Vehicle wheel, in particular for commercial vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle wheel having a metallic rim part 1 with an inner and outer rim flanges 3, 8 and rim shoulders (4, 6 and a rim well base 5 therebetween, and having a metallic wheel disc part 2 with a hub connection flange 11 and a transition region 13 runing obliquely to the wheel axle, which form a front side of the wheel. In order to obtain a wheel in particular for commercial vehicles, being easy to manufacture and producing reduced air turbulence in use, either the outer rim flange 8 is integrally provided with a radially inwardly projecting projection 15 running obliquely to the wheel axle, forming a concentrically circumferential air guide ring, and / or an axially raised annular web 20 with a radially inner inside 21 and an outer outside 22 is arranged on the hub connection flange, offset radially outwards to the bolt circle with the bolt holes 12.

Description

[0001] Vehicle wheel , in particular for commercial vehicles

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle wheel , in particular for commercial vehicles , having a metallic rim part with an inner rim flange and an outer rim flange , an inner rim shoulder and an outer rim shoulder and a rim well base between the rim shoulders , and having a metallic wheel disc part , which has a hub connection flange aligned orthogonally to a wheel axle with a centre hole and several bolt holes arranged on a bolt circle around the wheel axle and a transition region preferably provided with ventilation holes and adj oining the hub connection flange radially outwards , wherein the hub connection flange , the transition region and the outer rim flange form a front side of the wheel , and the transition region runs obliquely to the wheel axle .

[0003] Vehicle wheels of metal for vehicles have been used for decades . In principle , it is known to manufacture the vehicle wheels in several parts from individual sheet metal blanks , or , if necessary, to cast or forge them in one piece . Vehicle wheels must fundamentally be designed to be able to absorb the loads of the vehicles for which they are designed in any operating condition . At the same time , the demands placed on vehicle wheels in terms of styling and weight are increasing , wherein the aim is for the vehicle wheels to help reduce the energy consumption required to operate the vehicle .

[0004] In the area of commercial vehicles , for example , it has already been proposed in DE 202018105357 U1 to provide recesses in the hub connection flange to reduce weight , which are then however covered by a disc so that the recesses are not visible . At the same time , it is proposed for a commercial vehicle wheel to attach additional elements of plastics to the commercial vehicle wheel , such as a locking ring that covers the wheel bolts , and a disc ring on the back of the wheel in order to improve the aerodynamics of the commercial vehicle wheel and thereby reduce the energy consumption during driving . The locking ring covering the wheel bolts protects them against environmental influences such as snow, rain, stone chips , etc . at the same time , whereby the life span is extended compared to unprotected wheel bolts .

[0005] DE 10 2017 221 009 Al also deals with improving the aerodynamics of vehicles or vehicle wheels , but on passenger car vehicle wheels . In order to reduce air turbulence , it is proposed that an air guide panel that is stationary and does not rotate during driving is arranged on the inside of the wheel .

[0006] It is the obj ect of the invention to create a vehicle wheel , in particular for commercial vehicles , which produces reduced air turbulence in the drive mode , is easy to manufacture and enables individual styling .

[0007] This obj ect is solved with the invention according to a first aspect in that the outer rim flange is provided with a radially inwardly protruding proj ection running obliquely to the wheel axle and formed integrally on the rim flange , which proj ection is intended and serving to form a concentrically circumferential air guide ring . This air guide ring extends radially inwards from the rim flange towards the hub connection flange , whereby air turbulence , in particular also caused by the tyre , is directed over the recess at the front of the wheel , which is recessed relative to the outside of the wheel , in order to improve aerodynamics . According to a second aspect , which may additionally or alternatively be formed on the vehicle wheel , it is proposed for solving the aforementioned obj ect , that an axially raised annular web with a radially inner inside and a radially outer outside is arranged on the hub connection flange , which we is positioned offset radially outwards to the bolt circle with the bolt holes , wherein the outside merges ( transitions ) into the transition area, preferably in a flush manner . This annular web can mainly provide two effects , on the one hand, the annular web can improve the aerodynamics , as the air flow in the area of the wheel bolts is also guided in a directed manner , and at the same time it offers additional protection for the wheel bolts against environmental influences , including mechanical damage , for example due to foreign bodies being thrown up . In the variant with a proj ection forming the air guide ring it is particularly advantageous if it has an upper side and a bottom side , wherein the upper side has a radial length and extends over at least 75% of the radial length in a straight line or in an arcuate curve , and preferably extends in a straight line or in an arcuate curve over at least 90% of the radial length .

