Wheel

Abstract

The utility model discloses a wheel which comprises a spoke and a rim, the outer edge of the spoke is fixedly connected with the rim of the rim, the wheel further comprises a lateral reinforcing piece arranged on the inner side of the rim, a center connecting hole is formed in the center of the spoke, and the lateral reinforcing piece is arranged on the inner side of the rim. The first end of the lateral reinforcing piece is fixedly connected with the spoke to form a first connecting part, the first connecting part is located between the center connecting hole and the outer edge of the spoke, the second end of the lateral reinforcing piece is fixedly connected with the inner wall of the rim to form a second connecting part, and the second connecting part is located between the center connecting hole and the inner wall of the rim in the axis direction of the rim. And a space is formed between the second connecting part and the connecting part of the spoke and the rim. The wheel provided by the utility model has better lateral rigidity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to a wheel with better lateral strength. Background Technology

[0002] A wheel generally consists of a rim and spokes. The outer surface of the spoke edge is connected to the inner surface of the rim where the spokes are mounted, and the spokes and rim are welded together to form a whole.

[0003] In order to reduce the weight of existing wheels, the hub and spoke parts are often replaced with metals with lower density than steel, such as aluminum alloys. However, the hub and spoke structure of aluminum alloys is often unable to withstand the lateral torque of the axle when the wheel turns. If the hub thickness is increased to improve its torsional strength, it will lead to excessive material costs.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a wheel with low material cost and high lateral stiffness has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention aims to address one of the technical problems in related technologies to a certain extent. Therefore, this invention provides a wheel with better lateral stiffness.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a wheel, including spokes and a rim, wherein the outer edge of the spokes is fixedly connected to the rim flange of the rim, the wheel further includes a lateral reinforcement disposed on the inner side of the rim, a central connecting hole is formed in the center of the spokes, a first end of the lateral reinforcement is fixedly connected to the spokes to form a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion is located between the central connecting hole and the outer edge of the spokes, a second end of the lateral reinforcement is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the rim to form a second connecting portion, and a gap is formed between the second connecting portion and the connection part of the spokes and the rim along the axial direction of the rim.

[0007] In this technical solution, by adding lateral reinforcements to the wheel, a connecting support is provided between the spokes and the rim. This allows the spokes and lateral reinforcements to form a Y-shaped support structure for the rim. Compared to a regular wheel without lateral reinforcements, the lateral stiffness can be increased by 1.5 to 2.5 times, and the weight increase is significantly smaller than that of other wheels with increased lateral stiffness. Furthermore, the lateral reinforcements in this application are located inside the rim, requiring no major modifications and maintaining the original appearance of the wheel to meet customer styling requirements. This application can improve wheel lateral stiffness while minimizing weight increase, contributing to reduced overall vehicle weight and improved fuel efficiency and performance.

[0008] Furthermore, the lateral reinforcement is configured as a ring, with its first end circumferentially connected to the inner wall of the rim and its second end circumferentially connected to the spokes. Improving the reliability of the connection between the lateral reinforcement and the spokes and rim can further enhance lateral stiffness performance.

[0009] Furthermore, the lateral reinforcement includes a first connecting ring disposed at the first end, and the surface of the wheel spoke is formed with a flange protruding toward the inner side of the rim. The outer surface of the first connecting ring is attached to and welded to the outer surface of the flange.

[0010] Furthermore, the lateral reinforcement includes a second connecting ring disposed at the second end. The ends of the first and second connecting rings are connected, and the outer wall surface of the second connecting ring is fitted and welded to the inner wall surface of the rim. This surface contact at the connection point improves the support effect and enhances the reliability and stability of the connection.

[0011] Furthermore, the outer wall surface of the second connecting ring is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the rim. By setting a preload, the lateral stiffness performance can be further improved.

[0012] Furthermore, multiple air holes are formed on the spokes, circumferentially distributed around the axis of the spokes. The edges of the air holes form flanges, and the inner wall of the first connecting ring is fitted and connected to the outer wall of the flange. The lateral reinforcement is interconnected with the air hole structure of the spokes. By utilizing the flanges formed during the normal pressure production process of the spoke air holes to connect with the lateral reinforcement, there is no need to set additional connection points on the spokes, reducing the increase in wheel weight. Moreover, it can conceal the internal space of the wheel and improve the overall appearance of the wheel.

