reinforced vehicle wheel
The reinforced vehicle wheel design addresses the issue of deformation and reduced strength by incorporating a flange that increases stiffness without adding weight, maintaining vehicle maneuverability and enhancing aesthetics.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022010165
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-10-04
AI Technical Summary
Vehicle wheels experience deformation and reduced mechanical strength over time due to high stresses during rolling, and increasing their thickness to remedy this issue leads to increased vehicle weight and reduced maneuverability.
A reinforced vehicle wheel design featuring a rim with a peripheral groove and a circular flange that is pressed laterally against the rim, with the flange's second side wall inserted into the rim's first side wall, significantly increasing the wheel's stiffness without adding weight or compromising maneuverability.
The reinforced wheel design enhances stiffness and mechanical strength, allowing it to better absorb forces during rolling while maintaining constant vehicle weight and maneuverability, and also offers aesthetic improvements with a visible flange that can feature patterns.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Reinforced vehicle wheel
[0001] The present invention relates to a reinforced vehicle wheel.
[0002] In the present application, the terms “wheel” and “vehicle wheel” are equivalent.
[0003] The wheels of a vehicle during the rolling phase are subjected to high stresses, which can deform them or even reduce their mechanical strength over time. To remedy this problem, it may be considered to increase the thickness of the structure of these wheels, but a disadvantage of this solution is that the wheels thus modified will greatly increase the weight of the vehicle and risk reducing the maneuverability of said vehicle.
[0004] A wheel of a vehicle according to the invention is reinforced, while allowing the vehicle to remain of a substantially constant weight and to retain good maneuverability.
[0005] The subject of the invention is a vehicle wheel comprising a rim having a peripheral groove intended to receive a tire, a central zone and an intermediate zone connecting said central zone to said peripheral groove, and a circular flange intended to be pressed laterally against said rim and then to be fixed thereto, the central zone of the rim comprising a first cavity delimited by a first lateral wall projecting from one face of said central zone. With respect to a plane in which the flange would be inscribed,
[0006] According to the invention, the circular flange comprises a central zone surrounded by an extension zone and comprising a second cavity delimited by a second side wall projecting from one face of said central zone, the flange being pressed against the rim so that the second side wall is inserted into the first side wall without introducing any play.
[0007] With respect to a plane in which the face of the flange on which the second side wall originates would be inscribed, said second wall extends in a direction which is perpendicular to this plane. Similarly, with respect to a plane in which the face of the rim on which the first side wall originates would be inscribed, said first wall extends in a direction which is perpendicular to this plane. In this way, when the flange is pressed against the rim to form a wheel according to the invention, the second side wall of the flange has penetrated into the first side wall of the rim, thus significantly increasing the stiffness of said resulting wheel. The presence of the first wall and of the second wall which is inserted into said first wall, makes it possible to stiffen the wheel in particular to prevent it from deforming during a rolling phase. It can thus better absorb the forces applying to it, during a rolling phase of the vehicle. Compared to the positioning of the flange with respect to the rim, the flange is visible from outside the vehicle. Preferably, the dimensions of the flange are less than or equal to the dimensions of the rim, so that once pressed against said rim and then fixed to it, the flange does not protrude from it. By being pressed against the rim to form the wheel, the flange, which is preferably of small thickness, hardly widens said resulting wheel. The depth of the first cavity and the second cavity, which are their dimensions considered along an axis perpendicular to the respective faces of the rim and the flange on which they originate, is preferably greater than 5 cm, and even more advantageously greater than 10 cm.The term "without introducing play" means that the flange, once mounted in the rim, cannot move or vibrate when the vehicle is in a rolling phase. Once the flange has been pressed against the rim, it is then fixed to it by any structural fixing means, allowing perfect solidarity between the two surfaces in contact. Preferably, this fixing is carried out by gluing and by fitting inserts followed by screwing.
[0008] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the dimensions of the second side wall are smaller than those of the first side wall. In this way, the second side wall of the flange is inserted into the first side wall of the rim without having to produce a particular force, thus avoiding putting the resulting wheel under mechanical stress.
[0009] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the first side wall is cylindrical in shape and extends perpendicular to the face of the central zone of the rim on which it originates, and the second side wall is cylindrical in shape and extends perpendicular to the face of the central zone of the flange on which it originates. This is a first embodiment of a vehicle wheel according to the invention, which is in no way limiting within the scope of the invention.
[0010] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the first side wall is conical in shape and is delimited by a widened end opening originating on the face of the central zone of the rim on which it originates, and by a reduced end opening placed at a distance from said face, the second side wall being conical in shape and being delimited by a widened end opening originating on the face of the central zone of the flange on which it originates, and by a reduced end opening placed at a distance from said face. This is a second embodiment of a wheel according to the invention, which is in no way limiting within the scope of the invention. The slope of these conical walls is variable depending on the needs encountered, and in particular the stiffness that one wishes to attribute to the wheel. Preferably, compared to a cylindrical wall which would extend perpendicularly from the face of the rim or flange on which said wall originates, the angle of inclination of the conical wall, whether that of the flange or the rim, is less than 40° and even more advantageously, less than 30°.
