Wheel cap

Abstract

To inhibit unwanted displacement of a wheel cap caused by rotation of a wheel and traveling wind.SOLUTION: A wheel cap 10 includes a wheel cap body 14. The wheel cap 10 includes a first engagement part 34 which protrudes from the wheel cap body 14 to a wheel 12 side and is engaged with an insertion part 24 provided at the wheel 12 side to be engaged with the wheel 12. Further, the wheel cap 10 includes a second engagement part 36 which protrudes from a portion different from a portion, which is provided with the first engagement part 34, of the wheel cap body 14 to the wheel 12 side and is engaged with a second spoke 22B provided at the wheel 12 side to limit displacement of the wheel cap body 14 relative to the wheel 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel cap.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a wheel cap attached to a wheel. The wheel cap described in this document is attached to the wheel by inserting an engaging portion provided on the wheel cap side into an attachment hole provided on the wheel side. Here, the engaging portion includes a pair of engaging legs. One engaging leg is a first engaging leg that contacts the peripheral edge of the attachment hole at a first angle with respect to the insertion direction. The other engaging leg is a second engaging leg that contacts the peripheral edge of the attachment hole at a second angle larger than the first angle with respect to the insertion direction and biases the first engaging leg toward the peripheral edge side of the attachment hole. Thereby, the play of the wheel cap with respect to the wheel is suppressed.

[0003] By the way, it is desirable to suppress unnecessary displacements such as the rattling of the wheel cap due to the rotation of the wheel or the traveling wind, but there is room for improvement in this regard in the configuration described in the above document.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a wheel cap capable of suppressing unnecessary displacements of the wheel cap due to the rotation of the wheel or the traveling wind.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The wheel cap according to the first aspect includes a wheel cap body, a first engaging portion that protrudes from the wheel cap body toward the wheel side and is engaged with a first engaged portion provided on the wheel side to be locked to the wheel, and a portion of the wheel cap body different from the portion where the first engaging portion is provided protrudes toward the wheel side and is engaged with a second engaged portion provided on the wheel side, thereby restricting displacement of the wheel cap body with respect to the wheel in a direction different from that of the first engaging portion.

[0007] The wheel cap according to the second aspect is the wheel cap of the first aspect, wherein the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are engaged in the axial direction of the rotation of the wheel, so that the wheel cap body is biased toward the wheel side, and the second engaging portion engages with the second engaged portion from the circumferential direction of the rotation of the wheel.

[0008] The wheel cap according to the third aspect is the wheel cap of the first or second aspect, wherein the first engaging portion has a main claw portion that restricts displacement of the wheel cap body to the side opposite to the wheel in a state of abutting against a part of the first engaged portion, and the second engaging portion has an auxiliary claw portion that abuts against a part of the second engaged portion when the wheel cap body is displaced in the axial direction of the rotation of the wheel to restrict displacement of the wheel cap body to the side opposite to the wheel, and the shape and dimensions of the second engaging portion are set so that the main claw portion disengages from the first engaged portion before the auxiliary claw portion abuts against a part of the second engaged portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The wheel cap according to the first aspect includes a wheel cap body, a first engaging portion protruding from the wheel cap body toward the wheel side, and a second engaging portion protruding from a portion of the wheel cap body different from the portion where the first engaging portion is provided toward the wheel side. The first engaging portion is engaged with a first engaged portion provided on the wheel side to be locked to the wheel. Further, the second engaging portion is engaged with a second engaged portion provided on the wheel side to restrict the displacement of the wheel cap body with respect to the wheel in a direction different from that of the first engaging portion. In this configuration, unnecessary displacement of the portion where the second engaging portion is provided, which is a portion different from the portion where the first engaging portion is provided in the wheel cap body, can be suppressed.

[0010] In the wheel cap according to the second aspect, the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are engaged in the axial direction of the rotation of the wheel, so that the wheel cap body can be urged toward the wheel side. Further, when the second engaging portion is engaged with the second engaged portion from the circumferential direction of the rotation of the wheel, unnecessary displacement of the portion where the second engaging portion is provided in the wheel cap body can be suppressed.