[0008] In the variant with a proj ection forming the air guide ring, the proj ection forming the air guide ring can have an upper side and a bottom side according to an embodiment variant , wherein the bottom side runs in parallel to the upper side of the transition region or preferably runs at a curvature or an angle in such a way that the distance between the proj ection and the transition region enlarges towards a free proj ection end of the proj ection .

[0009] In both variants , the thickness of the proj ection between the upper side and the bottom side can decrease towards a free proj ection end of the proj ection, preferably decrease continuously .

[0010] The proj ection forming the air guide ring can in particular have a length that is greater than 10 percent of the longitudinal extent of the transition region, and / or the proj ection can have a length that is dimensioned in such a manner that the proj ection with its free proj ection end protrudes further radially inwards than at least 30% of the hole area of ventilation holes formed in the transition region, preferably proj ects further radially inwards than at least 50% to 90% of the hole area of the ventilation holes , or in particular preferably proj ects further radially inwards than the complete hole area of the ventilation holes . The proj ection forming the air guide ring can in particular have a length of at least 10 mm, and / or the proj ection can have an upper side that is at least partially coloured or printed .

[0011] In a vehicle wheel with an annular web according to the invention, this preferably protrudes beyond the hub end flange by a length of more than 10 mm, in particular more than 15 mm, wherein the length measure is preferably equal to or greater than a head length or screw length of the wheel bolts provided for the fastening of the wheel .

[0012] In all of the aforementioned variants , the vehicle wheel can in particular be made as a one-piece forged part or cast part made of light metal , particularly preferably as a forged part , and / or the proj ection forming the air guide ring and the annular web optionally respectively form an integral part of the vehicle wheel . Alternatively, the annular web can consist of a separate component connected detachably or non-detachably to the vehicle wheel , wherein at least one fastening element for the annular web is preferably formed on the hub connection flange , wherein the annular web preferably has a positioning means and / or retaining means interacting in a form-fitting manner with the fastening means .

[0013] In particular in the variant with an annular web , an annular disc can be detachably arranged between the rim flange , possibly even without a proj ection being formed there , and the annular web , wherein the annular disc is supported on the rim flange and on the annular web and covers the transition area ; alternatively, the proj ection could be formed on the outer rim flange and the annular disk is supported on the one hand on the proj ection and on the other hand on the annular web and covers the transition area . For the fastening of the annular disc, it is particularly advantageous if the annular web and the rim flange or the proj ection are respectively provided with a recess , preferably a groove-shaped recess as an abutment for the annular disc .

[0014] According to a further alternative design, the vehicle wheel could be composed of a rim part and a separately manufactured disc part , wherein the disc part is formed as a cast part or a forged part , preferably made of light metal , and has the rim flange with the proj ection as an integral component , and / or wherein the disc part also has the annular web as an integral component .

[0015] Further advantages and designs of a vehicle wheel according to the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing in an exemplary manner . In the drawing are shown :

[0016] Fig. 1 schematically a perspective view of a vehicle wheel according to the invention with an air guide ring on the rim flange and an annular web on the wheel disc flange according to a first embodiment variant ;

[0017] Fig. 2 a sectional view of the vehicle wheel from figure 1 ;

[0018] Fig . 3 a side view of the upper half of the vehicle wheel from figure 1 ;

[0019] Fig . 4 a sectional view similar to figure 2 with a wheel bolt inserted into one of the bolt holes ;

[0020] Fig . 5 schematically a perspective view and an exploded view of a vehicle wheel according to the invention with an air guide ring on the rim flange and an annular web on the wheel disc flange according to a second embodiment variant ;

