Tire flange and bead seat assembly for multi-piece wheel rim

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim. The tire flange and bead seat assembly includes at least one tire flange (101) and at least one bead seat (201). The tire flange (101) includes an end face (103a) and a circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface (103b). A first tapered surface (203a) includes a taper at an angle θ1 configured on a circumferentially extending radially outer surface (205a) of the bead seat, and a second tapered surface (203b) includes a taper at an angle θ2 configured on the circumferentially extending radially inner surface (205b) of the bead seat (201). The circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface (103b) includes a taper that matches the taper of the first tapered surface (203a), and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface (103b) of the tire flange is fully seated within the first tapered surface (203a) of the bead seat.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The embodiments described herein relate generally to multi-piece wheel rim assemblies. In particular, the present disclosure relates to bead seats and tire flanges for multi-piece wheel rims for vehicles used in construction and mining equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Wheels are generally classified as single-piece and multi-piece wheels. Multi-piece wheels generally consist of a wheel rim and a wheel disc, the wheel disc being welded to the wheel rim.

[0003] Typically, in a multi-piece rim, the tire flange of the wheel rim is attached to the bead seat band. As illustrated in the prior art shown in Figures 6A and 6B, a radial gap is provided between the circumferentially extending radially inner surface of the tire flange (403, 416) and the circumferentially extending radially outer surface of the bead seat (412, 415) to facilitate the attachment of the tire flange (403, 416). Figure 7 clearly shows the radial gap 701 provided between the tire flange and the bead seat. This gap allows small slippage between the tire flange and the bead seat band with each revolution of the wheel during operation, resulting in wear-related fatigue on both components. Wear between the components of a multi-piece wheel rim reduces the lifespan of the components.

[0004] Further, to address the wear problem, the prior art discloses wheel rims with increased tire flange thickness. Also, existing multi-piece wheel rim tire flange and bead seat assemblies include a radially extending axially outer surface of the tire flange that contacts a radially extending axially inner surface of the bead seat flange during tire expansion, and tire forces acting on the tire flange result in high stresses at the corners where the radially extending axially inner surface of the bead seat and the circumferentially extending radially outer tapered surface of the bead seat intersect at each bead seat. The high stresses may thereby shorten the life of the bead seat.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an improved multi-piece wheel rim tire flange and bead seat assembly to prevent wear and further, there is a need for a tire flange and bead seat assembly that reduces stresses and extends the life of the multi-piece wheel rim.

[0006] Some of the objects of this disclosure are set forth herein below.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE A first object of the present disclosure is to provide a tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim.

[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim to prevent wear.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a tire flange and bead seat assembly for reducing stress and increasing stiffness of a bead seat band of a multi-piece wheel rim.

[0010] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a tire flange and bead seat assembly for reducing the weight of a wheel rim by providing a tire flange with a reduced thickness.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0012] In view of the foregoing, one embodiment described herein provides a tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a multi-piece wheel rim comprises at least one tire flange and at least one bead seat. The tire flange includes an end surface and a circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface. The bead seat includes a first tapered surface on the circumferentially extending radially outer surface including a taper with an inclination angle θ1 and a second tapered surface on the circumferentially extending radially inner surface including a taper with an inclination angle θ2. The circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface of the tire flange is provided with a taper that matches the first tapered surface, and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface of the tire flange is fully seated within the first tapered surface of the bead seat during tire inflation.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the tire flange includes a radially extending axially outer surface and a radially extending axially inner surface, the radially extending axially outer surface being divided into an upper surface and a lower surface, a thickness T1 is formed between the upper surface and the radially extending axially inner surface, and a thickness T2 is formed between the lower surface and the radially extending axially inner surface, the thickness T2 being less than the thickness T1 to provide a gap between the lower surface of the bead seat flange and the radially extending axially inner flange surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment, to reduce stress concentrations on the tire flange, an outer fillet is provided at the edge between the radially extending axially outer surface and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface of the tire flange, and an inner fillet is provided at the edge between the radially extending axially inner surface and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface of the tire flange.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the tilt angle θ1 is less than the tilt angle θ2 to gradually increase the area in the critical region of the bead seat under load, thereby increasing the stiffness of the bead seat and restricting the tire flange from establishing contact with the radially extending axially inner flange surface of the bead seat during tire expansion.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the thicknesses T1 and T2 of the tire flanges are determined based on the load acting on the wheel, thereby reducing the weight of the wheel.

[0018] These and other aspects of the embodiments described herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while setting forth preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the embodiments described herein include all such modifications. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] The detailed description will be set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. Use of the same reference number in different drawings refers to similar or identical items.

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a cross section of a tire flange of a multi-piece wheel rim according to one embodiment described herein.

[0021] [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a cross section of a bead seat of a multi-piece wheel rim according to one embodiment described herein.

[0022] [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim according to one embodiment described herein.

