Insert element for a wheel and wheel having at least one such insert element

Abstract

An insert element (6) for a wheel (1) comprises a plurality of support bodies (9) for supporting the insert element on a support surface of the wheel. The support body has a support boss (13) which can be in contact with the support surface of the wheel and a fixing extension, the fixing extension having an axial hollow channel (10a) and at least one outwardly protruding locking projection (17) arranged axially spaced apart from the support boss for engaging from behind through a mounting opening of the support surface of the wheel (1). The support body is designed as an elastomeric component which is elastically deformable in radial and axial direction and is located with its hollow channel on a support core (8). The support core carries a radially protruding retaining flange (10) and is retained on the rear side of the insert element. Each support body is retained by the retaining flange in a form-fitting manner to prevent it from being pulled out of the support core.

Description

[0001] The technical solution of the present invention is an insert element (or accessory, insert) for a wheel, in particular a light metal wheel, which has a plurality of support bodies arranged at a distance from each other and arranged at the rear side of the insert element for supporting the insert element mounted on the wheel on a support surface of the wheel, wherein the support body has a support boss that can be abutted against the support surface of the wheel and a fixing extension, the fixing extension having an axial hollow channel and at least one locking projection protruding outwardly arranged at an axial distance from the support boss for engaging from behind a mounting opening through the support surface of the wheel. In addition, a wheel having at least one such insert element is described.

[0002] Light metal wheels are often designed as spoke wheels. The spokes connect the hub surround, which has the wheel bolt holes, to the rim. Spoke openings are present between the spokes. Such spokes can also be formed from two or more spoke sections. Such light metal wheels have different designs. These are cast wheels or forged wheels.

[0003] Such wheels are manufactured and offered in different variants not only with regard to their wheel shape but also with regard to their coloring. The coloring is mostly accomplished by painting certain surfaces or surface areas of the wheel. According to another possibility of designing such wheels in color, spoke inserts made of plastic are installed in the spoke openings as wheel applications. These spoke inserts can have the same color as the light metal wheel or a different coloring. In this way, the wheel can be given a multicolor property without having to paint the wheel. Such spoke inserts can also be designed to completely or partially cover the spoke openings in order to reduce the flow resistance coefficient of the wheel by means of such wheel applications. These spoke inserts are precisely suitable for this purpose, since, with these spoke inserts, the flow resistance coefficient can be reduced with a significant reduction in weight compared to wheels whose relevant surfaces are formed from light metal.

[0004] Plastic application parts are also used in wheels in the form of hub caps. The plastic application parts are fixed in the axial holes of the wheel by means of a snap connection. However, unlike the spoke inserts described above, these plastic application parts are not affected by centrifugal forces. The centrifugal forces that occur when the wheel rotates and act on the spoke inserts are not negligible. Therefore, the spoke inserts must be fixed to the wheel in a manner and method without the risk of the spoke inserts loosening. For this purpose, such spoke inserts have a plurality of, for example three, support bodies that are arranged spaced apart from each other and protrude from the rear side. Threaded sleeves made of metal are respectively installed in the support bodies. The wheel has complementary support surfaces, against which the support bodies rest when such spoke inserts are installed. The support surfaces respectively have holes in order to provide access from the rear side of the wheel to the threaded sleeves located in the support body of such spoke inserts. In most cases, such spoke inserts are fixed by means of bolts installed from the rear side of the wheel. The bolts are inserted through mounting openings, which are usually designed as mounting holes, through the support surface and are fixed with their threaded shafts in threaded sleeves of the corresponding support bodies. In order to prevent such bolted connections from loosening automatically, titanium bolts, which are usually provided with bolt fixing means, are usually installed together with the threaded sleeves. Corrosion is prevented by this material pairing. In this way, however, such spoke inserts are permanently and firmly fixed to the wheel. However, the bolts required for this are expensive. If each spoke insert is fixed to the wheel with three bolt fixings and such a wheel has five such inserts, then 15 bolts are required. Therefore, the material usage for fixing the insert elements of each wheel is very high, which also has a negative impact on the weight of the wheel. By using bolts, such inserts can be loosened again for maintenance or readjustment reasons.

[0005] Attempts have been made to connect such spoke inserts to light metal wheels with spokes by means of a clip connection, i.e. by forming latching fingers protruding from the spoke insert at the rear side, which latching fingers engage from the rear side of the spokes pointing toward the rear of the vehicle. However, a problem with clipping the spokes at the rear is the relatively large tolerances that must be accepted, especially in cast wheels, in the spoke thickness, i.e. the extension of such spokes in the axial direction. Such tolerances, which are caused by tool wear, are considerable and can be 1 to 1.5 millimeters. This tolerance cannot be compensated for with conventional clip connections, especially if a permanent, play-free and therefore flap-free and secure connection is to be ensured at the same time.