[0021] Fig . 6A a sectional detailed view of the vehicle wheel from figure

[0022] 5 with the annular web mounted;

[0023] Fig . 6B a sectional detailed view of the vehicle wheel from figure

[0024] 5 with the annular web dismantled;

[0025] Fig . 7A schematically a sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to the invention with an annular web on the wheel disc flange and an annular disc inserted between the rim flange and the annular web;

[0026] Fig . 7B the view from figure 7A with the annular disc dismantled in an exploded view;

[0027] Fig . 8 schematically a perspective view of a vehicle wheel according to the invention with an air guide ring on the rim flange according to a fourth embodiment variant ; and Fig. 9 the vehicle wheel from fig . 8 in side view, partially cut open .

[0028] In figures 1 to 3 , reference numeral 10 designates a vehicle wheel according to the invention according to a first embodiment variant . It is a vehicle wheel 10 for commercial vehicles made in one piece as a forged part made of light metal , such as aluminium, which has , in a manner known per se , a rim part 1 and a disc part 2 , which are made in one piece here and are integrally connected to one another to that extent . The rim part 1 serves to support a wheel tyre , not shown, and has an inner rim flange 3 , an inner rim shoulder 4 , a rim well base 5 , an outer rim shoulder 6 , a safety element 7 such as a hump or ledge between the outer rim shoulder 6 and the rim well 5 as well an outer rim flange 8 for this . In the assembled state , a tyre , not shown, lies against the rim shoulders 4 , 6 with a tyre bead, which at the same time presses outwards against the adj acent rim flange 3 or 8 and is held in position thereby . The rim part 1 is designed to be rotationally symmetrical to a wheel axle . The disc part 2 in turn has a hub connection flange 11 which is aligned perpendicular to the wheel axle and has a total of ten bolt holes 12 for bolt fastening screws , a centre hole 9 for a vehicle hub and a transition area 13 which runs obliquely from the hub connection flange 11 to the wheel axle and widens radially outwards , which in the exemplary embodiment shown is provided with a total of ten triangular ventilation holes 14 . This is generally known to those s killed in the art , which is why it will not be discussed here in more detail .

[0029] Unlike a composite vehicle wheel with a rim part made from sheet metal and a disc part made separately from sheet metal , in the vehicle wheel 10 according to the invention, which is preferably forged from light metal , the disc part 2 is designed with larger wall thicknesses , in particular in the transition area 13 , and due to the one-piece design, the transition area transitions here directly into the outer rim shoulder 6 . A special feature of the vehicle wheel 10 according to the invention consists in a proj ection 15 which extends the outer rim flange 8 , which is integrally formed on the outer rim flange 8 and, starting from the radially outermost elevation of the rim flange 8 , extends radially inwards at an angle to the wheel axle . This proj ection forms an outer air guide ring integrated into the vehicle wheel 10 , which ring has an upper side 16 and a bottom side 17 , with essentially only the upper side 16 on the front of the wheel ( or the outside of the wheel ) being visible when viewed on a vehicle wheel 10 mounted on a vehicle . The upper side 16 of the proj ection 15 forming the air guide ring has a sufficient length of at least 10 mm and forms not only an aerodynamic element , but at the same time a printable surface , or which can be coloured, through which an individual styling for the vehicle wheel 10 can be realized .

[0030] The sectional view from figure 2 already shows that the proj ection 15 tapers towards a front , free proj ection end 18 , because the distance between the upper side 16 and the bottom side 17 preferably decreases continuously . In particular , the upper side 16 can be formed flat or slightly curved in order to increase the aerodynamic guide effect of the air guide ring . The proj ection 15 can have different lengths depending on the wheel size . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the length of the proj ection 15 is selected such that the free proj ection end 18 , viewed in the axial direction, protrudes so far that it covers or proj ects beyond more than 90% of the hole area of the ventilation holes 14 . An imaginary cutting plane perpendicular to the wheel axle along the position of the free proj ection end 18 therefore cuts ventilation holes almost at the axially furthest end of the ventilation holes . The contour of the ventilation holes or the length of the proj ection can also be designed differently, in particular in such a way that the proj ection 15 and to this extent also the air guide ring formed with it protrude axially beyond the hole surface of the ventilation holes . This then possibly has an additional influence on the air flow because turbulence between the bottom side 17 of the proj ection 15 forming the air guide ring and the hole surfaces of the ventilation holes are directed radially inwards .