[0013] Furthermore, the side wall of the rim is provided with a through hole for accommodating the valve stem, and the lateral reinforcement is provided with a notch opposite to the through hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the wheel also includes two plugs, which are opposite each other and respectively disposed on both sides of the notch circumferentially. Each plug includes a filling part and a mating part. The filling part is disposed in the receiving cavity, and the shape of the filling part matches the inner contour of the receiving cavity. The mating part is disposed on one side of the filling part, and the inner side of the mating part extends out from the notch and engages with the side wall on the corresponding side of the notch circumferentially. A sealed receiving cavity is formed between the lateral reinforcement, the rim, the spokes, and the two plugs.

[0015] Furthermore, the wheel also includes sound-absorbing and noise-reducing material filled within the receiving cavity.

[0016] Furthermore, a rim bottom groove is formed on the rim, the bottom wall of the rim bottom groove is recessed towards the inside of the rim, the rim bottom groove is spaced from both ends of the rim, and the second end of the lateral reinforcement is connected to the portion of the bottom wall of the rim bottom groove that is recessed towards the inside of the rim.

[0017] Furthermore, a protrusion is formed at the first end of the lateral reinforcement, and a corresponding recess is formed on the surface of the spokes. The protrusion is inserted into the recess and connected to the inner wall of the recess. This improves the ease of positioning the lateral reinforcement and the reliability of the connection.

[0018] These features and advantages of this utility model will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments or means of this utility model will be shown in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but this is not intended to limit the technical solution of this utility model. In addition, each of these features, elements and components appearing in the following text and drawings is multiple and is labeled with different symbols or numbers for convenience, but all represent parts with the same or similar structure or function. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front sectional view of a wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 1 Enlarged view at point B in the middle;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a lateral reinforcement member according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the rim structure of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a front sectional view of the wheel rim and the lateral reinforcement in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the wheel spokes and lateral reinforcement in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 This utility model Figure 7 Enlarged view at point C;

[0028] Figure 9This is a structural diagram of the wheel spokes and lateral reinforcement in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 10 This is a top view of the wheel structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a top view of the wheel structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 12 This is a top view of the wheel structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 13 This is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 14 for Figure 13 Enlarged view of point D in the middle.

[0034] in,

[0035] 10. Wheel rim; 11. Annular inner boss; 12. Through hole;

[0036] 20. Spokes; 21. Vent; 22. Flanged edge; 23. Recess; 24. Center connecting hole;

[0037] 30. Lateral reinforcement; 31. First connecting ring; 311. Protrusion; 32. Second connecting ring; 33. Notch;

[0038] 40. Receiving cavity;

[0039] 50. Plug; 51. Filler part; 52. Fitting part. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described are intended to explain this utility model and should not be construed as limiting it.

[0041] The terms "an embodiment," "example," or "trademark" used in this specification refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment itself that may be included in at least one embodiment disclosed in this utility model. The phrase "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0042] See appendix Figures 1 to 14One embodiment of this utility model discloses a wheel, including spokes 20 and a rim 10. The outer edge of the spokes 20 is fixedly connected to the rim of the rim 10. The wheel also includes a lateral reinforcement 30 disposed on the inner side of the rim 10. A central connecting hole 24 is formed in the center of the spokes 20. The first end of the lateral reinforcement 30 is fixedly connected to the spokes 20 to form a first connecting portion. The first connecting portion is located between the central connecting hole 24 and the outer edge of the spokes 20. The second end of the lateral reinforcement 30 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the rim 10 to form a second connecting portion. Along the axial direction of the rim 10, the second connecting portion forms a gap with the connection part between the spokes 20 and the rim 10.

[0043] In this embodiment, the spokes 20 have a single-layer structure, which greatly optimizes the weight compared to some wheels with double-layer spokes 20.

[0044] In this embodiment, the center connecting hole 24 on the spoke 20 is used to mate with the hub for installation.

[0045] In this embodiment, to improve the lateral stiffness of the wheel, a lateral reinforcement 30 is provided on the wheel. The lateral reinforcement 30 is connected to the spokes 20 and the rim 10, respectively. The first connecting part is located between the central connecting hole 24 and the outer edge of the spokes 20, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 , 7 As shown in Figure 8, this can improve the lateral stiffness of the wheel while reducing the size of the lateral reinforcement 30.

[0046] In this embodiment, the connection between the spokes 20 and the rim 10 forms a gap in the radial direction with the first connection part and a gap in the axial direction with the second connection part. In this way, the three connection parts form a triangular structure, which can provide a more stable support effect and thus effectively improve the overall strength of the wheel, especially the lateral stiffness.

