Wheel capable of preventing nut torque attenuation and vehicle with same

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a wheel capable of preventing nut torque attenuation and a vehicle with the wheel, and relates to the technical field of automobile manufacturing. The wheel capable of preventing the nut torque from being attenuated comprises a hub; the multiple bolts are connected with the hub, the multiple bolts are arranged in the circumferential direction of the hub at intervals, and multiple clamping grooves are formed in the outer circumferential faces of the bolts; the clamping ring is connected with the hub, the clamping ring and the hub can rotate relatively, the clamping ring comprises a plurality of spring pieces, the spring pieces are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the clamping ring, the inner side of the clamping ring is connected with the outer circumferential faces of the bolts, and the clamping ring rotates to drive the spring pieces to move. The spring piece has a clamping state that the spring piece extends into the clamping groove and abuts against the groove wall of the clamping groove; when the spring piece is in the clamping state, the groove wall of the clamping groove abuts against the spring piece so as to limit rotation of the clamping ring. The technical problem of torque attenuation of the wheel nut in the prior art is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to a wheel that prevents nut torque decay and a vehicle having the same. Background Technology

[0002] Wheel nut torque decay is a common and serious safety issue during vehicle operation. It can be caused by various factors, such as poor fit between the nut and the wheel taper, surface roughness of the components, the use of elastic connecting materials, improper assembly speed and sequence, temperature differences during assembly, plastic deformation of the connected parts, and repeated tightening and loosening of fasteners. When the wheel nut torque decays to a certain extent, the nut may loosen or even fall off, leading to serious traffic accidents. In the field of automotive component technology, anti-loosening design of wheel nuts is a crucial aspect of ensuring driving safety. Current mainstream anti-loosening technologies include:

[0003] a. Single-part anti-loosening: such as spring washers, nylon insert anti-loosening nuts, etc., achieve anti-loosening by increasing frictional resistance, but only for a single bolt, and cannot deal with the scenario of multiple bolts loosening together (such as when more than 2 of 5 bolts loosen at the same time, the torque decreases sharply).

[0004] b. Structural locking and anti-loosening: such as cotter pins, welded locking plates, etc., which restrict the rotation of bolts through mechanical locking, but have the problems of complicated installation and easy damage to parts during disassembly (data from a commercial vehicle company shows that 23% of aluminum wheels have damaged threaded holes due to forced removal of locking plates).

[0005] c. Surface treatment to prevent loosening: such as zinc plating or copper plating on the bolt surface, which improves the surface friction coefficient to prevent loosening, but has poor temperature resistance (the friction coefficient decreases by more than 50% below -40℃) and cannot solve the dynamic torque attenuation caused by vibration.

[0006] There is currently no good solution to the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a wheel with anti-nut torque decay and a vehicle having the same, to at least solve the technical problem of wheel nut torque decay in the prior art.

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a wheel for preventing nut torque decay is provided, comprising: a hub; bolts, a plurality of bolts connected to the hub, the plurality of bolts being arranged at a distance along the circumference of the hub, the outer circumferential surface of the bolts having a plurality of grooves; a retaining ring connected to the hub, the retaining ring being rotatably arranged relative to the hub, the retaining ring including a plurality of spring plates, the plurality of spring plates being arranged at a distance along the circumference of the retaining ring, the inner side of the retaining ring being connected to the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of bolts, the retaining ring rotating to drive the spring plates to move, so that the spring plates have a snap-fit ​​state extending into the groove and abutting against the groove wall; wherein, when the spring plates are in the snap-fit ​​state, the groove wall of the groove abuts against the spring plates to restrict the rotation of the retaining ring.

[0009] Furthermore, the spring sheet is made of shape memory alloy material.

[0010] Furthermore, the retaining ring includes: a retaining ring body; a retaining foot, one end of which is connected to the retaining ring body and the other end of which is connected to a spring plate. There are multiple retaining feet, which are arranged at a distance along the circumference of the retaining ring body. The retaining feet extend along the thickness direction of the wheel hub, and when the retaining ring is connected to the wheel hub, at least a portion of the retaining feet extend into the interior of the wheel hub.