[0011] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the first cavity is delimited by a flat bottom which is parallel to the face of the central zone of the rim on which the first side wall originates, the second cavity being delimited by a flat bottom which is parallel to the face of the central zone of the flange on which the second side wall originates, said two bottoms superimposing when the flange is pressed against the rim to form the wheel. In this way, the existence of these flat bottoms makes it possible to increase the dimensions of the contact surface between the first side wall and the second side wall delimiting respectively the first cavity and the second cavity. In this way, the position of the flange on the rim once it has been pressed against it will be more stable and more solid.
[0012] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the bottom of the first cavity and the bottom of the second cavity each have a circular central opening, said two openings overlapping perfectly when the flange is pressed against the rim. These openings will allow the passage of an axis of the vehicle around which the wheels of the vehicle will turn.
[0013] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the flange is fixed to the rim by gluing. This technique is particularly suitable for fixing the flange against the rim when these two elements are made of light materials, such as for example carbon fiber. The glue is deposited on at least part of the surfaces of the flange and the rim which are brought into contact with each other.
[0014] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the flange is fixed to the rim by means of at least one insert passing through the bottom of the first cavity and the bottom of the second cavity. If the flange has been previously glued to the rim, these inserts make it possible to reinforce the fixing of said flange on said rim. In this way, even if the glue used is particularly effective, the flange can, over time, become detached from the rim and constitute a dangerous projectile if the vehicle is in the rolling phase. The inserts ensure that such a scenario does not occur.
[0015] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the rim and the flange are made from a material comprising carbon, and in particular carbon fibers or a composite material.
[0016] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the rim is of cylindrical shape and the flange is of cylindrical shape, said rim and said flange having substantially the same diameter. Thus, the flange does not protrude from the rim and does not bias the func- operation of the wheel.
[0017] A vehicle wheel according to the invention has the advantage of having increased stiffness compared to existing vehicle wheels, while remaining of constant size. It also has the advantage of having a variable stiffness depending on the structural characteristics and thickness of the flange. It is therefore sufficient to attach to the rim, the flange having the desired characteristics to allow the vehicle wheel to have a given stiffness. Finally, it has the advantage of being able to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle, thanks to the flange which is visible from the outside of the vehicle and on which different patterns can be created.
[0018] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle wheel according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures:
[0019] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a wheel according to the invention,
[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of a second mode of rea construction of a wheel according to the invention,
[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a rim of a vehicle wheel according to the invention,
[0022] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a flange of a vehicle wheel according to the invention,
[0023] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel according to the invention,
[0024] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a sectional view of an area of a vehicle wheel according to the invention, showing a superposition of a central zone of the flange and a central zone of the rim,
[0025] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a front view of a vehicle wheel according to the invention, on which a tire was fitted.
[0026] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 7, a vehicle wheel 1 according to the invention comprises a rim 2 and a flange 3.
[0027] Referring to Figures 3 and 7, the rim 2 conventionally comprises a peripheral cylindrical wall 4 forming a groove extending over 360° and intended to receive a tire 5. This cylindrical wall 4 has two circular ends considered along its axis of revolution, a first end of which is represented by a circular opening, and a second end of which is closed by a flat and circular wall 6. This circular wall 6 comprises a central zone 7 and an intermediate zone 8 connecting said central zone 7 and the peripheral cylindrical wall 4. The intermediate zone 8 comprises several spaced bars 9, extending radially from the central zone 7 to the peripheral cylindrical wall 4.
[0028] Referring to [Fig.6], the central zone 7 has a circular face 10 from which the bars 9 extend, and a first lateral wall 11 of conical shape, originating on said circular face 10. This first lateral wall 11 is delimited by an enlarged end opening originating on the circular face 10 of the central zone 7 and by a reduced end opening placed at a distance from said circular face 10, inside said rim 2. This first lateral wall 11 delimits a first cavity, which is bordered by a bottom 12 appearing in the form of a circular wall closing the reduced end opening of the first conical lateral wall 11. The bottom 12 has a circular central opening 13 and extends parallel to the circular face 10 of the central zone 10. The bottom 12 also comprises five through orifices 14 regularly distributed around the central opening 13.Compared to a cylindrical wall which would extend perpendicularly from the circular face 10 of the central zone 7, the first conical side wall 11 is inclined at an angle a which is less than 40° and even more advantageously, less than 30°. Advantageously, the rim 2 is made of carbon fibers.
[0029] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the flange 3 comprises a central zone 15 and an extension zone 16 surrounding said central zone 15, said extension zone 16 having the shape of an annular band of constant width comprising a plurality of bars 17 separated from each other by free spaces. This extension zone 17 is delimited by an outer peripheral edge 23, the bars joining the central zone 15 and said outer peripheral edge 23. The central zone 15 comprises a circular face 22 from which the bars 17 extend, and a second lateral wall 18 of conical shape, originating on said circular face 17. This second lateral wall 18 is delimited by an enlarged circular end opening originating on the circular face 22 of the central zone 15 and by a reduced circular end opening placed at a distance from said circular face 22.This second conical side wall 18 delimits a second cavity, which is bordered by a bottom 19 appearing in the form of a circular wall closing the reduced end opening of the second conical side wall 18. The bottom 19 has a circular central opening 20 and extends parallel to the circular face 22 of the central zone 15. The bottom 19 also comprises five through orifices 21 regularly distributed around the central opening 20. Compared to a cylindrical wall which would extend perpendicularly from the circular face 22 of the central zone 7, the second conical side wall 18 is inclined at an angle a which is less than 40° and even more advantageously, less than 30°. Advantageously, the flange 3 is made of carbon fibers.
