal or alloy material that has no side effects on the aluminum alloy wheel hub. For example, AZ91D magnesium alloy is used, and the liquid magnesium alloy is mixed into the aluminum alloy material after melting, which only increases the hardness of the aluminum alloy wheel without side effects.

[0012] The support positioning block of the present invention is provided with flow holes or is in a mesh shape. The support positioning block positions the reinforcement pipe network support in the casting mold so that it is in a predetermined position, while not affecting the fluidity of the molten aluminum when the molten aluminum is injected into the mold.

[0013] The material of the reinforced pipe network described in the present invention is ordinary 45# metal steel pipe, titanium alloy pipe and other materials.

[0014] The method for manufacturing the high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub is characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0015] a. Select pipes that meet the requirements and weld them into a reinforced pipe network according to the above structure;

[0016] b. Preheat the reinforcement pipe network and support positioning block to 380-460℃, and use the support positioning block to position the reinforcement pipe network support on the bottom mold of the wheel hub low-pressure casting mold;

[0017] c. (Four pairs) of side molds are closed, and the upper mold is closed; the reinforcement pipe network is located in the (wheel hub casting) space surrounded by the bottom mold, side mold and upper mold, and does not contact them.

[0018] d. Continuously inject 670-690℃ molten aluminum into the hub low-pressure casting mold through the gate, maintain the pressure for 260-350 seconds, and demould after cooling by water cooling or air cooling to obtain a high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy hub blank.

[0019] The reinforced pipe network described in the present invention is located in the (hub casting) space surrounded by the bottom mold, the side mold and the upper mold, and there is a spacing of 0.3 cm to 1 cm between the bottom mold, the side mold and the upper mold.

[0020] The high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub of the present invention (after measurement) is 1.1-1.5 times stronger and 70%-90% heavier than a solid aluminum alloy wheel hub of the same size. When the reinforced pipe network is made of titanium alloy pipe, the strength is 1.4-1.5 times stronger and 70%-80% heavier than a solid aluminum alloy wheel hub of the same size. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the enhanced pipe network in the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention in which the support positioning block is used to position the reinforcement pipe network support on the bottom mold of the hub low-pressure casting mold and the upper mold is not molded. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] like Figure 1-3 The high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub shown in the figure is provided with an aluminum alloy wheel hub 2, and a hollow reinforcing pipe network is cast in the aluminum alloy wheel hub 2, and the reinforcing pipe network includes at least three annular rim tubes 5 located at the rim of the aluminum alloy wheel hub, spoke tubes 4 located at the spokes of the aluminum alloy wheel hub, and a center hub tube 3 located at the center hub of the aluminum alloy wheel hub. The center hub is the part at the center of the aluminum alloy wheel hub used to connect to the shaft; the center hub tube 3 is formed by three parallel annular tubes connected by a center hub connecting tube, and the center hub connecting tube is arranged in the axial direction of the aluminum alloy wheel hub. The rim tubes 5 are arranged in parallel in the axial direction of the wheel hub, and connecting tubes 7 are provided between the rim tubes. The rim tubes 5 are connected to the center hub tube 3 via the spoke tubes 4, and any connecting tube 7 is located on the same plane with at least one spoke tube; the reinforcing pipe network includes a rim tube located at the rim of the aluminum alloy wheel hub, from Figure 2 As can be seen from the figure, the inner rim and outer rim of the aluminum alloy wheel hub are respectively provided with an inner rim tube 6 and an outer rim tube 1, and the rim tubes are connected to the adjacent rim tubes via rim connecting tubes 10; Figure 2 It can be seen that the rim tube is indirectly connected to the spoke tube via the outer rim tube 1. An annular central reinforcement tube 9 is provided on the (radial) outer side of the center hub tube 3 and the outer side of the center hub bolt hole of the aluminum alloy wheel hub. The central reinforcement tube 9 is connected to the spoke tube, which can further reduce the mass of the aluminum alloy wheel hub and improve its strength. The melting point of the material of the reinforcement pipe network is higher than the melting point of the aluminum alloy, and the strength is greater than the strength of the aluminum alloy. The rim tube, spoke tube, center hub tube, connecting tube, center hub connecting tube, rim tube, rim connecting tube and center reinforcement tube are connected by welding to form a reinforcement pipe network with the same appearance (overall shape) as the aluminum alloy wheel hub, and its (various tubes) outer diameter is 0.2-0.8 times the wall thickness of the corresponding part of the aluminum alloy wheel hub.

[0025] The present invention is further improved, and at least three support positioning blocks 8 are provided on the outer side of the strengthening pipe network (one side of the spoke tube); the melting point of the support positioning block 8 (material) is 630-660°C, preferably 640-655°C. The support positioning block is selected from metal or alloy materials that have no side effects on the aluminum alloy wheel hub. For example, AZ91D magnesium alloy is selected, and the liquid magnesium alloy is mixed into the aluminum alloy material after melting, which will only increase the hardness of the aluminum alloy wheel without side effects. As can be seen from the figure, there are four support positioning blocks in a ring array at the center hub tube and the outer rim tube on the outer side of the strengthening pipe network, respectively, so that the support is more stable. Further improvement, the support positioning block is provided with a flow hole or the support positioning block is in a mesh shape, and the support positioning block starts to melt after 50-60 seconds after being placed in 670-690°C aluminum water, and melts into liquid in 1.2-2min. The support positioning block positions the strengthening pipe network support in the casting mold and makes it in a predetermined position, while not affecting the fluidity of the aluminum water when the aluminum water is injected into the mold. The material of the reinforced pipe network is ordinary 45# metal steel pipe, titanium alloy pipe and other materials.

