Fitting structure for wheel decorative member

Abstract

To suppress the increase of stress generated in an engagement part of a decorative member engaged with a fitting hole of a wheel.SOLUTION: This fitting structure for a wheel decorative member is applied to a wheel 10 and a decorative member 12. A fitting hole 26 is formed in the wheel 10. The decorative member 12 includes a pair of engagement parts (first engagement part 30 and second engagement part 32) arranged at an interval in the rotation circumferential direction of the wheel 10. The decorative member 12 is fitted to the wheel 10 in a state where the pair of engagement parts i inserted into the fitting hole 26 and in a state where the pair of engagement parts is biased toward the edge side of the fitting hole 26 to be engaged with the edge of the fitting hole 26. The interval between a part engaged with one engagement part and a part engaged with the other engagement part at the edge of the fitting hole 26 in the rotation circumferential direction of the wheel 10 is gradually larger toward the outside in a rotation radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for attaching a decorative member to a wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a wheel cover device comprising a wheel having a first locking portion and a cover having a second locking portion. In the wheel cover device described in this document, through grooves extending in the radial direction and opening toward the center are formed in the wheel. The inner end surfaces facing each through groove form the first locking portion on the wheel side. Meanwhile, a pair of protruding members that elastically deform so as to be able to move closer and farther apart in the circumferential direction are formed on the back side of the cover plate of the cover. The outer surfaces extending in the radial direction at the tip ends of the pair of protruding members form the second locking portion on the cover side. The second locking portion on the cover side is locked to the first locking portion on the wheel side, thereby maintaining the cover attached to the wheel.

[0003] However, depending on the material of the decorative member such as the cover, it is conceivable that the decorative member may expand radially outward due to environmental factors (such as water absorption) in which the decorative member is placed. In this case, it is conceivable that stress will increase at the engaging portion of the decorative member that engages with the mounting hole of the wheel, but the configuration described in the following Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-278403 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Taking the above facts into consideration, the present invention aims to provide an attachment structure for a wheel decorative member that can suppress an increase in stress generated at the engagement portion of the decorative member that engages with the wheel mounting hole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mounting structure for a decorative member on a wheel in a first aspect comprises a wheel having a mounting hole formed therein, and a decorative member having a pair of engaging portions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the wheel, the pair of engaging portions being inserted into the mounting hole and biased toward the edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole, and the distance in the circumferential direction of the wheel between the portion on the edge of the mounting hole where one engaging portion engages and the portion on the edge of the mounting hole where the other engaging portion engages gradually increases as it moves outward in the radial direction of rotation.

[0007] The mounting structure of a wheel decorative member of the second aspect is the mounting structure of a wheel decorative member of the first aspect, wherein the decorative member further has an outer engagement portion arranged radially outward of the wheel relative to the pair of engagement portions, and the decorative member is mounted to the wheel with the pair of engagement portions and the outer engagement portion inserted into the mounting hole and the pair of engagement portions and the outer engagement portion biased toward the edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole, and a biasing member is provided between one of the engagement portions and the other engagement portion and the outer engagement portion to bias the pair of engagement portions and the outer engagement portion toward the edge of the mounting hole.

[0008] The mounting structure for a wheel decorative member of the third aspect is the same as the mounting structure for a wheel decorative member of the second aspect, in that when the pair of engaging portions move radially outward in the rotational direction of the wheel along the edge of the mounting hole, the outer engaging portions elastically deform while contacting the edge of the mounting hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In a first aspect of the wheel mounting structure for a decorative member, the decorative member is mounted to the wheel with a pair of engaging portions on the decorative member inserted into a mounting hole formed in the wheel and biased toward the edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole. The distance between the portion of the mounting hole edge where one engaging portion engages and the portion where the other engaging portion engages increases gradually in the circumferential direction of the wheel as the distance increases radially outward. With this configuration, even if the pair of engaging portions move radially outward due to a change in the dimensions of the decorative member, the force pressing the pair of engaging portions against the edge of the mounting hole does not increase. This prevents stress from increasing in the engaging portions of the decorative member that engage with the wheel mounting hole.

