Rim guard and wheel device

Abstract

To provide a rim guard and a wheel device which include required intensity while restraining weight from being increased.SOLUTION: A rim guard 30 covers a rim part 12 of a wheel 10 from outside. The rim guard 30 comprises an annular plate-like ring part 31 which covers an end part of the rim part 12. The ring part 31 comprises a stationary part 32 which is fixed from a rotary shaft direction of a wheel 10 by a plurality of bolts 26 and a flexure processing part 33 curved in cross-sectional shape of a radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rim guard and a wheel device. [Background technology]

[0002] The rim protection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a protection ring that extends from the outer flange of the wheel rim to the center of the wheel. The protection ring is a circular member that is configured to cover the outer peripheral edge of the outer flange of the wheel rim. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3516265 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the rim protection device described in Patent Document 1, the thickness of the protection ring needs to be increased to obtain the necessary strength. However, increasing the thickness of the protection ring also increases the weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The rim guard and wheel device for solving the above problems have the following features. [Embodiment 1] A rim guard that covers the rim portion of a wheel from the outside, and includes an annular ring portion that covers the end of the rim portion, and the ring portion includes a fixed portion that is fixed in the direction of the rotational axis of the wheel by a plurality of fixing members, and a bent portion that is curved in the radial cross-sectional shape.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the annular plate-shaped ring portion fixed by the fixing member is formed into a shape that bulges in the direction of the rotation axis by bending. Therefore, the ring portion having the bent portion can have a higher bending rigidity than a ring portion having the same plate thickness. Therefore, it is possible to have the necessary strength while suppressing an increase in weight.

[0007] [Aspect 2] A rim guard described in [Aspect 1], in which the maximum height in the radial cross section of the ring portion in the direction of the rotation axis of the wheel is between 3 and 15 times the plate thickness of the ring portion.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the maximum height of the ring portion having the bent portion is set to 3 to 15 times the plate thickness of the ring portion, which makes it possible to increase the bending rigidity compared to a rim guard of the same plate thickness.

[0009] [Aspect 3] A rim guard described in [Aspect 2], wherein the bent portion has a front curved portion that forms a convex shape on the front side and a back curved portion that forms a convex shape on the back side. According to the above-mentioned configuration, a convex shape is formed on both the front side and the back side of the ring portion, which makes it possible to further increase the bending rigidity compared to a rim guard in which a convex shape is formed only on the front side of the ring portion.

[0010] [Aspect 4] A rim guard according to any one of [Aspects 1 to 3], wherein the ring portion has a through hole. According to the above configuration, the ring portion has a through hole, so that when mud, pebbles, plants, etc. get into the axially inner side of the wheel, the mud, pebbles, plants, etc. can be discharged through the through hole.

[0011] [Aspect 5] A wheel device comprising a wheel having a rim portion and a rim guard covering the rim portion from the outside, the rim guard comprising an annular plate-shaped ring portion covering an end of the rim portion, the ring portion comprising a fixed portion fixed in the direction of the rotational axis of the wheel by a plurality of fixing members, and a bent portion curved in the radial cross-sectional shape.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the annular plate-shaped ring portion fixed by the fixing member is formed into a shape that bulges in the direction of the rotation axis by bending. Therefore, the ring portion having the bent portion can have a higher bending rigidity than a ring portion having the same plate thickness. Therefore, it is possible to have the necessary strength while suppressing an increase in weight.

[0013] [Aspect 6] A wheel device described in [Aspect 5], wherein the position of the outer peripheral end of the ring portion is the same as the outer peripheral end of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel or is more inward than the outer peripheral end of the wheel.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the position of the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion is the same as the outer peripheral edge of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel or is located inside the outer peripheral edge of the wheel, so that the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion does not protrude radially beyond the outer peripheral edge of the wheel, and contact between the ring portion and the tire can be suppressed.