[0047] In this embodiment, the lateral stiffener 30 is generally designed as a thin-walled component, which facilitates production and reduces weight. Through the structural design of the thin-walled component itself, it can be subjected to lateral forces along the length and width directions, thereby maximizing lateral stiffness while maintaining optimal weight.

[0048] In this embodiment, the specific structure and quantity of the lateral reinforcement 30 are not specifically limited. The lateral reinforcement 30 can be set as multiple independent components (such as multiple independent sheet structures). When setting multiple independent components, they can be set in a circumferential direction. Each independent component is connected to the spoke 20 and the rim 10 in the manner described above to form an umbrella-shaped spoke structure. Of course, the lateral reinforcement 30 can also be set as a ring component, which has better integrity and strength.

[0049] This invention adds a lateral reinforcement 30 to the wheel, providing a connecting support between the spokes 20 and the rim 10. This allows the spokes 20 and the lateral reinforcement 30 to form a Y-shaped support structure for the rim 10. Through fatigue strength and lateral stiffness simulation analysis, the results show that with the addition of the lateral reinforcement 30, the wheel weight increases slightly compared to existing wheel structures, but fatigue performance requirements are met, and lateral stiffness is increased by 1.5 to 2.5 times. Furthermore, the lateral reinforcement 30 is located inside the rim 10, requiring no major modifications and maintaining the original wheel appearance to meet customer styling requirements. This invention improves lateral stiffness while minimizing weight increase, contributing to reduced overall vehicle weight and improved fuel efficiency and performance.

[0050] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first and second ends of the lateral reinforcement can each include multiple ends (with multiple forked structures), and the multiple ends are respectively connected to the corresponding spokes or rims. This can increase the connection strength by increasing the number of connection points, thereby improving the lateral stiffness.

[0051] As one embodiment of this utility model, as shown in the appendix Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the lateral reinforcement 30 is configured as an annular shape, with the first end of the lateral reinforcement 30 circumferentially connected to the inner wall of the rim 10, and the second end of the lateral reinforcement 30 circumferentially connected to the spoke 20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the lateral reinforcement 30 is an annular component. The annular component can be cylindrical, conical, or a combination of cylindrical and conical shapes. During assembly, the two ends of the annular lateral reinforcement 30 are connected to the rim 10 and the spokes 20 in the circumferential direction, respectively. The circumferential connection can improve the stability and reliability of the connection between the lateral reinforcement 30 and the rim 10 and spokes 20, and can also improve the overall strength, especially the lateral stiffness.

[0053] It is conceivable that the annular structure mentioned in this embodiment only represents the circumferential structure. In actual installation, in order to increase the strength of the lateral reinforcement itself, the shape of the axial section of the lateral reinforcement can also be limited, such as being set as L-shaped, S-shaped, Y-shaped, etc.

[0054] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 4 The lateral reinforcement 30 includes a first connecting ring 31 disposed at the first end, and the surface of the spoke 20 is formed with a flange 22 protruding toward the inner side of the rim 10. The outer surface of the first connecting ring 31 is attached to and welded to the outer surface of the flange 22.

[0055] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 4 The lateral reinforcement 30 includes a second connecting ring 32 disposed at the second end. The ends of the first connecting ring 31 and the second connecting ring 32 are connected together. The outer wall surface of the second connecting ring 32 is attached to and welded to the inner wall surface of the rim 10.

[0056] The lateral reinforcement 30 of this utility model includes a first connecting ring 31 and a second connecting ring 32. During assembly, the first connecting ring 31 and the flange 22 on the spoke 20 are in surface contact, and the second connecting ring 32 and the inner wall surface of the rim 10 are in surface contact. This increases the contact area between the lateral reinforcement 30 and the rim 10 and spoke 20, thereby improving the strength and reliability of the connection.

[0057] In this embodiment, the flange 22 on the spoke 20 can be set as a ring structure or as a multi-segment arc structure that is discontinuous in the circumferential direction around the axis of the spoke 20. During assembly, the flange 22 can be set on the inner side of the first connecting ring 31 or on the outer side of the first connecting ring 31, as long as the sidewalls of the two are in close contact with each other.

[0058] In one embodiment of this utility model, the outer wall surface of the second connecting ring 32 is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the rim 10.

