Vehicular wheel structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicular wheel structure that can prevent a wheel fitting member fitted to a wheel from coming off.SOLUTION: A vehicular wheel structure 10 comprises a wheel 11 that is assembled to a vehicle to support a tire, and a wheel cover 13 as a wheel fitting member that is fitted to the wheel 11. The wheel cover 13 comprises: a main body part 131; a main engaging part 134, provided on the main body part 131, which engages with an engaged hole 118 as a part to be engaged of the wheel 11; and a sub-engagement part 136 that when the main body part 131 is fixed to the wheel 11 by the main engaging part 134, can engage with an engageable part 119 that is different from the engaged hole 118 of the wheel 11 in a low-rigidity region R where rigidity deteriorates relatively in the main body part 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle wheel structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional vehicle wheel structure is known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the conventional vehicle wheel structure, a plurality of wheel caps formed to correspond to air holes provided in the wheel are fixed to the air holes, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6927079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, wheel mounting components such as wheel covers and accessory pieces including the above-mentioned wheel caps are sometimes attached to wheels in order to improve the design and aerodynamic characteristics of the wheels. In this case, the wheel mounting components may have a plate shape in addition to the frame shape of the conventional wheel caps described above. The wheel mounting components are usually secured in place by engaging engaging portions provided on the end of the main body, which is formed to correspond to the air holes, with engaging portions provided on the spokes that form the air holes of the wheel.

[0005] However, when the wheel mounting member is fixed only by the engagement between the engaged portion and the engaging portion, there is a possibility that the rigidity of the wheel mounting member will be relatively reduced in an area, and that the wheel mounting member may be deformed or flexed by, for example, external forces caused by airflow or vibrations while the vehicle is running. If such deformation occurs, there is a risk of abnormal noise being generated due to repeated contact between the wheel mounting member and the wheel.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel structure that, when a wheel mounting member is mounted on a wheel, can suppress flexural deformation that occurs in an area where rigidity is relatively reduced in the mounted state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle wheel structure disclosed herein comprises a wheel that supports a tire and is assembled to a vehicle, and a wheel mounting member that is attached to the wheel, and the wheel mounting member comprises a main body portion, a primary engagement portion that is provided on the main body portion and engages with an engaged portion of the wheel, and a secondary engagement portion that is provided in a low rigidity area of ​​the main body portion where the rigidity is relatively reduced when the main body portion is fixed to the wheel by the primary engagement portion and can engage with an engageable portion of the wheel that is different from the engaged portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure, the secondary engagement portion can be provided in the low-rigidity region where flexural deformation is likely to occur. Therefore, even if flexural deformation occurs in the low-rigidity region when the main body portion, i.e., the wheel mounting member, is mounted to the wheel by the primary engagement portion, the secondary engagement portion can engage with the engageable portion to suppress flexural deformation in the low-rigidity region. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle wheel structure. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a wheel. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating an engaged portion of the wheel. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a wheel mounting member. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a wheel mounting member. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating a secondary engagement portion of the wheel mounting member. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a center engagement portion of the wheel mounting member. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a decorative portion according to a modified example. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition to the following embodiments, the present disclosure can be embodied in various forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0011] 1. Embodiment As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of this embodiment includes a wheel 11 that constitutes a wheel of a vehicle. The wheel 11 supports a tire 12 and is mounted to a vehicle. The vehicle wheel structure 10 of this embodiment also includes a wheel cover 13 that serves as a wheel mounting member that is attached to the wheel 11.

[0012] Here, when the wheel 11 is mounted on a vehicle, the side of the wheel 11 on which the vehicle body is located is referred to as the "inner side," and the opposite side on which the vehicle body is not located is referred to as the "outer side." In the following explanation, the "outer" side of the wheel 11 may also be referred to as the "design surface." In the following explanation, the direction parallel to the rotation axis passing through the center of the wheel will be referred to as the "axial direction," and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis will be referred to as the "radial direction."

[0013] The wheel 11 is made of an alloy such as aluminum or steel, and includes a disk-shaped disc 111 and an annular rim 112 that is attached to the outer periphery of the disc 111 and holds the tire 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the wheel 11 is attached to a hub (not shown) of a vehicle using a fastening member T such as a hub nut or a hub bolt. Note that this embodiment illustrates a case where the wheel 11 is made of an alloy such as aluminum, and is a one-piece type in which the disc 111 and the rim 112 are integrally molded.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the disc 111 has a hub hole 113 that extends axially and penetrates a central portion 111C of the disc 111. Here, the hub hole 113 can also function as a hole for attaching an ornament to the wheel 11 when the wheel cover 13 is not attached, for example. Also, on the inward side of the central portion 111C of the disc 111, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2, there is a hub attachment portion 114 for fixing the wheel 11 to a hub of the vehicle. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a case where the hub attachment portion 114 is cylindrical, the shape of the hub attachment portion 114 is not limited to being cylindrical.