[0011] Furthermore, a spring sheet is disposed on the inner side of the retaining foot, and at least a portion of the spring sheet extends radially along the retaining ring, wherein the extending direction of the spring sheet is disposed at an angle to the inner circumferential surface of the retaining foot.

[0012] Furthermore, the included angle between the spring sheet and the inner circumferential surface of the locking foot is α, and the inclination angle of the locking groove is β, where α+β≤90°.

[0013] Furthermore, a first limiting structure is provided on the wheel hub, and a second limiting structure is provided on the retaining foot to cooperate with the first limiting structure. The wheel hub is connected to the retaining ring through the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the first limiting structure is a limiting groove, and the second limiting structure is a limiting protrusion. When the retaining ring is connected to the wheel hub, at least part of the retaining foot extends into the limiting groove. The circumferential length of the limiting groove is greater than the circumferential length of the retaining foot, so that the retaining foot is rotatably set within the limiting groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the retaining ring body is also provided with multiple disassembly holes, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the retaining ring body. The disassembly holes are used to separate the wheel hub from the retaining ring.

[0016] Furthermore, an annular groove is provided on the hub, extending circumferentially and thickness-wise. A retaining ring is disposed within the annular groove, and a first limiting structure is disposed at the bottom of the annular groove. When the retaining ring is connected to the hub, a second limiting structure extends into the annular groove and engages with the first limiting structure.

[0017] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a vehicle is also provided, the vehicle having a wheel that prevents nut torque decay, the wheel that prevents nut torque decay is the aforementioned wheel that prevents nut torque decay.

[0018] In this embodiment, by providing multiple slots on the outer circumferential surface of the bolt and by providing a spring plate inside the retaining ring, the spring plate can move on the outer circumferential surface of the bolt as the retaining ring rotates. When the retaining ring rotates to a certain angle, the spring plate can be engaged in the slot. At this time, the spring plate extends into the slot and abuts against the slot wall, thereby restricting the rotation of the retaining ring. This forms a relatively stable positional relationship between the spring plate and the bolt. At this time, the retaining ring can exert a stabilizing force on the bolt, enabling it to provide continuous axial pressure in the slot. Even when the wheel is subjected to vibration or impact, it can maintain close contact with the slot, prevent torque attenuation, and thus secure the bolt to the wheel hub. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optional retaining ring according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an optional anti-nut torque decay wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an optional anti-nut torque decay wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an optional anti-nut torque decay wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an optional anti-nut torque decay wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an optional anti-nut torque decay wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an optional anti-nut torque decay wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an optional bolt according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0029] 10. Wheel hub; 11. First limiting structure;

[0030] 20. Bolt; 200. Slot;

[0031] 30. Snap ring; 31. Spring plate; 32. Snap ring body; 320. Removal hole; 33. Snap foot; 330. Second limiting structure. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0033] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0034] According to an embodiment of this application, a wheel that prevents nut torque decay is provided.

[0035] Specifically, such as Figures 1 to 5As shown, the wheel with anti-nut torque decay includes a hub 10, bolts 20, and a retaining ring 30. Multiple bolts 20 are connected to the hub 10, and are spaced apart along the circumference of the hub 10. The outer circumferential surface of each bolt 20 has multiple retaining grooves 200. The retaining ring 30 is connected to the hub 10 and is rotatably mounted relative to it. The retaining ring 30 includes multiple spring plates 31, which are spaced apart along the circumference of the retaining ring 30. The inner side of the retaining ring 30 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the bolts 20. Rotation of the retaining ring 30 causes the spring plates 31 to move, so that the spring plates 31 extend into the retaining grooves 200 and abut against the groove wall of the retaining groove 200. When the spring plates 31 are in the retaining state, the groove wall of the retaining groove 200 abuts against the spring plates 31 to restrict the rotation of the retaining ring 30.

