Wheel structure for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a wheel structure for a vehicle which can suppress outflow of air from an inner side of the wheel to an outer side.SOLUTION: A wheel cover 13 attached to a wheel 11 in a wheel structure 10 for a vehicle includes a detouring mechanism 14 comprising: a first member 141 which is arranged at an inner side of the vehicle; a second member 142 which has a gap between the first member 141 and the second member and is arranged at an outer side of the vehicle; an introduction hole 143 which is arranged in the first member 141 in a windhole 117 arranged in a disk-like disc 111 constituting the wheel 11 to introduce air moving through air flow from the inner side of the vehicle to the outer side of the vehicle between the first member 141 and the second member 142; an obstruction part 144 which blocks the air flow of the air introduced through the introduction hole 143; and a lead-out hole 145 which is arranged in the second member 142 to lead out the air moving through the air flow blocked by the obstruction part 144 into the outside of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A vehicle wheel structure is known from the past, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. The conventional vehicle wheel structure includes a resin hubcap attached to the outside of the wheel. The hubcap has slits on the outer periphery of the wheel to allow air to flow from the inside to the outside of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] Improving the aerodynamic characteristics of a moving vehicle, i.e., reducing the air resistance acting on the moving vehicle, is important for improving the vehicle's fuel efficiency and electricity consumption. In a moving vehicle, side flows are usually generated in which air moves from the front to the rear along the side of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, and air that has entered under the vehicle body generates air flows that move from the inside to the outside of the wheels.

[0005] However, air moving with the airflow from the inside to the outside of the wheel can disturb the side flow, which can result in increased air resistance. In particular, in the conventional vehicle wheel structure described above, air moving outward on the outer periphery of the wheel and being discharged from the wheel can generate vortices near the outer sidewall of the tire supported by the wheel, which can further disturb the side flow. For this reason, it is essential to suppress the outflow of air from the inside to the outside of the wheel in order to reduce air resistance.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel structure that can suppress the outflow of air from the inner side to the outer side of the wheel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle wheel structure 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 that is attached to the wheel that is assembled to the vehicle comprises a first member that is arranged on the inside of the vehicle, a second member that is arranged on the outside of the vehicle at a distance from the first member, and a detour mechanism that has an inlet hole in an air hole provided in a circular disk that forms the wheel, the inlet hole being provided in the first member to introduce air that moves with the airflow from the inside of the vehicle toward the outside of the vehicle between the first and second members, an obstruction section that obstructs the airflow of the air introduced from the inlet hole, and an outlet hole provided in the second member to discharge air whose airflow has been obstructed by the obstruction section to the outside of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure, the detour mechanism provided in the wheel mounting member obstructs the airflow of air introduced through the inlet hole 143 provided in the first member using an obstruction portion. In other words, by detouring the air, the airflow is weakened and can be discharged outward through the outlet hole provided in the second member. This prevents the air moving with the airflow from the inner side to the outer side from promoting the formation of vortices that occur near the outer sidewall of the tire as the vehicle moves. As a result, the vortices can be prevented from interfering with the side flow SF and disrupting the side flow. Therefore, the vehicle wheel structure can prevent an increase in air resistance acting on a moving vehicle, which can contribute to improving the vehicle's fuel efficiency and electricity consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle wheel structure according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a vehicle wheel structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a wheel. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a wheel mounting member. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detouring mechanism. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the air flow when the wheel mounting member is not mounted. FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the detouring and outward outflow of air by the wheel mounting member and the detouring mechanism. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the detouring and rearward outflow of air by the wheel mounting member and the detouring mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detouring mechanism of a first modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detouring mechanism according to a second modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detouring mechanism according to a third modified example. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member and a detouring mechanism according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member and a detouring mechanism according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member and a detouring mechanism according to another modified example. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member and a detouring mechanism according to another modified example. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member and a detouring mechanism according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0011] 1. Embodiment As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of this embodiment includes a wheel 11 that constitutes a wheel of the vehicle. The wheel 11 supports a tire 12 and is mounted to the vehicle. The vehicle wheel structure 10 of this embodiment also includes a wheel cover 13 as a wheel mounting member that is attached to the wheel 11. Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel structure 10 of this embodiment, the wheel cover 13 is equipped with a detour mechanism 14.

[0012] Here, when the wheel 11 is mounted on a vehicle, the side of the wheel 11 on which the vehicle body Bo (see FIG. 2) is located is referred to as the "inner side," and the opposite side on which the vehicle body Bo is not located is referred to as the "outer side." In the following description, the direction parallel to the rotation axis L passing through the center of the wheel 11 is referred to as the "axial direction," and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L is referred to as the "radial direction." In the following description, the direction along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is referred to as the "fore-and-aft direction."

