Vehicle wheel hub

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel hub, comprising a rim (1), a wheel rim (2), a spoke (6), a central hole (3), and bolt holes (4) distributed around the central hole. According to the present invention, an extension part (1 A ) is added to the rim on the front side of the wheel hub. The extension part includes a radial extension (1-3) extending towards the outer circumference of the wheel hub and an axial extension (1-1) extending towards the front side of the wheel hub. The extension part is composed of a plurality of sections distributed circumferentially along the rim, so as to form an envelope circle on the front side of the wheel hub with a diameter increased by twice the radial extension. The present invention can further meet the additional requirements of users for the overall design of the wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel hub, in particular to a wheel hub for an automobile wheel, and the automobile wheel is preferably equipped with a pneumatic tire. Background Art

[0002] In the past decade or so, people's requirements for automobile safety and comfort have been increasing. The average weight of cars has increased by 30% due to relevant additional equipment, and the fuel consumption of cars has also increased accordingly. In order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, reducing the weight of automobiles is one of the most effective ways, and reducing the weight "unsprung" (for example, using as light a wheel hub as possible under the premise of meeting strength requirements) is an effective means to improve the dynamic performance of vehicles. As the main exterior part, functional part, and safety part of an automobile, the weight reduction problem is the key factor restricting the rapid development of aluminum alloy wheel hubs. Each wheel hub manufacturing enterprise usually solves the problem of wheel hub weight reduction by means of structural optimization and selection of lightweight materials, but the overall effect is not very satisfactory.

[0003] In addition, in the automobile manufacturing industry and the modification industry, larger wheel hubs are often used to improve the performance and appearance of automobiles. However, considering the overall vehicle assembly and operation, the increase in wheel hubs is limited. Generally, it is advisable to upgrade the wheel hub diameter by at most 2 inches. At the same time, the wheel hub size must also match the tire specifications, and the change in the outer diameter of the tire should not be greater than 3%. According to the aesthetic views of today's car users, it is generally believed that large wheel hubs and thin tires are more beautiful and imposing. However, the pursuit of "large wheel hubs and thin tires" not only has to be restricted by relevant vehicle safety technical standards but also has to make compromises in terms of fuel consumption, comfort, etc.

[0004] Currently, there is a lack of a vehicle wheel hub in the market that can take into account the above various considerations and balance the contradictions between different requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle wheel hub that, while ensuring normal functionality and safety in terms of structure, assembly, and operation, further meets the additional requirements of users regarding the overall design of the wheel, especially can maximize the "large wheel hub and thin tire" image expected by users, and at the same time conforms to the concept of weight reduction and conforms to the trend of the development of automobile technology.

[0006] Specifically, the present invention proposes the following technical solutions for this purpose:

[0007] A vehicle wheel hub has a front face of the wheel hub located on the outer side of the vehicle and a back face of the wheel hub located on the inner side of the vehicle in the mounted state. The wheel hub body includes a rim, a wheel rim, spokes, a central hole, and bolt holes distributed around the central hole. The wheel rim has a diameter and a width suitable for mounting a tire, and both sides of the wheel rim are defined by the rim on the front face of the wheel hub and the rim on the back face of the wheel hub. Wherein, an extension part is joined (especially integrally constructed) to the rim on the front face of the wheel hub. The extension part includes a radial extension amount extending towards the outer circumference of the wheel hub and an axial extension amount extending towards the front face of the wheel hub. The extension part is composed of a plurality of sections distributed circumferentially along the rim, so as to form an envelope circle on the front face of the wheel hub with a diameter size increased by twice the radial extension amount.

[0008] This vehicle wheel hub is preferably an aluminum alloy cast wheel hub or an aluminum alloy forged wheel hub, especially for automobile wheels equipped with pneumatic tires. According to the present invention, except for the extension part additionally constructed (such as integrally formed) on the rim, other parts of the wheel hub body can remain unchanged. That is to say, for example, the wheel hub width (J value) and the wheel hub offset (ET) can still adopt the original structural design parameters determined by the automobile or wheel hub manufacturer. Thus, the installation and matching of the wheel hub with the tire and the vehicle body are not affected. Therefore, through the extension part of the rim arranged in a specific manner, the visual diameter of the wheel hub becomes larger after the wheel is assembled, and its visual aspect ratio becomes smaller without changing the tire specifications, achieving the visual impact of "large wheel hub and thin tire" pursued by users. At the same time, it is not as strictly limited in the change scale as in the past wheel modification, and the possible adverse effects on the overall vehicle performance due to wheel modification are avoided.