[0036] By applying the technical solution of this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the bolt 20 is provided with multiple slots 200, and a spring plate 31 is provided on the inner side of the retaining ring 30. The spring plate 31 can move on the outer peripheral surface of the bolt 20 as the retaining ring 30 rotates. When the retaining ring 30 rotates to a certain angle, the spring plate 31 can be inserted into the slot 200. At this time, the spring plate 31 extends into the slot 200 and abuts against the groove wall of the slot 200, thereby restricting the rotation of the retaining ring 30. This forms a relatively stable positional relationship between the spring plate 31 and the bolt 20. At this time, the retaining ring 30 can form a stabilizing force on the bolt 20, so that it can provide continuous axial pressure in the slot 200. Even when the wheel is subjected to vibration or impact, it can maintain close contact with the slot 200 to prevent torque attenuation, so as to secure the bolt 20 to the wheel hub 10.

[0037] In one embodiment of this application, the slot 200 is a slot with a counterclockwise opening, while the spring plate 31 extends clockwise along the retaining ring 30. During the assembly process, the retaining ring 30 rotates counterclockwise, and the spring plate 31 is positioned corresponding to the opening direction of the slot 200, so that the spring plate 31 is inserted counterclockwise into the slot 200, forming a snap-fit ​​state that abuts against the groove wall of the slot 200.

[0038] Preferably, the spring plate 31 is made of shape memory alloy. The use of shape memory alloy spring plate 31 ensures that it maintains its shape and elasticity under different temperature conditions, effectively engaging within the slot 200 even at extreme temperatures, providing a stable limiting effect. Due to the unique phase change characteristics of shape memory alloy, it can recover its original shape at specific temperatures. Its self-recovery function allows the spring plate 31 to maintain good elasticity even after repeated engagement and disengagement. This ensures that the anti-loosening system, including the retaining ring 30 and spring plate 31, remains highly efficient under various climatic conditions, reducing torque attenuation caused by temperature changes.

[0039] It should be noted that during the assembly of the retaining ring 30, the spring plate 31 is positioned inside the retaining ring 30, and the bolt 20 is also located inside the retaining ring 30. When the retaining ring 30 rotates, the spring plate 31 moves along the outer circumference of the bolt 20. When the spring plate 31 rotates to the snap-fit ​​state, it snaps into the preset slot 200, producing a crisp sound and providing auditory feedback that the installation is in place. When the spring plate 31 is made of shape memory alloy material, it has advantages in dynamic response, environmental adaptability, and self-recovery function, solving the problem of low-temperature elastic decay. It also allows the spring plate 31 to change color, providing dual visual and auditory feedback on the state of the retaining ring 30.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the retaining ring 30 includes a retaining ring body 32 and retaining feet 33. One end of the retaining foot 33 is connected to the retaining ring body 32, and the other end is connected to the spring plate 31. Multiple retaining feet 33 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the retaining ring body 32. The retaining feet 33 extend along the thickness direction of the wheel hub 10, and when the retaining ring 30 is connected to the wheel hub 10, at least a portion of the retaining feet 33 extend into the interior of the wheel hub 10. The multiple retaining feet 33 on the retaining ring body 32 are used to connect with the wheel hub 10. The retaining feet 33 extend along the thickness direction of the wheel hub 10, allowing them to not only engage with the reverse grooves on the surface of the wheel bolts but also penetrate deep into the interior of the wheel hub 10. This increases the physical connection between the device and the wheel, improving the reliability of the limit and the overall stability of the device. Furthermore, the deep penetration of the retaining feet 33 into the wheel hub 10 also provides a degree of concealment, protecting them from external environmental influences and extending their service life. Effectively prevents bolt 20 from loosening counterclockwise.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment of this application, the retaining ring body 32 can be configured with a split structure, consisting of two to three semi-circular retaining ring bodies 32. Each semi-circular retaining ring body 32 is provided with two to three retaining feet 33. The joints are connected by buckles or bolts. During installation, multiple retaining ring bodies 32 are first inserted into the wheel bolts 20, and then the complete retaining ring 30 is assembled. This solves the problem of installation difficulties caused by the small spacing of the wheel bolts 20. The split structure can adapt to different wheel specifications, has strong versatility, and allows for individual replacement of damaged half-rings during maintenance, reducing maintenance costs.