[0059] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the second connecting ring 32 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the rim 10 at the mating part with the rim 10 during processing. During assembly, the lateral reinforcement 30 and the rim 10 can be fitted together by heat (heating the rim 10 to expand its inner diameter) or cold (cooling the lateral reinforcement 30 to reduce its outer diameter), so that the lateral reinforcement 30 is nested in the inner hole of the rim 10. After the temperature returns to normal, the lateral reinforcement 30 will generate a radially outward pre-pressure on the rim 10, which can counteract the lateral pressure from the outside during wheel use, thereby giving the wheel better lateral stiffness performance.

[0060] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 7 , 9 The spokes 20 have a plurality of air holes 21 circumferentially distributed around the axis of the spokes 20, and the edges of the air holes 21 form the flanges 22. The inner sidewall of the first connecting ring 31 is fitted and connected to the outer sidewall of the flanges 22.

[0061] In this embodiment, multiple air holes 21 are formed on the wheel spokes 20. The air holes 21 can reduce the material of the wheel spokes 20, thereby reducing the overall weight of the wheel and improving the acceleration, braking and handling performance of the vehicle. Secondly, the air holes 21 can facilitate air circulation, reduce the temperature of the braking system, and prevent overheating, especially when driving at high speed or braking frequently. Furthermore, a well-designed air hole 21 can reduce air resistance, improve vehicle stability and fuel efficiency. Finally, the design of the air holes 21 can enhance the visual appeal of the wheel, meet personalized needs, have an aesthetic effect, and help to evenly distribute the wheel mass, reducing vibration and imbalance during high-speed rotation.

[0062] Since the air holes 21 on the spokes 20 are generally formed by stamping during the manufacturing process, a flange 22 is inevitably formed at the edge of the air holes 21. The lateral reinforcement 30 in this utility model can cleverly cooperate with the flange 22 at the air holes 21. In use, the first connecting ring 31 of the lateral reinforcement 30 surrounds the outside of the air holes 21 and cooperates with the flange 22 on the outside of the air holes 21, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 8 As shown, this allows the spokes 20 to fit with the lateral reinforcement 30 by utilizing their own structure, eliminating the need for a special mating part on the spokes 20 to fit with the lateral reinforcement 30, thus making the production of the spokes 20 more convenient.

[0063] In addition, the lateral reinforcement 30 in this embodiment can also shield the space inside the wheel, improving the overall appearance of the wheel.

[0064] As one embodiment of this utility model, as shown in the appendix Figure 1 , 5 As shown, the side wall of the wheel rim 10 is provided with a through hole 12 for avoiding the valve stem, and the lateral reinforcement 30 is provided with a notch 33 opposite to the through hole 12.

[0065] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 13 , 14 The wheel also includes two plugs 50, which are opposite each other and respectively disposed on both sides of the notch circumferentially. Each plug 50 includes a filling part 51 and a mating part 52. The filling part 51 is disposed in the receiving cavity, and the shape of the filling part 51 matches the inner contour of the receiving cavity 40. The mating part 52 is disposed on one side of the filling part 51, and the inner side of the mating part 52 extends from the notch 33 and engages with the side wall of the notch 33 on the corresponding side circumferentially. A sealed receiving cavity 40 is formed between the lateral reinforcement 30, the rim 10, the spokes 20 and the two plugs 50.

[0066] In this embodiment, the filling part 51 of the plug 50 is inserted into the receiving cavity 40. The outer surface of the filling part 51 and the inner wall of the receiving cavity 40 form a mutual squeezing force, so that the plug 50 can be well fixed in the receiving cavity 40. The mating part 52 engages with the side wall of the notch 33, so that the plug 50 can be well fixed between the rim and the lateral reinforcement. The cavity is sealed at the opening of the notch 33, so that a closed receiving cavity 40 is formed on the wheel.

[0067] In practical design, sound-absorbing and noise-reducing materials can be filled into the cavity (40). This can absorb the noise generated during wheel rotation, thereby improving the NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) performance of the entire vehicle, including the wheels, and thus enhancing overall vehicle comfort and driving experience. Optionally, the sound-absorbing and noise-reducing material can be nylon and / or honeycomb material.

[0068] See appendix Figure 10 , 11 12. The position of the through hole on the rim in this utility model is not specifically limited. In actual installation, the through hole can be set at a position corresponding to the air hole, or it can be set between two air holes. The shape of the air hole in this utility model is not specifically limited.

[0069] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 5 A rim bottom groove 11 is formed on the rim 10. The bottom wall of the rim bottom groove 11 is recessed towards the inside of the rim 10. The rim bottom groove 11 is spaced from both ends of the rim 10. The second end of the lateral reinforcement 30 is connected to the recessed part of the bottom wall of the rim bottom groove 11 towards the inside of the rim 10.