[0010] In the second aspect of the wheel mounting structure for a decorative member, the decorative member is mounted to the wheel with a pair of engaging portions and outer engaging portions inserted into a mounting hole formed in the wheel and the pair of engaging portions and outer engaging portions biased toward the edge of the mounting hole by a biasing member to engage with the edge of the mounting hole. This configuration allows the decorative member to be mounted to the wheel more securely than a configuration without the outer engaging portions and biasing member.

[0011] In the mounting structure for a wheel decorative member according to the third aspect, when the pair of engaging portions move radially outward of the wheel along the edge of the mounting hole, the outer engaging portions elastically deform while contacting the edge of the mounting hole. With this configuration, even if the force of engagement between the pair of engaging portions and the edge of the mounting hole weakens as the pair of engaging portions move radially outward of the wheel along the edge of the mounting hole, the force of engagement between the outer engaging portions and the edge of the mounting hole can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a wheel and a decorative member attached to the wheel. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wheel to which a decorative member is attached, viewed from the rear side of the wheel, with a biasing member removed from the decorative member. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the wheel to which a decorative member is attached, as viewed from the rear side of the wheel. [Figure 5] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the wheel to which a decorative member is attached, as viewed from the rear side of the wheel. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7, showing a state in which the third engagement portion has moved radially outward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 1 to 8, the configuration of a wheel 10 and a decorative member 12 to which the mounting structure for a wheel decorative member according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. Note that arrows C, R, and Z shown in the figures indicate one side in the rotational circumferential direction of the wheel 10, the outer side in the rotational radial direction, and one side in the rotational axial direction, respectively. Also, arrow Z shown in the figures indicates the design surface side of the wheel 10. Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the circumferential direction, radial direction, and axial direction are indicated, they will respectively indicate the rotational circumferential direction, rotational radial direction, and rotational axial direction of the wheel 10.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a wheel 10 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, five decorative members 12 are attached to this wheel 10. The five decorative members 12 have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration of one decorative member 12 will be explained, and explanations of the configurations of the other decorative members 12 will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel 10 is formed, for example, using an aluminum alloy or the like. The radially inner portion of the wheel 10 is a center portion 14 that is fixed to a hub. This center portion 14 is formed with a plurality of bolt insertion holes 16 into which bolts are inserted to fix the wheel 10 to the hub. The radially outer portion of the wheel 10 is a rim portion 18 to which a tire is attached. Furthermore, a plurality of spokes 20 are provided between the center portion 14 and the rim portion 18 of the wheel 10, connecting the center portion 14 and the rim portion 18 in the radial direction. In this embodiment, five spokes 20 are provided, and these five spokes 20 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0016] A connection portion 22 is provided between a pair of circumferentially adjacent spokes 20 in the wheel 10, connecting the pair of circumferentially adjacent spokes 20 in the circumferential direction and connecting the rim portion 18 and the center portion. A central opening 24 is formed in the circumferential center of this connection portion 22, penetrating the connection portion 22 in the axial direction. Furthermore, mounting holes 26 are formed on both circumferential sides of the radially outer portion of the connection portion 22, penetrating the connection portion 22 in the axial direction. When viewed from the axial direction, these mounting holes 26 have a triangular shape that gradually widens as it extends radially outward. As a result, the circumferential distance W between an edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and an edge 26B on the other circumferential side (the circumferential width W of the mounting hole 26) gradually increases as it extends radially outward.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the decorative member 12 has a main body 28 formed in a fan-shaped shape corresponding to the connection portion 22 (see Figure 2) when viewed from the design surface side of the wheel 10, and a first engagement portion 30, a second engagement portion 32, a third engagement portion 34 and a fourth engagement portion 36 that protrude from the main body 28 toward the connection portion 22 side (the other axial side).