[0015] [Aspect 7] A wheel device according to aspect 5, wherein a gap between the outer peripheral end of the ring portion and the outer peripheral end of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel is 5 mm or less. According to the above configuration, the gap between the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion and the outer peripheral edge of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel is 5 mm or less, which prevents the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion from protruding in the radial direction from the outer peripheral edge of the wheel, thereby preventing contact between the ring portion and the tire. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the necessary strength while suppressing an increase in weight. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a wheel device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the wheel device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the wheel of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheel of the same embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a front view of the rim guard of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of the rim guard and the wheel device of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of the wheel device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of the rim guard of the same embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the weight and bending rigidity of the rim guard of the same embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a table showing the weight reduction rate when the plate thickness and height of the rim guard of the same embodiment are changed. [Figure 11] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the weight and bending rigidity of the rim guard of the same embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a table showing the weight reduction rate when the plate thickness and height of the rim guard of the same embodiment are changed. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the wheel device. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of the rim guard of the same embodiment. [Figure 15] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the weight and bending rigidity of the rim guard of the same embodiment. [Figure 16] 11 is a table showing the weight reduction rate when the plate thickness and height of the rim guard of the same embodiment are changed. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the wheel device. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of the rim guard of the same embodiment. [Figure 19] 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the range of projections and recesses of the rim guard and the weight reduction rate of the rim guard of the embodiment. [Figure 20] 13 is a table showing the weight reduction rate when the unevenness range, plate thickness, and height of the rim guard of the same embodiment are changed. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the rim guard. [Figure 22]FIG. 11 is a radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the rim guard. [Diagram 23] FIG. 11 is a radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the wheel device. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the wheel device. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the rim guard. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the rim guard. [Figure 27] A radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the end portion of the rim guard. [Figure 28] A radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the end portion of the rim guard. [Figure 29] A radial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the end portion of the rim guard. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a rim guard and a wheel device will be described with reference to Figs.

[0019] <Wheel device 1> 1 and 2, the wheel device 1 is a wheel used for passenger cars and the like, but can also be applied to wheels for trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles. The wheel device 1 includes a wheel 10 and a rim guard 30 attached to the wheel 10.

[0020] <Wheel 10> 3 and 4, the wheel 10 includes a substantially cylindrical rim portion 11 to which a tire is attached, and a disk portion 12 provided at a position on the outer side in the axial direction of the rim portion 11. The vehicle wheel 10 is a steel wheel or an aluminum wheel.

[0021] <Rim section 11> The rim portion 11 includes an inner flange portion 13, an inner bead seat portion 14, a drop portion 15, an outer bead seat portion 16, and an outer flange portion 17. The inner flange portion 13 and the inner bead seat portion 14 are located on the inner side in the rotational axis direction of the rim portion 11, i.e., closer to the vehicle, than the outer bead seat portion 16 and the outer flange portion 17 when the wheel 10 is mounted to a vehicle.

[0022] The disk portion 12 includes a hub attachment portion 18 provided at the center of rotation, and spokes 19 extending radially from the hub attachment portion 18 toward the rim portion 11 . The hub attachment portion 18 has a hub hole 21 formed in its center and a plurality of bolt holes 22 arranged around the hub hole 21. A plurality of spokes 19 are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction when viewed from the outside (out) in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of substantially fan-shaped openings 23 are provided between adjacent spokes 19 in the circumferential direction, which connect a space on the outside (out) in the rotational axis direction of the disc portion 12 with a space on the inside (in) in the rotational axis direction. The openings 23 are, for example, decorative holes. In the first embodiment, each spoke 19 is configured to be connected to the hub attachment portion 18 and the rim portion 11. Specifically, each spoke 19 is configured to be connected to the outer flange portion 17.

[0023] On both sides of each spoke 19, at the corners formed by the outer flange portion 17, there are provided attachment portions 24 for attaching the rim guard 30. The attachment portions 24 are provided integrally with the inner peripheral surface of the rim portion 11. The attachment portions 24 support the rim guard 30 and are provided with attachment holes 25. The attachment holes 25 are bolt holes into which bolts 26 (see FIG. 1) are fastened.