[0042] Specifically, the spring plate 31 is disposed on the inner side of the retaining foot 33, and at least a portion of the spring plate 31 extends radially along the retaining ring 30, wherein the extending direction of the spring plate 31 is set at an angle to the inner circumferential surface of the retaining foot 33. When the retaining ring 30 is rotated to the engaged state, the end of the spring plate 31 can precisely engage with the reverse groove on the wheel bolt, forming a stable limiting effect. At the same time, since there is a certain angle between the extending direction of the spring plate 31 and the inner circumferential surface of the retaining foot 33, when the spring plate 31 engages with the groove, it will naturally generate an inward elastic force, making the retaining foot 33 fit more tightly between the wheel bolt and the wheel hub 10, enhancing the stability and reliability of the limiting effect. With the spring plate 31 set at an angle, when the wheel bolt 20 attempts to rotate counterclockwise to loosen, the locking foot 33 will be blocked by the locking groove 200 in the opposite direction. At the same time, the elasticity of the spring plate 31 will play a fixing role, preventing the bolt 20 from rotating, thereby effectively preventing torque attenuation, ensuring the stability of the wheel connection, and improving driving safety.

[0043] It should be noted that during installation, the preset angle and elastic properties of the spring plate 31 allow the retaining ring 30 to rotate accurately to the snap-fit ​​state, thus providing a clear signal that the installation is in place (such as an audible "click" sound). During disassembly, the design of the spring plate 31 also simplifies the operation, ensuring non-destructive disassembly of the retaining ring 30 and reducing maintenance costs.

[0044] It should be noted that the slot 200 can also be an annular slot 200 without an inclination angle, which corresponds to the inclination angle of the spring plate 31.

[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 8 As shown, the included angle between the inner circumferential surfaces of the spring plate 31 and the retaining foot 33 is α, and the inclination angle of the retaining groove 200 is β, where α+β≤90°. The inclination angle β of the retaining groove 200 determines the shape and depth of the retaining groove 200, as well as the size and contact angle of the contact surface when it mates with the spring plate 31. The included angle between the spring plate 31 and the retaining foot 33 and the inclination angle of the retaining groove 200 complement each other, and α+β≤90°, ensuring that the spring plate 31 can form a stable limiting angle when it is engaged in the reverse retaining groove. During the process of the retaining ring 30 rotating to the engaging state, the inner circumferential surface of the retaining foot 33 contacts the retaining groove 200, and the spring plate 31 forms a wedge-shaped structure between the retaining foot 33 and the wheel bolt. When the sum of α and β does not exceed 90°, the spring plate 31 can produce the maximum limiting effect with the minimum force, while ensuring a smooth transition when the spring plate 31 is embedded in the retaining groove 200, avoiding excessive deformation or damage to the spring plate 31 due to excessive angle, and ensuring the long-term reliability of the device.