[0013] The wheel 11 is made of an alloy such as aluminum or steel, and includes a disk 111 formed in a disk shape, and a rim 112 that is provided in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the disk 111 and holds the tire 12 on its outer circumferential surface. Note that in this embodiment, the wheel 11 is made of an alloy such as aluminum, and is a one-piece type in which the disk 111 and the rim 112 are molded integrally, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0014] 2 and 3, the disc 111 has a hub hole 113 that extends along the rotation axis L 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. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates an example of a hub hole 113 that penetrates the wheel 11, the hub hole 113 does not have to be a hole that penetrates the wheel 11.

[0015] The inner circumferential surface of the hub hole 113 is provided with an engaged portion 114 that engages with an engaging portion 136 of the wheel cover 13, which will be described later. The engaged portion 114 is a ridge formed around the entire inner circumferential surface at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the hub hole 113. Note that a ridge provided for fixing an ornament can be used as the engaged portion 114.

[0016] The disc 111 also includes a hub attachment portion 115 for fixing the wheel 11 to the hub H, and spokes 116 that connect the hub attachment portion 115 to the rim 112. In this embodiment, the disc 111 is illustrated as having five spokes 116 that extend radially from the hub attachment portion 115.

[0017] The disc 111 also has air holes 117 formed between adjacent spokes 116. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the disc 111 is illustrated as having five air holes 117 defined by two spokes 116, the hub attachment portion 115, and the rim 112. Depending on the arrangement and shape of the spokes 116, the air holes 117 may be defined, for example, by two spokes 116 and the rim 112, or by two spokes 116 and the hub attachment portion 115. The disc 111 and the rim 112, i.e., the wheel 11, are fixed to the hub H by fastening members T such as hub nuts or hub bolts, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0018] 2, a disc brake Br is provided as a braking device inside the wheel 11. The disc brake Br includes a brake rotor Br1 that rotates integrally with the wheel 11 and a caliper Br2 that presses a friction member against the brake rotor Br1. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which a disc brake Br is provided as the braking device, a drum brake may also be provided as the braking device.

[0019] The wheel cover 13 constituting the vehicle wheel structure 10 is molded using resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the design surface, which is the outer surface of the wheel 11, so as to cover the air holes 117 provided in the wheel 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel cover 13 has a main body 131 as a main element. The main body 131 is formed so as to cover the entire surface corresponding to the outside of the vehicle, i.e., the design surface, when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11. Here, the outer surface of the main body 131 may be decorated.

[0020] 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 when attached to the wheel 11. As a result, the plurality of main body forming members 132 are integrated by the connecting portions 133, and the disk-shaped main body portion 131 is attached to the design surface of the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0021] Here, in the following description, an example will be given in which the main body 131 has a plurality of fan-shaped main body forming members 132. Specifically, the main body 131 has five main body forming members 132 to cover the five air holes 117 provided in the disc 111 of the wheel 11, respectively. However, the number of main body forming members 132 is not limited to this and may be one or more. Furthermore, the shape of the main body forming members 132 is not limited to a fan shape and various shapes can be adopted.

[0022] In the following description, an example will be given in which the connecting portion 133 connects multiple (five) body forming members 132 at the center portion 111C of the disc 111 when attached to the wheel 11. However, it is of course possible for the connecting portion 133 to connect the 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 116. Even in this case, the multiple body forming members 132 are integrated by the connecting portion 133, and the disk-shaped body portion 131 can be attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0023] The wheel cover 13 is provided with fixing members 134 such as clips for fixing the main body 131, i.e., each main body forming member 132, to the disc 111. As shown in FIG. 2 , the fixing members 134 are hooked onto the spokes 116 of the disc 111 or inserted into and engaged with grooves provided on the outer periphery of the rim 112, thereby fixing each main body forming member 132, and therefore the main body 131, to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0024] The wheel cover 13 also has a work hole 135 that is provided on the main body 131, i.e., the main body forming member 132, and allows the fastening member T (hub nut or hub bolt) for assembling the wheel 11 to the hub H to be inserted therethrough for tightening, as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the work hole 135 is a through hole formed along the axial direction.

[0025] The wheel cover 13 also has an engaging portion 136 that is inserted into a hub hole 113 provided in the center portion 111C of the disc 111 of the wheel 11 and engages with an engaged portion 114 provided in the hub hole 113. The engaging portion 136 is provided at the tip of a leg that extends inward from the connecting portion 133 along the axial direction (rotation axis L) toward the hub hole 113 when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11 when the wheel cover 13 is attached. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of engaging portions 136 (e.g., eight) are provided in a ring shape around the connecting portion 133.

[0026] Each engaging portion 136 is formed, for example, in a claw shape so as to engage with the engaged portion 114, which is a protrusion. As a result, when engaging portion 136 is inserted axially into hub hole 113 together with its leg portion, it abuts against engaged portion 114. Then, with further insertion, the leg portions resiliently bend radially inward, causing engaging portion 136 to overcome engaged portion 114 and engage with engaged portion 114.