[0009] According to an implementation form, the extension part is arranged to be axially offset outward relative to the rim to provide an axial assembly space for the tire, and the value of this axial offset amount increases with the increase of the axial extension amount and the radial extension amount. According to this design form, the outward offset of the extension part can provide an assembly space for the convex part from the bead to the sidewall of the tire, so that this wheel hub allows to be matched with common standard tires.

[0010] According to another implementation form, one side of the extension part facing the back face of the wheel hub has a structural shape matching the local shape of the tire to be installed, so that this side of the extension part can be attached to the bead area of the tire or the corresponding wall surface of the sidewall in the tire assembly state. According to this design form, this wheel hub can be matched with standard tires or non-standard tires (the parts thereof cooperating with the extension part of the rim, that is, the bead area or the corresponding wall surface of the sidewall, are designed as conforming structures).

[0011] The radial extension and axial extension of the outer edge portion of the rim generally should not exceed the limit values specified by the automobile manufacturer. In particular, the principle is that the wheel hub will not rub against the vehicle body components (especially when the steering wheel is turned fully) and will not interfere with obstacles such as road shoulders (considering general road conditions).

[0012] The radial extension can be 0.5 cm to 6 cm, preferably 1 cm to 3 cm.

[0013] The axial extension can be 0 to 5 cm, preferably not exceeding 2 cm.

[0014] Preferably, the outer edge portion includes 3 to 12 sections arranged circumferentially along the rim. The sum of the lengths of these sections in the circumferential direction of the rim accounts for 20 - 80% of the total circumference of the rim. In this way, when the overall visual diameter of the envelope circle of the wheel hub becomes larger on the front side of the wheel hub, the weight of the wheel hub will not increase significantly.

[0015] Preferably, the number of sections of the outer edge portion is the same as the number of spokes. Thus, an aesthetically pleasing styling design of the front side of the wheel hub can be achieved.

[0016] Advantageously, a weight - reducing slot is formed in the area between the spoke and the rim. In this way, the weight - reducing design concept of the wheel hub is implemented.

[0017] Preferably, a plug made of plastic material is installed in the weight - reducing slot. Depending on specific needs, these plugs can be configured as decorative elements.

[0018] The plug can be fixed in the weight - reducing slot by an adhesive or snap - fit structure. Therefore, the disassembly, assembly, and / or replacement of the plug are very convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1A is a schematic cross - sectional view of the vehicle wheel hub of the present invention cut along the central axis.

[0020] Figure 1B is Figure 1A the front view of the vehicle wheel hub of the present invention shown.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic structural view of the vehicle wheel hub together with the matching tire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic structural view of the vehicle wheel hub together with the matching tire according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In the figure, 1: rim, 2: wheel rim, 3: central hole, 4: bolt hole, 5: plug, 6: spoke, A: rim diameter, B: envelope circle diameter, 1 A: Exterior part, 1-1 and 1-1ˊ: Axial extension, 1-2: Axial offset, 1-3 and 1-3ˊ: Radial extension Detailed implementation mode

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments only relate to a part of the implementation forms of the present application, rather than all the implementation forms. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosed embodiments of the present application without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0025] The terms "including" and "having" and any transformational expressions thereof used in the specification and claims of the present application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally also includes steps or units not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. Those skilled in the art should understand that in the description of the specification and claims of the present application, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "axial", "radial", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device, mechanism, structure or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0026] Referring to "embodiment" herein means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one implementation form of the present application. The appearance of this phrase at various positions in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0027] The design details of the vehicle wheel hub proposed according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The present application provides a vehicle wheel hub, preferably an aluminum alloy cast wheel hub or an aluminum alloy forged wheel hub, especially for an automobile wheel equipped with pneumatic tires. As Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, the vehicle wheel hub has a wheel hub front face located on the outer side of the vehicle and a wheel hub back face located on the inner side of the vehicle in the installed state. The wheel hub body includes a rim 1, a wheel rim 2, spokes 6, a center hole 3, and bolt holes 4 distributed around the center hole. The wheel rim has a diameter and width suitable for mounting a tire, and both sides of the wheel rim are defined by the rim on the wheel hub front face and the rim on the wheel hub back face. According to the present invention, the rim on the wheel hub front face is joined (especially integrally constructed) with an extension part 1 A , the extension part includes a radial extension 1-3 extending towards the outer circumference of the wheel hub and an axial extension 1-1 extending towards the wheel hub front face. The extension part 1 A is composed of a plurality of sections distributed circumferentially along the rim, so as to form an envelope circle on the wheel hub front face with a diameter size increased by twice the radial extension 1-3 (see Figure 1A and 1B , it can be seen that the diameter size increases from "A" to "B").