[0011] In the wheel cap according to the third aspect, the main claw portion of the first engaging portion is disengaged from the first engaged portion of the wheel before the auxiliary claw portion of the second engaging portion abuts on a part of the second engaged portion of the wheel. In this configuration, when removing the wheel cap from the wheel, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary claw portion of the second engaging portion from being caught on a part of the second engaged portion of the wheel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The wheel cap 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0014] In FIGS. 1 and 3, the wheel cap 10 is shown, and in FIG. 2, the wheel 12 to which the wheel cap 10 is attached is shown. In each figure, one side (design surface side) in the rotational axis direction of the wheel 12 and the wheel cap 10 is indicated by an arrow FS, one side in the rotational circumferential direction of the wheel 12 and the wheel cap 10 is indicated by an arrow L, and the outer side in the rotational radial direction of the wheel 12 and the wheel cap 10 is indicated by an arrow R. In the following description, the rotational axis direction, rotational radial direction, and rotational circumferential direction of the wheel 12 and the wheel cap 10 may be simply referred to as the axial direction, radial direction, and circumferential direction, respectively.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel 12 is made of metal (for example, an aluminum alloy). This wheel 12 is rotatably supported by being fixed to the hub of the vehicle. Then, by attaching the wheel cap 10 (see FIG. 1 etc.) to the wheel 12, a defined range in the wheel 12 is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the wheel cap body 14 of the wheel cap 10 described later. Here, the radially inner part of the wheel 12 is the center part 16 fixed to the hub. A plurality of bolt insertion holes 18 into which bolts for fixing the wheel 12 to the hub are inserted are formed in this center part 16. Also, the radially outer part of the wheel 12 is a rim part 20 to which a tire is attached. Further, between the center part 16 and the rim part 20 in the wheel 12, a plurality of spokes 22 connecting the center part 16 and the rim part 20 are provided. In this embodiment, 12 spokes 22 are provided, and these 12 spokes 22 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the wheel 12. Also, rectangular parts 26 forming an insertion part 24 as a first engaged part together with the spoke 22 are formed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the radially outer part of 6 of the 12 spokes 22. The insertion part 24 is formed in a rectangular frame shape having the radial direction as the longitudinal direction when viewed from one axial side (the arrow FS direction side) and is configured to be open on both axial sides. The spoke 22 having the insertion part 24 will be referred to as the first spoke 22A, and the spoke 22 not having the insertion part 24 will be referred to as the second spoke 22B as a second engaged part. And the first spoke 22A and the second spoke 22B are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel cap 10 includes a wheel cap body 14 made of resin and having a substantially disc-shaped outer shape. One axial side of the wheel cap body 14 is a design surface 14A. Also, a portion on the inner side in the radial direction of the wheel cap body 14 is a center portion covering portion 28 that covers the center portion 16 (see FIG. 2) of the wheel 12. Further, a portion on the outer side in the radial direction of the wheel cap body 14 is a plurality of outer peripheral side extending portions 30 that extend outward in the radial direction from the center portion covering portion 28 and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. These plurality of outer peripheral side extending portions 30 are formed in a fan shape when viewed from one axial side (the arrow FS direction side) and are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Note that six outer peripheral side extending portions 30 are provided in the wheel cap body 14 of the present embodiment. Also, decorative holes 32 that penetrate the outer peripheral side extending portions 30 in the axial direction are respectively formed at the central portions in the circumferential direction of the six outer peripheral side extending portions 30. The shape of the edges of these decorative holes 32 is a rectangular shape having the radial direction as the longitudinal direction when viewed from one axial side (the arrow FS direction side).

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wheel cap 10 includes a plurality of first engaging portions 34 that protrude from the wheel cap body 14 toward the other axial side (the wheel 12 side). Also, the wheel cap 10 includes a plurality of second engaging portions 36 that protrude from the wheel cap body 14 toward the other axial side. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the plurality of first engaging portions 34 are engaged with the plurality of insertion portions 24 of the wheel 12, and the plurality of second engaging portions 36 are engaged with the plurality of second spokes 22B of the wheel 12, so that the wheel cap 10 is attached to the wheel 12 and the attached state of the wheel cap 10 to the wheel 12 is maintained.

[0018] Here, in the present embodiment, first engaging portions 34 are provided on both circumferential sides of the radially outer portion of the outer peripheral side extending portion 30. That is, two first engaging portions 34 are provided on one outer peripheral side extending portion 30. Further, a pair of second engaging portions 36 are provided at the central portion in the circumferential direction of the radially outer portion of the plurality of outer peripheral side extending portions 30. That is, two second engaging portions 36 are provided on one outer peripheral side extending portion 30. Further, the two second engaging portions 36 provided on the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 are respectively arranged on both circumferential sides with respect to the decorative hole 32 formed in the outer peripheral side extending portion 30.