[0046] Furthermore, the wheel hub 10 is provided with a first limiting structure 11, and the retaining foot 33 is provided with a second limiting structure 330 that cooperates with the first limiting structure 11. The wheel hub 10 is connected to the retaining ring 30 through the first limiting structure 11 and the second limiting structure 330. The first limiting structure 11 is provided at a specific position on the wheel hub 10. The first limiting structure 11 can be a groove, a boss, a hole, or any other form of structure, used to form a matching and limiting relationship with the second limiting structure 330 on the retaining foot 33. The retaining foot 33 is provided with a second limiting structure 330, which matches the first limiting structure 11. The second limiting structure 330 can be a protrusion, a groove, or other shape corresponding to the first limiting structure 11. When the retaining ring 30 is installed on the wheel hub 10, the second limiting structure 330 on the retaining foot 33 will cooperate with the first limiting structure 11 on the wheel hub 10 to form a locking device. This fit not only limits the rotation angle of the retaining ring 30 relative to the wheel hub 10, but also prevents the retaining ring 30 from moving in the axial direction through physical limiting, thereby ensuring that the retaining ring 30 is firmly fixed on the wheel. When the wheel bolt 20 attempts to loosen counterclockwise due to vibration or other reasons, the fit between the first limiting structure 11 and the second limiting structure 330 will play a double limiting role.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of this application, the first limiting structure 11 is a limiting groove, and the second limiting structure 330 is a limiting protrusion. When the retaining ring 30 is connected to the hub 10, at least a portion of the retaining foot 33 extends into the limiting groove. The circumferential length of the limiting groove is greater than the circumferential length of the retaining foot 33, allowing the retaining foot 33 to be rotatably disposed within the limiting groove. The greater circumferential length of the limiting groove than the retaining foot 33 allows the retaining foot 33 to have a certain amount of free rotation space within the limiting groove without being excessively restricted, facilitating the adjustment of the spring plate 31 of the retaining ring 30 to the engaging state. Simultaneously, the limiting protrusion allows the retaining foot 33 to rotate within a certain range without dislodging from the limiting groove, thereby maintaining the limiting effect while also ensuring the flexibility and operability of the retaining ring 30. When the retaining ring 30 is installed on the wheel hub 10, the retaining foot 33 will extend into the limiting groove. The limiting protrusion and the limiting groove fit tightly together to form a stable limiting combination, so that the retaining foot 33 forms a reliable limit between the wheel bolt and the wheel hub 10. At the same time, the circumferential length of the limiting groove is greater than the circumferential length of the retaining foot 33, ensuring that the retaining foot 33 has a certain range of rotation in the limiting groove, which facilitates the position adjustment of the retaining ring 30 during the assembly process.

[0048] In another embodiment of this application, the first limiting structure 11 is a hemispherical boss structure, and the second limiting structure 330 on the inner side of the clamping foot 33 is a hemispherical recess that matches the hemispherical boss. The hemispherical boss and recess structure can make point contact, which can reduce the friction area. During installation, the clamping foot 33 can slide along the surface of the boss to achieve self-positioning, which is suitable for tolerance compensation of different batches of wheels and reduces the processing accuracy requirements.

[0049] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the retaining ring body 32 is also provided with multiple disassembly holes 320. These holes are spaced apart along the circumference of the retaining ring body 32 and are used to separate the wheel hub 10 from the retaining ring 30. The multiple disassembly holes 320, evenly distributed along the circumference of the retaining ring body 32, ensure even force application when disassembling the retaining ring 30. The shape of the disassembly holes 320 can be circular, elliptical, or U-shaped, etc., and the specific shape needs to be designed according to the type of disassembly tool to ensure that the disassembly tool can be easily inserted and force applied. When it is necessary to disassemble the retaining ring 30, the operator only needs to insert a suitable disassembly tool into any of the disassembly holes 320 and then apply force perpendicular to the surface of the wheel hub 10 to remove the retaining ring 30 from the wheel hub 10. This design avoids traditional destructive disassembly methods, such as using a hammer to strike or forcibly twisting the retaining ring 30, thereby reducing damage to the wheel hub 10 and the retaining ring 30 itself and extending the service life of the components.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment of this application, a foldable metal pull ring is provided at the location of the disassembly hole 320. In its normal state, the metal pull ring is folded and embedded in the groove of the retaining ring 30. During disassembly, the pull ring is pulled out and pulled forcefully perpendicular to the thickness direction of the hub 10 to disassemble the retaining ring 30. A hinge structure is provided at the connection between the pull ring and the retaining ring 30, eliminating the need for specialized hook tools. Users can disassemble the ring by hand or with a regular wrench, improving maintenance convenience and preventing deformation of the disassembly hole 320 due to repeated stress.

[0051] It should be noted that the circlip body 32 is made of metal or glass fiber reinforced nylon 66. The circlip foot 33 is partially embedded in a metal skeleton (such as copper alloy) to enhance rigidity. The spring plate 31 can be replaced with polyurethane elastomer. The overall weight can be reduced by 40%-50%, reducing the unsprung mass of the vehicle. The material has better corrosion resistance than metal, making it suitable for use in coastal or high salt spray environments, while also reducing costs.