[0070] In this embodiment, a rim bottom groove 11 is formed on the rim 10, which creates a concave-convex structure on the side wall of the rim 10, thereby improving the structural strength of the rim 10 itself through its shape construction. During production and assembly, the lateral reinforcement 30 is welded to the inner side of the bottom wall of the rim bottom groove 11. The inwardly recessed structure of the bottom wall of the rim bottom groove 11 allows it to protrude from other parts of the inner wall of the rim, facilitating welding with the lateral reinforcement 30 and making it easier for workers to operate in a smaller space (within the inner hole of the rim 10).

[0071] To further improve the ease and stability of installation of the lateral reinforcement 30, in one embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion 311 is formed at the first end of the lateral reinforcement 30, and a recess 23 corresponding to the protrusion 311 is formed on the surface of the spoke 20. The protrusion 311 is inserted into the recess 23 and connected to the inner wall of the recess 23.

[0072] In this embodiment, the end face profile of the first end forms a curved structure as shown in the figure. The cooperation between the recess 23 and the protrusion 311 on the spoke 20 can better position the lateral reinforcement 30 in the circumferential direction of the spoke 20. Moreover, the curved structure can increase the connection length with the spoke 20, thereby improving the connection strength and lateral stiffness.

[0073] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model includes, but is not limited to, the contents described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of this utility model will be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A wheel, comprising spokes (20) and a rim (10), wherein the outer edge of the spokes (20) is fixedly connected to the rim of the rim (10), characterized in that, The wheel also includes a lateral reinforcement (30) disposed inside the rim (10). A central connecting hole (24) is formed in the center of the spoke (20). The first end of the lateral reinforcement (30) is fixedly connected to the spoke (20) to form a first connecting part. The first connecting part is located between the central connecting hole (24) and the outer edge of the spoke (20). The second end of the lateral reinforcement (30) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the rim (10) to form a second connecting part. Along the axial direction of the rim (10), the second connecting part forms a gap with the connection part between the spoke (20) and the rim (10).

2. The wheel as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lateral reinforcement (30) is configured as an annular shape. The first end of the lateral reinforcement (30) is circumferentially connected to the inner wall of the rim (10), and the second end of the lateral reinforcement (30) is circumferentially connected to the spoke (20).

3. The wheel as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The lateral reinforcement (30) includes a first connecting ring (31) disposed at the first end, and the surface of the spoke (20) is formed with a flange (22) protruding toward the inside of the rim (10). The outer surface of the first connecting ring (31) is attached to and welded to the outer surface of the flange.

4. The wheel as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The lateral reinforcement (30) includes a second connecting ring (32) disposed at the second end. The ends of the first connecting ring (31) and the second connecting ring (32) are connected. The outer wall surface of the second connecting ring (32) is attached to and welded to the inner wall surface of the rim (10).

5. The wheel as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The outer wall surface of the second connecting ring (32) is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the rim (10).

6. The wheel as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The spokes (20) have a plurality of circumferentially distributed air holes (21) formed on them. The edges of the air holes (21) form the flanges (22). The inner wall of the first connecting ring (31) is attached to the outer wall of the flanges (22).

7. The wheel as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The side wall of the rim (10) is provided with a through hole (12) for accommodating the valve stem, and the lateral reinforcement (30) is provided with a notch (33) opposite to the through hole (12).

8. The wheel as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The wheel also includes two plugs (50), which are opposite each other and respectively disposed on both sides of the notch (33) in the circumferential direction. Each plug (50) includes a filling part (51) and a fitting part (52). The filling part (51) is disposed in the receiving cavity (40), and the shape of the filling part (51) matches the inner contour of the receiving cavity (40). The fitting part (52) is disposed on one side of the filling part (51), and the inner side of the fitting part (52) extends out from the notch (33) and engages with the side wall of the notch (33) on the corresponding side in the circumferential direction. A sealed receiving cavity (40) is formed between the lateral reinforcement (30), the rim (10), the spokes (20), and the two plugs (50).

9. The wheel as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The wheel also includes sound-absorbing and noise-reducing material filled in the receiving cavity (40).

10. The wheel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, A rim groove (11) is formed on the rim (10). The bottom wall of the rim groove (11) is recessed towards the inside of the rim (10). The rim groove (11) is spaced from both ends of the rim (10). The second end of the lateral reinforcement (30) is connected to the recessed part of the bottom wall of the rim groove (11) towards the inside of the rim (10).

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