[0019] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first engaging portion 34 includes a pedestal portion 38 protruding from the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 toward the other axial direction side, and a pair of engaging legs 40 protruding from the pedestal portion 38 toward the other axial direction side and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. These pair of engaging legs 40 can be tilted in directions approaching and separating from each other with the pedestal portion 38 side as the tilting center. Note that an engaging spring (not shown) is attached to the pair of engaging legs 40. Thereby, the pair of engaging legs 40 are biased in a direction of separating from each other. Further, the pair of engaging legs 40 may protrude from the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 toward the other axial direction side without providing the pedestal portion 38.

[0020] The engaging leg 40 includes a leg post 42 protruding from the pedestal portion 38 toward the other axial direction side, and a main claw portion 44 protruding from the end portion on the other axial direction side of the leg post 42 in the circumferential direction. The main claw portion 44 of the engaging leg 40 arranged on one circumferential side among the pair of engaging legs 40 protrudes toward one circumferential side with respect to the leg post 42 of the engaging leg 40. Further, the main claw portion 44 of the engaging leg 40 arranged on the other circumferential side among the pair of engaging legs 40 protrudes toward the other circumferential side with respect to the leg post 42 of the engaging leg 40.

[0021] The second engaging portion 36 includes an engaging leg 46 protruding from the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 toward the other axial direction side. This engaging leg 46 can be tilted in the circumferential direction with the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 side as the tilting center.

[0022] The fitting 46 includes a leg post 48 that protrudes from the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 toward the other axial direction side, and an auxiliary claw portion 50 that protrudes in the circumferential direction from the end portion of the leg post 48 on the other axial direction side. Here, the auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 disposed on one circumferential direction side among the two second engaging portions 36 provided on the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 protrudes toward the other circumferential direction side with respect to the leg post 48 of the engaging leg 46. Further, the auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 disposed on the other circumferential direction side among the two second engaging portions 36 provided on the outer peripheral side extending portion 30 protrudes toward the one circumferential direction side with respect to the leg post 48 of the engaging leg 46. Note that a rib 52 that protrudes toward the one circumferential direction side is formed on the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 disposed on the one circumferential direction side among the two second engaging portions 36 provided on the outer peripheral side extending portion 30, and the one axial direction side of this rib 52 is connected to the outer peripheral side extending portion 30. Also, a rib 52 that protrudes toward the other circumferential direction side is formed on the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 disposed on the other circumferential direction side among the two second engaging portions 36 provided on the outer peripheral side extending portion 30, and the one axial direction side of this rib 52 is connected to the outer peripheral side extending portion 30.

[0023] (Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment) Next, the actions and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wheel cap 10 is attached to the wheel 12 by engaging the plurality of first engaging portions 34 with the plurality of insertion portions 24 provided on the wheel 12, respectively, and engaging the plurality of second engaging portions 36 with the plurality of second spokes 22B provided on the wheel 12.

[0025] Specifically, when inserting the first engaging portion 34 into the insertion portion 24, each main claw portion 44 of the pair of engaging legs 40 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24, and the pair of engaging legs 40 bend (tilt) in a direction approaching each other. From this state, when the first engaging portion 34 is pushed axially toward the other side, each main claw portion 44 of the pair of engaging legs 40 gets over the insertion portion 24 and is locked to the end portion 24A on the other axial side in the insertion portion 24. Here, in a state where each main claw portion 44 of the pair of engaging legs 40 is locked to the end portion 24A on the other axial side in the insertion portion 24, a biasing force toward the other axial side is input from the first engaging portion 34 to the outer peripheral side extending portion 30.

[0026] On the other hand, when the second engaging portion 36 is displaced axially toward the other side as the first engaging portion 34 is inserted into the insertion portion 24, each auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 abuts against the side surface (the surface on one circumferential side or the surface on the other circumferential side) of the second spoke 22B, and the engaging leg 46 bends (tilts) in a direction opposite to the second spoke 22B. From this state, when the second engaging portion 36 is further displaced axially toward the other side, the auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 gets over the second spoke 22B and is arranged to overlap axially with the end portion 22C on the other axial side in the second spoke 22B. Here, in a state where the wheel cap 10 is attached to the wheel 12 and the wheel 12 and the wheel cap 10 are not rotating (that is, in a state where the vehicle is not running), the axial dimension of the leg column 48 of the engaging leg 46 is set so that a clearance of only a distance C is generated between the auxiliary claw portion 50 and the end portion 22C on the other axial side in the second spoke 22B.

