Floating center cap

Abstract

This product provides a floating center cap that can be easily attached to wheels by simply attaching any decorative piece such as a logo or emblem, and it is also possible to reuse the original logo itself. [Solution] The base housing 1 is directly attached to the central opening of the wheel by its own locking claw 1a and rotates together with the wheel. The top plate 4, which is embedded in the base housing 1 and press-fitted into a bearing 3 with an O-ring 2, is supported so as to be able to rotate relative to the top plate 4 and floats, and its position is kept constant by the weight of the eccentric counterweight 6 (fastened with fixing screws 7). By attaching an ornament (new or reused from the original) which is a decorative piece to the double-sided tape 5 of the adhesive part provided on the surface of the top plate 4, any logo can be made to float in an upright position. Alternatively, a ready-made center cap 8 can be used in combination with the fixed side, and only the logo (ornament) in the center of it can be made to float.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a center cap attached to an automobile wheel, and more particularly to a so-called floating center cap that keeps the posture of decorations such as logos and emblems constant without following the rotation of the wheel. More specifically, by attaching a decorative piece such as a logo or an emblem to the surface of a floating member, a floating function can be imparted to an arbitrary decorative piece, and the present invention relates to a floating center cap that can be easily attached to a wheel by a locking claw of a base housing itself.

Background Art

[0002] A center cap is attached to the central portion of an automobile wheel as a member that covers and protects mechanical elements such as a hub of an axle and a hub nut for fastening the same, and also improves the appearance of the central portion of the wheel to enhance the design of the entire wheel. The center cap is generally detachably attached to the central opening of the wheel by a locking claw or the like.

[0003] In recent years, with the increasing demand for wheel designs, center caps with decorations such as the company logo or brand logo of a wheel manufacturer, the emblem of a vehicle manufacturer, or various patterns and characters according to the preferences of users have been widely used. Such decorations are regarded as elements expressing the individuality of the vehicle, and it is also common for users to select and attach a center cap with a desired design.

[0004] By the way, such a center cap with a decoration is usually fixed to the wheel so as not to be relatively rotatable. Therefore, when the wheel rotates as the vehicle travels, the center cap also rotates integrally with the wheel, and the decoration such as a logo applied thereto also rotates integrally. Therefore, during driving, the direction of the decoration such as a logo is not fixed, and even when the vehicle stops, the decoration does not necessarily stop in a upright posture, which has contributed to a decrease in the appeal and appearance of the design.

[0005] In contrast, it is considered aesthetically desirable for decorations such as logos to always maintain an upright position even while the vehicle is in motion. To meet this requirement, a center cap with a so-called floating structure is known, in which the decorative part is supported via a bearing so as to be able to rotate relative to the wheel, and the rotational position of the decorative part is kept constant by utilizing the weight of a counterweight that is eccentrically placed relative to the decorative part.

[0006] In other words, in this floating structure, even when the wheel rotates, the rotation of the decorative part is separated from the rotation of the wheel by the action of the bearing. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the decorative part and the part that rotates integrally with it is offset from the center of rotation by an eccentrically positioned counterweight, so that gravity acts on the counterweight to always move it near its lowest point. As a result, a restoring torque acts on the decorative part to return it to a certain rotational position, and the decorations such as the logo are kept in a generally upright position even while driving.

[0007] However, conventionally, center caps with this type of floating structure were generally offered as specific genuine center caps, with the floating structure and its decoration designed and manufactured as a single unit. Therefore, in order to obtain the floating function, it was necessary to replace the cap with a dedicated product that had this function pre-configured, making it difficult to float any logo preferred by the user or the wheel manufacturer's genuine logo itself. Furthermore, the number of manufacturers, car models, or wheel types that offered such genuine products was limited, effectively restricting the range of choices.