[0024] <Rim Guard 30> As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the rim guard 30 has an annular plate shape with a constant width. The rim guard 30 is attached so as to overhang from the end of the outer flange portion 17 of the rim portion 11 to the hub mounting portion 18. The rim guard 30 includes a ring portion 31. The ring portion 31 is an annular plate shape that covers the end of the rim portion 11. The ring portion 31 includes a fixing portion 32 and a bent portion 33. The fixing portion 32 is provided with an insertion hole through which the bolt 26 as a fixing member is inserted, and is fixed from the outside in the rotation axis direction of the wheel 10 by a plurality of bolts 26. The bent portion 33 is curved in a radial cross-sectional shape by bending. The bent portion 33 has a front curved portion 34 that forms a convex shape on the front side. The bent portion 33 is provided around the entire circumference. The rim guard 30 has four front curved portions 34 in a radial cross-sectional view.

[0025] The rim guard 30 is formed by punching a metal plate with a punching die. The fixed portion 32 and the bent portion 33 are formed by pressing. In a radial cross-sectional view, the ring portion 31 is configured with a plurality of front curved portions 34 that bulge outward as a whole. The rim guard 30 may be made of resin instead of metal. For example, the rim guard 30 may be made of reinforced plastic such as glass fiber reinforced plastic.

[0026] Here, the bending rigidity of the rim guard 30 will be explained. As shown in Figure 5, the fixing parts 32 of the rim guard 30 are fixed to the wheel 10 by the bolts 26. If the area between the dashed lines passing through the centres of the fixing parts 32 and extending in the radial direction, i.e., between adjacent fixing parts 32, is taken, it can be regarded as a beam fixed at both ends. The bending rigidity of the rim guard 30 is defined here as P / δ, calculated from the amount of deflection δ when a load P is applied to the centre of this beam fixed at both ends. Furthermore, if the length of the beam is L, the modulus of longitudinal elasticity is E, and the second moment of area is I, the amount of deflection δ is expressed as δ=PL 3 Therefore, the bending rigidity of the rim guard 30 is P / δ=192EI / L. 3Here, if the distance between the fixing parts 32 is equal to the length L of the beam, and the modulus of longitudinal elasticity E is the same, the bending rigidity of the rim guard 30 can be found from the second moment of area I. The second moment of area I of the rim guard 30 is a value around the radial direction of the wheel 10.

[0027] Here, as shown in Figure 7, in a radial cross section of the wheel 10, the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction of the wheel 10 is the radial direction of the wheel 10. The side where the rim guard 30 on the right side in Figure 7 is attached to the wheel 10 is the outside in the rotational axis direction of the wheel 10. The side where the rim guard 30 on the left side in Figure 7 is not attached to the wheel 10 is the inside in the rotational axis direction of the wheel 10. The outside in the rotational direction is the outside in the vehicle width direction, and forms the design surface of the wheel 10.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 8, the height H of the ring portion 31 of the rim guard 30 is the maximum height in the axial direction of the wheel 10 at the radial cross section of the rim guard 30. The plate thickness t of the rim guard 30 is constant. If the plate thickness t of the rim guard 30 varies depending on the location, the average value is used. The height H in the axial direction of the wheel 10 at the radial cross section of the ring portion 31 is 3 to 15 times the plate thickness t of the ring portion 31.

[0029] Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between weight and bending rigidity when the plate thickness t and height H of the rim guard 30 are changed. The rim guard 30 shown by the dashed line and circles shows the results when the plate thickness t is 0.7mm and the height H is changed. The number written next to the circle indicates the height H. For the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed line, increasing the height H increases the bending rigidity with only a slight increase in weight.

[0030] The rim guard 30 shown by the two-dot chain line and △ is the result when the plate thickness t is 1.2 mm and the height H is changed. The number written next to the △ indicates the height H. When the height H of the rim guard 30 shown by the two-dot chain line is increased, the weight increases slightly but the bending rigidity can be increased. The rim guard 30 shown by the two-dot chain line is heavier than the rim guard 30 shown by the one-dot chain line, but the height H is smaller for the same rigidity.