[0015] Additionally, the disc 111 has thick spokes 115 and thin fin spokes 116 on the outer side that connect the rim 112 and the hub attachment portion 114. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the disc 111 has five spokes 115 that extend radially from the hub attachment portion 114 and five fin spokes 116 that extend radially from the hub attachment portion 114 between adjacent spokes 115.

[0016] The disc 111 also has air holes 117 formed between adjacent spokes 115 and fin spokes 116 to allow air to circulate. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, an example is shown in which the disc 111 has ten air holes 117 defined by the spokes 115 and fin spokes 116, the hub attachment portion 114, and the rim 112.

[0017] Depending on the arrangement and shape of the spokes 115 and the fin spokes 116, the air holes 117 may be defined, for example, by two spokes 115 and the rim 112, or by two fin spokes 116 and the rim 112, or by one spoke 115, one fin spoke 116, and the rim 112. Also, for example, the air holes 117 may be defined by two spokes 115 and the hub attachment portion 114, or by two fin spokes 116 and the hub attachment portion 114, or by one spoke 115, one fin spoke 116, and the hub attachment portion 114.

[0018] The disc 111 also has an engaged hole 118 as an engaged portion. The engaged hole 118 is formed, for example, in the shape of an elongated hole, and engages with a main engaging portion 134 provided on the wheel cover 13, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the engaged hole 118 is provided at the connecting portion between the spokes 115 and the rim 112. Note that instead of being provided at the connecting portion between the spokes 115 and the rim 112, the engaged hole 118 may be built into the spoke 115, for example. Here, the engaged hole 118 is formed so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the radial direction. For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the engaged hole 118 is formed so that its side surface 118A is parallel to a line passing through the center of the disc 111 in the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, i.e., the "radius."

[0019] This prevents unnecessary loads (stresses) from acting on the main engaging portions 134 from the engaged holes 118 when the main engaging portions 134 are engaged. Also, for example, even in a situation where the wheel cover 13, which is a wheel mounting member, or an accessory part 14 (described later) moves in the radial direction due to centrifugal force acting on the wheel cover 13, it is possible to prevent unnecessary loads (stresses) from acting on the main engaging portions 134 from the engaged holes 118. Note that the shape and arrangement of the engaged holes 118 are not limited to those described above.

[0020] 2, the disc 111 also has engageable portions 119 that are different from the engaged holes 118 as engaged portions. The engageable portions 119 are provided between adjacent engaged holes 118 in the circumferential direction of the disc 111 that constitutes the wheel 11, and engage with secondary engaging portions 136 provided on the wheel cover 13, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the engaged holes 118 are provided at the connection portions between the spokes 115 and the rim 112, and therefore the engageable portions 119 are provided on the fin spokes 116, for example.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the wheel cover 13 constituting the vehicle wheel structure 10 is formed so as to cover the entire design surface, which is the surface facing outward of the wheel 11, i.e., so as to cover the air holes 117 provided in the wheel 11, and is attached to the wheel 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the wheel cover 13 has a main body 131 as a main element. Here, the wheel cover 13 is molded using, for example, a resin material.

[0022] The main body portion 131 of this embodiment has a plurality of main body forming members 132 and a connecting portion 133 that connects the plurality of main body forming members 132 along the circumferential direction of the disc 111 at the center portion 111C of the disc 111 when attached to the wheel 11. As a result, the plurality of main body forming members 132 are integrated by the connecting portion 133, and the disc-shaped main body portion 131 is attached to the wheel 11 so as to cover the entire design surface of the disc 111.

[0023] Here, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the main body 131 has five main body forming members 132. Specifically, when two adjacent air holes 117 via the fin spokes 116 in the disk 111 of the wheel 11 are considered as one pair, the main body 131 has five main body forming members 132 to cover each of the five pairs of air holes 117 that exist across the entire disk 111. Note that the number of main body forming members 132 is not limited to this, and may be one or more.

