Vehicle wheels

Abstract

To provide a vehicle wheel that can improve the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle wheel while it is in motion. [Solution] The vehicle wheel 20 comprises a hub portion 21, a rim portion 22 configured on which a tire 13 is mounted, and spoke portions 23 configured to connect the hub portion 21 and the rim portion 22. The spoke portion 23 has an outer surface 25 facing outward in the vehicle width direction, an inner surface 24 facing inward in the vehicle width direction, and a side surface 26 connecting the outer surface 25 and the inner surface 24. In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spoke portion 23, the length of the outer surface 25 is less than or equal to the length of the inner surface 24, and is longer than the length of the middle portion of the spoke portion 23 in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel.

Background Art

[0002] It is known that reducing the aerodynamic drag of a vehicle is important for improving the fuel efficiency of an automobile during travel. In particular, aerodynamic drag accounts for approximately 70% of the traveling resistance of an automobile during high-speed travel.

[0003] One type of aerodynamic drag is the aerodynamic drag generated by the wheel. Since the wheel is a component that rotates at high speed while the automobile is traveling, it is not easy to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the wheel. Up to now, attempts such as flattening the wheel surface and reducing the size of wheel openings have been made to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the wheel.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes an invention that reduces the aerodynamic drag of a wheel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the invention described in the aforementioned background art has room for improvement from the perspective of improving the aerodynamic effect on the vehicle wheel and its peripheral portion during travel.

[0007] Specifically, recent vehicle wheels sometimes exhibit complex shapes in order to improve their design. Furthermore, since brakes are located inside vehicle wheels, the design of the wheel must take into account brake heat dissipation. For these reasons, improving the aerodynamic performance of vehicle wheels and their surrounding areas during driving is not easy.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and the object of this invention is to provide a vehicle wheel that can improve the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle wheel while it is in motion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a hub portion, a rim portion configured to mount a tire, and a spoke portion configured to connect the hub portion and the rim portion, wherein the spoke portion has an outer surface facing outward in the vehicle width direction, an inner surface facing inward in the vehicle width direction, and a surface connecting the outer surface and the inner surface, and in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spoke portion, the length of the outer surface is less than or equal to the length of the inner surface and is longer than the length of the middle portion of the spoke portion in the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the vehicle wheel embodiment of the present invention, the length of the outer surface of the spoke portion is less than or equal to the length of the inner surface of the spoke portion, and is longer than the length of the middle portion of the spoke portion in the vehicle width direction, thereby reducing air resistance near the spoke portion during driving. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the front of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing a tire fitted with a vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A]This is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion of a vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] This is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion of a vehicle wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] This is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion of a vehicle wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] This is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion of a vehicle wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4C] This is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion of a vehicle wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] This is a perspective view showing the aerodynamic effect of the comparative example. [Figure 5B] This is a perspective view showing the aerodynamic effects of an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, a vehicle wheel 20 and a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, rear, up, down, left, and right will be used, but left and right will refer to the left and right when the vehicle 10 is viewed from the front. Furthermore, in the following description, the vehicle width direction includes the direction from the outside to the inside. Furthermore, in the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components in principle, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, the inside in the vehicle width direction and the outside in the vehicle width direction may also be simply referred to as the inside and outside.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the front of a vehicle 10 equipped with a vehicle wheel 20.

[0014] Vehicle 10 can be, for example, a gasoline engine vehicle, a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), a HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle).

[0015] A tire house is formed on the front left side of the vehicle body 11 of the vehicle 10. A tire 13 is disposed in the tire house 12. The tire 13 is mounted on the vehicle wheel 20.

[0016] Figure 2 is a side view showing the tire 13 on which the vehicle wheel 20 is mounted.

[0017] The tire 13 is mounted on the vehicle wheel 20. The vehicle wheel 20 is made of, for example, an integrally cast aluminum alloy or iron. The vehicle wheel 20 has a substantially wheel-like shape as a whole, and has a function of transmitting rotational force to the tire 13.

[0018] Specifically, the vehicle wheel 20 has a hub portion 21, a rim portion 22, and a spoke portion 23. The hub portion 21 is configured to be attached to an unillustrated axle shaft via unillustrated bolts. The rim portion 22 is configured to have the tire 13 mounted thereon. The spoke portion 23 is an elongated portion extending radially outward so as to connect the hub portion 21 and the rim portion 22. A plurality of the spoke portions 23 are formed along the circumferential direction. In recent years, the spoke portions 23 have a complicated curved shape in order to improve the design of the vehicle wheel 20. In the present embodiment, the aerodynamic characteristics around the spoke portions 23 are improved even when the spoke portions 23 have a complicated shape.