[0018] 3, 4, and 5, the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 each protrude from a radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28 toward the other axial side, and are adapted to be inserted into the mounting holes 26 formed on one circumferential side of the connecting portion 22. Similarly, the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 each protrude from a radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28 toward the other axial side, and are adapted to be inserted into the mounting holes 26 formed on the other circumferential side of the connecting portion 22. The configurations of the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 protruding from the radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28 are similar to the configurations of the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 protruding from the radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration of the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 that protrude from the radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28 will be described, and the explanation of the configuration of the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 that protrude from the radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28 may be omitted.

[0019] The first engaging portion 30 as an engaging portion includes a leg portion 30A protruding from the main body portion 28 toward the other axial side, and a claw portion 30B protruding from the tip of the leg portion 30A in the protruding direction toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26. The leg portion 30A is formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction facing the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, and is curved in a convex shape toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 when viewed from the other axial side. The leg portion 30A is tiltable toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and toward the opposite side of the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26.

[0020] The second engagement portion 32 as an engagement portion has a basic configuration similar to that of the first engagement portion 30. This second engagement portion 32 is disposed on the other circumferential side of the first engagement portion 30. The second engagement portion 32 also includes a leg portion 32A protruding from the main body portion 28 toward the other axial side, and a claw portion 32B protruding from the tip of the leg portion 32A in the protruding direction toward the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26. The leg portion 32A is formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction facing the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26, and is convexly curved toward the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26 as viewed from the other axial side. This leg portion 32A is tiltable toward the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26 and the opposite side of the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26.

[0021] The third engagement portion 34, which serves as an outer engagement portion, has a basic configuration similar to that of the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32. The third engagement portion 34 is disposed radially outward from the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32 and in the circumferential center between the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32. The third engagement portion 34 includes a leg portion 34A that protrudes from the main body 28 toward the other axial side, and a claw portion 34B that protrudes from the tip of the leg portion 34A in the protruding direction toward the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26. The leg portion 34A is formed in a plate shape whose thickness direction is a direction facing the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, and is curved convexly toward the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 when viewed from the other axial side. The leg portion 34A is tiltable toward the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 and toward the opposite side from the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26.

[0022] A biasing member 38 formed in a C-shape when viewed from the other axial side is provided between the leg 30A of the first engagement portion 30, the leg 32A of the second engagement portion 32, and the leg 34A of the third engagement portion 34. The biasing member 38 biases the leg 30A of the first engagement portion 30, the leg 32A of the second engagement portion 32, and the leg 34A of the third engagement portion 34 toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C, respectively.

[0023] 3 and 4, the fourth engagement portion 36 protrudes toward the other axial side from a radially inner portion in the circumferential center of the main body portion 28. This fourth engagement portion 36 is adapted to be engaged with the edge of the central opening 24 when inserted into the central opening 24 formed in the connecting portion 22.

[0024] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, to attach the decorative member 12 to the wheel 10, first, the fourth engagement portion 36 of the decorative member 12 is inserted into the central opening 24 formed in the connection portion 22 of the wheel 10 and engaged with the edge of the central opening 24.

[0026] 3 to 7, the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 protruding from a radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28 (see FIG. 1) are inserted into the mounting hole 26 formed on one circumferential side of the connecting portion 22 of the wheel 10. When the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 have been inserted into the mounting hole 26, the claw portion 30B of the first engagement portion 30, the claw portion 32B of the second engagement portion 32, and the claw portion 34B of the third engagement portion 34 climb over the edge 26A on one circumferential side, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, respectively, and are engaged around the edge 26A on one circumferential side, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, respectively.

[0027] Similarly, the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 protruding from the radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28 (see FIG. 1) are inserted into the mounting hole 26 formed on the other circumferential side of the connecting portion 22 of the wheel 10. As a result, the claw portion 30B of the first engagement portion 30, the claw portion 32B of the second engagement portion 32, and the claw portion 34B of the third engagement portion 34 are locked around the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C, respectively.

[0028] By going through the above-described attachment procedure, the decorative member 12 is attached to the wheel 10.