[0031] A second special feature of the vehicle wheel 10 according to the invention consists in an annular web 20 , which is formed concentrically around the wheel axle or the bolt circle on which the respective bolt holes 12 are arranged and is located radially further out than the bolt circle with the bolt holes 12 . The annular web 20 rises above the hub connection flange 11 , and the annular web 20 has a radially inner inside 21 and a radially outer outside 22 . The inside 21 faces the bolt holes 12 and runs essentially axially parallel . The outside 22 , on the other hand, runs obliquely to the wheel axle , wherein it preferably transitions into the transition area 13 in a flush manner, whereby an air guide effect to improve aerodynamics can also be achieved there . In the exemplary embodiment according to figures 1 to 3 , the annular web 20 forms an integral component of the vehicle wheel 10 or on the wheel disc part 2 .

[0032] Figure 4 shows the vehicle wheel from figures 1 to 3 together with a wheel bolt 30 with a fastening nut 31 inserted into one of the bolt holes 12 . The view clearly shows that , in the assembled state , the elevation of the annular web 20 over the hub connection flange 11 takes place at a height so that the entire wheel bolt 30 including the fastening nut 31 are laterally and axially proj ected over from the inside 21 of the annular web 20 . Figures 2 and 4 again clearly show that the outside 22 of the annular web 20 transitions into the transition region 13 in a flush manner, but in the radially outer end region of the outside 22 it runs at a different , here flatter, slanting angle to the wheel axle than the transition region 13 .

[0033] Figures 5 , 6A, 6B show a second exemplary embodiment of a vehicle wheel 110 for commercial vehicles . As in the previous embodiment , the vehicle wheel 110 is preferably manufactured as a forged part , and the outer rim flange 108 is provided with an integrally formed proj ection 115 which forms an outer air guide ring to improve aerodynamics and airflow . The vehicle wheel 110 is also , as in the previous exemplary embodiment , provided with an annular web 120 , which is positioned on the vehicle wheel 110 in such a way that it protrudes radially outside the bolt holes 112 over the hub connection flange 111 and accordingly not only offers a protective function for the wheel bolts and wheel nuts , but can also develop an air guide effect . The inside 121 of the air guide ring 120 runs essentially axially parallel , while the outside 122 runs obliquely to the wheel axle . However , the annular web 120 is designed as a separate component here , which can be manufactured separately from the vehicle wheel 110 and is only then connected to the vehicle wheel 110 . The annular web 120 can be detachable or can be mounted firmly and permanently on the vehicle wheel 110 . For an improved positioning of the annular web 120 and high resistance , in the exemplary embodiment shown, a concentrically circumferential fastening element 125 is formed on the front side of the hub connection flange 111 , which element cooperates with a positioning and retaining element 126 , which is formed here of a suitably shaped recess at the transition of the inside 121 in a ring bottom side 123 is formed . In this exemplary embodiment , the annular web 120 could consist of a different material than the vehicle wheel 110 , in particular a non-metallic material such as a plastic or fibre-reinforced composite , which can result in significant savings of weight . The connection between the fastening element 125 and the retaining element 126 can optionally also consist of a locking connection in which the two elements 125 , 126 shown are locked together .

[0034] Figures 7A and 7B show a further embodiment variant on a vehicle wheel 210 with an annular web 220 , which, as in the previous exemplary embodiment , proj ects axially forward beyond the hub connection flange 211 outside the bolt holes 212 . Unlike the two previous exemplary embodiments , the outer rim flange 208 is not provided with a proj ection here , but rather it actually forms ( only) an abutment for an annular disc 250 , which is provided to cover the transition area 213 , which may be provided with ventilation holes , on the wheel disc part 202 of the vehicle wheel 210 . The annular disc 250 can in turn be manufactured separately and can consist of different materials than the vehicle wheel 210 . The detachable fastening of the annular disc 250 takes place by means of a locking connection, for which a first groove-shaped recess 227 is formed on the outside of the rim flange 208 on the one hand, and further a second groove-shaped recess 228 is formed on the outside 222 of the annular web 220 , into which recess the annular disc 250 can respectively be detachably locked into place with their disc edges .