[0024] In the following description, an example will be given in which the connecting portion 133 connects the plurality of main body forming members 132 at the center portion 111C of the disc 111 when the connecting portion 133 is attached to the wheel 11. However, it is of course possible for the connecting portion 133 to connect the main body forming members 132 at a position other than the center portion 111C of the disc 111, for example, in accordance with the shape of the disc 111 of the wheel 11, more specifically, the three-dimensional shape of the spokes 115 and fin spokes 116. Even in this case, the plurality of main body forming members 132 are integrated by the connecting portion 133, and the disk-shaped main body portion 131 can be attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0025] The main body portion 131, i.e., each of the plurality of main body forming members 132, has a main engagement portion 134 formed to engage with an engaged hole 118, which is an engaged portion of the wheel 11. As shown in Fig. 5 , when the main body forming member 132 is fixed to the disk 111 of the wheel 11, the main engagement portion 134 is arranged in a region Rm near the end of the main body forming member 132 in the circumferential direction of the disk 111. Here, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which two pairs of main engagement portions 134 are provided so as to be arranged in a region Rm near each end of both end portions of the main body forming member 132.

[0026] 6, the main engagement portion 134 has a leg portion 134L and a claw portion 134A. When the main body forming member 132 is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, the leg portion 134L stands upright inside the main body forming member 132 and supports the claw portion 134A. The claw portion 134A is provided on the tip side of the leg portion 134L, i.e., on the side facing the engaged hole 118, and engages with the engaged hole 118.

[0027] Here, the main engagement portion 134 is also formed using a resin material, like the main body portion 131, i.e., the main body forming member 132. Therefore, when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11, the main engagement portion 134 engages with the engaged hole 118 to prevent the wheel cover 13 from falling off, that is, it continues to resist an outward force acting on the wheel cover 13 due to air flow or the like. In this case, the main engagement portion 134, particularly the claw portion 134A, may experience deterioration due to so-called thermal creep or stress relaxation, which are material properties.

[0028] For this reason, a backup clip 134B made of a thin metal plate is attached to the main engagement portion 134, more specifically, to the claw portion 134A, as shown in Fig. 6. This ensures the rigidity of the main engagement portion 134, and prevents the wheel cover 13 from falling off when the main engagement portion 134 is engaged with the engaged hole 118.

[0029] 1, 4, and 5, the main body portion 131, i.e., each main body forming member 132, has a hole forming portion 135. The hole forming portion 135 has a through hole 135K and a through hole 135S formed in the plate-shaped general portion (general surface) of the main body forming member 132. The through hole 135K is formed to correspond to the air hole 117 that circulates air when the main body portion 131, i.e., the main body forming member 132 is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11. The through hole 135S is formed to accommodate a portion of the fin spoke 116 that constitutes the wheel 11 when the main body portion 131, i.e., the main body forming member 132 is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0030] Here, when the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131) is fixed to the disk 111 of the wheel 11, the hole forming portion 135 is provided in a region between two pairs of main engagement portions 134 provided in a region Rm including each end of both ends of the main body forming member 132 in the circumferential direction of the disk 111 (wheel 11). For this reason, by providing the hole forming portion 135 in the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131), the rigidity of the plate-like general portion (general surface) which is the region between the two pairs of main engagement portions 134 is relatively reduced. In other words, the hole forming portion 135 is included in a region of the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131) adjacent to the region Rm where the main engagement portions 134 are provided, more specifically, in a low-rigidity region R which exists between each region Rm where the pair of main engagement portions 134 are provided.

[0031] The low rigidity region R is prone to deflection deformation such as lifting when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11 due to the engagement between the main engagement portion 134 and the engaged hole 118. Therefore, in the vehicle wheel structure 10, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a secondary engagement portion 136 is provided in the low rigidity region R of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132).

[0032] When the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) is fixed to the wheel 11 by the main engagement portion 134, the secondary engagement portion 136 is capable of engaging with an engageable portion 119 of the wheel 11 (disk 111) that is different from the engaged hole 118, which is the engaged portion of the wheel 11, in a low rigidity region R where the rigidity of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) is relatively reduced. In this embodiment, the secondary engagement portion 136 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the elongated through hole 135S so as to embrace and engage with the fin spoke 116 on which the engageable portion 119 is provided, as shown in FIG.

[0033] As shown enlarged in Figure 7, the auxiliary engagement portion 136 has a support portion 136A, an engagement claw 136B, and an abutment portion 136C. The support portion 136A is erected inward from the back surface 132B of the wall surface 132A of the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131) that defines and defines the through-holes 135K and 135S, and supports the engagement claw 136B. The engagement claw 136B is formed to protrude from the support portion 136A toward the fin spoke 116 when the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131) is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, and is provided so as to be able to engage with the engageable portion 119. The abutment portion 136C is a thin plate rib provided to connect the support portion 136A and the engagement claw 136B. As shown in FIG. 6, when the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131) is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, the contact portion 136C contacts the engageable portion 119 in preference to the engaging claw 136B.