[0019] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion 23 of the vehicle wheel 20. Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A cutting line in Figure 2. The A-A cutting plane is a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spoke portion 23. This also applies to Figure 3B, Figure 4A, Figure 4B and Figure 4C which will be described later. Further, Figure 3A shows a case where the vehicle wheel 20 is disposed on the vehicle wheel 20 on the right side of the vehicle body 11.

[0020] The spoke portion 23 has an inner surface 24, an outer surface 25, and a side surface 26. The inner surface 24 is the surface facing inward in the vehicle width direction. The outer surface 25 is the surface facing outward in the vehicle width direction. The side surface 26 is the side surface connecting the outer surface 25 and the inner surface 24. The side surface 26 has a first side surface 261 and a second side surface 262. The first side surface 261 is the side surface facing forward. The second side surface 262 is the side surface facing rearward. That is, the cross-section of the spoke portion 23 has a roughly trapezoidal shape with a longer side on the inside and a shorter side on the outside.

[0021] Here, a concave portion 27 is formed on the side surface 26. Specifically, a first concave portion 271 is formed on the first side surface 261, and a second concave portion 272 is formed on the second side surface 262. The first concave portion 271 is a portion of the first side surface 261 that is recessed toward the rear in the middle part in the vehicle width direction. The second concave portion 272 is a portion of the second side surface 262 that is recessed toward the front in the middle part in the vehicle width direction. As will be described later, having the concave portion 27 improves the pressure near the front of the spoke portion 23 during driving, thereby improving the aerodynamic effect. Also, when the vehicle wheel 20 is mounted on the right side, which is opposite to the vehicle body 11, the second side surface 262 faces forward and the first side surface 261 faces rear.

[0022] Here, in the front-rear direction, the length of the outer surface 25 is denoted as L11, and the length of the inner surface 24 is denoted as L12. Also, the length of the middle part of the spoke portion 23 in the vehicle width direction is denoted as L13. Here, L13 is defined as the distance between the rear end of the first concave portion 271 and the front end of the second concave portion 272, where L13 is shortest. In this case, the following relationship is established between L11, L12, and L13. (Formula 1)L13 <L11≦L12 That is, in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spoke portion 23, the length L11 of the outer surface 25 is less than or equal to the length L12 of the inner surface 24, and is longer than the length L13 of the middle portion of the spoke portion 23 in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] In this way, a first concave portion 271 can be formed in the middle of the first side surface 261. This improves the aerodynamic effect around the spoke portion 23 during driving. Furthermore, when the vehicle wheel 20 is mounted on the left side of the vehicle body 11, the second side surface 262 and the second concave portion 272 face forward, thereby improving the aerodynamic effect around the spoke portion 23 during driving.

[0024] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion 23 of a vehicle wheel 20 according to another embodiment. The basic configuration of the spoke portion 23 shown in Figure 3B is the same as that shown in Figure 3A, except that it has ribs 28.

[0025] The rib 28 is a portion that protrudes from the side surface 26 in the front-rear direction. The rib 28 has a first rib 281 and a second rib 282. The rib 28 may be formed integrally with the spoke portion 23 by casting or the like, or it may be a separate component welded to the spoke portion 23.

[0026] The first rib 281 protrudes forward from the outer end of the first side surface 261. The first side surface 261 is an inclined surface that slopes backward toward the outside. Therefore, the first concave portion 271 is formed between the inner end of the first side surface 261 and the first rib 281.

[0027] The second rib 282 protrudes rearward from the outer end of the second side surface 262. The second side surface 262 is an inclined surface that slopes forward outward. Therefore, the second concave portion 272 is formed between the inner end of the second side surface 262 and the second rib 282.

[0028] Even with the configuration shown in Figure 3B, the aforementioned Equation 1 can be satisfied, and the effects described above can be achieved.

[0029] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion 23 of a vehicle wheel 20 of another form. The basic configuration of the spoke portion 23 shown in Figure 4A is the same as that shown in Figure 3A, but the configuration of the concave portion 27 and the side surface 26 is different.