[0027] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the wheel cover 13 is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11 by engaging the engaging portion 136 with the engaged portion 114 of the protrusion provided in the hub hole 113. However, there are cases in which the engaged portion 114 of the protrusion is not provided in the hub hole 113. In this case, instead of the engaging portion 136, for example, a cylinder set to a length that does not slip out of the hub hole 113 when inserted into the hub hole 113 may be provided, and the wheel cover 13 may be fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11 by inserting the cylinder into the hub hole 113.

[0028] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the wheel cover 13 of this embodiment is provided with through holes 137 in the main body 131, i.e., each main body forming member 132, in order to discharge the airflow diverted by the detouring mechanism 14, in other words, the air moving due to the weakened airflow, to the outside of the vehicle. That is, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the main body forming member 132 is also used as the second member 142 of the detouring mechanism 14. Therefore, in this embodiment, the through holes 137 provided in the main body forming member 132 also function as the outlet holes 145 of the detouring mechanism 14, as will be described later.

[0029] The detouring mechanism 14 is provided on the wheel cover 13 and is a mechanism that diverts the airflow by obstructing the airflow from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle, thereby weakening the force of the airflow. The detouring mechanism 14 then discharges the airflow that has been weakened by the detouring, i.e., the air moving due to the obstructed airflow, to the outside of the vehicle.

[0030] For this reason, the detouring mechanism 14 includes a first member 141 and a second member 142 molded using a resin material, as shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the first member 141 has a substantially C-shaped cross section as shown in Fig. 5, and is molded as a separate member from the wheel cover 13. In addition, in this embodiment, the second member 142 is molded to become the main body portion 131 of the wheel cover 13, more specifically, to become the back surface of the main body forming member 132 (the surface that faces inward when attached to the disc 111). In other words, in this embodiment, the second member 142 is molded to be shared with the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131).

[0031] In this embodiment, the first member 141 is assembled to the second member 142, i.e., the main body forming member 132, thereby forming the detouring mechanism 14. The first member 141 and the second member 142 (main body forming member 132) are assembled to each other by, for example, adhesion (welding), fitting, engagement, or the like.

[0032] The detouring mechanism 14 is housed in the air holes 117 of the wheel 11 with the wheel cover 13 attached to the wheel 11 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). As a result, the detouring mechanism 14 detouring air including brake cooling air that has flowed into the air holes 117 while coming into contact with the disc brake Br, that is, airflow from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle.

[0033] The first member 141 is disposed on the inner side of the vehicle while being housed in the air hole 117. The second member 142 is disposed on the outer side of the vehicle than the first member 141 while being housed in the air hole 117, with a gap therebetween.

[0034] The detouring mechanism 14 also has an introduction hole 143. The introduction hole 143 is provided in the first member 141 so as to introduce air that moves due to the airflow from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle in the air hole 117 into the space S formed between the first member 141 and the second member 142.

[0035] The detour mechanism 14 also has an obstruction portion 144. The obstruction portion 144 obstructs the airflow of the air introduced into the space S from the introduction hole 143. In other words, the obstruction portion 144 obstructs the airflow from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle by resisting (obstructing) or deflecting the airflow of the introduced air. In this embodiment, the obstruction portion 144 is provided in the second member 142, i.e., the main body forming member 132, so as to face the introduction hole 143 in the axial direction of the wheel 11.

[0036] Furthermore, the detour mechanism 14 has an outlet hole 145. The outlet hole 145 is provided in the second member 142 so as to allow air moving due to the airflow obstructed by the obstruction portion 144 to be discharged to the outside of the vehicle. Here, in this embodiment, a case where the second member 142 is provided integrally with the main body forming member 132 is illustrated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the outlet hole 145 becomes the through hole 137 provided in the main body forming member 132, that is, the through hole 137 is used (shared) as the outlet hole 145.

[0037] 2, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are provided so that the distances R1 and R2 from the center of the wheel 11, i.e., the rotation axis L, are different in the radial direction of the wheel 11. Specifically, in this embodiment, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are arranged so that the distance R1 from the center of the wheel 11 to the inlet hole 143 is greater than the distance R2 from the center of the wheel 11 to the outlet hole 145. That is, in this embodiment, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are provided so as not to overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11.

[0038] 2, the outlet hole 145 (through hole 137) is provided at a predetermined distance K from the rim 112 supporting the tire 12 toward the center of the wheel 11 in the radial direction of the wheel 11. Here, the predetermined distance K is determined so that when air is discharged from the outlet hole 145 (through hole 137) to the outside of the vehicle, the discharged air flows away from the sidewall 121 of the tire 12, that is, so as not to promote vortexes that are generated near the sidewall 121, as will be described later.

