Vehicle wheel structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle wheel structure that enables easy detachment of a wheel attachment member attached to a wheel.SOLUTION: A vehicle wheel structure 10 includes: a wheel 11 that supports a tire 12 and is assembled to a vehicle; and an accessory piece 13 attached to the wheel 11. The accessory piece 13 includes: a body part 131; a pair of a first engagement part 132 and a second engagement part 133 that are provided on the body part 131 in a radial direction of the wheel 11 and engage with a first engagement receiving part 118 and a second engagement receiving part 119 of the wheel 11; and a restriction part 134 provided in the radial direction so as to restrict displacement of the first engagement part 132. The accessory piece 13 attached to the wheel 11 is detached from the wheel 11 by displacing the second engagement part 133 that is not restricted by the restriction part 134 in displacement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional cap is known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The conventional cap is attached to a wheel by engaging the inner and outer circumferential sides. The conventional cap is provided with a rib to restrict radial outward movement due to centrifugal force. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6363551 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 caps described above have been attached to wheels in order to improve the design and aerodynamic characteristics of the wheels. When attached to the wheel, the wheel mounting components are secured so as not to easily fall off the wheel, as with the conventional caps described above, and so as to reduce relative movement with respect to the wheel. In such cases, for example, when removing the wheel mounting components from the wheel for repair or replacement, they may not be easily removable.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel structure that allows a wheel mounting member attached to a wheel to be easily removed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] 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 mounted to the wheel, wherein the wheel mounting member has a main body portion, a pair of engaging portions that are arranged on the main body portion along the radial direction of the wheel and engage with engaged portions of the wheel, and a regulating portion that is arranged along the radial direction to regulate displacement of a first engaging portion, which is one of the pair of engaging portions; and the wheel mounting member mounted to the wheel is detached from the wheel by displacing a second engaging portion, which is the other engaging portion of the pair of engaging portions whose displacement is not regulated by the regulating portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure, the engagement between the second engaging portion and the engaged portion can be released by displacing the second engaging portion, whose displacement is not restricted by the restricting portion. As a result, the restriction on displacement by the restricting portion is released at the first engaging portion provided along the radial direction, making it possible to release the engagement between the first engaging portion and the engaged portion, and the wheel mounting member can be easily removed from the wheel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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. 10 is a diagram illustrating a wheel mounting member. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mounting of the wheel mounting member. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a first engagement portion of the wheel mounting member. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a second engagement portion of the wheel mounting member. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating removal of the wheel mounting member. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member according to a modified example. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram for explaining a center engagement portion of the wheel mounting member of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating wheel mounting members according to other modified examples. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating second engagement portions of wheel mounting members according to other modified examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 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.

[0010] 1. Embodiment As shown in Figure 1, 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 an accessory piece 13 that serves as a wheel mounting member that is attached to the wheel 11.

[0011] 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 of the wheel 11 will be referred to as the "radial direction."

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 M to be provided on the wheel 11 (see Fig. 1). Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a case where the hub hole 113 is formed as a through hole, the end of the hub hole 113 on the design surface side may be closed, i.e., formed so as not to open.

[0014] 1 and 2, a hub mounting portion 114 for fixing the wheel 11 to a vehicle hub is provided on the inward side of the central portion 111C of the disc 111. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a case where the hub mounting portion 114 is cylindrical, the shape of the hub mounting portion 114 is not limited to a cylindrical shape.

[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. Furthermore, the air holes 117 may be defined, for example, by two spokes 115 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 a first engaged portion 118 as an engaged portion. The first engaged portion 118 has, for example, an elongated through hole, and engages with a first engaging portion 132 provided on the accessory piece 13, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the first engaged portion 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 first engaged portion 118 may be built into the spokes 115, for example.