[0030] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, the flange 3 is mounted in the rim 2 so that: - the second side wall 18 of the flange 3 is inserted into the first side wall 11 of the rim 2, until the bottom 19 of said flange 3 comes to bear against the bottom 12 of the rim 2, this insertion leaving only a very small clearance between said two side walls 11, 18 and between said two bottoms 12, 19. During this insertion, the central openings 13, 20 and the through holes 14, 21 overlap perfectly. - the circular face 10 of the central zone 7 of the rim is in contact with the circular face 22 of the central zone 15 of the flange, -the extension zone 16 of the flange 3 covers the intermediate zone 8 of the flat and circular wall 6 of the rim 2, -the flange 3 is glued to the rim 2. A suitable glue is deposited on at least part of the surfaces of the flange 3 and the rim 2 which are brought into contact with each other.
[0031] Referring to Figures 5 and 7, in order to reinforce the fixing of the flange 3 on the rim 2 by gluing, inserts 24 are placed by fitting into the superimposed orifices 14, 21 of the bottom 12 of the rim 2 and the bottom 19 of the insert 3. The superposition of the central openings 13, 20 of said two bottoms 12, 19 allows the passage of an axis around which the wheel 1 will be able to turn.
[0032] The diameter of the flange 3 is less than or equal to the diameter of the rim 2, so that said flange 3 remains included in said rim 2 without protruding from the latter.
[0033] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the flange 3 also plays the role of a decorative trim, since the bars 17 of the extension zone 16 can be arranged at the convenience of a car manufacturer to improve the visual appearance of the vehicle.
Claims
Claims
1. Vehicle wheel (1) comprising a rim (2) having a peripheral groove (4) intended to receive a tire (5), a central zone (7) and an intermediate zone (8) connecting said central zone (7) to said peripheral groove (4), and a circular flange (3) intended to be pressed laterally against said rim (2) and then to be fixed thereto, the central zone (7) of the rim comprising a face (10) and a single first cavity delimited by a first lateral wall (11) projecting from said face (10), characterized in that the circular flange (3) comprises a central zone (15) surrounded by an extension zone (16) and comprising a circular face (22) and a single second cavity delimited by a second lateral wall (18) projecting from said circular face (22),and in that the first cavity is delimited by a flat bottom (12) which is parallel to the face (10) of the central zone (7) of the rim (2) on which the first side wall (11) originates, the second cavity being delimited by a flat bottom (19) which is parallel to the face (22) of the central zone (15) of the flange (3) on which the second side wall (18) originates, the flange (3) being pressed against the rim (2) so that: - the circular face 10 of the central zone 7 of the rim 2 is in contact with the circular face 22 of the central zone 15 of the flange 3, - the extension zone 16 of the flange 3 covers the intermediate zone 8 of the flat and circular wall 6 of the rim 2, - the second side wall (18) is inserted into the first side wall (11) without introducing any play, - the two bottoms (12, 19) overlap.,
2. Vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the dimensions of the second side wall (18) are smaller than those of the first side wall (11).
3. Vehicle wheel according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first side wall (11) is cylindrical in shape and extends perpendicular to the face (10) of the central zone (7) of the rim (2) on which it originates, and the second side wall (18) is cylindrical in shape and extends perpendicular to the face (22) of the central zone (15) of the flange (3) on which it originates.
4. A vehicle wheel according to any one of claims 1 or 2, ca- characterized in that the first side wall (11) is conical in shape and is delimited by a widened end opening originating on the face (10) of the central zone (7) of the rim (2) on which it originates, and by a reduced end opening placed at a distance from said face (10), and in that the second side wall (18) is conical in shape and is delimited by a widened end opening originating on the face (22) of the central zone (15) of the flange (3) on which it originates, and by a reduced end opening placed at a distance from said face (22).
5. Vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (12) of the first cavity and the bottom (19) of the second cavity each have a circular central opening (13, 20), and in that said two openings (13, 20) overlap perfectly when the flange (3) is pressed against the rim (2).
6. Vehicle wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flange (3) is fixed to the rim (2) by gluing.
7. Vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the flange (3) is fixed to the rim (2) by means of at least one insert (24) passing through the bottom (12) of the first cavity and the bottom (19) of the second cavity.
8. Vehicle wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rim (2) and the flange (3) are made from a material comprising carbon, and in particular carbon fibers.
9. Vehicle wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rim (2) is cylindrical in shape and the flange (3) is cylindrical in shape, and in that said rim (2) and said flange (3) have substantially the same diameter.