[0035] In figures 8 and 9 , reference numeral 310 designates a vehicle wheel according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment variant . It is a vehicle wheel 310 for commercial vehicles made in one piece as a forged part made of light metal , such as aluminium, which has , in a manner known per se , a rim part 301 and a disc part 302 , which are made in one piece here , therefore form integral components of the vehicle wheel 310 . The rim part 301 serves to support a tyre , not shown, and has an inner rim flange 303 , an inner rim shoulder 304 , a rim well base 305 , an outer rim shoulder 306 , a safety element 307 such as a hump or ledge between the outer rim shoulder 306 and the rim well 305 as well an outer rim flange 308 for this . In the assembled state , a tyre , not shown, lies against the rim shoulders 304 , 306 with a tyre bead, which at the same time presses outwards against the adj acent rim flange 303 or 308 and is held in position thereby . The rim part 301 is designed to be rotationally symmetrical to a wheel axle . The disc part 302 in turn has a hub connection flange 311 which runs perpendicular to the wheel axle and has a total of ten bolt holes 312 for bolt fastening screws , a centre hole 309 for a vehicle hub and a transition area 313 which runs obliquely from the hub connection flange 311 to the wheel axle and widens radially outwards , which in the exemplary embodiment shown is provided with a total of ten triangular ventilation holes 314 . This is generally known to those s killed in the art , which is why it will also not be discussed here in more detail . Unlike a composite vehicle wheel with a rim part made from sheet metal and a disc part made separately from sheet metal , in the vehicle wheel 310 according to the invention, which is preferably forged from light metal , the disc part 302 is designed with larger wall thicknesses , in particular in the transition area 313 , and due to the one-piece design, the transition area transitions here directly into the outer rim shoulder 306 .

[0036] The special feature according to the invention of the vehicle wheel 310 consists in a proj ection 315 extending the outer rim flange 308 , which proj ection is integrally formed on the outer rim flange 308 and, starting from the radially outermost elevation of the rim flange 308 , extends radially inwards at an angle to the wheel axle . This proj ection forms an outer air guide ring integrated into the vehicle wheel 310 , which ring has an upper side 316 and a bottom side 317 , with essentially only the upper side 316 being visible on the front of the wheel when viewed on a mounted vehicle wheel 310 . The upper side 316 of the proj ection 315 forming the air guide ring has a sufficient length of at least 10 mm and forms not only an aerodynamic element , but at the same time a printable surface , or which can be coloured, through which an individual styling for the vehicle wheel 310 can be realized .

[0037] The partial sectional view from figure 9 already shows that the proj ection 315 tapers towards a front , free proj ection end 318 , because the distance between the upper side 316 and the bottom side 317 preferably decreases continuously . In particular, the upper side 316 can be formed flat or slightly curved in order to increase the aerodynamic guide effect of the air guide ring . The proj ection 315 can have different lengths depending on the wheel size . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the length of the proj ection 315 is selected such that the proj ection end 318 , viewed in the axial direction, protrudes so far that it covers or proj ects beyond more than 90% of the hole area of the ventilation holes 314 . An imaginary cutting plane perpendicular to the wheel axle along the position of the free proj ection end 318 therefore cuts ventilation holes almost at the axially outermost end of the ventilation holes . The contour of the ventilation holes or the length of the proj ection can also be designed differently, in particular in such a way that the proj ection 315 and to this extent also the air guide ring formed with it protrude axially beyond the hole surface of the ventilation holes . This has an additional influence on the air flow because turbulence between the bottom side 317 of the proj ection 315 forming the air guide ring and the hole surfaces of the ventilation holes 314 are directed radially inwards .

[0038] The description of the invention was made with reference to vehicle wheels made of light metal , which are manufactured in one piece .