[0023] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a multi-piece wheel rim assembly showing a rim base, saddle ring, endless ring, bead seat, and tire flange according to one embodiment described herein.

[0024] [Figure 5a] 1 illustrates exemplary stresses acting on a bead seat of a multi-piece wheel rim according to the prior art.

[0025] [Figure 5b] 4 illustrates the stresses acting on a bead seat of a multi-piece wheel rim according to one embodiment described herein.

[0026] [Figure 6a] 1 shows a multi-piece wheel rim assembly with a saddle lock ring according to the prior art.

[0027] [Figure 6b] 1 shows a multi-piece wheel rim assembly with a conventional split lock ring according to the prior art.

[0028] [Figure 7]1 shows a conventional multi-piece wheel rim assembly showing a radial gap between the tire flange and the bead seat band according to the prior art. NUMERAL DESCRIPTION 101 Tire flange 101a Radially extending axially inner surface 101b Radially extending axially outer surface 102 Transition point 102a Upper surface 102b Lower surface 103a End surface 103b Circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 104a Outer fillet 104b Inner fillet 201 Bead seat band 203a First tapered surface 203b Second tapered surface 205a Circumferentially extending radially outer surface 205b Circumferentially extending radially inner surface 207 Bead seat flange 207a Radially extending axially inner flange surface 401 Rim 403 Groove area 405 Saddle ring 407 End ring 701 Radial gap DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The embodiments described herein, as well as various features and advantageous details thereof, will be more fully described with respect to non-limiting embodiments and detailed below. Descriptions of known components and processing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments described herein. The examples used herein are merely intended to facilitate understanding of how the embodiments described herein can be implemented and to further enable those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments described herein. Thus, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0030] As discussed above, there is a need for an improved multi-piece wheel rim tire flange and bead seat assembly to prevent wear. Specifically, there is a need for a tire flange and bead seat assembly that reduces stresses and extends the life of the multi-piece wheel rim. The embodiments described herein accomplish this by providing a "multi-piece wheel rim tire flange and bead seat assembly." Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1-4, in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding features, a preferred embodiment is illustrated.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a tire flange of a multi-piece wheel rim. The tire flange 101 includes an end surface 103a, a circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b, a radially extending axially outer surface 101b, and a radially extending axially inner surface 101a. In one embodiment, a transition point 102 divides the radially extending axially outer surface 101b of the tire flange into an upper surface 102a and a lower surface 102b. The tire flange includes a first thickness T1 formed between the radially extending axially inner surface 101a and the upper surface 102a, and a second thickness T2 formed between the radially extending axially inner surface 101a and the lower surface 102b. In one embodiment, the first thickness T1 is greater than the second thickness T2.

[0032] In one embodiment, the tapered circumferentially extending inner radial surface 103b is tapered to match the taper of the bead seat. The tapered circumferentially extending inner radial surface 103b is a circumferentially extending inner radial surface of the tire flange 101 that includes a single taper.

[0033] In one embodiment, the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b includes an outer fillet 104a and an inner fillet 104b. To prevent stress concentrations at the tire flange, the outer fillet 104a is provided at the edge between the radially extending axially outer surface 101b and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b, and the inner fillet 104b is provided at the edge between the radially extending axially inner surface 101a and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b.

[0034] 2 shows a cross section of a bead seat of a multi-piece wheel rim. In one embodiment, the bead seat 201 includes a circumferentially extending radially outer surface 205a and a circumferentially extending radially inner surface 205b. The circumferentially extending radially outer surface 205a includes a first tapered surface 203a. The first tapered surface 203a is provided to support a tire flange of the wheel rim. The circumferentially extending radially inner surface 205b includes a second tapered surface 203b.

[0035] The bead seat 201 includes a bead seat flange 207 that includes a radially extending axially inner flange surface 207a.

[0036] In one embodiment, the first tapered surface 203a is inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the second tapered surface 203b is inclined at an angle θ2 with respect to the horizontal plane. The angle θ1 of the first tapered surface is greater than the angle θ2 of the second tapered surface.

[0037] 3 illustrates a tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim. In one embodiment, the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b of the tire flange 101 is attached to the bead seat first tapered surface 203a. In one embodiment, the tire flange lower surface 102b prevents contact between the tire flange 101 and the bead seat flange 207 during tire inflation by forming a gap C with the radially extending axially inner flange surface 207a.

[0038] The dimensions of the first tapered surface 203a and the second tapered surface 203b of the bead seat 201 are determined based on the load acting on the tire force to ensure rigidity of the bead seat band such that engagement of the tire flange 101 is limited to the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat and does not establish contact with the radially extending axially inner flange surface 207 of the bead seat band.