[0039] Next, we will explain how the detouring mechanism 14 guides air outward from the vehicle. When the vehicle is traveling, as shown in Fig. 6, air that enters under the floor of the vehicle body Bo from the front in the longitudinal direction is compressed between the vehicle body Bo and the road surface R, causing a portion of the air to move with an airflow from the inside of the wheels, i.e., the wheels 11, to the outside. The air moving outward then moves further outward from the disc brakes Br as "brake cooling air" while cooling the brake rotors Br1 of the disc brakes Br, which are braking devices arranged along the way.

[0040] In this case, in a wheel 11 without a wheel cover 13, as shown by the thick solid arrow in Fig. 6, air (brake cooling air) flowing downward from the inner side to the outer side in the vertical direction of the rim 112 passes through the air holes 117 with great force. The air (brake cooling air) that has passed through the air holes 117 then flows along the sidewall 121 of the tire 12. Furthermore, when the vehicle is traveling, the tire 12 pushes air from the road surface R to the left and right, which may cause a horseshoe-shaped vortex (a so-called horseshoe vortex) to be formed, as shown by the thick solid arrow in Fig. 6. In this case, the air (brake cooling air) that has passed through the air holes 117 and flows along the sidewall 121 of the tire 12 may promote the formation and growth of the horseshoe vortex.

[0041] Incidentally, the horseshoe vortex promoted by the air (brake cooling air) discharged outward through the air holes 117 may interfere with the side flow SF (see FIG. 8) flowing along the side of the vehicle while it is moving, thereby increasing air resistance. Therefore, in order to suppress the promotion of the horseshoe vortex, it is necessary to reduce the amount of air that is forcefully discharged outward from the wheel 11 through the air holes 117, while moving the air (brake cooling air) from the inner side to the outer side, particularly below the rim 112 in the vertical direction.

[0042] Therefore, the vehicle wheel structure 10 has a detouring mechanism 14 in which the wheel cover 13 detouring the air (brake cooling air) moving due to the airflow from the inside to the outside of the wheel 11 can weaken the momentum of the air moving outward. Here, as described above, in the vehicle wheel structure 10 of this embodiment, the wheel cover 13 has a detouring mechanism 14 in each of the main body forming members 132, the number of which is the same as the number of air holes 117. As a result, when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11, the detouring mechanisms 14 can be arranged corresponding to each of the air holes 117.

[0043] 7 , the detour mechanism 14 provided in the air hole 117 located vertically below the rim 112 as the wheel 11 rotates introduces air (brake cooling air) moved by the airflow from the inner side of the wheel 11, indicated by the thick solid arrow, from the inlet hole 143 between the first member 141 and the second member 142, i.e., into the space S. In the detour mechanism 14, the air (brake cooling air) introduced from the inlet hole 143 collides with an obstruction portion 144 disposed opposite the inlet hole 143, thereby obstructing the airflow, weakening the momentum of the airflow and deflecting the direction of the airflow upward in the vertical direction toward the outlet hole 145. Therefore, the air (brake cooling air) with its momentum weakened is deflected and detoured, and is discharged to the outside of the wheel 11 from the outlet hole 145 (through hole 137).

[0044] In this embodiment, the introduction hole 143 and the discharge hole 145 are arranged so that the introduction hole 143 and the discharge hole 145 do not overlap each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11, and so that the distance R1 from the center of the wheel 11 to the introduction hole 143 is greater than the distance R2 from the center of the wheel 11 to the discharge hole 145 (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the discharge hole 145 (through hole 137) is provided radially from the rim 112 toward the center of the wheel 11, spaced a predetermined distance K determined so as not to promote a horseshoe vortex (see FIG. 2).

[0045] As a result, particularly in the bypass mechanism 14 provided in the air hole 117 located vertically below the rim 112, the air (brake cooling air) moving with the airflow weakened by being detoured from the inlet hole 143 via the obstruction portion 144 to the outlet hole 145 can be separated from the generated horseshoe vortex and guided outward. That is, as shown in FIG. 8 , in the bypass mechanism 14 provided in the air hole 117 located vertically below the rim 112, the outflow DF of the air (brake cooling air) guided outward from the outlet hole 145 (through-hole 137) can be directed rearward in the fore-and-aft direction by the side flow SF. Therefore, particularly in the bypass mechanism 14 provided in the air hole 117 located vertically below the rim 112, the promotion of the formation of the horseshoe vortex can be suppressed. As a result, the growth of the horseshoe vortex is suppressed, and an increase in air resistance due to the interference between the horseshoe vortex and the side flow SF can be suppressed.

[0046] Furthermore, the bypass mechanism 14 provided in the air hole 117 corresponding to the downward position in the vertical direction of the rim 112 can weaken the force of the airflow and direct the air (brake cooling air) outward, which makes it possible to suppress interference with the side flow SF compared to, for example, a case where the force of the airflow is not weakened because the bypass mechanism 14 is not provided on the wheel cover 13. Therefore, this also makes it possible to suppress an increase in air resistance.