[0029] According to the present invention, except for the extension part additionally constructed (especially integrally formed) on the rim, other parts of the wheel hub body can remain unchanged. That is to say, for example, the wheel hub width (J value) and the wheel hub offset (ET) can still adopt the original structural design parameters determined by the automobile or wheel hub manufacturer, so that the installation and matching of the wheel hub with the tire and the vehicle body are not affected. Thus, the present invention makes the visual diameter of the wheel hub larger after the wheel is assembled and the visual flat ratio smaller without changing the tire specifications through the extension part of the rim arranged in a specific manner, achieving the visual impact of "big wheel and thin tire" pursued by users. At the same time, it is not as strictly limited in the change scale as in the past wheel modification (usually the wheel hub diameter can be upgraded by at most 2 inches), and it avoids the possible adverse effects on the overall vehicle performance due to wheel modification (such as increased fuel consumption, reduced comfort, etc.).

[0030] As Figure 2 shown, according to an embodiment, the extension part 1 A is arranged axially outwardly offset relative to the rim to provide an axial assembly space for the tire, and the value of the axial offset 1-2 increases with the increase of the axial extension 1-1 and the radial extension 1-3. According to this design form, the outward offset of the extension part can provide an assembly space for the convex part from the tire bead to the tire sidewall, so that this wheel hub allows to be matched with standard tires.

[0031] As Figure 3 shown, according to another embodiment, the extension part 1 AOne side facing the back of the wheel hub has a structural shape matching the partial shape of the tire to be installed, so that this side of the extended part can be attached to the tire bead area or the corresponding wall surface of the tire sidewall in the tire assembly state. In this design form, the wheel hub can be paired with standard tires or non-standard tires (the parts thereof that cooperate with the extended part of the rim, that is, the bead area or the corresponding wall surface of the tire sidewall, are designed as conforming structures).

[0032] According to the present invention, it is completely possible to break through the limitation on the increase in the size of the wheel hub during the upgrading or modification of the wheel in the past, reaching a level far exceeding 2 inches. However, it should be noted that the radial extension and axial extension of the extended part of the rim generally cannot exceed the limit value specified by the automobile manufacturer, especially on the principle that the wheel hub will not rub against the vehicle body parts (especially when the steering wheel is turned full) and will not interfere with obstacles such as road shoulders (considering general road conditions). The radial extension 1-3 can be 0.5 cm to 6 cm, preferably 1 cm to 3 cm. The axial extension 1-1 can be 0 to 5 cm, preferably not exceeding 2 cm.

[0033] Preferably, the extended part 1 A comprises 3 to 12 sections arranged circumferentially along the rim, and the sum of the lengths of these sections in the circumferential direction of the rim accounts for 20-80% of the total circumference of the rim. For example, Figure 1B shows that the extended part includes 6 sections evenly distributed circumferentially along the rim. In this way, when the overall visual diameter of the wheel hub forms an enlarged envelope circle, the weight of the wheel hub will not increase significantly.

[0034] Preferably, the number of sections of the extended part 1 A is consistent with the number of spokes. As Figure 1B shown, in this way, an aesthetically pleasing shape design of the front of the wheel hub can be achieved.

[0035] Just as Figure 1B shown, advantageously, a weight-reducing slot is formed in the area between the spoke 6 and the rim 1. Preferably, a plug 5 made of plastic material is installed in the weight-reducing slot. The plug can be fixed in the weight-reducing slot by an adhesive or snap-fit structure.

[0036] Thus, the present invention can actually achieve a new concept of weight-reducing wheel design, which includes two parts: visual weight reduction and structural weight reduction.