[0019] Here, the through hole of the first engaged portion 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 through hole of the first engaged portion 118 is formed so that the side surface 118A of the through hole is approximately parallel to the radial direction. This prevents unnecessary load (stress) from acting on the first engaged portion 132 from the first engaged portion 118, i.e., the through hole, when the first engaging portion 132 is engaged with the first engaged portion 118, as will be described later. Furthermore, when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, more specifically, the air hole 117, it is possible to avoid excessive restraint of the first engaging portion 132 due to engagement of the second engaging portion 133, as will be described later. Note that the shape and arrangement of the first engaged portion 118, specifically the through hole, are not limited to those described above.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the disc 111 has second engaged portions 119 as engaged portions. As shown enlarged in Fig. 3, the second engaged portions 119 are provided so as to be on approximately the same radial line as the first engaged portions 118, and engage with second engaging portions 133 provided on the accessory piece 13, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the second engaged portions 119 are provided at the connecting portions between the spokes 115 and the fin spokes 116, more specifically, on the base end sides of the spokes 115, so as to be on approximately the same radial line as the first engaged portions 118, which are provided at the connecting portions between the tip ends of the spokes 115 and the rim 112.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the accessory piece 13 constituting the vehicle wheel structure 10 is formed so as to cover at least a portion of the 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. Here, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which five accessory pieces 13 are attached to the wheel 11. Specifically, when two air holes 117 adjacent to each other via the fin spokes 116 on the disc 111 of the wheel 11 are considered as one pair, five accessory pieces 13 are attached to cover each of the five pairs of air holes 117 present across the disc 111. Note that the number of accessory pieces 13 is not limited to this and may be one or more.

[0022] Accessory piece 13 is molded using, for example, a resin material, and includes main body 131 as a main element, as shown in Fig. 4. Main body 131 is plate-shaped and formed in a fan shape. Note that main body 131 is not limited to a plate shape and may be, for example, frame-shaped. Furthermore, the shape of main body 131 is not limited to a fan shape and various shapes can be adopted to match the shape of air hole 117, for example.

[0023] The accessory piece 13 also has a first engagement portion 132, a second engagement portion 133, and a restricting portion 134 that are integrally provided with the main body portion 131. Here, the first engagement portion 132, the second engagement portion 133, and the restricting portion 134 are arranged along the same radial direction, more specifically, lined up in the same radial direction, as shown in FIG. 4 . With this arrangement, in this embodiment, the first engagement portion 132 and the second engagement portion 133 form a pair of engaging portions that are provided on the main body portion 131 along the radial direction of the wheel 11 and engage with the first engaged portion 118 and the second engaged portion 119, which are engaged portions of the wheel 11. Note that in this embodiment, when the first engagement portion 132, the second engagement portion 133, and the restricting portion 134 are considered as one set, a case where two sets are provided on the main body portion 131 is illustrated.

[0024] The first engaging portion 132 is disposed on a side closer to the rim 112 of the wheel 11, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, engages with the first engaged portion 118 provided on the wheel 11. The first engaging portion 132 has a leg portion 132A and a return portion 132B. When the main body portion 131 is fixed to the disc 111, the leg portion 132A stands inward from the back surface of the main body portion 131, and supports the return portion 132B at its tip end. The return portion 132B protrudes inward in the radial direction at the tip end of the leg portion 132A, and engages with the through-hole of the first engaged portion 118.

[0025] Here, the first engaging portion 132 is molded using a resin material, similar to the main body portion 131. Therefore, when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the wheel 11, the first engaging portion 132 engages with the through-hole of the first engaged portion 118 to prevent the accessory piece 13 from falling off, that is, the first engaging portion 132 continues to resist outward forces acting on the accessory piece 13 due to air flow, vibration, and the like. In this case, the first engaging portion 132 may experience deterioration due to so-called thermal creep, stress relaxation, and other material properties.

[0026] For this reason, a backup clip 132C made of thin metal plate is attached to the first engaging portion 132. This ensures the rigidity of the first engaging portion 132, and prevents the accessory piece 13 from falling off when the first engaging portion 132 is engaged with the through-hole of the first engaged portion 118.

[0027] The second engaging portion 133 is disposed closer to the center portion 111C of the wheel 11 and engages with a step of the second engaged portion 119 provided on the wheel 11, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 . The second engaging portion 133 is formed using a thin metal plate and includes a main body member 133A, an engaging claw 133B, and a knob portion 133C. The main body member 133A has a U-shaped cross section so that it can be bent in the radial direction, and one side is fixed to, for example, a rib provided on the main body member 131. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a case in which the main body member 133A has a U-shaped cross section, the cross section may also be V-shaped. The engaging claw 133B protrudes radially inward from the other side of the main body member 133A and engages with a step of the second engaged portion 119.