[0047] Furthermore, even in the detour mechanisms 14 provided other than the air holes 117 positioned vertically below the rim 112, air moved by the airflow directed from the inside to the outside of the wheel 11 may enter the space S through the inlet holes 143. In this case, as described above, in each detour mechanism 14, the air (brake cooling air) moved by the airflow, whose momentum has been weakened by being detouring from the inlet holes 143 to the outlet holes 145 via the obstruction portion 144, can be discharged to the outside. That is, in this case as well, as shown in FIG. 8, in each detour mechanism 14, the outflow DF of the air (brake cooling air) discharged to the outside from the outlet holes 145 (through holes 137) can be directed rearward in the fore-and-aft direction by the side flow SF.

[0048] As a result, the momentum of the air (brake cooling air) is weakened and discharged to the outside even in the detour mechanisms 14 provided other than the air holes 117 located vertically below the rim 112, so interference with the side flow SF can be suppressed compared to, for example, a case where the momentum of the air (brake cooling air) is not weakened without providing the wheel cover 13. Therefore, this also makes it possible to suppress an increase in air resistance.

[0049] As can be understood from the above description, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the embodiment includes a wheel 11 that supports a tire 12 and is mounted on a vehicle, and a wheel cover 13 that serves as a wheel mounting member that is mounted on the wheel 11. The wheel cover 13 mounted on the wheel 11 that is mounted on the vehicle is made up of a first member 141 that is disposed on the inside of the vehicle, a second member 142 (main body forming member 132) that is disposed on the outside of the vehicle at a distance from the first member 141, and a disk-shaped In the air hole 117 provided in the disk 111, a detour mechanism 14 is provided which has an inlet hole 143 provided in the first member 141 so as to introduce air moving with the airflow from the inside of the vehicle toward the outside of the vehicle between the first member 141 and the second member 142 (main body forming member 132), an obstruction portion 144 that obstructs the airflow of the air introduced from the inlet hole 143, and an outlet hole 145 provided in the second member 142 so as to discharge the air moving with the airflow obstructed by the obstruction portion 144 to the outside of the vehicle. In this case, the wheel mounting member 13 is molded using a resin material.

[0050] In this case, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are provided so as not to overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11. In this case, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are provided so as to have different distances from the rotation axis L, which is the center of the wheel 11, in the radial direction of the wheel 11. In this case, the distance to the inlet hole 143 is set to be greater than the distance to the outlet hole 145.

[0051] In this case, the outlet hole 145 is provided at a predetermined distance K from the annular rim 112 that forms the wheel 11 and supports the tire 12 on its outer peripheral surface toward the center of the wheel 11 in the radial direction of the wheel 11. In this case, the predetermined distance K is determined so that when air is discharged from the outlet hole 145 to the outside of the vehicle, the discharged air flows away from the sidewall 121 of the tire 12.

[0052] In this case, the second member 142 is molded to become the main body portion 131 of the wheel cover 13 that covers the entire surface of the wheel 11 facing 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 wheel 11 when attached to the wheel 11. In this case, the connecting portions 133 connect the plurality of main body forming members 132 at the center portion 111C of the wheel 11 when attached to the wheel 11.

[0053] According to the vehicle wheel structure 10, the detouring mechanism 14 provided in the wheel cover 13 obstructs the airflow of air introduced through the inlet hole 143 provided in the first member 141 using the obstruction portion 144. In other words, by detouring the air, the airflow is weakened and can be discharged outward through the outlet hole 145 provided in the second member 142. As a result, the vehicle wheel structure 10 can suppress the promotion of the formation of a horseshoe vortex, which is a vortex that occurs near the outer sidewall 121 of the tire 12 as the vehicle moves, when the air moves with the airflow from the inner side to the outer side. As a result, the horseshoe vortex can suppress interference with the side flow SF and disruption of the side flow SF. Therefore, the vehicle wheel structure 10 can suppress an increase in air resistance acting on a traveling vehicle, which can contribute to improving the fuel efficiency and electric power consumption of the vehicle.

[0054] 2. First Variant In the above-described embodiment, the case where the inhibiting portion 144 is provided in the detouring mechanism 14 integrally with the second member 142 (i.e., the main body forming member 132) and substantially parallel to the surface direction of the second member 142 (main body forming member 132) has been exemplified. As a result, in the above-described embodiment, when air moving with the airflow from the inner side to the outer side of the wheel 11 enters the interior of the space S through the introduction hole 143, the entering air collides with the inhibiting portion 144 arranged to face the introduction hole 143. This weakens the momentum of the entering airflow and deflects it upward in the vertical direction. As a result, the air entering through the introduction hole 143 is discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 145 (through hole 137) without traveling in a straight line.

[0055] 9, in the detouring mechanism 14, the inhibiting portion 144 can be provided on the first member 141 so as to extend along the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis L. That is, in this case, the inhibiting portion 144 is provided on the first member 141 so as to be parallel to the airflow of the air entering from the introduction hole 143.