[0006] DE 20 2018 106 318 U1 discloses a spoke insert for a wheel having the features of the preamble of claim 1. In this previously known insert element, referred to as a spoke insert, a support body is formed on the rear side of the insert element. The support body has a formed fixing shoulder, by means of which the spoke insert is fixed to the wheel. The fixing shoulder has a supporting shoulder and a locking projection spaced therefrom. The locking projection serves to engage from behind a mounting opening on the wheel side, which is implemented as a hole, so that the edge region pointing toward the insert element is supported on the supporting shoulder, while the locking projection engages the mounting hole from behind. The fixing shoulder itself has at least one gap extending along its longitudinal direction, so that a diameter reduction in the region of its locking projection is possible, so that the locking projection can be pressed through the mounting hole before it relaxes again on the rear side of the mounting hole, so that the spoke insert is fixed in or on such a mounting hole in a form-fitting manner in the axial direction. Such a spoke insert usually carries a plurality of such support bodies. The support body is integrally formed on the insert element and therefore consists of the same hard plastic material as the insert element, which is likewise usually a plastic component.

[0007] The advantage of this previously known spoke insert is that no screws or other fastening elements to be applied using tools are required and the insert element is mounted from only one side of the wheel (usually the visible side).

[0008] Even when the installation on the wheel is simplified in this previously known spoke insert, a flap-free seating of the insert element cannot be ensured. Furthermore, there are limitations with regard to the compensation required in the axial direction due to manufacturing tolerances. Furthermore, it is sometimes not possible to achieve the desired preload with such an insert element. Foam rubber rings or silicone rings in the form of O-rings are used as axial compensation elements, which generate the axial preload. However, a defined seating of the insert element on the spoke side or on the wheel disc is not provided. A defined transition, for example a transition defined by a gap between such an insert element and the wheel, depends on the tolerance ranges of the insert element and the wheel.

[0009] Starting from the discussed prior art, the object of the present invention is to design an insert element for a wheel of the type mentioned at the outset in an improved manner so that the above-mentioned disadvantages are to be reduced, if not completely avoided.

[0010] According to the invention, this technical problem is solved by an insertion element of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the support body is implemented as an elastomeric component which can be elastically deformed in radial and axial directions and is located on a support core with its hollow channel, the support core carrying a radially protruding retaining flange and being retained on the rear side of the insertion element, wherein each support body is retained by a retaining flange of the support core carrying the retaining flange in a form-fitting manner to prevent it from being pulled out or falling out of the support core.

[0011] In the insert element, the support body is implemented as an elastomeric component. These elastomeric components are elastic at least in the section surrounding the edge area of ​​the hole (which surrounds the mounting opening which is usually implemented as a mounting hole), that is, they are elastic not only in the radial direction but also in the axial direction. Due to this property of the support body implemented as an elastomeric component, tolerances regarding the arrangement of the mounting hole on the wheel and the arrangement of the elastomeric component on the insert element can be compensated not only in the radial direction by the flexibility of the elastomeric component, but also in the axial direction. With such an elastomeric component, due to the elastic properties of the support body, the edge area of ​​the hole of the mounting opening of the wheel between the support shoulder and the locking projection can be fixedly embedded under significant preload. This is provided in a preferred embodiment. In such an embodiment, the distance between the surface of the support shoulder (with which the support body is supported on the supporting surface of the wheel) and the radial locking projection of the support body is slightly smaller than the material thickness of the mounting opening on the wheel side through which the support body passes. This means that according to a first embodiment, the support shoulder bears against a complementary support surface of the wheel and the locking projection bears against the rear side of the mounting hole under prestressing, so that the hole edge region surrounding the mounting hole between the two abutments, i.e. the support shoulder and the locking projection, is compressed. The insertion element is thus connected to the wheel with a play-free and flap-free seating.

[0012] The aforementioned measures also achieve that the insert element is held on the wheel-side mounting flange by means of a preload, which on the one hand replaces the bolt preload and on the other hand also ensures that the insert element rests in a defined manner on the outside of the wheel, for example on the spoke side. It is thus possible to provide a circumferentially uniform gap dimension between the insert element and the spoke side. This circumferentially uniform gap dimension is advantageous if a plurality of spacer-shaped or dome-shaped projections are provided on the insert element and / or on the wheel side as spacing elements. These spacing elements form a support (or support position) for adjusting the preload, with which the support body acts with its locking projections on the surface of the mounting opening of the wheel that faces away from the insert element. The possible compression of the locking projections of the elastic support bodies in the axial direction serves to apply this preload, which are held on the respective support core by means of a retaining flange that projects in the radial direction on the support core.

[0013] The material thickness of the locking projection in the axial direction is generally designed in such a way that, taking into account all tolerance positions in the axial direction, a sufficient preload can be provided during the installation of the insert element.