[0034] Here, the auxiliary engagement portion 136 of the vehicle wheel structure 10 is configured so that when the wheel cover 13, i.e., the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) is attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, the abutting portion 136C abuts against the engageable portion 119, even when the vehicle is running. As a result, in a normal state where, for example, no large external force is acting that would cause the wheel cover 13, i.e., the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) to fall off from the wheel 11, the abutting portion 136C of the auxiliary engagement portion 136 prevents bending deformation, such as lifting, of the low-rigidity region R of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132).

[0035] Furthermore, in the auxiliary engagement portion 136 of the vehicle wheel structure 10, when the wheel cover 13, i.e., the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) is attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, and a large external force is applied that would cause the wheel cover 13, i.e., the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) to fall off from the wheel 11, the engaging claw 136B engages with the engageable portion 119. As a result, the auxiliary engagement portion 136 prevents the wheel cover 13, i.e., the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) from falling off from the wheel 11.

[0036] The wheel cover 13 of this embodiment also has a work hole 137 through which a fastening member T (hub nut or hub bolt) for assembling the wheel 11 to the hub can be inserted to perform a tightening operation. As shown in Fig. 4, the work hole 137 is provided in the connecting portion 133 and is a through hole formed along the axial direction.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the wheel cover 13 of this embodiment has a center engagement portion 138 that engages with an annular ridge 113A (see Figure 3) provided on the hub hole 113. The center engagement portion 138 has a center claw 138A that fits onto the ridge 113A and a wire ring 138B that urges the center claw 138A toward the ridge 113A. Thus, when the wheel cover 13 is attached, the center engagement portion 138 can fix the wheel cover 13 to the wheel 11 (disc 111) by inserting the center claw 138A and the wire ring 138B into the hub hole 113 and engaging the center claw 138A with the ridge 113A.

[0038] In the vehicle wheel structure 10 configured as described above, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the design surface of the disc 111 of the wheel 11. Specifically, the wheel cover 13 is attached by engaging the center claw 138A of the center engagement portion 138 with the protrusion 113A of the hub hole 113 so that the rotational axes of the wheel 11 and the wheel cover 13 are aligned. The wheel cover 13 is also attached by engaging the claw portion 134A of the main engagement portion 134 with the engaged hole 118 provided in the disc 111 of the wheel 11 and the abutment portion 136C of the secondary engagement portion 136 with the engageable portion 119 provided on the fin spoke 116 of the disc 111. In this case, the wheel cover 13 is attached without falling off mainly because the claw portion 134A of the main engagement portion 134, which is backed up by the backup clip 134B, engages with the engaged hole 118.

[0039] When the vehicle is traveling, external forces due to airflow accompanying the vehicle's travel and vibrations accompanying the vehicle's travel are input to the wheel cover 13, i.e., the main body 131 (main body forming member 132). In this case, the main body 131 (main body forming member 132) is unlikely to bend or deform, such as lifting, in the region Rm where the main engagement portion 134 is provided because the region Rm has high rigidity, but is prone to bend or deform, such as lifting, in the low-rigidity region R present between the regions Rm.

[0040] However, with respect to flexural deformation of the low rigidity region R, the abutment portion 136C of the sub-engagement portion 136 abuts against the engageable portion 119 in a manner that embraces the fin spoke 116, thereby suppressing flexural deformation of the low rigidity region R. In other words, in the normal state, the abutment portion 136C formed as a rib abuts against the engageable portion 119, thereby holding the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) so that flexural deformation does not occur.

[0041] Here, in the vehicle wheel structure 10, in a normal state, the engaging claw 136B of the secondary engaging portion 136 is not engaged with the engageable portion 119, or the engaging claw 136B of the secondary engaging portion 136 is engaged with the engageable portion 119 with a small engaging force. In other words, the vehicle wheel structure 10 is maintained in a state where no external force or a large external force is applied. Therefore, the engaging claw 136B is maintained in a state where inevitable deterioration due to material properties, such as thermal creep and stress relaxation, is not easily progressed. Furthermore, the engaging claw 136B is connected to the support portion 136A by the abutment portion 136C formed as a rib. As a result, even if a large external force is applied to the engaging claw 136B, for example, when removing the wheel cover 13 from the wheel 11, the so-called rib effect prevents the engaging claw 136B from breaking.