[0031] The rim guard indicated by the dashed line and ● is the result of a conventional flat rim guard with the same plate thickness t and height H. The number written next to the ● indicates the plate thickness t. The rim guard indicated by the dashed line increases in weight significantly when the plate thickness t is increased to increase bending rigidity. Comparing the rim guard indicated by the dashed line with the rim guard 30 indicated by the one-dot chain line and the rim guard 30 indicated by the two-dot chain line, the rim guard 30 indicated by the one-dot chain line and the rim guard 30 indicated by the two-dot chain line can reduce weight significantly at the same bending rigidity.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 10, in calculation example 1 of the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed and dotted line, the plate thickness t is 0.7 mm, the height H is 10.1 mm, and the height H is 14.4 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 1 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 79%. Therefore, the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed and dotted line can have the necessary strength while suppressing an increase in weight.

[0033] In addition, in calculation example 2 of the rim guard 30 shown by the two-dot chain line, the plate thickness t is 1.2 mm, the height H is 8.5 mm, and the height H is 7.1 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 2 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 63%. Therefore, the rim guard 30 shown by the two-dot chain line can have the necessary strength while suppressing an increase in weight.

[0034] Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship between weight and bending rigidity when the plate thickness t and height H of the rim guard 30 are changed. The rim guard 30 shown by the dashed dotted line and squares shows the results when the plate thickness t is changed and the height H is 6mm. The numbers written next to the squares indicate the plate thickness t. For the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed dotted line, as the plate thickness t is increased, the weight and bending rigidity increase proportionately.

[0035] The rim guard indicated by the dashed line and ● is the result of a flat rim guard with the same plate thickness t and height H. The number written next to the ● indicates the plate thickness t. The rim guard indicated by the dashed line increases in weight significantly when the plate thickness t is increased to increase bending rigidity. Comparing the rim guard indicated by the dashed line with the rim guard 30 indicated by the dotted line, the rim guard 30 indicated by the dotted line can reduce weight significantly at the same bending rigidity.

[0036] 12, in calculation example 3 of the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed dotted line, the plate thickness t is 0.7 mm, the height H is 6 mm, and the height H is 8.6 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 3 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 70%.

[0037] In calculation example 4 of the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed dotted line, the plate thickness t is 1.2 mm, and the height H is 6 mm, with the height H being 5 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 4 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 58%.

[0038] In calculation example 5 of the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed dotted line, the plate thickness t is 1.5 mm, the height H is 6 mm, and the height H is four times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 5 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 51%.

[0039] In calculation example 6 of the rim guard 30 shown in dashed dotted line, the plate thickness t is 2 mm, and the height H is 6 mm, with the height H being three times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 6 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 41%. Therefore, the rim guard 30 shown in dashed dotted line can have the necessary strength while suppressing an increase in weight.

[0040] The rim guard 30 configured in this manner covers the rim portion 11, and therefore prevents the rim from being damaged by contact with gravel or crushed stone on the road surface, curbs on the road shoulder, a concrete median strip, etc., when the vehicle is traveling, etc.

[0041] <Advantages of the First Embodiment> Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) The rim guard 30 is formed by bending the annular plate-shaped ring portion 31 fixed by the bolts 26 so that it bulges outward from the rotating shaft. Therefore, the ring portion 31 having the bent portion 33 can have higher bending rigidity than a flat plate-shaped ring portion of the same plate thickness. This allows the necessary strength to be achieved while suppressing an increase in weight.

[0042] (1-2) The height H of the ring portion 31 having the bent portion 33 is set to be 3 to 15 times the plate thickness t of the ring portion 31. Therefore, the rim guard 30 can have a higher bending rigidity than a flat rim guard having the same plate thickness.