[0014] The elastic properties of the support body in the axial direction are fully utilized for the installation, so that the locking lugs of the support body can be pressed through the installation opening, so that the locking lugs engage (or hook) the installation opening from behind on their side facing away from the insertion element. During the installation, the locking lugs are compressed in the radial direction while being guided through the installation opening, so that the elastic properties of the support body in the radial direction are also used during the installation. According to another embodiment, in addition to the retaining flange, the arrangement of spacers (so-called spacers) arranged in the contact area between the wheel and the insertion element (as a support) is also used for the fixing point, which spacers can be implemented as narrow strip-shaped or hemispherical projections, for example. The preload force is generated by the elastic flexibility of the locking lugs of the support body of the fixing point. Therefore, even in this embodiment, the preload force acts on the connection between the insertion element and the wheel. In another embodiment of this embodiment, the spacers are arranged on the insertion element and on the body which also has elastic properties.

[0015] Independently of its design, the insert element can be pressed against the wheel in this way, similar to a screw connection. This ensures not only a secure fastening of the insert element on the wheel, but also a flap-free seating even when the wheel is subject to dynamic loads. The support body can also act with its retaining section between the support shoulder and the locking projection in the radial direction against the wall of the mounting opening under pretension. The same applies to the arrangement of spacer elements, which act at least with a vector component in the peripheral direction, for example laterally against the ventilation opening.

[0016] The support body is held in the axial direction by a retaining flange in a form-fitting manner on the corresponding support core to prevent it from being pulled out from the support core. The retaining flange protruding in the radial direction from the support core that is harder than these support cores forms a seat for the support body implemented as an elastomer component. If a pull-out force (release force) is applied to the insertion element, the edge area of ​​the rear side surrounding the mounting opening acts on the locking projection of the support body. Through the stop of the support body on the retaining flange, this release force leads to a compression of the locking projection in the axial direction, so that the locking projection is committed to expanding in the radial direction. The form fit between the support body and the wheel or the mounting opening passed by the support body in the axial direction is strengthened in this way, so that in this way, the release of the insertion element from the wheel is impossible and cannot be achieved in a non-destructive manner in any case. When the locking projection of the elastic support body is sheared off due to the existing release force, this insertion element can be released from the wheel. This is also ultimately not a problem, because when reinstalling the insertion element, only the elastic support body needs to be replaced. In order to achieve a locking between the support body located on the support core and the mounting flange of the wheel, the surfaces that are in contact with each other in the axial direction are arranged in a plane extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the support body. In an embodiment, these cooperating surfaces are located in a plane extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the support body or the support core. The cooperating surfaces can also be oriented at a small angle to the above-mentioned plane, in particular also in the direction opposite to the pull-out direction. In such a design, the surrounding edge of the rear side of the mounting opening supports the shearing of the locking projection when a sufficiently large force is applied. This may be suitable when the insert element is to be replaced.

[0017] The support body implemented as an elastomeric component is located on the support core with its hollow channel. Unlike the support body, the support core is not an elastomeric component. The support body is made of a soft plastic component, for example, while the support core is made of a hard plastic component, for example. This material with a Shore A hardness of 55-85 is suitable as a material for manufacturing the support body. For this purpose, silicone materials can be used, for example. The support core (when made of plastic) which is relatively harder is made of polyamide (with or without fiber reinforcement) for example. It should be understood that the support core can also be made of metal. If the insertion element is a metal component, the latter is applicable because the support core can then be connected to the actual insertion element by means of a material joint connection. The support core is used on the one hand to keep the support body on the insertion original. On the other hand, the support core is used as a support for applying the aforementioned preload. For this purpose, each support core has a retaining flange protruding in the radial direction arranged on its free end or in its associated end region. By retaining the flange, the support body is retained on the support core in a form-fitting manner in the axial direction to prevent it from being pulled out from the support core. The free end of the support body is usually formed by the end of the locking projection. Therefore, in this design, the locking projection of the support body is supported on the retaining flange. The retaining flange thus causes the locking surface of the locking projection, which is in contact with the rear side of the mounting opening of the wheel, to be able to contact the hole edge area on the rear side of the mounting hole with the corresponding projection under prestressing. According to the design, the support of the support body of the elastomeric component opposite the retaining flange forms the rear side of the insertion element or one or more support elements arranged on the rear side of the insertion element, for example support strips arranged in the radial direction relative to the support core. Other support elements, such as support shoulders, can also be provided, on which the base surface of the support shoulder of the support body is supported. In order to achieve the desired prestressing, with which the hole edge area of ​​the mounting hole is pressed between the support shoulder and the locking projection of such a support body, it is not necessary for the prestressing force to be the same in the circumferential direction. If a plurality of support strips arranged radially relative to the support core are used as the insert element-side support, the base surface of the support shoulder rests on the narrow side of these strips, so that a force concentration is achieved in the region where the support shoulder rests on the support strip. When the support strips are aligned, the support shoulder acts on the complementary support surface of the wheel with a higher preload than in the region of the support shoulder between the support strips. In this embodiment, the preload force is homogenized to a certain extent by the contact surface of the support shoulder on the complementary support surface of the wheel, depending on the height of the support shoulder. Nevertheless, the advantages of the support element, for example, in the form of a support strip, are still evident.

