Spoke wheels

Abstract

To reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the number of processing steps for a spoke wheel.SOLUTION: A spoke wheel (10) is provided with an annular rim (13) having an outer peripheral surface on which a tire (11) is mounted, a cylindrical hub (14) supported on an axle (12) on an inner side of the rim, and a plurality of wire spokes (15) connecting the rim and the hub. The rim is formed with a plurality of spoke holes (26) for passing the plurality of wire spokes, and support surfaces (31) for receiving head portions (51) of the plurality of wire spokes on one end sides of the plurality of spoke holes. The support surface has a groove shape extending in a wheel rotation direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spoke wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] Spoke wheels are often used in off-road straddle-type vehicles to absorb shocks during driving. Spoke wheels have spoke holes formed in the rim for passing a large number of wire spokes through. Known spoke wheels of this type include a type in which the spoke holes are formed in an inner peripheral protrusion that extends radially inward from the bottom surface of the rim, and a type in which the spoke holes are formed in a flange that extends radially outward from the outer edge of the rim (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When forming the spoke holes in these rims, countersinking is performed to accommodate the heads of the wire spokes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-012314 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The rim described in Patent Document 1 requires countersinking for each spoke hole using a special tool, which increases the number of processing steps and increases the manufacturing cost of the spoke wheel.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a spoke wheel that can reduce the number of processing steps and reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A spoke wheel according to one aspect of the present invention is a spoke wheel used in a saddle-ride vehicle, and comprises an annular rim on the outer circumferential surface of which a tire is mounted, a cylindrical hub supported by an axle inside the rim, and a plurality of wire spokes connecting the rim and the hub, wherein the rim is formed with a plurality of spoke holes through which the plurality of wire spokes pass, and a support surface on one end side of the plurality of spoke holes that receives the heads of the plurality of wire spokes, and the support surface has a groove shape that extends in the direction of rotation of the wheel. In a cross-sectional view, the support surface is formed in an arc-shaped groove that is inclined so that the groove width narrows toward the groove bottom, and the head bottom surfaces of the plurality of wire spokes are formed in a tapered shape. This solves the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the spoke wheel of the present invention, the heads of the wire spokes are fitted into a groove-shaped support surface. Because the support surface is groove-shaped, there is no need to use a dedicated tool to countersink the rim for each of the spoke holes. This reduces the number of processing steps required when forming the rim, thereby reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spoke wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the spoke wheel of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the spoke wheel of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the spoke wheel of FIG. 2 taken along line BB. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a spoke wheel according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a spoke wheel according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spoke wheel according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A spoke wheel according to one aspect of the present invention is for use in a saddle-ride vehicle and includes an annular rim on the outer peripheral surface of which a tire is mounted, a cylindrical hub supported on the axle inside the rim, and a plurality of wire spokes connecting the rim and the hub. The rim is formed with a plurality of spoke holes through which the wire spokes pass, and a support surface that receives the heads of the wire spokes at one end of the spoke holes is formed in a groove shape extending in the direction of wheel rotation. With this configuration, the heads of the wire spokes fit into the groove-shaped support surface. Because the support surface is formed in a groove shape, there is no need to perform countersinking on the rim using a dedicated tool for each of the spoke holes. This reduces the number of processing steps required to form the rim, thereby reducing costs. [Example]

[0010] This embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spoke wheel of this embodiment. In the following drawings, arrow FR indicates the front, arrow RE indicates the rear, arrow L indicates the left, and arrow R indicates the right.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the spoke wheel 10 of this embodiment is a spoke wheel for a tubeless tire of a saddle-ride type vehicle. The spoke wheel 10 comprises an annular rim 13 on the outer peripheral surface of which a tire 11 is mounted, a cylindrical hub 14 supported by an axle 12 inside the rim 13, and a plurality of wire spokes 15 connecting the rim 13 and hub 14. The plurality of wire spokes 15 extend approximately radially from the hub 14 toward the rim 13, and the tension in the plurality of wire spokes 15 supports the load acting on the spoke wheel 10. The spoke wheel 10 absorbs shocks during driving and also reduces the weight of the wheel.

[0012] A pair of inner peripheral protrusions 23 protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the rim 13, and spoke holes 26 (see Figure 3) for passing multiple wire spokes 15 are formed in the pair of inner peripheral protrusions 23. A pair of flanges 41 protrude radially outward from both ends of the hub 14 in the axle direction, and multiple spoke nipples 43 that hold the multiple wire spokes 15 are attached to the pair of flanges 41. Heads 51 of the multiple wire spokes 15 are hooked onto the pair of inner peripheral protrusions 23, and the tips of the multiple wire spokes 15 are screwed to the multiple wire spokes 15 on the pair of flanges 41.

[0013] The rim 13 of the spoke wheel 10 is formed by extrusion. In order to form countersunk holes on one end of the spoke holes 26 of the rim 13, countersunk processing must be performed for each spoke hole 26. In addition, in order to chamfer the other end of the spoke holes 26 of the rim 13, chamfering must be performed for each spoke hole 26. Therefore, in the spoke wheel 10 of this embodiment, a groove shape in the wheel rotation direction is formed when the rim 13 is formed by extrusion processing. This groove shape is used in place of the countersunk holes formed by countersunk processing and the chamfered surfaces formed by chamfering processing, thereby reducing the number of processing steps.