[0027] Through the procedure described above, the wheel cap 10 is attached to the wheel 12, and the attached state of the wheel cap 10 to the wheel 12 is maintained.

[0028] In addition, in the wheel cap 10 of the present embodiment described above, by locking each main claw portion 44 of the pair of engaging legs 40 of the first engaging portion 34 to the end portion 24A on the other axial side in the insertion portion 24, the portion of the wheel cap main body 14 where the first engaging portion 34 is provided can be firmly supported by the wheel 12.

[0029] Further, when the portion of the wheel cap main body 14 where the second engaging portion 36 is provided is displaced outward in the vehicle width direction due to the rotation of the wheel (wheel 12 and tire) or the traveling wind, the auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 is locked to the end portion 22C on the other axial side in the second spoke 22B. Thereby, the displacement of the portion of the wheel cap main body 14 where the second engaging portion 36 is provided outward in the vehicle width direction can be restricted. Thus, in the wheel cap 10 of the present embodiment, unnecessary displacement of the wheel cap 10 accompanying the rotation of the wheel or the traveling wind can be suppressed.

[0030] Here, when removing the wheel cap 10 from the wheel 12, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the portion of the wheel cap main body 14 where the first engaging portion 34 is provided is displaced outward in the vehicle width direction (one axial side). Thereby, each main claw portion 44 of the pair of engaging legs 40 of the first engaging portion 34 is disengaged from the end portion 24A on the other axial side in the insertion portion 24. Here, in the present embodiment, before the auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 abuts against the end portion 22C on the other axial side in the second spoke 22B, each main claw portion 44 of the pair of engaging legs 40 of the first engaging portion 34 is disengaged from the end portion 24A on the other axial side in the insertion portion 24, and the above distance C is set. Thereby, when removing the wheel cap 10 from the wheel 12, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 from being caught by the end portion 22C on the other axial side in the second spoke 22B. As a result, it is possible to prevent the workability when removing the wheel cap 10 from the wheel 12 from being impaired.

[0031] In addition, in the present embodiment, before the auxiliary claw portion 50 of the engaging leg 46 of the second engaging portion 36 abuts against the end portion 22C on the other axial side in the second spoke 22B, the main claw portions 44 of each of the pair of engaging legs 40 of the first engaging portion 34 are disengaged from the end portion 24A on the other axial side in the insertion portion 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Whether to adopt such a setting or not may be appropriately selected in consideration of the workability when removing the wheel cap 10 from the wheel 12.

[0032] Further, the insertion portion 24 is not limited to the rectangular portion 26, and may have other configurations such as a round hole or a groove, for example.

[0033] As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made and implemented within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 10 Wheel cap 12 Wheel 14 Wheel cap body 22B Second spoke (second engaged portion) 24 Insertion portion (first engaged portion) 34 First engaging portion 36 Second engaging portion 44 Main claw portion 50 Auxiliary claw portion

Claims

1. A wheel cap body, a first engaging portion that protrudes from the wheel cap body toward the wheel side and is engaged with a first engaged portion provided on the wheel side to be locked to the wheel, a second engaging portion that protrudes from a portion of the wheel cap body different from the portion where the first engaging portion is provided toward the wheel side and is engaged with a second engaged portion provided on the wheel side to limit displacement of the wheel cap body with respect to the wheel in a direction different from that of the first engaging portion, and a wheel cap including the same.

2. The first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are engaged in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the wheel, whereby the wheel cap body is biased toward the wheel side, The second engaging portion engages with the second engaged portion from the circumferential direction of rotation of the wheel. The wheel cap according to claim 1.

3. The first engaging portion has a main claw portion that limits displacement of the wheel cap body to the side opposite to the wheel in a state of abutting against a part of the first engaged portion, The second engaging portion has an auxiliary claw portion that abuts against a part of the second engaged portion when the wheel cap body is displaced in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the wheel to limit displacement of the wheel cap body to the side opposite to the wheel, The shape and dimensions of the second engaging portion are set such that the main claw portion disengages from the first engaged portion before the auxiliary claw portion abuts against a part of the second engaged portion. The wheel cap according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images