[0018] In one embodiment, the support shoulder is designed as a hollow-chamber component having a plurality of hollow chambers separated by webs extending in the radial direction. In this embodiment, abutment tolerances can be compensated in a special way, for example, if the support surface of the wheel is not designed exactly parallel to the complementary surface of the support shoulder due to the location of production. This compensation can also be achieved in principle with a solid shoulder of the support body, but the support shoulder designed as a hollow-chamber component allows better compensation in this respect, while ensuring a preload that is as uniform as possible on the support surface of the wheel over the circumference. The hollow chamber can be open in the direction of the rear side of the insertion element, which simplifies the production of the support shoulder.

[0019] Such a support body designed as an elastomeric component is usually produced as an injection-molded part, but can also be produced using additive manufacturing or other production methods.

[0020] The prestressing in the hole edge region of the wheel installation opening is achieved in that the distance between the locking surface of the locking projection in the unprestressed state and the surface of the supporting projection that points toward the wheel is slightly less than the material thickness of the wheel in the region of its installation opening. The elasticity of the supporting shoulder of such a supporting body can also be utilized so that the locking projection of the supporting body can be pressed through the wheel installation opening, so that the locking projection with reduced diameter in the installation hole can be relaxed easily at the rear side of the installation opening in order to engage the installation opening from the rear, even if the locking projection is elastically adjusted in the direction of the supporting shoulder as a whole or in a specific section during the installation process.

[0021] In another embodiment, the locking projection is fixedly supported with its locking surface at the rear side of the installation opening under prestressing, wherein the counter-receiver, the contact arrangement between the insert element and the wheel is realized by a spacer element. The spacer element is located in the region of the outer periphery of the side of the insert element that is not recognizable from the visible side.

[0022] In order to apply an increased preload in the axial direction to the edge region of the mounting hole, it can be provided that the locking surface of the support projection of the support body does not extend parallel to the contact surface of the wheel at least in its inner region, but rather extends obliquely relative thereto. This measure increases the shape stability of the locking projection relative to the adjustment in the direction of the support shoulder. In addition, the increased preload then acts on the transition between the wall of the mounting hole and the surface region surrounding the mounting hole. This measure can also be taken to adapt to the geometry of the mounting opening if, for example, a chamfer (or bevel) is provided on the rear side of the mounting opening.

[0023] The support core can be implemented as slotted or unslotted, wherein such slots extend in the longitudinal axial direction for the purpose of constructing the gap. If the support core is slotted (wherein usually in such a design, the support core is divided into two support core sections), then these support core sections can be adjusted in the radial direction with their retaining flanges, in particular adjusted to each other to reduce the diameter of the retaining flange. In such a slotted embodiment of the support core, the maximum diameter of the retaining flange can therefore be greater than the diameter of the mounting opening. In the transverse direction relative to the extension of the maximum diameter of the retaining flange, the diameter is not greater than the diameter of the mounting opening on the contrary. In such an embodiment, the support formed by the retaining flange engages the mounting opening from the rear. In order to prevent pull-out, it can be provided that a fixing pin is installed in the gap separating the two support core sections, thereby preventing the support core sections from moving relative to each other in the radial direction, thereby reducing the diameter in the region of the retaining flange. Such a fixing pin can be pre-installed on the support core movably in the longitudinal axial direction, which is provided in an embodiment. In such a design, the fixing pin, for example, has a guide bolt, which is embedded in the gap separating the support core sections. According to the design, such a securing pin has sections with different diameters. In its head or in the area forming the head there is a blocking section which is inserted between two support core sections to prevent the aforementioned diameter reduction movement. The section formed thereon is smaller in diameter so that the support core sections can be adjusted relative to each other when this section is located in the area of ​​the retaining flange. The securing pin is in this position when the insert element is mounted on or removed from the wheel. After mounting, the securing pin is then moved into the gap to prevent a loosening movement.

[0024] In another embodiment, the support core is not slotted. In this embodiment, the diameter of the locking projection of the support body, which is embodied as an elastomeric element, is greater than the diameter of the retaining flange and the mounting opening. In this embodiment, the diameter of the retaining flange is smaller than the diameter of the mounting opening of the wheel, so that the retaining flange can be guided smoothly through the mounting opening. The front side of the locking projection is supported on the retaining flange in the same way as described for the previous embodiment.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the support body is fixedly located on the support core with its hollow channel wall under prestressing. This measure improves the fixed placement. In addition, this measure supports the placement of the insert element on the wheel without flapping.