[0042] When the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11 and the vehicle is running, the abutting portion 136C formed as a rib abuts the engageable portion 119, i.e., the fin spoke 116, at its side in the thickness direction, and a compressive force acts in the plate surface direction as an input due to vibration or the like. Thus, for example, by adjusting the thickness of the abutting portion 136C, it is possible to suppress the effects of deterioration, such as thermal creep and stress relaxation, at the abutting portion of the abutting portion 136C with the engageable portion 119. As a result, under normal conditions, the abutting portion 136C abuts the engageable portion 119, thereby preventing flexural deformation, such as lifting, of the low-rigidity region R in the main body portion 131 (main body-forming member 132). Furthermore, the abutting portion 136C exerts a so-called damping effect, thereby suppressing unnecessary vibrations in the low-rigidity region R and preventing the generation of abnormal noise.

[0043] As can be understood from the above description, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the embodiment comprises a wheel 11 that supports a tire 12 and is assembled to a vehicle, and a wheel cover 13 as a wheel mounting member that is attached to the wheel 11, and the wheel cover 13 comprises a main body portion 131, a main engagement portion 134 that is provided on the main body portion 131 and engages with an engaged hole 118 that serves as an engaged portion of the wheel 11, and a secondary engagement portion 136 that can engage with an engageable portion 119 that is different from the engaged hole 118 of the wheel 11 in a low rigidity region R where the rigidity of the main body portion 131 is relatively reduced when the main body portion 131 is fixed to the wheel 11 by the main engagement portion 134. In this case, the wheel cover 13 is molded using a resin material.

[0044] In this case, the low rigidity region R is a region adjacent to the region Rm where the main engagement portions 134 are provided in the main body portion 131. In this case, when a pair of main engagement portions 134 are provided in the main body portion 131, the low rigidity region R is between each of the regions Rm where the pair of main engagement portions 134 are provided.

[0045] In this case, the low-rigidity region R is a region including a hole formation portion 135 having through holes 135K and 135S formed in the main body portion 131. In this case, the hole formation portion 135 has through holes 135K formed to correspond to the air holes 117 provided in the wheel 11 for circulating air when the main body portion 131 is fixed to the wheel 11. In this case, the hole formation portion 135 has through holes 135S formed to accommodate a portion of the fin spokes 116 that constitute the wheel 11 when the main body portion 131 is fixed to the wheel 11.

[0046] In this case, the auxiliary engagement portion 136 has a support portion 136A that stands upright on the main body portion 131, The engaging portion 136 has an engaging claw 136B that is supported by the support portion 136A and is provided so as to be able to engage with the engageable portion 119, and an abutting portion 136C that abuts against the engageable portion 119 in preference to the engaging claw 136B when the main body portion 131 is fixed to the wheel 11. In this case, the abutting portion 136C is a rib that is provided to connect the support portion 136A and the engaging claw 136B.

[0047] Furthermore, in this case, the main body portion 131 is formed so as to cover the entire surface of the wheel 11 that faces outward from the vehicle when attached to the wheel 11. In this case, the main body portion 131 has a plurality of main body forming members 132 and connecting portions 133 that connect the main body forming members 132 along the circumferential direction of the disc 111 that forms the wheel 11 when attached to the wheel 11. Also, in this case, the connecting portions 133 connect the plurality of main body forming members 132 at the center portion 111C of the disc 111 when attached to the wheel 11.

[0048] According to the vehicle wheel structure 10, the auxiliary engagement portion 136 can be provided in the low rigidity region R, where bending deformation such as lifting is likely to occur due to the input of external forces caused by air flow, vibrations, etc., associated with vehicle travel. Therefore, even in a situation where bending deformation occurs in the low rigidity region R when the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132), i.e., the wheel cover 13, is attached to the wheel 11 by the main engagement portion 134, the auxiliary engagement portion 136, specifically the abutment portion 136C, engages with the engageable portion 119 in priority to the engaging claw 136B, thereby suppressing bending deformation in the low rigidity region R.

[0049] This makes it possible to prevent abnormal noise caused by repeated contact between the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) and the disc 111 of the wheel 11. Furthermore, if the contact portion 136C is kept in constant contact with the engageable portion 119 while the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11, even if the low rigidity region R is subjected to bending deformation, the contact portion 136C or the engaging claw 136B is prevented from repeatedly contacting the engageable portion 119. As a result, the vehicle wheel structure 10 can also prevent abnormal noise caused by contact between the auxiliary engagement portion 136 and the engageable portion 119.