[0052] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, an annular groove is formed on the hub 10, extending circumferentially and thickness-wise. A retaining ring 30 is disposed within the annular groove, and a first limiting structure 11 is located at the bottom of the groove. When the retaining ring 30 is connected to the hub 10, a second limiting structure 330 extends into the annular groove and engages with the first limiting structure 11. By providing the annular groove, which extends circumferentially to the hub 10, the retaining ring 30 is ensured to completely enclose the wheel bolt array during installation, forming a circumferential closed limit. The annular groove not only provides the installation position for the retaining ring 30 but also positions and stabilizes it, ensuring accurate alignment with the wheel bolts and a tight fit with the hub 10. Furthermore, the annular groove extends along the thickness-wise of the hub 10, ensuring sufficient depth to accommodate the main body of the retaining ring 30 without interfering with other structures of the hub 10, thus guaranteeing the axial stability of the retaining ring 30. The first limiting structure 11 is located at the bottom of the groove, allowing it to directly contact the retaining foot 33 of the retaining ring 30, forming a locking mechanism that prevents the retaining ring 30 from moving in the axial and circumferential directions, thus ensuring the stability of the retaining ring 30 after installation.

[0053] In this embodiment, when the retaining ring 30 is installed into the annular groove on the wheel hub 10, the second limiting structure 330 on its retaining foot 33 will extend into the annular groove and form a physical tight connection with the first limiting structure 11. This connection method ensures that the retaining ring 30 is firmly fixed on the wheel hub 10. At the same time, through the cooperation of the limiting groove and the limiting protrusion, the rotation range of the retaining ring 30 is limited, preventing unnecessary displacement or rotation during use and maintaining the limiting effect of the device.

[0054] According to another specific embodiment of this application, a vehicle is provided, which has a wheel that prevents nut torque decay. The wheel that prevents nut torque decay is the same as the wheel in the above embodiment. Applying the wheel that prevents nut torque decay to a vehicle ensures the safety and stability of the vehicle during driving. The wheel that prevents nut torque decay effectively prevents torque decay of the wheel nut through the synergistic action of the retaining ring 30 and the spring plate 31. Even under harsh driving conditions, it can maintain the connection strength of the wheel, so that the vehicle can maintain a stable connection of the wheel when driving for a long time or encountering complex road conditions, reducing the safety hazards caused by torque decay.

[0055] This application also provides a preferred embodiment of a wheel with anti-torque decay protection for the wheel nut. A mechanical limiting structure prevents the wheel nut from loosening counterclockwise. This system comprises a retaining ring 30 with a spring plate 31, an improved wheel bolt 20, and an adapted wheel hub 10, forming a three-in-one anti-torque decay system. Compared to relying on size adjustment or tightening processes, this solution achieves long-term anti-loosening through physical limiting and is easy to install and disassemble.

[0056] Specifically, the wheel includes a retaining ring 30, which includes a retaining ring body 32. The retaining ring body 32 is made of high-strength metal material, has a ring structure, and its inner diameter matches the array of bolts 20, while its outer diameter matches the annular groove on the aluminum wheel hub 10. The retaining ring 30 also includes five retaining feet 33, which are located inside the retaining ring body 32. Each retaining foot 33 is welded with one to three spring plates 31, which are fixed in direction. The shape of their ends matches the reverse retaining grooves 200 of the modified bolts 20. The number and distribution of the retaining feet 33 correspond one-to-one with the number of bolts 20, which can simultaneously restrict the rotation of multiple bolts 20. The limiting protrusions on the retaining ring body 32 and the limiting grooves on the wheel hub 10 cooperate to limit the rotation angle of the retaining ring 30. Five disassembly holes 320 are provided on the edge of the retaining ring body 32. The holes are circular or U-shaped, which facilitates the insertion of disassembly tools. Applying force perpendicular to the direction of the wheel hub 10 will pull out the retaining ring 30.