[0026] Next, the present invention will be described according to embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a top view of a wheel segment with an insert element mounted on the wheel, which partially covers the wheel opening;

[0028] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1a rear view of a wheel section;

[0029] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the fixing points with which the insert element is fixed to the wheel;

[0030] Figure 4 A single diagram shows Figure 3 an insert element arranged and a support core formed on the rear side thereof;

[0031] Figure 5a , 5b In side view ( Figure 5a ) and in perspective from its base plane ( Figure 5b ) shows a support body located on a support core;

[0032] Figure 6 The cutting line is shown to pass through the wheel hub in the radial direction. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the fixed point;

[0033] Figure 7 Corresponding to Figure 3 The illustration shows the fixing points for fixing the insert element to the wheel using fixing pins according to the design;

[0034] Figure 8 A perspective single view of the inserted element shows the Figure 7 A support core and a fixing pin formed on the rear side of the insertion element;

[0035] Fig. 9 The single figure in side view shows the Figure 8 A support body on a support core;

[0036] Fig.10 The cutting line is cut along the radial direction relative to the wheel hub. Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the fixing points shown.

[0037] exist Figure 1 1 is shown in the figure using only one section. The light metal wheel 1 made of an aluminum alloy has a plurality of wheel notches 2 arranged distributed in the circumferential direction. Each wheel notch 2 is delimited in the circumferential direction by two spokes 3, 3.1. In the radial direction, the wheel notch 2 is delimited by the side of the rim 5 pointing toward the hub area 4. The wheel notch 2 is partially covered by an insert element 6 which is implemented as a plastic part in the embodiment shown. The remaining opening of the wheel notch 2 is used to supply air to the brake disc arranged on the inner side of the wheel when the wheel 1 rotates. In addition to the design aspects, the insert element 6 is also used to supply air in a defined manner through the remaining opening of the wheel notch 2.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the insert element 6 is fastened via three fastening points, wherein the insert element 6 can be mounted on the wheel 1 without tools. Figure 2 The insert element 6 is visible in the rear view of the wheel 1 and is indicated therein by the reference numerals B1, B2 and B3. The fixing of the insert element 6 on the wheel 1 will be explained in detail later with reference to the fixing point B1. These embodiments also apply to the fixing points B2 and B3.

[0039] exist Figure 3 The fixing point B1 shown in the enlarged perspective view is designed as follows: the wheel 1 has a mounting flange 7, the mounting flange 7 is Figure 3 The rear side which is not visible in the figure forms the support surface. A mounting opening which is implemented as a mounting hole is introduced into the mounting flange 7. The mounting opening is Figure 3 It is not visible in the figure because the support body 9 located on the support core 8 is embedded in the mounting opening and partially passes through the mounting hole. Figure 4 As can be seen, the support core 8 is molded onto the rear side of the insertion element 6 and is therefore composed of the same hard plastic component as the insertion element 6 itself. In the embodiment shown, the insertion element 6 and its support core 8 are made of a polyamide material. In the embodiment shown, the support core 8 is a tube, which carries a retaining flange 10 at its free end facing away from the rear side of the insertion element 6. The retaining flange 10 protrudes beyond the diameter of the annular shaft section 11 and therefore has a larger diameter than the diameter of the shaft section 11. The maximum diameter of the retaining flange 10 is smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole through the mounting flange 7 by the necessary mounting clearance. In the area where the shaft section 11 of the support core 8 is connected to the rear side of the insertion element 6, there are a plurality of (four in the embodiment shown) support strips 12 arranged radially relative to the shaft section 11. The support strips are molded onto the shaft section 11 on the rear side of the insertion element 6. The support strips point to the retaining flange 10 with their narrow sides following the longitudinal extension.

[0040] The support body 9 is located on the support core 8, which has a hollow channel 10a for this purpose (see Figure 5b ). The support body 9 is an elastomeric component and therefore has a significantly lower hardness than the material of the support core 8. The support body 9 is made of a soft plastic, i.e., in the illustrated embodiment, a silicone material (or silicone resin) with a Shore A hardness of 65. Due to its elastic properties, the support body 9 can be easily moved onto the shaft section 11 via the retaining flange 10 of the support core.