[0043] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the rim guard and wheel device will be described below with reference to Figures 13 to 16. The rim guard and wheel device of this embodiment differ from the first embodiment in that the bent portion has a back curved portion. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0044] <Rim Guard 130> As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the rim guard 130 includes a ring portion 31. The ring portion 31 is an annular plate that covers the end of the rim portion 11. The ring portion 31 includes a fixing portion 32 and a bent portion 33. The fixing portion 32 is provided with an insertion hole through which a bolt 26 as a fixing member is inserted, and is fixed from the outside in the rotation axis direction of the wheel 10 by a plurality of bolts 26. The bent portion 33 is curved in a cross-sectional shape in the radial direction by bending. The bent portion 33 has a front curved portion 34 that forms a convex shape on the front side and a back curved portion 35 that forms a convex shape on the back side. The bent portion 33 is provided around the entire circumference. The rim guard 130 has four front curved portions 34 and two back curved portions 35 in a cross-sectional view. The fixing portion 32 is provided between the two back curved portions 35. In other words, the ring portion 31, in a radial cross-sectional view, has a shape that bulges outwardly from the front side as a whole and is constituted by a plurality of front curved portions 34. The back curved portions 35 are provided at parts of the bulges.

[0045] 15 is a graph showing the relationship between weight and bending rigidity when the plate thickness t and height H of the rim guard 130 are changed. The rim guard 30 shown by the dashed line and squares is the rim guard 30 of the first embodiment. The rim guard shown by the dashed line and black circles is a flat rim guard.

[0046] The rim guard 130 shown by the two-dot chain line and ◇ is the result when the height H is 6 mm and the plate thickness t is changed. The number written next to ◇ indicates the plate thickness t. For the rim guard 130 shown by the two-dot chain line, when the plate thickness t is increased, the weight and bending rigidity increase proportionally.

[0047] 16, in calculation example 7 of the rim guard 30 shown by the dashed dotted line, the plate thickness t is 2.7 mm, the height H is 6 mm, and the height H is 2.2 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 7 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 31%.

[0048] In calculation example 8 of the rim guard 130 shown by the two-dot chain line, the plate thickness t is 2.7 mm, the height H is 6 mm, and the height H is 5.5 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 8 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 68%. The plate thickness t can be reduced from 2.7 mm to 1.1 mm, and the weight reduction rate can be improved from 31% to 68%. Therefore, the rim guard 130 having the back side curved portion 35 in addition to the front side curved portion 34 as the bending processed portion 33 can further increase the bending rigidity compared to the rim guard 30.

[0049] <Effects of the second embodiment> Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described. In addition to the effects (1-1) and (1-2) of the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the following effects.

[0050] (2-1) A convex shape is formed on the front side of the ring portion 31, and a convex shape is formed on the back side of the ring portion 31. Therefore, the rim guard 130 can have a higher bending rigidity than the rim guard 30 in which a convex shape is formed only on the front side of the ring portion 31.

[0051] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment of a rim guard and a wheel device will be described below with reference to Figures 17 to 20. The rim guard and the wheel device of this embodiment differ from the first embodiment in that they have a plurality of recesses. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0052] <Rim Guard 230> As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the rim guard 230 includes a ring portion 31. The ring portion 31 is an annular plate that covers the end of the rim portion 11. The ring portion 31 includes a fixing portion 32, a bent portion 33, and a recess 36. The fixing portion 32 is provided with an insertion hole through which a bolt 26 serving as a fixing member is inserted, and is fixed to the wheel 10 by a plurality of bolts 26. The bent portion 33 is curved in a radial cross-sectional shape by bending. The bent portion 33 has a front curved portion 34 that forms a convex shape on the front side, and a back curved portion 35 that forms a convex shape on the back side. The bent portion 33 is provided around the entire circumference. The rim guard 230 has five front curved portions 34 and two back curved portions 35 in a cross-sectional view. The fixing portion 32 is provided between the two front curved portions 34. Six recesses 36 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The recesses 36 are convex toward the back side. The two front curved portions 34 and the two back curved portions 35 are formed only in the recesses 36 portions.