[0028] As a result, when the main body portion 131 is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, i.e., when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the wheel 11, the second engagement portion 133 presses the engaging claws 133B toward the second engaged portion 119 while the main body member 133A is bent radially outward. In this state, the reaction force of the pressing force of the main body member 133A of the second engagement portion 133 pressing the engaging claws 133B toward the second engaged portion 119 is transmitted to the restricting portion 134 via the main body portion 131. Therefore, as will be described later, the restricting portion 134 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112 of the wheel 11 by the transmitted reaction force. Then, as the restricting portion 134 is pressed, the main body portion 131 is fixed to the wheel 11.

[0029] Here, the magnitude of the reaction force to the pressing force described above is set so as to press the restricting portion 134 against the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112 when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the wheel 11. In this case, for example, the magnitude of gravity acting vertically downward on the accessory piece 13 (that is, from the outer side to the inner side in the radial direction) at the rotational position of the wheel 11 is also taken into consideration. As a result, the restricting portion 134 is stably pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112 even when, for example, the vehicle is traveling at a low speed or on a rough road, that is, even when gravity acts on the accessory piece 13 more strongly than centrifugal force due to the rotation of the wheel 11.

[0030] As will be described later, the knob 133C is operated to displace the engaging claw 133B when detaching or removing the accessory piece 13 from the disc 111 of the wheel 11. For this reason, the knob 133C extends radially outward from the engaging claw 133B so that it can be easily gripped by, for example, an operator's fingers or a general-purpose tool (such as pliers or pincers).

[0031] In this embodiment, the second engaging portion 133 is formed from a thin metal plate. However, the second engaging portion 133 can also be formed, for example, in the same way as the first engaging portion 132 described above, by using a resin material to form the main body member 133A, engaging claw 133B, and knob portion 133C, and can be configured to have a backup clip to ensure rigidity.

[0032] The restricting portion 134 is provided along the radial direction so as to restrict displacement of the first engaging portion 132, which is one of the pair of engaging portions, more specifically, displacement toward the outside in the radial direction due to centrifugal force generated when the accessory piece 13 attached to the wheel 11 rotates together with the wheel 11. For this reason, the restricting portion 134 is disposed adjacent to the first engaging portion 132 in the radial direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first engaging portion 132 and the restricting portion 134 are integrally connected via the main body portion 131. That is, in this embodiment, the main body portion 131, the first engaging portion 132, and the restricting portion 134 are integrally molded using a resin material.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5 , when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, i.e., when the second engaging portion 133 presses the second engaged portion 119 radially inward to engage with it, the restricting portion 134 receives a reaction force of the pressing force of the second engaging portion 133 via the main body portion 131, and the radial outer side of the restricting portion 134 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112 of the wheel 11. As a result, the restricting portion 134 restricts the relative movement of the accessory piece 13 outward in the radial direction. In other words, by restricting the relative movement of the accessory piece 13, the restricting portion 134 also restricts the relative movement of the first engaging portion 132 outward in the radial direction with respect to the through-hole of the first engaged portion 118. As a result, the restricting portion 134 also restricts the disengagement of the first engaging portion 132 and the first engaged portion 118.

[0034] The accessory piece 13 also has a through hole 135 provided in the main body 131. The through hole 135 is formed to accommodate a portion of the fin spoke 116 that constitutes the wheel 11 when the main body 131 is fixed to the disc 111 of the wheel 11. Although not shown, the accessory piece 13 may also have a through hole provided in the main body 131 to allow air to pass through the air holes 117 provided in the disc 111.

[0035] Next, a description will be given of how to attach and detach the accessory piece 13 to the wheel 11. First, the attachment of the accessory piece 13 to the wheel 11 will be described.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the accessory piece 13 is attached to the air hole 117 formed in the disc 111 of the wheel 11. In this case, for example, while the restricting portion 134 integrally molded with the main body portion 131 is abutted against the inner circumferential surface of the rim 112 of the wheel 11, the accessory piece 13 is slid obliquely in from the outer side to the inner side in the radial direction as shown by the thick solid arrow in Fig. 5. Note that by sliding the accessory piece 13 in this way, for example, it is possible to prevent the first engagement portion 132 and the second engagement portion 133 from scratching the wheel 11.