[0039] The vehicle wheels can also consist of material combinations . The length of the proj ection and thus the radial extent of the air guide ring can vary . The presence of a annular web as a protective element for the wheel bolts is only one variant .

Claims

C l a i m s: A vehicle wheel, in particular for commercial vehicles, having a metallic rim part (1; 301) with an inner rim flange (3; 303) and an outer rim flange (8; 38) , an inner rim shoulder (4; 304) and an outer rim shoulder (6; 306) and a rim well base (5; 305) between the rim shoulders, and having a metallic wheel disc part (2; 302) , which has a hub connection flange (11; 311) aligned orthogonally to a wheel axle with a centre hole (9; 309) and several bolt holes (12; 312) arranged on a bolt circle around the wheel axle and a transition region (13; 313) preferably provided with ventilation holes and adjoining the hub connection flange radially outwards, wherein the hub connection flange, the transition region and the outer rim flange form a front side of the wheel, and the transition region (3; 313) runs obliquely to the wheel axle, characterized in that the outer rim flange (8; 308) is provided with a radially inwardly protruding projection (15; 315) running obliquely to the wheel axle and formed integrally on the rim flange, forming a concentrically circumferential air guide ring, and / or that an axially raised annular web (20) with a radially inner inside (21) and a radially outer outside (22) is arranged on the hub connection flange, offset radially outwards to the bolt circle with the bolt holes (12) , wherein the outside merges into the transition area (13) , preferably in a flush manner. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (15; 315) forming the air guide ring has an upper side (16; 316) and a bottom side (17; 317) , wherein the upper side has a radial length and extends over at least 75% of the radial length in a straight line or in an arcuate curve, and preferably extends in a straight line or in an arcuate curve over at least 90% of the radial length. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projection forming the air guide ring has an upperside and a bottom side , wherein the bottom side runs in parallel to the upper side of the transition region or preferably runs at a curvature or an angle in such a way that the distance between the proj ection and the transition region enlarges towards a free proj ection end of the proj ection . The vehicle wheel according to claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the thickness of the proj ection between the upper side and the bottom side decreases towards a free proj ection end of the proj ection, preferably decreases continuously . The vehicle wheel according to one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the proj ection ( 15 ; 315 ) has a length that is greater than 10 % of the longitudinal extent of the transition region, and / or that the proj ection has a length and with a free proj ection end of the proj ection proj ects further radially inwards than at least 30% of the hole area of ventilation holes formed in the transition region, preferably proj ects further radially inwards than at least 50% to 90% of the hole area of the ventilation holes , or in particular preferably proj ects further radially inwards than the complete hole area of the ventilation holes . The vehicle wheel according to one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the proj ection ( 15 ; 315 ) has a length of at least 10 mm, and / or that the proj ection has an upper side which is at least partially coloured or printed . The vehicle wheel according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the annular web ( 20 ) protrudes beyond the hub end flange by a length of more than 10 mm, in particular more than 15 mm, wherein the length measure is preferably equal to or greater than a head length or screw length of the wheel bolts provided for the fastening of the wheel . The vehicle wheel according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the vehicle wheel is manufactured as aone-piece forging or casting made of light metal, and / or that the projection forming the air guide ring and the annular web (20) form an integral component of the vehicle wheel. The vehicle wheel according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the annular web (20) consists of a separate component connected detachably or non-detachably to the vehicle wheel, wherein at least one fastening element (125) for the annular web is preferably formed on the hub connection flange, wherein the annular web preferably has a positioning means and / or retaining means (126) interacting in a formfitting manner with the fastening means. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that an annular disc (250) is detachably arranged between the rim flange (208) and the annular web (220) , wherein the annular disc is supported on the rim flange and on the annular web and covers the transition region, or wherein the annular disc is supported on the projection and on the annular web and covers the transition region. The vehicle wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that the annular web and the rim flange or the projection are respectively provided with a recess, preferably a groove-shaped recess (127; 128) as an abutment for the annular disc. The vehicle wheel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle wheel is composed of a rim part and a disc part, wherein the disc part is formed as a cast part or forged part, preferably made of light metal and has the rim flange with the projection as an integral component .

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