[0057] A ring-shaped reverse groove 200 is machined near the head of the bolt 20. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 200 is trapezoidal or rectangular, and its opening direction is opposite to the tightening direction of the nut (i.e., the counterclockwise direction is the limiting direction). The angle of the reverse groove 200 is set between 60° and 80°. The reverse groove 200 cooperates with the spring plate 31. When the retaining foot 33 is engaged between the bolt 20 and the retaining ring body 32, the retaining foot 33 interacts with the reverse groove 200 to further enhance the limiting effect on the bolt 20, prevent the bolt from rotating with the nut, and thus more effectively prevent torque attenuation.

[0058] An annular groove is machined at the connection between the hub 10 and the bolt 20. The annular groove adds a structure that matches the position of the retainer 33. That is, a groove or protrusion is set at the corresponding position of the hub 10, so that the retainer 33 can accurately and tightly match the hub 10, ensuring the installation stability of the retainer 30 on the hub 10 and improving the performance of preventing torque decay.

[0059] Its working principle is as follows:

[0060] During installation, after tightening the bolt 20 to the specified torque, insert the retaining shackle 30's retaining foot 33 into the gap between the bolt 20 and the hub 10, rotate the retaining shackle 30 counterclockwise, and the spring plate 31 hooks onto the limiting boss of the hub 10 and makes a sound. At this time, the retaining foot 33 is embedded in the reverse retaining groove 200 of the bolt 20. During the anti-loosening stage, when the bolt 20 loosens counterclockwise due to vibration, the retaining foot 33 abuts against the groove wall of the retaining groove 200 to prevent the bolt 20 from rotating. At the same time, the spring plate 31 continuously provides axial pressure, and the double limit prevents torque decay. During disassembly, use a hook or other disassembly tool to insert into the disassembly hole 320, apply force perpendicular to the surface of the hub 10 to pull out the retaining shackle 30, and the retaining foot 33 separates from the retaining groove 200.

[0061] In one embodiment of this application, the retaining ring body 32 is made of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy with a tensile strength ≥572MPa and a yield strength ≥503MPa, ensuring no deformation under 800N shear force. The spring plate 31 is made of 301 stainless steel (hardness HRC42-45), with an elastic modulus of 200GPa, a design preload of 5N, and a locking life ≥5000 cycles. The reverse retaining groove 200 of the bolt 20 is hardened (hardness HRC38-42), and the mating clearance between the retaining groove 200 and the retaining foot 33 is controlled at 0.1-0.2mm to ensure limiting accuracy.

[0062] In another embodiment of this application, after tightening the bolt 20 to a specified torque (120~180 N*m) on the wheel hub 10, the retaining ring 30 is inserted and rotated counterclockwise until it is engaged, producing a "click" sound. A vibration test is then performed, simulating vehicle driving conditions (vibration frequency 20-50 Hz, amplitude 5 mm) for 2 hours. After the test, the torque of the bolt 20 is measured, and the attenuation is less than 5%, while the torque attenuation in the control group without the retaining ring 30 reaches 20%. During disassembly, the retaining ring 30 is easily removed by hooking the disassembly hole 320 and applying a vertical force of approximately 50 N, without damage to the aluminum wheel or the surface of the retaining ring 30.

[0063] In one embodiment of this application, the retaining ring 30 is integrated with the hub cap. The inner side of the hub cap is provided with an annular groove and a mounting position for the retaining foot 33. In this case, the retaining ring 30 becomes a built-in power supply component of the hub cap. By combining the retaining ring 30 and the hub cap into one, the number of parts is reduced, the assembly complexity is reduced, the vehicle production time is shortened, and the compatibility is strong. It is suitable for different wheel specifications. Only the outer diameter of the hub cap and the spacing of the retaining foot 33 need to be adjusted. There is no need to change the bolt 20 and the structure. It can be quickly adapted to different models such as passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

[0064] As can be seen from the above description, the wheel with anti-nut torque decay in the above embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0065] 1) The 30 circlip has a simple structure and is easy to install. It does not require large-scale modifications to the existing wheel assembly process and has a low cost.

[0066] 2) The engagement of the retaining ring 30 with the bolt 20 and the wheel hub 10 can effectively prevent the bolt 20 from loosening, prevent torque attenuation, and greatly improve the stability of the wheel connection and driving safety.