[0050] 2. Variations In the above-described embodiment, the main body portion 131 (each main body forming member 132) is provided with the hole forming portion 135, which includes the through hole 135K corresponding to the air hole 117 and the through hole 135S accommodating a part of the fin spoke 116. That is, the above-described embodiment illustrates a case where the rigidity of the general portion (general surface) of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) where the hole forming portion 135 is provided is relatively lower than the rigidity of the region Rm where the main engagement portion 134 is provided, that is, a case where the low-rigidity region R includes a region that includes the hole forming portion 135.

[0051] In contrast to this, in order to further enhance the design and marketability, the main body 131 (main body forming member 132) of the wheel cover 13 can be provided with a decorative portion 139 that decorates the surface corresponding to the outer side of the main body 131 (main body forming member 132) when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11, as shown in Fig. 9. As shown by the thick solid line in Fig. 9, the decorative portion 139 can have, for example, a step 139A formed by bending the outer surface of the main body 131 (main body forming member 132) or a recessed groove 139B formed by recessing it.

[0052] In the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132), the rigidity of the decorative portion 139, which has the step 139A and the recessed groove 139B, is relatively lower than the rigidity of the region Rm in which the primary engagement portion 134 is provided. That is, in this case, the low-rigidity region R is a region including the decorative portion 139, which is applied to the surface of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) that faces outward from the vehicle when the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) is fixed to the wheel 11. Therefore, in the low-rigidity region R in which the decorative portion 139 is provided, by providing the secondary engagement portion 136, it is possible to suppress vibration, lift, and the like, as in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in this case as well, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0053] 9 illustrates an example in which, in addition to the decorative portion 139, through holes 135S are provided that constitute the hole formation portion 135 to accommodate portions of the fin spokes 116. However, it goes without saying that the through holes 135S can be omitted depending on the shape of the spokes provided on the disc 111; that is, it is possible to form only the decorative portion 139 in the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132). Also, in FIG. 9, the through holes 135K corresponding to the air holes 117 are omitted. However, it goes without saying that, as necessary, it is possible to provide the through holes 135K in addition to the decorative portion 139, or to provide the through holes 135K and the through holes 135K in addition to the decorative portion 139.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the wheel cover 13 is exemplified as a wheel mounting member in which a plurality of (e.g., five) main body forming members 132 forming the main body portion 131 are connected by connecting portions 133. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 10, accessory parts 14 similar to each of the main body forming members 132 in the above-described embodiment can be attached to the wheel 11 as a wheel mounting member so as to cover the air holes 117 of the wheel 11.

[0055] The accessory part 14 has a main body portion 141, a main engagement portion 144, a through hole 145K and a through hole 145S that form a hole forming portion 145, and a secondary engagement portion 146. Here, the main body portion 141, the main engagement portion 144, the hole forming portion 145, the through hole 145K, the through hole 145S, and the secondary engagement portion 146 have the same configurations as the main body forming member 132, the main engagement portion 134, the hole forming portion 135, the through hole 135K, the through hole 135S, and the secondary engagement portion 136 described in the above-mentioned embodiment, respectively. Therefore, description of the main body portion 141, the main engagement portion 144, the hole forming portion 145, the through hole 145K, the through hole 145S, and the secondary engagement portion 146 will be omitted.

[0056] The accessory part 14 also has the fin spokes 116, a portion of which is housed in the through-hole 145S, and a fitting portion 149 that fits into the hub mounting portion 114 side of the fin spokes 116. As a result, for example, the accessory part 14 is attached (fixed) to the disc 111 of the wheel 11 by fitting the fitting portion 149 into the fin spokes 116 and then engaging the main engagement portion 134 and the sub-engagement portion 136 with the engaged hole 118 and the engageable portion 119, respectively.