[0037] Regarding the above-mentioned visual weight reduction part, the design concept is: without substantially changing the weight of the wheel hub, making it visually enlarged. The size of the wheel hub usually seen refers to the rim diameter A. According to the present invention, on the basis of the general rim 1, the extended part 1 of the rim is added A, the hub diameter is extended to the envelope circle diameter B after the outer edge of the rim through visual effect. The size of the wheel appears larger by visual observation, but the actual weight of the wheel hardly increases.

[0038] Regarding the structural weight reduction part described above, according to the present invention, a weight reduction slot is designed in the area between the spoke 6 and the rim 1, and a plug 5 made of lightweight material is installed, so as to achieve the overall weight reduction of the wheel.

[0039] The hub needs to be installed on the vehicle as a whole together with the tire. For the assembly of the hub and the tire, the present invention can support at least the following two schemes:

[0040] Scheme 1 (i.e., Figure 2 the illustrated embodiment), a general standard tire is adopted. There is an axial offset 1-2 in the outer edge part 1 A of the rim, which is mainly to provide axial assembly space for the tire. The radial extension 1-3 in the outer edge part of the rim is mainly to provide radial assembly space for the tire. The visual diameter B of the hub is the sum of the rim diameter A and twice the radial extension 1-3. The axial extension 1-1 determines the strength of the outer edge part 1 A , and at the same time, it cannot exceed the limit value specified by each automobile manufacturer to prevent interference between the wheel and the road shoulder, etc. The axial offset 1-2 and the axial extension 1-1 have the same change trend as the radial extension 1-3.

[0041] Scheme 2 (i.e., Figure 3 the illustrated embodiment), the axial extension 1-1ˊ of the outer edge part 1 A of the rim is 0. The outer edge part 1 A extends into the tire wall and cooperates with it. The tire is made into a conforming tire (non-standard tire), and the part that cooperates with the outer edge part is designed into a conforming structure. Similarly, the visual size of the hub is the sum of the rim diameter and twice the radial extension 1-3ˊ.

[0042] The above description of the embodiments is only used to help understand the core idea of the present application. Of course, for those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of the present application, various modifications or supplements can be made to the described specific embodiments or similar ways can be used for substitution, without departing from the spirit of the present invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle wheel hub has a wheel hub front face located on the outer side of the vehicle and a wheel hub back face located on the inner side of the vehicle in the installed state. The wheel hub body includes a rim (1), a wheel rim (2), spokes (6), a central hole (3), and bolt holes (4) distributed around the central hole. The wheel rim has a diameter and width suitable for mounting a tire, and both sides of the wheel rim are defined by the rim on the wheel hub front face and the rim on the wheel hub back face. It is characterized in that, An extension part is joined to the rim on the front of the wheel hub ( ), the extension part includes a radial extension (1-3) extending towards the outer circumference of the wheel hub and an axial extension (1-1) extending towards the front of the wheel hub, and the extension part ( ) is composed of a plurality of sections arranged circumferentially along the rim and spaced apart from each other, so as to form an envelope circle on the front of the wheel hub with a diameter size increased by twice the radial extension (1-3); The outer extension portion ( ) is arranged to be axially offset outward relative to the rim so as to provide an axial assembly space for the tire, and the value of the axial offset (1-2) increases as the axial extension (1-1) and the radial extension (1-3) increase.

2. The vehicle hub according to claim 1, characterized in that, The said extension part ( ) has a structural shape on the side facing the back of the wheel hub that matches the partial shape of the tire to be installed, so that this side of the extension part can be fitted to the corresponding wall surface of the tire bead area or the tire sidewall in the tire assembly state.

3. The vehicle hub according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radial extension amount (1-3) is from 0.5 cm to 6 cm.

4. The vehicle hub according to claim 1, characterized in that The axial extension amount (1-1) is from 0 to 5 cm.

5. The vehicle wheel hub according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The said outer extension part ( ) includes 3 to 12 sections arranged circumferentially along the rim, and the sum of the lengths of these sections in the circumferential direction of the rim accounts for 20 - 80% of the total circumference of the rim.

6. The vehicle wheel hub according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The number of sections of the said outer extension part ( ) is consistent with the number of spokes.

7. The vehicle wheel hub according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A weight-reducing slot is formed in the area between the spoke (6) and the rim (1).

8. The vehicle wheel hub according to claim 7, wherein A plug-in part (5) made of plastic material is installed in the weight-reducing slot.

9. The vehicle hub according to claim 8, characterized in that, The plug-in part is fixed in the weight-reducing slot through an adhesive or snap-in structure.

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