[0056] As a result, the obstruction section 144 of the first modified example enters the interior of the space S from the introduction hole 143 and collides with air moving vertically upward due to, for example, an airflow of relatively low pressure caused by the side flow SF toward the outlet hole 145. As a result, as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 9, the momentum of the airflow toward the outlet hole 145 is weakened as it makes a detour, and the entering air is discharged outward from the outlet hole 145 (through hole 137). Therefore, in the case of the first modified example, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0057] 3. Second Variant The above-described embodiment and first modified example have exemplified a case in which the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 in the detouring mechanism 14 are provided so that the distances R1 and R2 from the rotation axis L are different. That is, the above-described embodiment and first modified example have exemplified a case in which the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are provided so as not to overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11.

[0058] 10, in the detouring mechanism 14, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 may be provided so that the distances R1 and R2 from the rotation axis L are the same and so that they overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11. That is, in the second modified example, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 of the detouring mechanism 14 are provided so as to face each other in the axial direction.

[0059] In this case, in order to divert the airflow of air that has entered the space S from the inlet hole 143 and weaken the momentum of the airflow so that it is directed toward the outlet hole 145, the obstruction portion 144 of the second modified example is provided on the first member 141 between the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 in the axial direction of the wheel 11. As a result, as shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 10 , the obstruction portion 144 of the second modified example collides with the air that has entered the space S from the inlet hole 143 and is traveling straight. As a result, the momentum of the airflow toward the outlet hole 145 is weakened as it bypasses the obstruction portion 144, and the entering air is discharged to the outside through the outlet hole 145 (through hole 137). Therefore, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained in the second modified example.

[0060] 4.Third Modification In the above-described embodiment, first modified example, and second modified example, the case where the main body portion 131 of the wheel cover 13, i.e., the main body forming member 132, is used (shared) as the second member 142 of the detouring mechanism 14. Thus, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the inhibiting portion 144 is integrally formed on the back surface side of the main body forming member 132 and the through hole 137 as the lead-out hole 145 is provided in the main body forming member 132 is exemplified.

[0061] 11, the detouring mechanism 14 can be molded separately from the wheel cover 13 and assembled to the main body forming member 132 of the wheel cover 13. Note that while FIG. 11 shows the detouring mechanism 14 of the above-described embodiment as a representative example, the detouring mechanisms 14 of the first and second modified examples can also be molded separately from the wheel cover 13 and assembled to the main body forming member 132 of the wheel cover 13.

[0062] In this case, by assembling the detouring mechanism 14 so that the outlet hole 145 of the detouring mechanism 14 and the through hole 137 provided in the main body forming member 132 (main body portion 131) of the wheel cover 13 are in communication with each other, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment, first modified example, and second modified example can be obtained. In this case, as long as the outlet hole 145 and the through hole 137 can be in communication with each other, it is not necessary to assemble the detouring mechanism 145 and the through hole 137 so that their positions coincide with each other. For example, the outlet hole 145 and the through hole 137 may be assembled so that they are offset in the radial or circumferential direction of the wheel 11. Even in this case, the force of the airflow can be weakened, and the air can be guided out of the vehicle.

[0063] 11 illustrates an example of molding the detour mechanism 14, in which, for example, to facilitate resin molding, a first member 141 having an inlet hole 143 is molded, a second member 142 having an inhibitor portion 144 and an outlet hole 145 is molded, and the detour mechanism 14 assembled using the molded first member 141 and second member 142 is attached to the wheel cover 13. However, the molding is not limited to this, and it is also possible to mold the first member 141, the second member 142, the inlet hole 143, the inhibitor portion 144, and the outlet hole 145 integrally.

[0064] 5. Fourth Modification In the above-described embodiment and the first to third modified examples, the wheel cover 13 is exemplified as a wheel mounting member in which a plurality of (e.g., five) body forming members 132 forming a main body portion 131 are connected by connecting portions 133. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 12, it is also possible to mount accessory pieces 15 similar to each of the body forming members 132 of the above-described embodiment, etc., on the wheel 11 as wheel mounting members so as to cover the air holes 117 of the wheel 11.

[0065] Accessory piece 15 has a main body portion 151, a fixing member 154, and a through hole 157. Here, main body portion 151, fixing member 154, and through hole 157 have the same configurations as main body forming member 132, fixing member 134, and through hole 137 described in the above-mentioned embodiment, etc. Therefore, description of main body portion 151, fixing member 154, and through hole 157 will be omitted.

[0066] The accessory piece 15 also has a fitting portion 158 that fits with the spoke 116 on the hub mounting portion 115 side of the spoke 116. As a result, for example, the fitting portion 158 is fitted into the hub mounting portion 115, and then the fixing member 154 engages with the spoke 116 or the rim 112 of the wheel 11, whereby the accessory piece 15 is attached (fixed) to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0067] 12 also has a detouring mechanism 14, similar to the above-described embodiment and the like. Note that the fourth modified example shows, as a representative example, a case in which the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 in the detouring mechanism 14 are provided so as not to overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11, similar to the above-described embodiment, first modified example, and third modified example. However, similar to the above-described second modified example, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 in the detouring mechanism 14 may also be provided so as to overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11.