[0029] 2 to 7, in this embodiment, the circumferential distance W between the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side gradually increases radially outward. In this configuration, when the radial dimension of the main body 28 of the decorative member 12 increases due to moisture absorption or the like, the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 move radially outward relative to the fourth engaging portion 36. At this time, the circumferential distance between the portion of the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 with which the first engaging portion 30 engages and the portion of the edge 26B on the other circumferential side with which the second engaging portion 32 engages increases. As a result, even if the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 move radially outward relative to the fourth engagement portion 36, the force with which the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32 are pressed by the edge 26A on one circumferential side and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 does not increase. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in stress generated in the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32 as the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 move radially outward relative to the fourth engagement portion 36.

[0030] In this embodiment, the claw portions 30B of the first engagement portion 30 and the claw portions 32B of the second engagement portion 32 are respectively engaged with the peripheries of the edge 26A on one circumferential side and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, and in addition, the claw portions 34B of the third engagement portion 34 are engaged with the periphery of the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26. In this configuration, the decorative member 12 can be more firmly attached to the wheel 10 compared to a configuration in which the third engagement portion 34 is not provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, biasing members 38 are provided that bias the legs 30A of the first engagement portion 30, the legs 32A of the second engagement portion 32, and the legs 34A of the third engagement portion 34 toward the circumferentially one edge 26A, the circumferentially other edge 26B, and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, respectively. This allows the decorative member 12 to be attached to the wheel 10 more firmly than in a configuration in which the biasing member 38 is not provided.

[0031] 5, 7, and 8, if the radial dimension of the main body 28 of the decorative member 12 further increases due to further moisture absorption by the decorative member 12, the first engagement portion 30, the second engagement portion 32, and the third engagement portion 34 will move further radially outward relative to the fourth engagement portion 36. In this case, the leg portion 34A of the third engagement portion 34, which had been spaced apart from the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, will come into contact with the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 and be pressed radially inward. As a result, the leg portion 34A of the third engagement portion 34 will elastically deform (tilt) radially inward. In this configuration, even if the engagement force between the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32 and the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side weakens as the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32 move radially outward, the engagement force between the third engagement portion 34 and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 can be increased.

[0032] In the present embodiment, an example in which the third engagement portion 34 and the biasing member 38 are provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the attachment strength of the decorative member 12 to the wheel 10 can be ensured only by the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32, a configuration in which the third engagement portion 34 and the biasing member 38 are not provided can also be adopted.

[0033] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 10 Wheels 12 Decorative materials 26 Mounting hole 30 First engagement portion (engagement portion) 32 second engagement portion (engagement portion) 34 Third engagement portion (outer engagement portion) 38 biasing member

Claims

1. a wheel having a mounting hole formed therein; a decorative member having a pair of engaging portions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of rotation of the wheel, the decorative member being attached to the wheel with the pair of engaging portions inserted into the mounting hole and biased toward an edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole; and A mounting structure for a wheel decorative member, in which the distance in the circumferential direction of the wheel between the portion at the edge of the mounting hole where one engaging portion engages and the portion at the edge of the mounting hole where the other engaging portion engages gradually increases as the distance moves outward in the radial direction of the wheel.

2. the decorative member further includes an outer engaging portion disposed radially outward of the pair of engaging portions in a rotational radial direction of the wheel, the decorative member is attached to the wheel in a state in which the pair of engaging portions and the outer engaging portion are inserted into the mounting hole and the pair of engaging portions and the outer engaging portion are biased toward an edge of the mounting hole and engaged with the edge of the mounting hole, 2. The wheel decorative member mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein a biasing member is provided between one of the engaging portions, the other engaging portion, and the outer engaging portion, to bias the pair of engaging portions and the outer engaging portion toward the edge of the mounting hole.

3. 3. The wheel decorative member mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein when the pair of engaging portions move radially outward along the edge of the mounting hole, the outer engaging portions elastically deform while contacting the edge of the mounting hole.

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