[0037] Then, by sliding the accessory piece 13 obliquely from the outside to the inside in the radial direction, the first engaging portion 132 faces the through hole of the first engaged portion 118, and the leg portion 132A bends outward in the radial direction while the barbed portion 132B provided at the tip end enters the through hole, and then the barbed portion 132B engages with the through hole of the first engaged portion 118. At this time, the operator can sense, for example, a click as the barbed portion 132B engages with the through hole. Furthermore, the second engaging portion 133 faces the second engaged portion 119, and as the main body member 133A bends outward in the radial direction, the engaging claw 133B passes through the second engaged portion 119, and then the engaging claw 133B engages with a step of the second engaged portion 119 (in this embodiment, the connecting portion between the spoke 115 and the fin spoke 116).

[0038] In this way, in accessory piece 13 attached to air hole 117, as described above, main body member 133A of second engaging portion 133 presses second engaged portion 119 radially inward, and the reaction force generated by this pressing is transmitted to restricting portion 134 via main body portion 131, causing restricting portion 134 to abut against and press the inner circumferential surface of rim 112. Therefore, the radial position of accessory piece 13 attached to air hole 117 is fixed by the pressing force generated by bending of main body member 133A of second engaging portion 133 and by restricting portion 134 abutting against rim 112.

[0039] Furthermore, in the accessory piece 13 attached to the air hole 117, as described above, the restricting portion 134 abuts against the rim 112, thereby restricting the relative movement of the first engaging portion 132 with respect to the through hole of the first engaged portion 118. This maintains the state in which the barbed portion 132B of the first engaging portion 132 is engaged with the through hole of the first engaged portion 118. Furthermore, in the first engaging portion 132, the leg portion 132A and the barbed portion 132B are pressed radially inward by the backup clip 132C, thereby maintaining the state in which the barbed portion 132B is engaged with the through hole of the first engaged portion 118.

[0040] Furthermore, in accessory piece 13 attached to air hole 117, as described above, engaging claw 133B is pressed toward second engaged portion 119 by the pressing force caused by the bending of main body member 133A. This causes engaging claw 133B to remain engaged with the step of second engaged portion 119 in second engaging portion 133. Therefore, the engagement of first engaging portion 132 with first engaged portion 118 and second engaging portion 133 with second engaged portion 119 fixes the position of accessory piece 13 attached to air hole 117 in the axial direction, and prevents accessory piece 13 from falling off against outward forces caused by air flow, vibrations, and the like during driving.

[0041] Next, a description will be given of how to remove the accessory piece 13 from the wheel 11. In this embodiment, when removing the accessory piece 13 for replacement or repair, for example, the wheel 11 attached to the hub by the fastening member T is first removed. Then, the accessory piece 13 is removed from the inside of the removed wheel 11.

[0042] As described above, when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the air hole 117 of the wheel 11, the second engaging portion 133 and the restricting portion 134 restrict relative radial movement of the accessory piece 13. Furthermore, when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the air hole 117 of the wheel 11, the engagement between the first engaging portion 132 and the first engaged portion 118 and the engagement between the second engaging portion 133 and the second engaged portion 119 prevents movement of the accessory piece 13 in the removal direction.

[0043] Therefore, in the vehicle wheel structure 10, when removing the accessory piece 13 from the wheel 11, the operator first uses the knob 133C of the second engaging portion 133 to disengage the second engaging portion 133 from the second engaged portion 119. Specifically, the operator uses, for example, a finger or a general-purpose tool to move the knob 133C radially outward as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 8. This causes the engaging claw 133B to also move radially outward, thereby disengaging the second engaged portion 119 from the step.

[0044] In this way, when the engagement between the second engaging portion 133 and the second engaged portion 119 is released, no pressing force is generated by the main body member 133A of the second engaging portion 133, and as a result, no reaction force is generated and transmitted to the restricting portion 134 via the main body portion 131. In other words, the restricting portion 134 is released from being pressed against the rim 112, and therefore does not restrict the relative radial movement of the accessory piece 13.