[0008] On the other hand, as a cover that does not rotate relative to the wheel, a non-rotating cover is also known, which is connected to a non-rotating member of the vehicle's suspension system and positioned to cover a part of the wheel (Patent Document 1). However, the cover described in Patent Document 1 is made non-rotating by being fixed to a non-rotating member of the suspension system for the purpose of adjusting the aerodynamic performance around the wheel, etc., and does not maintain a constant rotational position of the member separated from the wheel via a bearing by the weight of an eccentric counterweight, nor is it intended to be made floating by attaching any decorative piece. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-182144 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] As described above, conventional floating center caps were original, dedicated parts manufactured with the floating structure and decoration integrated into a single unit, making it impossible to select or replace the decoration later. Therefore, there was a problem in that it was not possible to incorporate any logo preferred by the user, or the logo itself that was on the wheel manufacturer's original center cap, into a floating design.

[0011] Furthermore, when attaching a center cap with a floating function to a wheel, it is desirable that it can be easily attached without requiring any processing such as drilling holes in the wheel.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to easily and reliably perform what is known as centering, which involves precisely aligning the rotation center of the floating component with the rotation center of the wheel. If centering is insufficient, the decoration may rotate off-center, potentially detracting from its appearance and compromising the stability of its rotation.

[0013] In addition, since the area around the wheel is exposed to harsh conditions such as rainwater, mud, and dust during driving, it is desirable to ensure durability by suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter and moisture into the bearing section that supports the floating component, and to provide appropriate rotational resistance to the rotation of the component, thereby preventing the decorative element's posture from being unnecessarily disturbed by vibrations during driving.

[0014] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a floating center cap that can be easily attached to a wheel, and can also use the original logo of the wheel manufacturer, and can be easily attached to the wheel, by simply attaching any decorative piece such as a logo or emblem to the decorative piece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The floating center cap according to the present invention is a floating center cap that is attached to the wheel of an automobile, and has a locking claw that engages with the central opening of the wheel or the central opening of a member fixed to the wheel and rotating with the wheel, and comprises a base housing fixed to the wheel and rotating with the wheel, a bearing held in the base housing, a top plate press-fitted into the bearing and supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base housing, and a counterweight that is eccentrically fastened to the top plate and maintains a constant rotational position of the top plate by its own weight, wherein the top plate has an attachment portion to which a decorative piece is attached on the surface facing away from the wheel.

[0016] In this configuration, the base housing is directly attached to the central opening of the wheel by its own locking claws and rotates with the wheel, while the top plate is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base housing via bearings, thus being separated from the wheel's rotation, and its rotational position is kept constant by the weight of the counterweight. Furthermore, by attaching a decorative piece to an adhesive portion provided on the surface of the top plate, the decorative piece floats with the top plate and is kept in an upright position. Therefore, simply by attaching any decorative piece such as a logo or emblem, a floating function can be given to that decorative piece.

[0017] The above-mentioned attachment part may be equipped with double-sided tape. With this configuration, the decorative piece can be attached to the top plate with simple work, and the decorative piece can also be easily replaced.

[0018] The decorative piece may be taken from a separate center cap or may be a separately prepared decorative ornament. With this configuration, it is possible to attach a newly prepared ornament of any design, or to take the logo portion (ornament) from the wheel manufacturer's genuine center cap and reuse it, thereby making the genuine logo itself floating.

[0019] The floating center cap according to the present invention further comprises a pre-existing center cap that is attached to the wheel, and the pre-existing center cap may be positioned on the wheel side of the top plate and rotate with the wheel on a fixed side. Here, the pre-existing center cap may be attached to the wheel by its own locking claws and rotate with the wheel, in which case the base housing is fixed to the wheel via the pre-existing center cap by its locking claws engaging with the central opening of the pre-existing center cap. With this configuration, the design of the pre-existing center cap that the user already owns can be utilized, while only the central logo, etc. (the decorative piece) can be made floating. In particular, by removing the logo, etc. ornament that was attached to the pre-existing center cap in its original state and attaching it to the top plate, the original ornament itself can be made floating.