[0041] The support body 9 has a supporting shoulder 13, which rests with its base surface 14 on the narrow side of the support strip 12 pointing toward the retaining flange 10. The surface of the supporting shoulder 13 opposite the base surface 14 is a resting surface 15, on which the edge area of ​​the hole of the mounting hole pointing toward the insertion element 6 rests as a complementary supporting surface. A retaining section 16 is formed on the supporting shoulder 13, the diameter of which substantially corresponds to the diameter of the mounting hole. In the embodiment shown, a circumferential locking projection 17 is formed on the retaining section 16 with a locking surface 18 pointing toward the resting surface 15. The locking projection 17 protrudes beyond the retaining section 16. The support body 9 is tapered by the retaining section 16. The retaining section 16 and the locking projection 17 together form a fixed extension. From Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the side of the locking projection 17 that faces away from the supporting shoulder 13 is implemented in a truncated cone shape. This truncated cone shape transitions into the same truncated cone shape of the retaining flange 10 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 ).

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the supporting shoulder 13 is designed as a hollow-cavity shaped part and has a plurality of hollow cavities 19 distributed around the circumference. Two adjacent hollow cavities 19 are each separated from one another by a web 20 extending in the radial direction.

[0043] exist Figure 6 The fixing point B1 is shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. The support body 9 is located on the axial section 11 of the support core 8. The tapered front side of the locking projection 17 is supported on the side of the retaining flange 10 that points toward the insertion element 6. In this way, the support body 9 is held on the support core 8 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner in the axial direction. The base surface 14 of the support section 13 is supported on the support strip 12 in this embodiment. The support body 8 is in a certain prestressing state on the one hand by the support of its base surface 14 on the support strip 12 and on the other hand by the support of its front side of the locking projection 17 on the retaining flange 10 of the support core 8. The hole edge area of ​​the mounting hole through the mounting flange 7 is accommodated in the retaining section 16 of the support body 9. The axial extension of the retaining section 11 of the support body 9 is slightly smaller than the material thickness of the mounting flange 7, so that the edge area of ​​the mounting hole is clamped between the contact surface 15 of the support shoulder 13 and the locking surface 18 of the locking projection 17. In this way, secure and prestressed fixing of the fastening points B1 to B3 of the insert element 6 on the wheel 1 is ensured.

[0044] exist Figure 6In , the spacer element A is formed, for example, on the inner side of the insertion element 6. The spacer element is designed to be dome-shaped. The insertion element 6 is supported on the outwardly pointing side of the wheel 1 by means of the spacer element A. The spacer element A is located near the end of the periphery of the insertion element 6. The insertion element 6 carries a plurality of spacer elements A arranged at a distance from each other for supporting the insertion element 6 on the outer side of the wheel 1. This support is used to provide a consistent engagement or a consistent gap size between the insertion element 6 and the visible side of the wheel 1. The support of the insertion element 6 on the side of the wheel 1 pointing to the insertion element 6 by means of the spacer elements A simultaneously forms a seat so that a preload is generated by means of the elastic support body 9 located on the support core 8 and its locking projections 17 which are elastically compressible in the axial direction, which ensures that the insertion element 6 is placed on the wheel 1 without play and without flapping. The axial length of the support body 9 and in particular its locking projections 17 as well as the design of the support core 8 and its retaining flange 10 are coordinated with each other so that the locking projections 17 are compressed in the axial direction when the insertion element 6 is mounted on the wheel 1. In Figure 6 The radial extension of the locking projection 17 is indicated by a box arrow in the figure. The restoring force generated by the elastic compression of the locking projection 17 in the axial direction uses, on the one hand, the bearing surface that projects radially through the retaining flange 10 as a bearing, and on the other hand, the bearing formed by the support of the insert element 6 on the outside of the wheel 1 by its spacing element A, whereby the locking projection 17 in the area surrounding the mounting opening acts on the surface of the mounting flange 7 that faces away from the insert element 6. At the same time, the insert element 6 is supported on the outside of the wheel 1 by the spacing element A. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the above-mentioned support on the support (holding flange 10 and the outer side of the wheel) is indicated by a box arrow.

[0045] In an extended embodiment, it is provided that the support body 9 is not supported with its base surface 14 (when adjacent to the mounting flange 7 of the wheel 1) on the support strip 12, but that the support for applying the desired preload is realized by the contact arrangement of the spacer element A on the outside of the wheel 1. In this embodiment, there is a certain gap between the base surface 14 of the support shoulder 13 of the support body 9 and the support strip 12. Therefore, in this embodiment, the contact arrangement of the holding flange 10 on the one hand and the support element A on the outside of the wheel 1 on the other hand serves as a support for applying the desired preload. It is understood that the spacer element can also be arranged on the wheel side.