[0067] 3) The design of the disassembly hole 320 allows the retaining ring 30 to be easily and quickly removed when it needs to be replaced or repaired, improving the convenience of maintenance.

[0068] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0069] In addition to the above, it should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "another embodiment," and "embodiment" used in this specification refer to specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment, which are included in at least one embodiment described in the general description of this application. The appearance of the same expression in multiple places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, the intention is to suggest that implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments also falls within the scope of this invention.

[0070] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0071] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wheel with anti-nut torque decay, characterized in that, include: Wheel hub (10); Bolts (20), there are multiple bolts (20), the bolts (20) are connected to the hub (10), the multiple bolts (20) are arranged at a distance along the circumference of the hub (10), and the outer circumferential surface of the bolts (20) has multiple slots (200). A retaining ring (30) is connected to the hub (10). The retaining ring (30) and the hub (10) are rotatable relative to each other. The retaining ring (30) includes a plurality of spring plates (31). The plurality of spring plates (31) are arranged at a distance along the circumference of the retaining ring (30). The inner side of the retaining ring (30) is connected to the outer circumferential surface of a plurality of bolts (20). The retaining ring (30) rotates to drive the spring plates (31) to move, so that the spring plates (31) have a snap-fit ​​state that extends into the retaining groove (200) and abuts against the groove wall of the retaining groove (200). When the spring sheet (31) is in the snap-fit ​​state, the groove wall of the snap groove (200) abuts against the spring sheet (31) to restrict the rotation of the snap ring (30).

2. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring sheet (31) is made of shape memory alloy material.

3. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The retaining ring (30) includes: Snap ring body (32); The locking foot (33) has one end connected to the retaining ring body (32) and the other end connected to the spring plate (31). There are multiple locking feet (33), and the multiple locking feet (33) are arranged at a distance along the circumference of the retaining ring body (32). The retaining foot (33) extends along the thickness direction of the hub (10), and when the retaining ring (30) is connected to the hub (10), at least a portion of the retaining foot (33) extends into the interior of the hub (10).

4. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 3, characterized in that, The spring sheet (31) is disposed on the inner side of the retaining foot (33), and at least a portion of the spring sheet (31) extends radially along the retaining ring (30), wherein the extending direction of the spring sheet (31) is disposed at an angle to the inner circumferential surface of the retaining foot (33).

5. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 4, characterized in that, The included angle between the spring sheet (31) and the inner circumferential surface of the locking foot (33) is α, and the inclination angle of the locking groove (200) is β, wherein α+β≤90°.

6. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The hub (10) is provided with a first limiting structure (11), and the foot (33) is provided with a second limiting structure (330) that cooperates with the first limiting structure (11). The hub (10) is connected to the retaining ring (30) through the first limiting structure (11) and the second limiting structure (330).

7. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first limiting structure (11) is a limiting groove, and the second limiting structure (330) is a limiting protrusion. When the retaining ring (30) is connected to the hub (10), at least part of the retaining foot (33) extends into the limiting groove. The circumferential length of the limiting groove is greater than the circumferential length of the retaining foot (33) so that the retaining foot (33) is rotatably set in the limiting groove.

8. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 6, characterized in that, The retaining ring body (32) is also provided with a plurality of disassembly holes (320). The plurality of disassembly holes (320) are provided at a distance along the circumference of the retaining ring body (32). The disassembly holes (320) are used to separate the wheel hub (10) from the retaining ring (30).

9. The wheel for preventing nut torque decay according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hub (10) has an annular groove extending along the circumference of the hub (10) and along the thickness direction of the hub (10). The retaining ring (30) is disposed in the annular groove, and the first limiting structure (11) is disposed at the bottom of the annular groove. When the retaining ring (30) is connected to the hub (10), the second limiting structure (330) extends into the annular groove and cooperates with the first limiting structure (11).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle has wheels that prevent nut torque decay, and the wheels that prevent nut torque decay are the same as those described in any one of claims 1-9.

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