[0020] The bearing may incorporate an O-ring and be embedded in the base housing, and may also be configured to serve as a centering tool for the top plate. With this configuration, the top plate is centered simultaneously by embedding the bearing in the base housing, and the O-ring elastically absorbs any dimensional errors that may occur between the bearing housing in the base housing and the bearing, thereby assisting in the centering process and suppressing vibrations during operation. Furthermore, the O-ring enhances dustproof and waterproof properties.

[0021] The counterweight may be fastened to the top plate by countersunk screws, and the fastening position may determine the orientation in which the decorative piece stands upright. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, by means of a configuration in which a decorative piece is adhered to an adhering portion provided on the surface of a floating top plate, a floating function can be imparted to any decorative piece such as a logo, an emblem, etc. Different from an original exclusive product in which a floating structure and decoration are integrally manufactured, the decoration can be freely selected or replaced later, so the degree of freedom in the design that can be selected is greatly increased.

[0023] In addition, as the decorative piece, the logo portion (ornament) of the genuine center cap of the wheel manufacturer can be taken out and diverted, so that the genuine logo itself can be utilized and kept in a upright posture even during running. Furthermore, if the user combines an existing center cap that the user already has on the fixed side, while making use of its design, only the logo, etc. in the center can be made floating.

[0024] Since the base housing is directly attached to the central opening of the wheel by its own locking claws, it can be easily attached to the wheel without requiring any processing such as drilling on the wheel side.

[0025] Since the top plate is supported relative to the base housing via a bearing so as to be rotatable, even when the wheel rotates, the top plate and the decorative piece adhered thereto do not rotate, and their postures are kept constant by the weight of the counterweight. Therefore, even during running, decorations such as logos can always be kept upright, and the design property is greatly improved.

[0026] According to the configuration in which a bearing with an O-ring is embedded in the base housing, the center alignment of the top plate can be easily and surely achieved by this embedding. In particular, the O-ring elastically absorbs dimensional errors that may occur between the bearing housing portion and the bearing. Therefore, even when the machining accuracy of the housing portion is not sufficient, it can prevent rotation failure caused by distortion during press-fitting and assist in the center alignment of the top plate. Furthermore, the O-ring enhances dustproof and waterproof properties, suppresses the intrusion of foreign matter and moisture into the bearing portion, and can improve its durability. Also, the O-ring can impart a rotational resistance suitable for maintaining the posture of the decoration, and can suppress the unnecessary disturbance of the decoration posture due to vibrations during running.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is an exploded perspective view of a floating center cap according to the first embodiment (the form of attaching an ornament) of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of a floating center cap according to the second embodiment (the form of using an existing center cap in combination) of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the shapes, materials, dimensions, etc. of each component in the following description are examples, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0029] [First Embodiment: Ornament Attachment Type] As shown in Figure 1, the floating center cap of this embodiment comprises a base housing 1 having a locking claw 1a, an O-ring 2, a bearing 3, a top plate 4, double-sided tape 5, a counterweight 6, and fixing screws (countersunk screws) 7. The ornament, which is a decorative piece attached to the surface of the top plate 4, is not shown in the illustration. These components are assembled coaxially along a single axis corresponding to the wheel's center of rotation.

[0030] The base housing 1 is a substantially disc-shaped or bottomed cylindrical member made of, for example, resin or metal, and is integrally provided with a locking claw 1a on its outer circumference or periphery that engages with the central opening of the wheel. The base housing 1 is directly attached to the central opening of the wheel by the locking claw 1a without the need for a separate center cap, and is fixed to the wheel and rotates together with the wheel. A housing portion for housing and holding the bearing 3 is formed in the central part of the base housing 1.

[0031] Bearing 3 is a rolling bearing in which the inner and outer rings are rotatable relative to each other, and is embedded and held in the housing portion of the base housing 1. The top plate 4 is press-fitted onto the inner ring of bearing 3 and is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base housing 1 via bearing 3. Bearing 3 not only supports the top plate 4 so as to be rotatable relative to it, but also, by being embedded in the housing portion, serves to center the top plate 4 so that its rotational center coincides with the rotational center of the wheel. In other words, the support and centering of the top plate 4 are achieved simultaneously by the single operation of embedding bearing 3 in the housing portion.