[0045] 8, while the second engaging portion 133 remains disengaged from the second engaged portion 119, for example, the leg portion 132A of the first engaging portion 132 is bent radially outward against the biasing force of the backup clip 132C to disengage the return portion 132B from the through-hole of the first engaged portion 118, and the rib that constitutes the main body 131 and is close to the first engaging portion 132 is pressed outward in the axial direction. As a result, in the vehicle wheel structure 10, the accessory piece 13 can be easily detached, that is, removed, from the wheel 11 by using the knob portion 133C to disengage the second engaging portion 133 from the second engaged portion 119.

[0046] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel structure 10, when removing the accessory piece 13 from the wheel 11, an operator can first bend the leg portion 132A of the first engaging portion 132 radially outward against the biasing force of the backup clip 132C to disengage the return portion 132B from the through-hole of the first engaged portion 118. Then, the operator can use, for example, a finger or a general-purpose tool to move the knob portion 133C radially outward as shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 8 and press the rib near the first engaging portion 132 that constitutes the main body portion 131 outward in the axial direction. Even in this case, the operator can use the knob portion 133C to disengage the second engaging portion 133 from the second engaged portion 119, thereby easily detaching or removing the accessory piece 13 from the wheel 11.

[0047] As can be understood from the above description, the vehicle wheel structure 10 includes the wheel 11 that supports the tire 12 and is assembled to the vehicle, and the accessory piece 13 as a wheel mounting member that is mounted on the wheel 11, the accessory piece 13 having a main body 131, a first engaging portion 132 and a second engaging portion 133 as a pair of engaging portions that are provided on the main body 131 along the radial direction of the wheel 11 and engage with a first engaged portion 118 and a second engaged portion 119 that are engaged portions of the wheel 11, and a restricting portion 134 that is provided along the radial direction to restrict displacement of the first engaging portion 132, which is one of the pair of first engaging portions 132 and second engaging portions 133, and the accessory piece 13 mounted on the wheel 11 is detached from the wheel 11 by displacing the second engaging portion 133, which is the other engaging portion of the pair of first engaging portions 132 and second engaging portions 133 whose displacement is not restricted by the restricting portion 134. In this case, the accessory piece 13 is molded using a resin material.

[0048] In this case, second engaging portion 133 has engaging claw 133B that engages with second engaged portion 119, which is the engaged portion, and knob portion 133C that can be operated to displace engaging claw 133B.

[0049] In this case, the first engagement portion 132 is positioned radially closer to the rim 112 that constitutes the wheel 11, and the second engagement portion 133 is positioned radially closer to the center portion 111C of the wheel 11.

[0050] In this case, the first engaging portion 132 engages with the first engaged portion 118, which is an engaged portion provided in the wheel 11 and has a through-hole.

[0051] In this case, the restricting portion 134 is integrally connected to the first engaging portion 132 .

[0052] In this case, the restricting portion 134 comes into contact with the wheel 11 to restrict the relative movement of the accessory piece 13 outward in the radial direction of the wheel 11 .

[0053] According to the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the above-described embodiment, the second engagement portion 133, whose displacement is not restricted by the restricting portion 134, can be displaced, more specifically, by using the knob portion 133C provided on the engagement claw 133B, to disengage the engagement claw 133B of the second engagement portion 133 from the step of the second engaged portion 119. This releases the restriction by the restricting portion 134 on radially outward displacement of the first engagement portion 132, which is provided along the radial direction. As a result, it is possible to disengage the first engagement portion 132 from the through hole of the first engaged portion 118, and the accessory piece 13 can be easily removed from the air hole 117 of the wheel 11.