[0026] The method for manufacturing the high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub is characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0027] a. Select pipes that meet the requirements and weld them into a reinforced pipe network according to the above structure. The reinforced pipe network is as follows: Figure 2 shown.

[0028] b. Preheat the reinforcement pipe network and support positioning block to 380-460℃, and use the support positioning block to position the reinforcement pipe network support on the bottom mold of the hub low-pressure casting mold; if the preheating temperature is too high, it will not only consume energy, but also cause the hollow reinforcement tube to deform; if the temperature is too low, it will cause the surrounding aluminum water to solidify prematurely, resulting in slag inclusion and cold shut, and it will not be able to demold smoothly.

[0029] c. The (four pairs) of side molds 11 are closed, and the upper mold is closed; the strengthening pipe network is located in the (wheel hub casting) space surrounded by the bottom mold, the side mold 11 and the upper mold, and does not contact them.

[0030] d. Continuously inject 670-690℃ molten aluminum into the hub low-pressure casting mold through the gate, maintain the pressure for 260-350 seconds, and demould after cooling by water cooling or air cooling to obtain a high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy hub blank.

[0031] The reinforced pipe network described in the present invention is located in the (hub casting) space surrounded by the bottom mold, the side mold and the upper mold, and there is a spacing of 0.3 cm to 1 cm between the bottom mold, the side mold and the upper mold.

[0032] When 670-690℃ molten aluminum is continuously injected into the hub low-pressure casting mold through the gate to fill the mold, since the melting point of AZ91D magnesium alloy is 650℃, which is slightly lower than the melting point of aluminum alloy at 660℃, the support positioning block begins to gradually melt from solid to liquid in about 50 to 60 seconds, and melts into liquid within 2 minutes. When casting the aluminum alloy wheel blank, it starts to cool and solidify from the inner rim part (the inner rim tube on the inner side of the reinforcement pipe network) after an average of 25-30 seconds of filling, and the part of the hollow reinforcement pipe network located at the inner rim (inner rim tube) is solidified and fixed in place. After 20-30 seconds, the support positioning block begins to melt and gradually loses its positioning function. At this time, the positioning of the hollow reinforcement tube has been transferred from this part to the inner rim. The melted liquid magnesium alloy is mixed into the aluminum alloy material, which will only increase the hardness of the aluminum alloy wheel without any side effects. After two minutes, the aluminum alloy at the rear support positioning block begins to solidify. The high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub of the present invention is 1.1-1.5 times stronger and 70%-90% heavier than a solid aluminum alloy wheel hub of the same size. When the reinforced pipe network is made of titanium alloy pipe, the strength is 1.4-1.5 times stronger and 70%-80% heavier than a solid aluminum alloy wheel hub of the same size.

Claims

1. A high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub, provided with an aluminum alloy wheel hub, characterized in that A hollow reinforcement pipe network is arranged in the aluminum alloy wheel hub, and the reinforcement pipe network includes at least three annular rim tubes located at the rim, spoke tubes located at the spokes and a center hub tube located at the center hub. The rim tubes are arranged in parallel in the axial direction of the wheel hub, and connecting pipes are arranged between the rim tubes. The rim tube is connected to the center hub tube through the spoke tubes, and the connecting pipe is located on the same plane as at least one spoke tube; the melting point of the material of the reinforcement pipe network is higher than the melting point of the aluminum alloy, and the strength is greater than the strength of the aluminum alloy; at least three supporting positioning blocks are arranged on the outer side of the reinforcement pipe network; the melting point of the three supporting positioning blocks is 630-660°C, and the supporting positioning blocks are made of metal that can only increase the hardness of the aluminum alloy wheel; the reinforcement pipe network includes a rim tube located at the rim, and the rim tube is connected to the adjacent rim tube through a rim connecting pipe.

2. The high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub according to claim 1, characterized in that The central hub tube is formed by at least two parallel annular tubes connected via a central hub connecting tube.

3. The high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub according to claim 2, characterized in that An annular central reinforcement tube is arranged on the outer side of the central hub tube and outside the central hub bolt hole of the aluminum alloy wheel hub, and the central reinforcement tube is connected with the spoke tube.

4. The high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub according to claim 1, characterized in that The material of the reinforced pipe network is ordinary 45# metal steel pipe and titanium alloy pipe.

5. The method for manufacturing a high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy wheel hub according to claim 1, characterized in that The steps include: a. Select pipes that meet the requirements and weld them into a reinforced pipe network according to the structure described in claim 1; b. Preheat the reinforcement pipe network and support positioning block to 380-460℃, and use the support positioning block to position the reinforcement pipe network support on the bottom mold of the wheel hub low-pressure casting mold; c. The side molds and the upper molds are closed; the strengthening pipe network is located in the space surrounded by the bottom mold, the side molds and the upper mold, and does not contact the bottom mold, the side molds and the upper mold; d. 670-690℃ molten aluminum is continuously injected into the hub low-pressure casting mold through the gate to fill the mold, and the pressure is maintained for 260-350 seconds. After cooling by water cooling or air cooling, the mold is demoulded to obtain a high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy hub blank.

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