[0057] 10, similarly to the above-described main body forming member 132, the rigidity of the hole forming portion 145, i.e., the general portion (general surface) where the through holes 145K and 145S are formed, in the main body portion 141 is relatively lower than the rigidity of the region Rm where the primary engagement portion 144 is provided. In other words, also in the accessory part 14, the region including the hole forming portion 145 is included in the low-rigidity region R. Therefore, also in the accessory part 14, by providing the secondary engagement portion 146 in the low-rigidity region R including the hole forming portion 145, as in the above-described embodiment, vibration, floating, and the like can be suppressed. Therefore, also in this case, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0058] As with the decorative portion 139 including the step 139A and the recessed groove 139B described above, the accessory part 14 can also be decorated on the surface corresponding to the outside of the main body 141 while attached to the wheel 11. Also in this case, by providing the auxiliary engagement portion 146 in the decorated low rigidity region R, vibration, floating, and the like can be suppressed in the same way as in the above-described embodiment.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the sub-engagement portion 136 has the abutment portion 136C. However, the abutment portion 136C of the sub-engagement portion 136 can be omitted as needed. In this case, a predetermined clearance is set between the engaging claw 136B and the engageable portion 119 so that the engaging claw 136B does not abut against the engageable portion 119, i.e., the fin spokes 116, in the normal state. This suppresses the generation of abnormal noise caused by the engaging claw 136B abutting against the engageable portion 119, i.e., the fin spokes 116, in the normal state, while also preventing the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) from falling off (or coming off) from the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0060] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, a case has been exemplified in which a pair of main engagement portions 134 or a pair of main engagement portions 144 are provided, that is, a case in which the low rigidity region R exists between each region Rm in which a pair of main engagement portions 134 or a pair of main engagement portions 144 are provided. However, for example, in a case in which the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) or the main body portion 141 is provided with a fitting portion that fits with the spokes 115 or the rim 112, only one main engagement portion 134 or one main engagement portion 144 may be provided in the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) or the main body portion 141.

[0061] In this case, the region Rm where the main engagement portion 134 or the main engagement portion 144 is provided and the region where the engagement portion is fitted have relatively high rigidity, while the region adjacent to the region Rm (general portion) has relatively low rigidity. In other words, in this case, the region adjacent to the region Rm (general portion) becomes the low-rigidity region R, and therefore, as in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, by providing the secondary engagement portion 136 or the secondary engagement portion 146 in the low-rigidity region R, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0062] Furthermore, the main body 131 (main body forming member 132) forming the wheel cover 13 of the above-described embodiment or the main body 141 forming the accessory part 14 of the above-described modified example is provided with two main engagement portions 134 or two main engagement portions 144, respectively. However, the number of main engagement portions 134 or main engagement portions 144 is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that three or more main engagement portions 134 or main engagement portions 144 can be provided. In this case, three or more main engagement portions 134 or main engagement portions 144 can be arranged in a region Rm that includes an end portion of the main body forming member 132 or main body 141 in the circumferential direction of the disk 111, or at least one main engagement portion 134 or main engagement portion 144 can be arranged so as to engage with an engaged portion provided on the rim 112.

[0063] Here, the vehicle wheel structure of the first form of the present disclosure comprises a wheel that supports a tire and is assembled to a vehicle, and a wheel mounting member that is attached to the wheel, and the wheel mounting member comprises a main body portion, a main engagement portion that is provided on the main body portion and engages with an engageable portion of the wheel, and a secondary engagement portion that can engage with an engageable portion different from the engageable portion of the wheel in a low rigidity region where the rigidity of the main body portion is relatively reduced when the main body portion is fixed to the wheel by the main engagement portion.

[0064] In addition, a vehicle wheel structure of a second aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the first aspect, wherein the low rigidity region is a region of the main body portion adjacent to a region where the main engagement portion is provided.

[0065] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel structure of the third form of the present disclosure, when a pair of main engagement portions is provided on the main body portion in the vehicle wheel structure of the second form, a low rigidity region exists between each of the regions where the pair of main engagement portions is provided.

[0066] Furthermore, a fourth form of the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to third forms, in which the low rigidity region includes a hole forming portion having a through hole formed in the main body portion.

[0067] Furthermore, a fifth form of vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is the fourth form of vehicle wheel structure, wherein the hole forming portion has a through hole formed to correspond to an air hole provided in the wheel to allow air to circulate when the main body portion is fixed to the wheel.

[0068] Furthermore, a sixth form of vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is the fourth form of vehicle wheel structure, in which the hole forming portion has a through hole formed to accommodate a portion of a spoke that constitutes the wheel when the main body portion is fixed to the wheel.

[0069] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the seventh form of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to sixth forms, in which the low rigidity region includes a decorative portion in which decoration is applied to the surface of the main body portion corresponding to the outside of the vehicle while the main body portion is fixed to the wheel.

[0070] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the eighth form of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to seventh forms, in which the secondary engagement portion has a support portion erected relative to the main body portion, an engagement claw supported by the support portion and arranged so as to be able to engage with the engageable portion, and an abutment portion that abuts against the engageable portion in priority to the engagement claw when the main body portion is fixed to the wheel.