[0032] The O-ring 2 is an annular member made of elastic material that is built into the bearing 3 or interposed between the bearing 3 and the housing portion of the base housing 1. Due to its elasticity, the O-ring 2 absorbs dimensional errors that may occur between the housing portion and the bearing 3, preventing rotational problems of the top plate 4 caused by distortion associated with the press-fitting of the bearing 3, even if the machining accuracy of the housing portion is insufficient, and assisting in centering the top plate 4. Furthermore, due to the frictional resistance based on its elasticity, the O-ring 2 provides appropriate rotational resistance to the rotation of the top plate 4, suppressing disturbances in the posture of the decoration caused by vibrations during driving. In addition, the O-ring 2 prevents foreign matter and moisture such as rainwater, mud, and dust from entering the bearing portion, contributing to dustproofing and waterproofing.

[0033] The top plate 4 is a member, for example, a roughly disc-shaped member, which is press-fitted into the bearing 3 and supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base housing 1, and is a floating member in this invention. The surface (outer surface) of the top plate 4 facing away from the wheel is provided with an attachment portion for attaching an ornament, which is a decorative piece, and double-sided tape 5 is attached to this attachment portion. The material of the top plate 4 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from resin, metal, or other materials depending on the required strength, weight, etc.

[0034] The counterweight 6 is a weight fastened to the top plate 4 by fixing screws (countersunk screws) 7 at an eccentric position from the center of rotation. Because the counterweight 6 is positioned eccentrically, the center of gravity of the top plate 4 and the parts that rotate integrally with it (including the ornament) is offset from its center of rotation. This causes a restoring torque to act on the top plate 4, causing it to return to a position near the lowest point where the counterweight 6 is located. The mass, shape, and mounting position of the counterweight 6 are appropriately set to obtain the required restoring torque. Furthermore, by adjusting the fastening position or manner of the fixing screws 7, the orientation of the ornament can be easily adjusted so that it stands upright when the counterweight 6 is at its lowest point.

[0035] The double-sided tape 5 is attached to the adhesive portion on the surface of the top plate 4, and the ornament, which is a decorative piece, is attached to the top plate 4. The ornament is a decorative piece that represents a logo, emblem, figure, or letters, etc. In this embodiment, a newly prepared ornament, or a logo portion (ornament) taken from a wheel manufacturer's genuine center cap, etc., is attached to the top plate 4 via the double-sided tape 5. This provides a floating function to any ornament.

[0036] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As the vehicle moves, the wheel rotates, and the base housing 1, which is attached to the wheel by the locking claw 1a, rotates with the wheel. On the other hand, the top plate 4 is supported by the bearing 3 so as to be rotatable relative to the base housing 1, and is therefore separated from the rotation of the wheel. At this time, a restoring torque based on the weight of the eccentrically placed counterweight 6 acts on the top plate 4, and the top plate 4 comes to rest or stabilizes in a position where the counterweight 6 is near its lowest point. Therefore, even when the wheel rotates, the rotational position of the top plate 4 and the ornament attached thereto is kept constant, and the logo and the like displayed on the ornament remain upright even while the vehicle is in motion.

[0037] The floating center cap according to this embodiment can be handled, for example, as follows: First, double-sided tape 5 is attached to the adhesive portion on the surface of the top plate 4, and the desired ornament is attached to it, aligning its upright orientation. Next, the locking claw 1a of the base housing 1 is locked into the central opening of the wheel to secure it. This makes it possible to float any logo without requiring replacement with a dedicated part or complex work.

[0038] [Second embodiment: Type that uses a pre-existing center cap] As shown in Figure 2, the floating center cap of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses a pre-existing center cap 8 already owned by the user as a fixing member on the wheel side. In this embodiment, the pre-existing center cap 8 is a genuine center cap from a manufacturer, etc., which is attached to the central opening of the wheel by its own locking claws and rotates with the wheel, and is located on the wheel side (below the top plate) of the top plate 4. In the original state, an ornament such as a logo is attached to the surface of the pre-existing center cap 8, and this ornament rotates with the wheel. Components that are common with the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are used accordingly.