[0030] The first side surface 261 is a flat surface substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The first concave portion 271 is a portion of the middle part of the first side surface 261 that is recessed in a substantially rectangular shape toward the rear. The second side surface 262 is a substantially flat surface that slopes forward toward the outward direction. The second concave portion 272 is a portion of the middle part of the second side surface 262 that is recessed in a substantially rectangular shape toward the front. Even with the configuration shown in Figure 4A, the aforementioned Equation 1 can be satisfied, and the effects described above can be achieved.

[0031] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion 23 of a vehicle wheel 20 according to another embodiment. The basic configuration of the spoke portion 23 shown in Figure 4B is the same as that shown in Figure 3A, except that the first concave portion 271 is not formed on the first side surface 261.

[0032] In this configuration, the aforementioned first concave portion 271 is not formed on the first side surface 261. The first side surface 261 is a substantially flat surface that slopes outward and backward. The first side surface 261 is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction (the width direction of the vehicle 10). The angle θ at which the first side surface 261 is inclined is set to 10 degrees or less. By doing so, the pressure in front of the first side surface 261 can be increased when the vehicle 10 is in motion, and the aerodynamic effect around the spoke portion 23 can be improved.

[0033] The second side surface 262 is an inclined surface that slopes forward toward the outside. Furthermore, the second concave portion 272 is formed by recessing the middle part of the second side surface 262 in a roughly rectangular shape toward the front. Even with the configuration shown in Figure 4B, the aforementioned equation 1 can be satisfied, and the effects described above can be achieved.

[0034] Figure 4C is a cross-sectional view showing the spoke portion 23 of a vehicle wheel 20 of another form. The basic configuration of the spoke portion 23 shown in Figure 4B is the same as that shown in Figure 3A, except that it has a resin cap 29.

[0035] A resin cap 29 is attached to the outer surface of the spoke portion 23. In other words, a portion of the cross-section of the spoke portion 23 consists of the resin cap 29.

[0036] The inner portion of the first side surface 261 consists of the front surface of the spoke portion 23, and the outer portion of the first side surface 261 consists of the front surface of the resin cap 29. Here, the first side surface 261 is a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0037] The inner portion of the second side surface 262 consists of the rear surface of the spoke portion 23 and is an inclined surface that slopes forward toward the outside. The outer portion of the second side surface 262 consists of the rear surface of the resin cap 29 and is an inclined surface that slopes backward toward the outside. The second concave portion 272 is formed between the rear surface of the spoke portion 23 and the rear surface of the resin cap 29. Even with the configuration shown in Figure 4C, the aforementioned equation 1 can be satisfied, and the aforementioned effects can be achieved.

[0038] The effects of the vehicle wheel 20 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 5A and 5B.

[0039] Figure 5A is a perspective view showing the aerodynamic effect of a comparative example. Here, the airflow velocity is shown by color, with darker colors indicating slower airflow velocity. In this example, the cross-section of the spoke portion 23 is substantially rectangular, which differs significantly from the shape in the embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the region where the airflow velocity is low in the vehicle width direction near the vehicle wheel 20 becomes wider, and the air resistance generated by the rotation of the vehicle wheel 20 increases.

[0040] Figure 5B is a perspective view showing the aerodynamic effect of the embodiment. Here again, the intensity of the color indicates a slower flow velocity. In this case, the spoke portion 23 has, for example, the cross-sectional configuration shown in Figure 3A, which increases the pressure on the front surface of the spoke portion 23. This increases the pressure near the side surface of the vehicle wheel 20. Therefore, the air resistance generated by the rotation of the vehicle wheel 20 is reduced, the region where the flow velocity is low in the vehicle width direction is narrowed, and the air resistance generated by the rotation of the vehicle wheel 20 is reduced. Thus, by adopting the vehicle wheel 20 according to this embodiment, the air resistance around the vehicle wheel 20 can be reduced, and the energy consumed when the vehicle 10 is running can be reduced.

[0041] The technical concepts that can be understood from the above-mentioned embodiment, along with their effects, are described below.

[0042] A vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a hub portion, a rim portion configured to mount a tire, and spoke portions configured to connect the hub portion and the rim portion, wherein the spoke portion has an outer surface facing outward in the vehicle width direction, an inner surface facing inward in the vehicle width direction, and a side surface connecting the outer surface and the inner surface, and in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spoke portion, the length of the outer surface is less than or equal to the length of the inner surface and longer than the length of the middle portion of the spoke portion in the vehicle width direction. According to the vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, because the length of the outer surface of the spoke portion is less than or equal to the length of the inner surface of the spoke portion and longer than the length of the middle portion of the spoke portion in the vehicle width direction, air resistance near the spoke portion can be reduced during driving.