[0053] 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the proportion of recesses 36 included in the entire circumference of the ring portion 31 and the weight reduction rate when the plate thickness is changed to have the same bending rigidity as a flat rim guard having a plate thickness of 4 mm when the proportion of recesses 36 included in the entire circumference of the ring portion 31 is changed from 0% to 100%. Note that 0% corresponds to the rim guard 30 of the first embodiment, and 100% corresponds to the rim guard 130 of the second embodiment. The rim guard shown by the dashed line and x is the result when the plate thickness is changed to have the same bending rigidity as a flat rim guard having a height H of 6 mm and a plate thickness of 4 mm. The number written next to the x indicates the plate thickness t. In the rim guard shown by the dashed line, the weight reduction rate increases when the proportion of recesses 36 is increased.

[0054] 20, in calculation example 9 of the rim guard 30, the proportion of recesses is 0%, the plate thickness t is 2.7 mm, and the height H is 6 mm, which is 2.2 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 9 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 31%.

[0055] In calculation example 10 of rim guard 130, the proportion of recesses 36 is 100%, the plate thickness t is 1.1 mm, and the height H is 6 mm, which is 5.5 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 10 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 68%.

[0056] In calculation example 11 of the rim guard 230, the proportion of the recesses 36 is 33.4%, the plate thickness t is 2.2 mm, and the height H is 6 mm, which is 2.8 times the plate thickness t. The weight reduction rate of calculation example 11 compared to a flat rim guard with the same bending rigidity is 50%. Therefore, by providing 34% or more of the recesses 36 in the ring portion 31, the weight reduction rate can be made 50% or more.

[0057] Next, the effects of the third embodiment will be described. In addition to the effects (1-1) and (1-2) of the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved. (3-1) The rim guard 230 can achieve a weight reduction rate of 50% or more by providing the recesses 36 in the ring portion 31 in an amount of 34% or more.

[0058] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications may be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0059] In each of the above embodiments, the ring portion 31 may have a through hole. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the ring portion 31 of the rim guard 330 has a convex shape on the back side, and includes five front curved portions 34 and two back curved portions 35. A through hole 38 is provided between the two back curved portions 35. A plurality of the through holes 38 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rim guard 330. Also, as shown in FIG. 22, the ring portion 31 of the rim guard 430 has a convex shape on the front side, and includes four front curved portions 34 and two back curved portions 35. A through hole 38 is provided in the front curved portion 34. A plurality of the through holes 38 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rim guard 430. With this configuration, when mud, pebbles, plants, etc. enter the inside of the axial direction of the wheel 10, the mud, pebbles, plants, etc. can be discharged through the through hole 38.

[0060] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23, the position of the outer peripheral end of the ring portion 31 is the same as the outer peripheral end of the wheel 10 in the radial direction of the wheel 10, or is more inward than the outer peripheral end of the wheel 10. It is desirable that the gap d between the outer peripheral end of the ring portion 31 and the outer peripheral end of the wheel 10 is 5 mm or less. It is preferable that the gap d is 1 mm or more. According to the above configuration, the position of the outer peripheral end of the ring portion 31 is the same as the outer peripheral end of the wheel 10 in the radial direction of the wheel 10, or is more inward than the outer peripheral end of the wheel 10. Therefore, the outer peripheral end of the ring portion 31 does not protrude radially from the outer peripheral end of the wheel 10, and contact between the ring portion 31 and the tire 2 can be suppressed.

[0061] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 24, the gap d between the outer circumferential end of the ring portion 31 and the outer circumferential end of the wheel 10 in the radial direction of the wheel 10 is 5 mm or less. The gap d is preferably 1 mm or more. According to the above configuration, the gap d between the outer circumferential end of the ring portion 31 and the outer circumferential end of the wheel 10 in the radial direction of the wheel 10 is 5 mm or less. The gap d between the outer circumferential end of the ring portion 31 and the outer circumferential end of the wheel 10 is preferably 3 mm. Therefore, the outer circumferential end of the ring portion 31 is prevented from protruding radially from the outer circumferential end of the wheel 10, and contact between the ring portion 31 and the tire 2 can be prevented.