[0054] 2. Variations In the above-described embodiment, the wheel mounting member is exemplified as the accessory piece 13 attached to each air hole 117. Instead, in a modified example, the wheel mounting member is exemplified as a wheel cover 14 that, when attached to the wheel 11, covers the hull of the decorative surface of the wheel 11, which is the surface that faces outward from the vehicle. Note that, like the accessory piece 13 in the above-described embodiment, the wheel cover 14 is also molded using, for example, a resin material.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 9, the wheel cover 14 has a main body forming member 141 that corresponds to the main body 131 of the accessory piece 13 in the above-described embodiment. Here, in the modified example, the wheel cover 14 is also attached to the wheel 11 shown in Fig. 2. For this reason, in the modified example, five main body forming members 141 are provided to match the five sets of air holes 117 of the wheel 11 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0056] Similar to the accessory piece 13 of the above-described embodiment, the main body forming member 141 includes a first engagement portion 142, a second engagement portion 143, a restricting portion 144, and a through hole 145. Here, the first engagement portion 142, the second engagement portion 143, the restricting portion 144, and the through hole 145 have the same configurations as the first engagement portion 132, the second engagement portion 133, the restricting portion 134, and the through hole 135 described in the accessory piece 13 of the above-described embodiment, respectively. Therefore, by assigning reference numerals to Figures 6, 7, and 9, description of the configurations of the first engagement portion 142, the second engagement portion 143, the restricting portion 144, and the through hole 145 will be omitted.

[0057] The wheel cover 14 has connecting portions 146 that connect each of the main body forming members 141 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 multiple main body forming members 141 are integrated by the connecting portions 146, and the disc-shaped wheel cover 14 is attached so as to cover the entire design surface of the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0058] Here, in the modified example, the connecting portion 146 connects the plurality of main body forming members 141 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 146 to connect the main body forming members 141 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 141 are integrated by the connecting portion 146, and the disc-shaped wheel cover 14 can be attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0059] The wheel cover 14 also has a work hole 147 through which a fastening member T for assembling the wheel 11 to the hub can be inserted to perform a tightening operation. The work hole 147 is provided in the connecting portion 146 and is a through hole formed along the axial direction.

[0060] 10, the wheel cover 14 further has a center engagement portion 148 that engages with an annular ridge provided on the hub hole 113. The center engagement portion 148 has a center claw 148A that fits into the ridge of the hub hole 113 and a wire ring 148B that urges the center claw 148A toward the ridge of the hub hole 113. Thus, when the wheel cover 14 is attached, the center engagement portion 148 has the center claw 148A and the wire ring 148B inserted into the hub hole 113, causing the center claw 148A to engage with the ridge of the hub hole 113, thereby fixing the wheel cover 14 to the wheel 11 (disc 111).

[0061] When the wheel cover 14 configured in this manner is attached to the wheel 11, for example, in the same manner as in the case of the accessory piece 13 described above, the first engaging portion 142 provided on the main body forming member 141 is engaged with the first engaged portion 118, and the second engaging portion 143 is engaged with the second engaged portion 119, so that the restricting portion 144 abuts against the rim 112. Then, at approximately the same time that each main body forming member 141 is fixed to the air holes 117 of the wheel 11, the center engaging portion 148 is pressed axially into the hub hole 113 to engage it, and the wheel cover 14 is attached to the wheel 11.

[0062] As a result, when the disc-shaped wheel cover 14, which covers the entire design surface of the wheel 11, is attached to the wheel 11, its radial position is fixed by the engagement of the center engagement portion 148 with the ridge of the hub hole 113, as well as by the pressing force generated by the bending of the main body member 143A of the second engagement portion 143 and the contact of the restriction portion 144 with the rim 112. Furthermore, the wheel cover 14 is fixed in its axial position by the engagement of the center engagement portion 148 with the ridge of the hub hole 113, as well as by the engagement of the first engagement portion 132 with the first engaged portion 118 and the engagement of the second engagement portion 133 with the second engaged portion 119, and this prevents the accessory piece 13 from falling off against outward forces caused by airflow, vibrations, and the like during driving.

[0063] Furthermore, when removing the wheel cover 14 from the wheel 11, for example, similarly to the case of the accessory piece 13 described above, first, the wheel 11 attached to the hub with the fastening member T is removed. Then, the wheel cover 14 is removed from the inside of the removed wheel 11. When removing the wheel cover 14 from the wheel 11, for example, the engagement between the center engagement portion 148 and the protrusion of the hub hole 113 is first released. As a result, although the wheel cover 14 differs from the accessory piece 13 described above in that the main body forming member 141 is connected by the connecting portion 146, the first engaging portion 142 and the second engaging portion 143 are engaged with the first engaged portion 118 and the second engaged portion 119, respectively, on the wheel 11.