[0068] Even when accessory piece 15 is attached to wheel 11, similar to the above-described embodiments, detouring mechanism 14 can detouring air moving with the airflow from the inside to the outside of wheel 11, weakening the force of the airflow, and discharging the air to the outside through outlet hole 145, i.e., through-hole 157. Therefore, the fourth modification can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[0069] 6. Fifth Variation In the fourth modified example described above, an accessory piece 15 having a main body 151 molded to match the shape of the vent 117 so as to cover the entire vent 117 of the wheel 11. As described in the above embodiment, the air moving with the airflow from the inside to the outside of the wheel 11 is air that is compressed under the floor as the vehicle travels and flows toward the wheel 11. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , most of the air moves vertically downward along the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112. Therefore, instead of covering the entire vent 117, it is possible to cover only the rim 112 side of the vent 117, as shown in FIG. 13 . In other words, it is also possible to attach a strip-shaped accessory piece 16 to the vent 117 of the wheel 11 as a wheel attachment member.

[0070] The accessory piece 16, like the accessory piece 15 of the fourth modified example described above, has a main body 161, a fixing member 164, and a through hole 167. As shown in FIG. 13 , the main body 161 is formed in a strip shape. The main body 161 is formed so that, when attached to the air hole 117 of the wheel 11, it is wider than a predetermined distance K determined so as not to promote a horseshoe vortex in the radial direction from the rim 112 toward the center of the wheel 11. Here, the fixing member 164 and the through hole 167 have the same configuration as the fixing member 134 and the through hole 137 described in the above-described embodiment, etc. Therefore, a description of the fixing member 164 and the through hole 167 will be omitted.

[0071] 13 also has a detouring mechanism 14, similar to the above-described embodiment and the like. Note that the fifth modified example also shows, as a representative example, a case in which the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 in the detouring mechanism 14 are provided so as not to overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11, similar to the above-described embodiment, first modified example, and third modified example. However, similar to the above-described second modified example, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 in the detouring mechanism 14 may also be provided so as to overlap with each other in the axial direction of the wheel 11.

[0072] When the accessory piece 16 is attached to the air hole 117 of the wheel 11, the detouring mechanism 14 preferentially or selectively detouring the air moving with the airflow along the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112 so as to promote the formation of a horseshoe vortex, and also weakens the momentum of the airflow, and can guide the air outward from the guide hole 145, i.e., the through-hole 167. Therefore, in the fifth variant, in particular, the momentum of the airflow along the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112 can be weakened so as to promote the formation of a horseshoe vortex, and an increase in air resistance due to the formation of a horseshoe vortex can be suppressed.

[0073] 7. Other Modifications In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the cases where the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 of the detouring mechanism 14 overlap and do not overlap in the same radial direction have been described as examples. That is, in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the cases where the circumferential positions of the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are in the same radial direction have been described as examples.

[0074] Alternatively, as shown by way of example in accessory piece 15 in Fig. 14, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 of the detouring mechanism 14 may be provided so that the distances R1 and R2 from the rotation axis L are different and that they are offset from each other in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, as shown by way of example in accessory piece 15 in Fig. 15, the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 of the detouring mechanism 14 may be provided so that the distances R1 and R2 from the rotation axis L are the same and that they are offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0075] In this way, even when the inlet hole 143 and the outlet hole 145 are provided in the detour mechanism 14, the air moving with the airflow from the inside to the outside of the wheel 11 can be detoured to weaken the force of the airflow, and the air can be discharged to the outside through the outlet hole 145. Therefore, in these cases, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the case where the detour mechanism 14 is provided with one inlet hole 143 and one outlet hole 145 has been described as an example. Alternatively, as shown by way of example in the accessory piece 15 in FIG. 16 , it is also possible to provide a plurality of inlet holes 143 and outlet holes 145 in the detour mechanism 14 along the circumferential direction. In this way, even when the detour mechanism 14 is provided with a plurality of inlet holes 143 and outlet holes 145 along the circumferential direction, it is possible to detour the air moving with the airflow from the inner side to the outer side of the wheel 11, thereby weakening the momentum of the airflow and allowing the air to be discharged to the outside through the outlet hole 145. Therefore, in this case as well, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and the like can be obtained.

[0077] Here, a first form of vehicle wheel structure 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 that is attached to the wheel that is assembled to the vehicle comprises a first member that is arranged on the inside of the vehicle, a second member that is arranged on the outside of the vehicle with a gap between it and the first member, and a bypass mechanism that has an inlet hole in an air hole provided in a circular disk that forms the wheel, the inlet hole being provided in the first member to introduce air that is moved by an airflow from the inside of the vehicle toward the outside of the vehicle between the first member and the second member, an obstruction section that obstructs the airflow of the air that has been introduced from the inlet hole, and an outlet hole provided in the second member to discharge air that is moved by the airflow obstructed by the obstruction section to the outside of the vehicle.