[0062] In the second and third embodiments, the positions of the front curved portions 34 and the back curved portions 35 can be set arbitrarily depending on the required strength and design. For example, as shown in Fig. 25, the bent portion 33 of the rim guard 530 has a convex shape on the back side, and includes five front curved portions 34 and one back curved portion 35. Also, as shown in Fig. 26, the bent portion 33 of the rim guard 630 has a convex shape on the front side, and includes four front curved portions 34 and two back curved portions 35.

[0063] In each of the above embodiments, the radial end of the ring portion 31 may be bent. For example, as shown in Fig. 27 to Fig. 29, the end 37 of the ring portion 31 is bent so that the end face 37A of the end 37 of the ring portion 31 does not come into contact with the wheel 10. This makes it possible to prevent the end face 37A of the end 37 from coming into contact with the wheel 10.

[0064] In each of the above embodiments, the rim guard 30 is fixed to the wheel 10 by inserting the bolts 26 as fixing members into the insertion holes of the fixing portions 32. However, a fixing member having a clip, a claw, or the like may be inserted into the insertion hole of the fixing portion 32 to fix the fixing member having a clip, a claw, or the like to the mounting portion 24 of the wheel 10.

[0065] In the above-described embodiments, the ring portion 31 is in the shape of an annular plate. However, the ring portion 31 may have projections and recesses in the radial direction of at least one of the inner and outer circumferential ends. In each of the above embodiments, the annular plate-shaped ring portion 31 may be an integral part, or may be divided into a plurality of parts. When divided into a plurality of parts, the parts may be divided in the circumferential direction, or may be divided into concentric circles in the radial direction. Furthermore, the annular plate-shaped ring portion 31 may be a plurality of parts stacked on top of each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...Wheel device 2. Tires 10…Wheels 11…Rim section 12...Disc section 13…Inner flange 14…Inner bead seat 15…Drop section 16...Outer bead seat 17…Outer flange 18…Hub mounting part 19…Spokes 21…Hub hole 22…Bolt hole 23…Aperture 24…Mounting part 25…Mounting hole 26...Bolt (fixing member) 30…Rim guard 31…Ring section 32…Fixed part 33…Bent section 34…Front curved section 35…Back curved part 36…Recess 37...End 37A…End face 38...Through hole 130…Rim guard 230…Rim guard 330…Rim guard 430…Rim guard 530…Rim guard 630…Rim guard

Claims

1. A rim guard that covers the rim of a wheel from the outside, a ring portion having an annular plate shape covering an end portion of the rim portion, The ring portion is a fixing portion fixed in a direction of a rotation axis of the wheel by a plurality of fixing members; A bent portion that is curved in a radial cross-sectional shape. Rim guard.

2. The maximum height of the ring portion in the radial cross section in the rotation axis direction of the wheel is 3 times or more and 15 times or less than the plate thickness of the ring portion. The rim guard according to claim 1.

3. The bent portion has a front curved portion that forms a convex shape on the front side and a back curved portion that forms a convex shape on the back side. The rim guard according to claim 2.

4. The ring portion has a through hole. A rim guard according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A wheel having a rim portion; A rim guard that covers the rim portion from the outside, The rim guard includes an annular plate-shaped ring portion that covers an end portion of the rim portion, The ring portion is a fixing portion fixed in a direction of a rotation axis of the wheel by a plurality of fixing members; A bent portion that is curved in a radial cross-sectional shape. Wheel device.

6. The position of the outer circumferential end of the ring portion is the same as the outer circumferential end of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel or is inside the outer circumferential end of the wheel. The wheel device according to claim 5 .

7. A gap between the outer circumferential edge of the ring portion and the outer circumferential edge of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel is 5 mm or less. The wheel device according to claim 5 .

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