[0064] Therefore, in the modified example, similarly to the case of the accessory piece 13 described above, the knob 143C of the second engaging portion 143 is first used to disengage the second engaging portion 143 from the step of the second engaged portion 119. Then, while the engagement between the second engaging portion 143 and the second engaged portion 119 is still in the disengaged state, for example, the return portion 142B is disengaged from the through hole of the first engaged portion 118, and the rib close to the first engaging portion 142 constituting the main body forming member 141 is pressed outward in the axial direction. Note that in this case as well, it is possible to first disengage the return portion 142B from the through hole of the first engaged portion 118, and then use the knob 143C to disengage the second engaging portion 143 from the step of the second engaged portion 119 and press the rib close to the first engaging portion 142 outward in the axial direction. As a result, even in the modified vehicle wheel structure 10, the wheel cover 14 can be easily detached, i.e., removed, from the wheel 11 by using the knob portion 143C to disengage the second engaging portion 143 from the second engaged portion 119.

[0065] Therefore, even when the wheel mounting member is the wheel cover 14 as exemplified in the modified example, the wheel cover 14 is prevented from falling off during normal use and can be easily removed, just as in the case of the accessory piece 13 exemplified in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0066] 3. Other Modifications In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 141) is provided with first engaging portions 132 (first engaging portions 142) and second engaging portions 133 (second engaging portions 143) on both ends of the main body portion 131 that sandwich the through hole 135 (through hole 145). Taking the accessory piece 13 as an example, when the first engaging portions 132 provided on both ends of the main body portion 131 engage with the corresponding first engaged portions 118, bending deformation such as floating is likely to occur in the low-rigidity region around the through hole 135 when the accessory piece 13 is attached to the wheel 11.

[0067] 11, in the vehicle wheel structure 10, a secondary engagement portion 136 can be provided in the low-rigidity region of the main body portion 131, i.e., along the longitudinal direction of the elongated through-hole 135, so as to embrace and engage with the fin spoke 116 when fixed to the wheel 11. In this way, the secondary engagement portion 136 prevents bending deformation such as lifting from occurring in the low-rigidity region of the main body portion 131, i.e., around the through-hole 135. Other effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiment and modified example.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the second engagement portion 133 (second engagement portion 143) has a protruding engagement claw 133B (engagement claw 143B) that protrudes radially inward. In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the end of the engagement claw 133B (engagement claw 143B) opposite the main body member 133A (main body member 143A) is formed as the knob portion 133C (knob portion 143C). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12 , the engagement claw 133B (engagement claw 143B) may be formed in a so-called hook shape so as to have an arc shape, and the end of the hook shape may be formed as the knob portion 133C (knob portion 143C). In this case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be obtained.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the first engaging portion 132 (first engaging portion 142), the second engaging portion 133 (second engaging portion 143), and the restricting portion 134 (restricting portion 144) are provided at both ends via the through hole 135 (through hole 145) of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 141) so as to match the arrangement of the first engaged portion 118 and the second engaged portion 119 provided on the wheel 11. On the other hand, for example, when the first engaged portion 118 is provided at the connection portion between the fin spoke 116 and the rim 112, the first engaging portion 132 (first engaging portion 142) and the second engaging portion 133 (second engaging portion 143) can also be provided on both sides of the through hole 135 (through hole 145) in the central portion of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 141).

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified example, the wheel 11 has been illustrated as having the fin spokes 116 provided between the two thick spokes 115. However, for example, if the fin spokes 116 are omitted from the wheel 11, it becomes possible to provide the first engaged portion 118 on the rim 112 between the spokes 115 adjacent in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in this case, it is also possible to provide one first engaging portion 132 (first engaging portion 142) and one second engaging portion 133 (second engaging portion 143) in the central portion of the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 141).

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified example, when the accessory piece 13 and the wheel cover 14 are attached to the wheel 11, the restricting portion 134 (restricting portion 144) abuts against the rim 112 that constitutes the wheel 11, thereby restricting the relative movement of the accessory piece 13 and the wheel cover 14 outward in the radial direction. However, if the restricting portion 134 (restricting portion 144) can restrict the relative movement of the accessory piece 13 and the wheel cover 14 outward in the radial direction, it can also abut against something other than the rim 112 of the wheel 11, such as the spokes 115 or the fin spokes 116.