[0039] In one embodiment, the taper of the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b of the tire flange matches the taper of the bead seat first tapered surface 203a. The circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b fits completely within the bead seat first tapered surface 203a.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-piece wheel rim assembly showing the rim base, saddle ring, endless ring, bead seat, and tire flange according to one embodiment. The wheel includes a rim 401, a groove area 403, a saddle ring 405, and an endless ring 407. The circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b of the tire flange 101 is seated on the bead seat 201 at the first tapered surface 203a. During tire inflation, the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface 103b is fully seated within the first tapered surface 203a, so that the tire flange 101 does not contact the radially extending axially inner flange surface 207 of the bead seat 201, preventing wear. In one embodiment, tire force A from the tire flange acts on the first tapered surface 203a of the bead seat, and tire force A is supported by reactions B and C acting on the second tapered surface 203b of the bead seat. Because the tire flange 101 and bead seat 201 assembly limits the engagement of the tire flange 101 within the bead seat first tapered surface 203, the bead seat acts on a beam which is simply supported thereby reducing stresses induced in the bead seat and extending the life of both the tire flange and the bead seat of the multi-piece wheel rim.

[0041] In one embodiment, the slope angle θ2 of the second tapered surface 203b is less than the slope angle θ1 of the first tapered surface, providing a gradually increasing area in the critical area of ​​the bead seat under load, increasing the stiffness of the bead seat 201.

[0042] FIG. 5a illustrates exemplary stresses acting on a bead seat of a prior art multi-piece wheel rim designed for use with a 57 inch wheel of a 240T mining dump truck. FIG. 5b illustrates stresses acting on a bead seat of a multi-piece wheel rim according to one embodiment, the multi-piece wheel rim designed for use with the same 57 inch wheel of a 240T mining dump truck. As shown, the bead seat stress values ​​are approximately 40% lower than the stress levels induced in the prior art bead seat.

[0043] A primary advantage of the present disclosure is that it prevents wear on the tire flange and bead seat assembly of a multi-piece wheel rim.

[0044] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly of the multi-piece wheel rim reduces stresses on the bead seat.

[0045] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly of the multi-piece wheel rim increases the stiffness of the bead seat band.

[0046] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly reduces the weight of the wheel rim by facilitating the utilization of a tire flange having a reduced thickness.

[0047] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the tire flange and bead seat assembly extends the component life of a multi-piece wheel rim.

[0048] The above description of specific embodiments is intended to fully clarify the general nature of the embodiments described herein, so that others can easily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments to various applications by applying current knowledge without departing from the general concept. Such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the language and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Thus, although the embodiments described herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

1. 1. A tire flange and bead seat assembly for a multi-piece wheel rim, comprising: At least one tire flange (101); At least one bead seat (201); The tire flange (101) includes an end surface (103a) and a circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface (103b), The first tapered surface (203a) is formed on a radially outer surface (205a) extending in the circumferential direction of the bead seat (201) at an inclination angle θ １ Including the taper of The second tapered surface (203b) is formed on a radially inner surface (205b) extending in the circumferential direction of the bead seat (201) at an inclination angle θ ２ Including the taper of a tapered radially inner surface (103b) extending in the circumferential direction of the tire flange is provided with a taper that matches the taper of the first tapered surface (203a); A tire flange and bead seat assembly, wherein the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface (103b) of the tire flange is fully seated within the first tapered surface (203a) of the bead seat during tire inflation, thereby preventing wear.

2. The tire flange (101) includes a radially extending axially outer surface (101b) and a radially extending axially inner surface (101a), the radially extending axially outer surface (101b) being divided into an upper surface (102a) and a lower surface (102b); a thickness T1 is formed between the upper surface (102a) and the radially extending axially inner surface (101a), and a thickness T2 is formed between the lower surface (102b) and the radially extending axially inner surface (101a); 2. The tire flange and bead seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness T2 is less than the thickness T1 to provide a gap between the lower surface (102b) and a radially extending, axially inner flange surface (207a) of a bead seat flange (207).

3. 2. The tire flange and bead seat assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer fillet (104a) is provided at an edge between the radially extending axially outer surface (101b) of the tire flange (101) and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface (103b) and an inner fillet (104b) is provided at an edge between the radially extending axially inner surface (101a) of the tire flange (101) and the circumferentially extending tapered radially inner surface (103b) to reduce stress concentrations on the tire flange (101).

4. In order to gradually increase the area in the critical region of the bead seat (201) under load, the inclination angle θ １ is the inclination angle θ ２ 2. The tire flange and bead seat assembly of claim 1, wherein said bead seat is stiffer than said inner axially radially extending flange surface (207 a) of said bead seat (201) such that said tire flange (101) is restricted from establishing contact with said inner axially radially extending flange surface (207 a) of said bead seat (201) during tire expansion.

5. 3. The tire flange and bead seat assembly of claim 2, wherein the thicknesses T1 and T2 of the tire flange (101) are determined based on a load acting on the wheel, thereby reducing a weight of the wheel.

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