[0046] Figure 7 A further embodiment of a fastening point B4 for fastening a further insert element 6.1 to the wheel 1 is shown. The insert element 6.1 is designed in principle in the same way as the insert element 6 described above. The relevant embodiments therefore also apply to the insert element 6.1. Figure 7In the figure, one of the three actual fixing points, fixing point B4, is shown, which fixing point has also been described, for example, for the insertion element 6 of the previous figures. In principle, the fixing point B4 is constructed like the above-described fixing point B1 of the insertion element 6. The fixing point B4 differs from the above-described fixing point B1 in that the support core 8.1 is slotted by means of two gaps 21 which are opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis, of which only one of the two gaps 21 can be seen in the figure. The support core 8.1 has an internal channel, in which a fixing pin 22 is embedded and is guided in the axial direction. The guide bolt embedded in the gap 21 serves for guidance. In this embodiment, a retaining flange 10.1 is formed on the shaft section 11.1 of the support core 8.1 on each of the two support core half shells. The support body 9.1, which is implemented as an elastomeric component, is located on the shaft section 11.1. In Fig. 9 The support body 9.1 is shown in a side view of FIG. The support body 9.1 also has a support shoulder 13.1, which has a contact surface 15.1 and an opposite locking surface 18.1 protruding beyond the holding section 16.1. The locking surface 18.1 is inclined.

[0047] The maximum diameter of the support core 8.1 in the region of its retaining flange 10.1 is greater than the diameter of the mounting hole through the mounting flange 7. The retaining flange 10.1 thus engages from behind the mounting hole of the wheel 1. The diameter of the locking projection 17.1 of the support body 9.1, which forms the locking surface 18.1, corresponds to the maximum diameter of the retaining flange 10.1.

[0048] Fig.10 The fixing point B4 and the adjacent fixing point B5 located in perspective at the rear are shown in a cross-sectional view. The fixing point B4 is shown in a position of the fixing pin 22 in which it prevents the two supporting core segments or supporting core half shells from moving relative to each other in the region of their retaining flanges 10.1, while the fixing pin 22.1 in the fixing point B5 is in the installed position. The fixing pins 22, 22.1 are designed identically. The fixing pin 22 is described below. The same embodiments therefore also apply to the fixing pin 22.1.

[0049] The fixing pin 22 has a locking section 23, the outer diameter of which corresponds to the inner diameter of the inner channel of the support body 8.1. A head 24 for operating the fixing pin 22 is formed on the locking section 23. In the direction of the insertion element 6.1, a section 25 with a reduced diameter is formed on the locking section 23. If the section 25 is located in the area of ​​the retaining flange 10.1 (as is the case in the fixing point B5), the two support core half shells can be moved relative to each other in the area of ​​their retaining flanges 10.1. They can then be inserted through the mounting hole. Fig.10In the fixed position shown in the figure with respect to the fixing point B4, the position is additionally fixed by latching in the lower region of the fixing pin 22 relative to the support core 8.1. Two latching arms 26, which are arranged opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fixing pin 22, are used for this purpose, and engage in complementary recesses or openings in the support core 8.1. In the installed position, when the fixing pins 22, 22.1 are pulled out, as shown in the fixing point B5, these latching arms 26 rest against the inner wall of the channel of the support core 8.1. If the insert element 6.1 is mounted on the wheel 1 with its fixing points, the fixing pins 22, 22.1 are moved in. This simultaneously represents a visual check of the normal connection of one or more insert elements 6.1 to the wheel 1.

[0050] exist Figures 7 to 10 In the embodiment, the insert element 6.1 is as for Figures 1 to 6 As described in the embodiment of the invention, the support is also supported on the outwardly directed side of the wheel 1 via the spacer element. With regard to applying the preload to the insert element 6.1 connected to the wheel 1, the same applies to the support body 9.1 and its locking projection 17.1, as described for Figures 1 to 6 As described in the embodiment of Fig.10 The projection due to compression of the locking projection 17 . 1 in the axial direction is shown in FIG.

[0051] It is apparent from the description of the invention that the insert element, as described, can not only be mounted particularly easily but can also achieve the advantageous properties of a conventional screw connection.

[0052] The invention has been described with the aid of examples. Without departing from the scope of protection of the applicable claims, a person skilled in the art will generate many other possible solutions to implement these claims without having to elaborate them in detail within the scope of these embodiments.