[0072] 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 mounted to the wheel, wherein the wheel mounting member has a main body portion, a pair of engaging portions that are arranged on the main body portion along the radial direction of the wheel and engage with engaged portions of the wheel, and a regulating portion that is arranged along the radial direction to regulate displacement of a first engaging portion, which is one of the pair of engaging portions, and the wheel mounting member mounted to the wheel is detached from the wheel by displacing a second engaging portion, which is the other engaging portion of the pair of engaging portions whose displacement is not regulated by the regulating portion.

[0073] In addition, the vehicle wheel structure of the second form of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the first form, in which the second engagement portion has an engagement claw that engages with the engaged portion and a knob portion that can be operated to displace the engagement claw.

[0074] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the third form of the present disclosure is such that, in the vehicle wheel structure of the first or second form, the first engagement portion is arranged radially closer to the rim that constitutes the wheel, and the second engagement portion is arranged radially closer to the center of the wheel.

[0075] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel structure of a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to third aspects, in which the first engagement portion engages with an engaged portion having a through hole provided in the wheel.

[0076] 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 the restricting portion is integrally connected to the first engaging portion.

[0077] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the regulating portion abuts against the wheel, thereby regulating relative movement of the wheel mounting member outward in the radial direction of the wheel.

[0078] A vehicle wheel structure of a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the wheel mounting member is molded using a resin material.

[0079] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the wheel mounting member covers at least a portion of the surface of the wheel that faces outward from the vehicle when mounted on the wheel.

[0080] Furthermore, a ninth form of a vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is the eighth form of a vehicle wheel structure, wherein the wheel mounting member has a plurality of body forming members corresponding to the main body portion, and connecting portions that connect the body forming members along the circumferential direction of the disc that forms the wheel when mounted on the wheel.

[0081] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel structure of a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the ninth 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]

[0082] 10...vehicle wheel structure, 11...wheel, 111...disc, 111C...center portion, 112...rim, 113...hub hole, 114...hub mounting portion, 115...spokes, 116...fin spokes, 117...air hole, 118...first engaged portion (engaged portion), 119...second engaged portion (engaged portion), 12...tire, 13...accessory piece (wheel mounting member), 131...main body portion, 132...first engaging portion, 132A...leg portion, 132B...return portion, 132C...backup clip, 133...second engaging portion, 133A...main body member , 133B...engagement claw, 133C...knob portion, 134...regulating portion, 135...through hole, 136...secondary engagement portion, 14...wheel cover (wheel mounting member), 141...main body forming member, 142...first engagement portion, 142A...leg portion, 142B...return portion, 142C...backup clip, 143...second engagement portion, 143A...main body member, 143B...engagement claw, 143C...knob portion, 144...regulating portion, 145...through hole, 146...connecting portion, 147...work hole, 148...center engagement portion, 148A...center claw, 148B...wire ring.

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 pair of engaging portions provided on the main body portion along a radial direction of the wheel and engaging with engaged portions of the wheel; a restricting portion provided along the radial direction so as to restrict displacement of a first engaging portion, which is one of the pair of engaging portions, A vehicle wheel structure in which the wheel mounting member attached to the wheel is detached from the wheel by displacing a second engaging portion, which is the other engaging portion of the pair of engaging portions whose displacement is not restricted by the restricting portion.

2. The second engagement portion is an engaging claw that engages with the engaged portion; The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , further comprising: a knob portion operable to displace the engaging pawl.

3. The first engagement portion and arranged on a side closer to a rim constituting the wheel in the radial direction, The second engagement portion is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second axial members are disposed on a side closer to a center portion of the wheel in the radial direction.

4. The first engagement portion The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the engaged portion has a through hole formed in the wheel.

5. The restriction portion is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the wheel structure is integrally connected to the first engagement portion.

6. The restriction portion is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the wheel mounting member abuts against the wheel, thereby restricting relative movement of the wheel mounting member outward in the radial direction of the wheel.

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

8. The wheel mounting member is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein when mounted on the wheel, the structure covers at least a portion of a surface of the wheel facing outward from the vehicle.

9. The wheel mounting member is a plurality of body forming members corresponding to the body portion; 9. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 8, 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.

10. The connecting portion is 10. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of said main body forming members are connected at a center portion of said disc when said disc is attached to said wheel.

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