[0014] The detailed configuration of the spoke wheel will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a side view of the spoke wheel of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the spoke wheel of Figure 2 taken along line AA. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spoke wheel of Figure 2 taken along line BB.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottom wall 21 of the rim 13 is formed in a stepped shape with a recess in the center in the axle direction. A pair of outer peripheral protrusions 22 protrude radially outward from both ends of the bottom wall 21 in the axle direction, and the beads of the tire 11 are fitted inside the pair of outer peripheral protrusions 22. The pair of inner peripheral protrusions 23 are spaced apart with the center of the bottom wall 21 in between, and the pair of inner peripheral protrusions 23 protrude in a rail-like manner from the inner circumferential surface of the bottom wall 21. A plurality of spoke holes 26 are formed in the pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23, and a plurality of wire spokes 15 are passed through the plurality of spoke holes 26 from outer surfaces 24 on the outer side in the axle direction of the pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23 to inner surfaces 25 on the inner side in the axle direction.

[0016] The heads 51 of the wire spokes 15 abut against the outer surface 24 of the inner circumferential protrusion 23, and the necks 52 of the wire spokes 15 enter the spoke holes 26. The wire spokes 15 are bent near the inner surface 25 of the inner circumferential protrusion 23, with the tips of the wire spokes 15 extending linearly radially inward. The wire spokes 15 are inclined shallowly from the heads 51 to the bent portion 54 toward the hub 14, and the portion of the wire spoke 15 beyond the bent portion 54 is inclined deeply toward the hub 14. The wire spokes 15 cross the axial centerline C of the rim 13 obliquely from the inner circumferential protrusion 23 on one side of the rim 13 in the axle direction toward the flange 41 on the other side of the hub 14 in the axle direction.

[0017] In a cross-sectional view, a pair of flanges 41 of the hub 14 are formed so as to be perpendicular to the direction in which the tips of the wire spokes 15 extend. A plurality of nipple holes 42 are formed in the pair of flanges 41 of the hub 14, and a plurality of spoke nipples 43 are attached to the plurality of nipple holes 42. A threaded hole is formed in the spoke nipple 43, and the male threads at the tips of the wire spokes 15 are screwed into the threaded holes of the spoke nipple 43. The head of the spoke nipple 43 is slotted, and the tension of the wire spokes 15 can be adjusted by tightening the spoke nipple 43 onto the tips of the wire spokes 15.

[0018] 2 and 4, support surfaces 31 are formed on the outer surfaces 24 of the pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23, on one end sides of the plurality of spoke holes 26, to receive the heads 51 of the plurality of wire spokes 15. The support surfaces 31 have a groove shape that is formed in the outer surfaces 24 of the inner circumferential protrusions 23 during extrusion molding of the rim 13. The support surfaces 31 extend in the wheel rotation direction along a circle centered on the axle 12, and the heads 51 of the plurality of wire spokes 15 aligned in the wheel rotation direction are hooked onto the support surfaces 31. The heads 51 of the wire spokes 15 are received in the groove-shaped support surfaces 31, limiting the amount by which the heads 51 of the wire spokes 15 protrude.

[0019] In a cross-sectional view, the groove width of the support surface 31 is larger than the diameter of the spoke holes 26, and the support surface 31 is inclined so that the groove width narrows toward the groove bottom. In this embodiment, the support surface 31 is formed in an arc-shaped groove in a cross-sectional view, and one end of the spoke holes 26 opens closer to the inner edge 33 of the support surface 31 than to the outer edge 32 of the support surface 31. The head bottom surfaces 53 of the multiple wire spokes 15 are formed in a tapered shape. This makes it easier for the tapered head bottom surfaces 53 to be stably supported by the arc-shaped support surface 31, even if there is an error in the taper angle of the head bottom surfaces 53 of the wire spokes 15.

[0020] The inner surfaces 25 of the pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23 are formed with chamfered surfaces 34 that connect to the opening edges of the spoke holes 26 at the other ends of the spoke holes 26. The chamfered surfaces 34 are groove-shaped and formed on the inner surfaces 25 of the inner circumferential protrusions 23 during extrusion molding of the rim 13. The chamfered surfaces 34 extend in the wheel rotation direction along a circle centered on the axle 12, and the chamfered surfaces 34 eliminate sharp edges at the opening edges of the spoke holes 26 that are aligned in the wheel rotation direction. The sharp edges at the opening edges of the spoke holes 26 do not come into contact with the wire spokes 15, reducing stress concentration on the wire spokes 15.

[0021] In a cross-sectional view, the groove width of the chamfered surface 34 is larger than the diameter of the spoke holes 26, and the chamfered surface 34 is sloped so that the groove width narrows toward the groove bottom. In this embodiment, the chamfered surface 34 is formed into a trapezoidal groove shape in a cross-sectional view, and the other end of the spoke hole 26 opens at the center between the outer edge 35 and inner edge 36 of the chamfered surface 34. The opening edge of the spoke hole 26 is connected to the slope of the chamfered surface 34, so that the periphery of the spoke hole 26 is formed into a C-chamfered shape. Note that by changing the groove shape of the chamfered surface 34, the periphery of the spoke hole 26 may be formed into a R-chamfered shape.