[0043] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the side surface is characterized by having a concave portion that is recessed toward the inside of the spoke portion. According to the vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the side surface of the spoke portion exhibits a shape that is recessed toward the inside of the spoke portion, thereby improving the pressure near the front surface of the spoke portion during driving. As a result, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the speed of the airflow near the outer surface of the vehicle wheel. This reduces air resistance during vehicle operation and contributes to energy saving.

[0044] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the side surface has a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other, and a concave portion is formed on the first side surface or the second side surface that is recessed toward the inside of the spoke portion. According to the vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the formation of a concave portion on the first side surface or the second side surface increases the pressure near the concave portion when the vehicle is running, thereby reducing air resistance when the vehicle is running.

[0045] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the concave portion is characterized by having a first concave portion formed on the first side surface and a second concave portion formed on the second side surface. According to the vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the vehicle wheel is mounted on the left side of the vehicle body, the first concave portion faces forward of the vehicle body, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance around the spoke portion. On the other hand, when the vehicle wheel is mounted on the right side of the vehicle body, the second concave portion faces forward of the vehicle body, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance around the spoke portion.

[0046] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the side surface has a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other, the first side surface has a concave portion that is recessed toward the inside of the spoke portion, and the second side surface is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. According to the vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the vehicle wheel is mounted on the left side of the vehicle body, the concave portion faces the front of the vehicle body, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance around the spoke portion. On the other hand, when the vehicle wheel is mounted on the right side of the vehicle body, the second side surface, which is an inclined surface, faces the front of the vehicle body. This makes it possible to achieve a high level of balance between the design of the spoke portion and aerodynamic performance.

[0047] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, the side surface is an inclined surface that slopes outward in the vehicle width direction, and a rib is formed on the portion of the side surface that is outward in the vehicle width direction and that protrudes radially outward. According to the vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the vehicle wheel is mounted on the left side of the vehicle body, the concave portion faces forward of the vehicle body, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance around the spoke portion. On the other hand, when the vehicle wheel is mounted on the right side of the vehicle body, the second side surface, which is an inclined surface, faces forward of the vehicle body, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance around the spoke portion.

[0048] Furthermore, in the vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the cross-section of the spoke portion is made of a resin cap. According to the vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, by making a portion of the cross-section of the spoke portion out of a resin cap, the aerodynamic effect around the spoke portion can be improved by combining the resin cap with an existing vehicle wheel.

[0049] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 10 vehicles 11 Car body 12 Wheel arch 13 tires 20 Vehicle Wheels 21 Hub section 22 Rim section 23 Spoke section 24 Inner surface 25 External surface 26 Side view 261 First aspect 262 Second aspect 27 Concave part 271 1st concave part 272 Second concave part 28 Ribs 281 First Rib 282 Second Rib 29 Resin cap

Claims

1. It comprises a hub portion, a rim portion configured to mount a tire, and spoke portions configured to connect the hub portion and the rim portion, The spoke portion has an outer surface facing outward in the vehicle width direction, an inner surface facing inward in the vehicle width direction, and a surface connecting the outer surface and the inner surface. A vehicle wheel characterized in that, in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spoke portion, the length of the outer surface is less than or equal to the length of the inner surface, and is longer than the length of the middle portion of the spoke portion in the vehicle width direction.

2. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the side surface has a concave portion that is recessed toward the inside of the spoke portion.

3. The aforementioned side surface has a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that a concave portion is formed on the first side surface or the second side surface, which is recessed toward the inside of the spoke portion.

4. The vehicle wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that the concave portion has a first concave portion formed on the first side surface and a second concave portion formed on the second side surface.

5. The aforementioned side surface has a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other. A concave portion is formed on the first side surface, which is recessed toward the inside of the spoke portion. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the second side surface is an inclined surface that slopes outward in the vehicle width direction.

6. The aforementioned side surface is an inclined surface that slopes outward in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that a rib protruding radially outward is formed on the outer portion of the side surface in the vehicle width direction.

7. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that a part of the cross-section of the spoke portion is made of a resin cap.

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