[0071] A vehicle wheel structure of a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the eighth aspect, wherein the abutment portion is a rib provided to connect the support portion and the engaging claw.

[0072] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the tenth form of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to ninth forms, in which the engaged portion is an engaged hole having an elongated hole shape, and the engaged hole is formed so that its longitudinal direction is along the radial direction of the wheel.

[0073] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel structure of an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the wheel mounting member is molded using a resin material.

[0074] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the twelfth form of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first form to the eleventh form, in which the main body portion is formed so as to cover the entire surface of the wheel that corresponds to the outside of the vehicle when attached to the wheel.

[0075] Furthermore, a thirteenth form of the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is the twelfth form of the vehicle wheel structure, wherein the main body portion has a plurality of main body forming members and connecting portions that connect the main body forming members along the circumferential direction of the disc that forms the wheel when attached to the wheel.

[0076] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel structure of a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the thirteenth aspect, wherein the connecting portion connects the plurality of main body forming members at the center of the disc when attached to the wheel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10...vehicle wheel structure, 11...wheel, 111...disc, 111C...center portion, 112...rim, 113...hub hole, 113A...protrusion, 114...hub mounting portion, 115...spoke, 116...fin spoke, 117...air hole, 118...engagement hole (engagement portion), 119...engageable portion, 12...tire, 13...wheel cover (wheel mounting member), 131...main body portion, 132...main body forming member, 132A...wall surface, 132B...back surface, 133...connection portion, 134...main engagement portion, 134L...leg portion, 134A...claw portion, 134B...backup clip, 135...hole forming portion, 135K...through hole, 135S...through hole, 136...secondary engagement portion, 136A...support portion, 136B...engagement claw, 136C...contact portion (rib), 137...work hole, 138...center engagement portion, 138A...center claw, 138B...wire ring, 139...decorative portion, 139A...step, 139B...groove, 14...accessory part (wheel mounting member), 141...main body portion, 144...main engagement portion, 145...hole forming portion, 145K...through hole, 145S...through hole, 146...secondary engagement portion, 149...fitting portion, R...low rigidity region, Rm...region (where the main engagement portion is provided), T...fastening member.

Claims

1. a wheel that supports a tire and is mounted on a vehicle; a wheel mounting member mounted on the wheel, The wheel mounting member is a main body; a main engagement portion provided on the main body portion and engaging with an engaged portion of the wheel; a secondary engagement portion provided in a low-rigidity region where the rigidity of the main body portion is relatively reduced when the main body portion is fixed to the wheel by the primary engagement portion, and capable of engaging with an engageable portion of the wheel different from the engaged portion; A vehicle wheel structure comprising:

2. The low rigidity region The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the main engagement portion is provided in a region of the main body portion adjacent to the region where the main engagement portion is provided.

3. When a pair of the main engagement portions is provided on the main body portion, The low rigidity region The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 2 , wherein a pair of the main engagement portions are provided between each of the regions.

4. The low rigidity region The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the region includes a hole forming portion having a through hole formed in the main body portion.

5. The hole forming portion is 5. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 4, wherein the through-hole is formed to correspond to an air hole provided in the wheel for circulating air when the main body is fixed to the wheel.

6. The hole forming portion is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 4 , wherein the through-hole is formed to accommodate a portion of a spoke that constitutes the wheel when the main body is fixed to the wheel.

7. The low rigidity region 2. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, wherein the area includes a decorative portion where decoration is applied to a surface of the main body portion that corresponds to the outside of the vehicle when the main body portion is fixed to the wheel.

8. The auxiliary engagement portion is a support portion erected on the main body portion; an engaging claw supported by the support portion and provided so as to be engageable with the engageable portion; 2. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a contact portion that contacts the engageable portion in preference to the engaging claw when the main body is fixed to the wheel.

9. The abutment portion is 9. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 8, wherein a rib is provided to connect the support portion and the engaging claw.

10. The engaged portion is The engagement hole is an elongated hole, The engaged hole is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal direction is formed along the radial direction of the wheel.

11. The wheel mounting member is 10. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, which is molded using a resin material.

12. The main body portion is 2. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel structure is formed so as to cover the entire surface of the wheel that faces outward from the vehicle when attached to the wheel.

13. The main body portion is a plurality of body-forming members; 13. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 12, further comprising: a connecting portion that connects the main body forming members along a circumferential direction of a disc that forms the wheel when the wheel is attached to the main body forming members.

14. The connecting portion is 14. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of the body forming members are connected at a center portion of the disc when the vehicle wheel structure is mounted on the wheel.

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