[0039] The base housing 1 is attached by locking its locking claws 1a into the central opening of a pre-made center cap 8, and is fixed to the wheel via the pre-made center cap 8. This allows the base housing 1 to support the top plate 4 so that it can rotate relative to the base housing 1 via the bearing 3. An ornament is attached to the surface of the top plate 4 via double-sided tape 5, similar to the first embodiment. For example, a logo portion taken from a pre-made center cap 8 can be used as the ornament. Although the double-sided tape 5 is not shown in Figure 2, it is attached to the surface of the top plate 4, similar to the first embodiment.

[0040] In this embodiment, the existing center cap 8 (for example, its outer circumference) rotates with the wheel, while the top plate 4 and the ornament attached thereto, which are supported to rotate relative to each other via the bearing 3, are kept upright by the restorative torque of the counterweight 6. Therefore, the design of the existing center cap 8 that the user already possesses can be utilized, while only the central logo, etc. (ornament) can be kept upright even while driving.

[0041] [Other variations] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its essence. For example, the mass, shape, and mounting position of the counterweight 6 can be appropriately set according to the weight of the top plate 4 and the part that rotates integrally with it. The counterweight 6 is not limited to being composed of a single component, but may be composed of a combination of multiple components.

[0042] The type of bearing 3 is not limited to rolling bearings, but may also be a sliding bearing or other type of bearing. Furthermore, the manner in which the bearing 3 is held in the base housing 1 is not limited to embedding in the housing, but may also be by press-fitting, bonding, screwing, or other appropriate means. The O-ring 2 may be omitted or replaced with other sealing or damping members depending on whether dustproofing, waterproofing, and rotational resistance are required.

[0043] The means of attachment at the attachment point is not limited to double-sided tape 5, but other means of attachment such as adhesive may be used. The shape, number, and arrangement of the locking claws 1a can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the central opening of the wheel to be attached. The material, shape, and design of the ornament are also not particularly limited. Furthermore, the form in which only the ornament, which is a decorative piece, is attached to the top plate 4, as in the first embodiment, and the form in which a pre-existing center cap 8 is used in combination with the fixed side, as in the second embodiment, can be appropriately selected and implemented. [Industrial applicability]

[0044] This invention can be widely used as a center cap for automobile wheels, particularly as a center cap decorated with logos, emblems, and other embellishments, and related accessory parts. In particular, it can be suitably used to create a floating effect on vehicles and wheels that do not have a factory-installed floating function, while utilizing any logo or the original logo itself. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1 Base Housing 1a Locking claw 2 O-rings 3 bearings 4 Top plate 5. Double-sided tape 6 Counterweights 7. Fixing screws (countersunk screws) 8. Standard center caps

Claims

1. A floating center cap that is attached to the wheel of an automobile, A base housing fixed to the wheel and rotating with the wheel has a locking claw that engages with the central opening of the wheel, or the central opening of a member fixed to the wheel and rotating with the wheel, The bearing held in the base housing, A top plate press-fitted into the bearing and supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base housing, The system includes a counterweight that is eccentrically fastened to the top plate and maintains a constant rotational position of the top plate by its own weight, The floating center cap is characterized in that the top plate has an attachment portion to which a decorative piece is attached, on a surface facing away from the wheel.

2. The floating center cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive portion is provided with double-sided tape.

3. The floating center cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative piece is removed from a separate center cap or is a separately prepared decorative ornament.

4. The floating center cap according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-made center cap that is attached to the wheel, wherein the pre-made center cap is positioned on the wheel side of the top plate and rotates together with the wheel on a fixed side.

5. The floating center cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bearing incorporates an O-ring and is embedded in the base housing, and also serves to center the top plate.

Images