[0053] Reference numerals list

[0054] 1 Wheel

[0055] 2 Wheel gap

[0056] 3.3.1 Spokes

[0057] 4 Hub area

[0058] 5. Rim

[0059] 6.6.1 Inserting components

[0060] 7.7.1 Mounting flange

[0061] 8.8.1 Support core

[0062] 9.9.1 Support

[0063] 10.1 Retaining flange

[0064] 10a Hollow channel

[0065] 11.1 Axis section

[0066] 12 Support bar

[0067] 13.1 Supporting shoulder

[0068] 14 Base

[0069] 15.1. Contact surface

[0070] 16.1 Keep Section

[0071] 17.1 Locking protrusion

[0072] 18.1 Locking surface

[0073] 19 Hollow Cavity

[0074] 20 Spacer

[0075] 21 Gap

[0076] 22.22.1 Fixing pin

[0077] 23 Locking section

[0078] 24 Head

[0079] 25 Segments

[0080] 26 Locking arm

[0081] A Spacer element

[0082] B1-B5 fixed points

Claims

1. An insert element for a wheel, the insert element having a plurality of support bodies arranged at a distance from one another and arranged on the rear side of the insert element (6, 6.1), the support bodies being used to support and hold the insert element (6, 6.1) mounted on the wheel (1) on a support surface of the wheel (1), wherein: The support body has a support shoulder (13, 13.1) capable of abutting against a support surface of a wheel (1) and a fixing extension, the fixing extension having an axial hollow channel and at least one outwardly protruding locking projection (17, 17.1) arranged axially spaced apart from the support shoulder (13, 13.1), the locking projection being used to engage from behind through a mounting opening of the support surface of the wheel (1), characterized in that the support body (9, 9.1) is implemented as an elastomeric component, the elastomeric component being arranged along The support body (9, 9.1) is elastically deformable in radial and axial directions and is located on a support core (8, 8.1) with its hollow channel (10a), wherein the support core (8, 8.1) carries a radially protruding retaining flange and is retained on the rear side of the insertion element (6, 6.1), wherein each support body (9, 9.1) is retained in a shape-fitting manner in the axial direction of the support core (8, 8.1) by a retaining flange (10, 10.1) of the support core (8, 8.1) carrying the retaining flange to prevent it from falling out of the support core (8, 8.1).

2. Insert element according to claim 1, characterized in that The locking projection (17) projects in the radial direction relative to the radial end of the retaining flange.

3. Insert element according to claim 2, characterized in that The diameter of the circumferential side surface of the retaining flange of the support core is smaller than the diameter of the installation opening of the wheel (1) to be passed through.

4. Insert element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The diameter of the circumferential side of the retaining flange of the support core is greater than the diameter of the installation opening of the wheel (1) to be passed through, and the support core has at least one gap (21) starting from its retaining flange, the gap (21) extending along its longitudinal direction and having a gap width, the gap (21) being able to reduce the diameter of the retaining flange so that the retaining flange can be guided through the installation opening of the wheel (1).

5. Insert element according to claim 4, characterized in that The support core is formed by at least two support core segments, which are each separated from one another by a gap (21).

6. Insert element according to claim 5, characterized in that After the insertion element is connected to the wheel (1), fixing elements (22, 22.1) are arranged between the support core segments to prevent the diameter of its retaining flange from being reduced due to the presence of the gap (21).

7. Insert element according to claim 6, characterized in that The supporting core segment is constructed in the form of a half shell, and the fixing element (22, 22.1) has a locking section (23) with a larger diameter and a guide section (25) with a smaller diameter formed on the locking section. The fixing element (22, 22.1) can move in the longitudinal axial direction in a channel formed by the two supporting core half shells and is embedded in the channel with its locking section (23) in a fixed position and is not embedded in the channel in a non-fixed position. In the non-fixed position, the two half shells can be adjusted to each other in order to reduce the diameter of the retaining flange.

8. Insert element according to claim 7, characterized in that The fixing elements each have a guide bolt which engages in a recess (21) of each separate support core half shell.

9. The insert element according to claim 4, characterized in that The components of the support body and the support core which are provided for engaging the mounting opening from behind, namely the retaining flange and the locking projection, have a front side which is conical in cross section.

10. The insert element according to claim 1, characterized in that The locking projection comprises an inclined locking surface (18.1) on its side facing the supporting shoulder.

11. The insert element according to claim 1, characterized in that The supporting shoulder (13, 13.1) is a hollow component having a plurality of hollow cavities (19) which are separated from each other in the circumferential direction by spacers (20) extending in the radial direction.

12. The insert element according to claim 1, characterized in that The support core (8, 8.1) is assigned, in its region of connection to the insert element (6, 6.1), a plurality of support strips (12) arranged at an angular distance from one another and each having a radial extension.

13. Insert element according to claim 12, characterized in that The support strip (12) is integrally formed not only on the support core (8, 8.1) but also on the insert element (6, 6.1).

14. The insert element according to claim 1, characterized in that In order to support the insertion element, a plurality of narrow strip-shaped or hemispherical projections are located as spacer elements (A) on the insertion element side and / or the wheel side in the contact area between the wheel (1) and the insertion element, the insertion element being in contact with the projections in the axial direction and / or radial direction of the support core, and the inconvenience is used to apply the desired preload in addition to the retaining flange of the support core serving as a seat.

15. The insert element according to claim 1, characterized in that The wheels are light metal wheels.

16. A wheel with a plurality of openings, the wheel having at least one insert element (6, 6.1) connected thereto, characterized in that At least one insertion element (6, 6.1) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The wheel according to claim 16, characterized in that The opening of the wheel is delimited in the circumferential direction of the wheel (1) by one or more spokes (3, 3.1).

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