[0078] A vehicle wheel structure according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure according to the first aspect, wherein the inlet hole and the outlet hole are provided so as not to overlap each other in the axial direction of the wheel.

[0079] A vehicle wheel structure of a third aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the second aspect, wherein the inlet hole and the outlet hole are provided at different distances from the center of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel.

[0080] A vehicle wheel structure according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure according to the third aspect, wherein the distance to the introduction hole is set to be greater than the distance to the outlet hole.

[0081] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel structure of a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a plurality of inlet holes and outlet holes are each formed along the circumferential direction of the wheel.

[0082] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel structure of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the outlet hole is provided a predetermined distance away from the annular rim that forms the wheel and supports the tire on its outer peripheral surface toward the center of the wheel in the radial direction of the wheel.

[0083] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the sixth aspect, wherein the predetermined distance is determined so that when air is discharged from the discharge hole to the outside of the vehicle, the discharged air flows away from the sidewall of the tire.

[0084] A vehicle wheel structure according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure according to the first aspect, wherein the inhibiting portion is provided between the inlet hole and the outlet hole in the axial direction of the wheel.

[0085] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the ninth form of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first form to the eighth form, in which the second member is molded to become the main body of the wheel mounting member that covers the entire surface of the wheel that faces outward from the vehicle when mounted on the wheel.

[0086] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the tenth form of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the ninth form, 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 wheel when attached to the wheel.

[0087] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel structure of an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the tenth aspect, wherein the connecting portion connects the plurality of main body forming members at the center of the wheel when attached to the wheel.

[0088] A vehicle wheel structure of a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the wheel mounting member is formed using a resin material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10...vehicle wheel structure, 11...wheel, 111...disc, 111C...center portion, 112...rim, 113...hub hole, 114...engaged portion, 115...hub mounting portion, 116...spoke, 117...ventilation hole, 12...tire, 121...sidewall, 13...wheel cover (wheel mounting member), 131...main body portion, 132...main body forming member, 133...connecting portion, 134...fixing member, 135...work hole, 136...engaging portion, 137...through hole, 1 4...bypass mechanism, 141...first member, 142...second member, 143...inlet hole, 144...hindering portion, 145...exit hole, 15...accessory piece (wheel mounting member), 151...main body portion, 154...fixing member, 157...through hole, 158...fitting portion, 16...accessory piece (wheel mounting member), 161...main body portion, 164...fixing member, 167...through hole, L...rotation axis (axial direction), K...predetermined distance, SF...side flow, DF...outflow, 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 mounted on the wheel assembled to the vehicle, a first member disposed on an inner side of the vehicle; a second member disposed on an outer side of the vehicle at a distance from the first member; an air hole provided in a circular disk forming the wheel, the air being moved by an airflow from the inside of the vehicle toward the outside of the vehicle, and an introduction hole provided in the first member so as to introduce air between the first member and the second member; an obstruction portion that obstructs the airflow of the air introduced through the inlet; a bypass mechanism having an outlet hole provided in the second member so as to discharge the air moving due to the airflow obstructed by the obstruction portion to the outside of the vehicle.

2. The inlet and outlet holes are 2. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, wherein the first and second axial members are provided so as not to overlap each other in the axial direction of the wheel.

3. The inlet and outlet holes are 3. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 2, wherein the distance from the center of the wheel varies in the radial direction of the wheel.

4. The distance is 4. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 3, wherein the distance to the inlet hole is set larger than the distance to the outlet hole.

5. The inlet and outlet holes are each The vehicle wheel structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the grooves are formed along the circumferential direction of the wheel.

6. The outlet hole is 2. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, wherein the tire is provided radially away from an annular rim that defines the wheel and supports the tire on its outer circumferential surface by a predetermined distance toward the center of the wheel.

7. The predetermined distance is 7. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 6, wherein the distance is determined so that when the air is discharged from the discharge hole to the outside of the vehicle, the discharged air flows away from the sidewall of the tire.

8. The inhibition portion is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet hole is located between the outlet hole and the inlet hole in the axial direction of the wheel.

9. The second member is 2. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, wherein the wheel mounting member is molded to form a main body portion of the wheel mounting member formed to cover the entire surface of the wheel corresponding to the outside of the vehicle when mounted on the wheel.

10. The main body portion is a plurality of body-forming members; 10. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 9, further comprising: a connecting portion that connects the main body forming members together in a circumferential direction of the wheel when the vehicle wheel structure is attached to the wheel.

11. The connecting portion is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of body forming members are connected together at a center portion of the wheel when attached to the wheel.

12. The wheel mounting member is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , which is formed using a resin material.

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