[0022] Support surface 31 widens the entrance to spoke hole 26, and chamfered surface 34 widens the exit from spoke hole 26. Because wire spokes 15 can be easily inserted into spoke hole 26, the bending angle or bending radius of bent portion 54 of wire spoke 15 can be increased, improving the degree of freedom in the spoke shape of wire spokes 15. Furthermore, by increasing the thickness of pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23, the strength of pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23 can be improved, and a decrease in the strength of inner circumferential protrusions 23 due to the groove shapes of support surface 31 and chamfered surface 34 is suppressed.

[0023] When the rim 13 is extruded, groove-shaped support surfaces 31 are formed on the outer surfaces 24 of the pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23, and groove-shaped chamfered surfaces 34 are formed on the inner surfaces 25 of the pair of inner circumferential protrusions 23. Then, drilling is performed from the outer surfaces 24 of the inner circumferential protrusions 23, and a plurality of spoke holes 26 are formed from the support surfaces 31 toward the chamfered surfaces 34. Countersinking and chamfering for each spoke hole 26 are no longer necessary, reducing the number of processing steps. In particular, during chamfering, one inner circumferential protrusion 23 gets in the way when a tool is applied to the inner surface 25 of the other inner circumferential protrusion 23, but the formation of the chamfered surfaces 34 by extrusion does not impair workability.

[0024] As described above, according to this embodiment, the heads 51 of the multiple wire spokes 15 are fitted into the groove-shaped support surface 31. Because the support surface 31 is formed in a groove shape, there is no need to perform countersinking on the rim 13 using a dedicated tool for each of the multiple spoke holes 26. In addition, the chamfered surface 34 eliminates sharp edges at the opening edges of the spoke holes 26, mitigating stress concentration on the multiple wire spokes 15. In addition, because the chamfered surface 34 is formed in a groove shape, there is no need to perform chamfering on the rim 13 for each of the multiple spoke holes 26. Therefore, the number of processing steps and costs can be reduced when forming the rim 13.

[0025] In this embodiment, multiple spoke holes are formed in a pair of inner peripheral protrusions provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rim, but the rim does not necessarily have to be provided with a pair of inner peripheral protrusions. For example, as shown in a first modified example in Figure 5, a pair of outer peripheral protrusions 62 may protrude radially outward from both ends of a rim 61 in the axle direction, and multiple spoke holes 63 may be formed in the pair of outer peripheral protrusions 62. In this case, the pair of outer peripheral protrusions 62 are formed wide, and multiple spoke holes 63 penetrate the pair of outer peripheral protrusions 62 in the radial direction. A support surface 66 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral protrusions 62, and a chamfered surface 67 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral protrusions 62.

[0026] As in this embodiment, the support surface 66 and chamfered surface 67 are formed by groove shapes formed during extrusion molding of the rim 61. The support surface 66 hooks the heads 69 of the wire spokes 68 at one end of the spoke holes 63, and the chamfered surface 67 eliminates sharp edges at the opening edges of the spoke holes 63 at the other end. In the configuration shown in the modified example, the support surface 66 and chamfered surface 67 are formed during extrusion molding of the rim 61, eliminating the need for countersinking and chamfering for each of the multiple spoke holes 63. This reduces the number of processing steps when molding the rim 61, thereby reducing costs.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of inner peripheral protrusions is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rim, but a single inner peripheral protrusion may also be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rim. For example, as shown in a second modified example in Figure 6, a single inner peripheral protrusion 72 may protrude radially inward from the center in the axle direction of the inner peripheral surface of the rim 71, and multiple spoke holes 73 may be formed in the inner peripheral protrusion 72. In this case, the inner peripheral protrusion 72 is formed wide, and multiple spoke holes 73 pass through the inner peripheral protrusion 72 in the axle direction. A pair of support surfaces 75 is formed on both side surfaces 74 of the inner peripheral protrusion 72, and these pair of support surfaces 75 also function as chamfered surfaces.

[0028] As in this embodiment, the pair of support surfaces 75 are formed by grooves formed during extrusion molding of the rim 71. One support surface 75 hooks the heads 77 of the wire spokes 76 at one end of the spoke holes 73, while the other support surface 75 eliminates sharp edges at the opening edges of the spoke holes 73 at the other end of the spoke holes 73. In the configuration shown in the modified example, the pair of support surfaces 75 are formed during extrusion molding of the rim 71, eliminating the need for countersinking and chamfering for each of the multiple spoke holes 73. This reduces the number of processing steps when molding the rim 71, thereby reducing costs.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner peripheral protrusions are provided along the entire inner peripheral surface of the rim, but the inner peripheral protrusions may also be provided partially on the inner peripheral surface of the rim. For example, as shown in a third modified example in FIG. 7, multiple inner peripheral protrusions 82 may be lined up along the inner peripheral surface of the rim 81. In this case, each inner peripheral protrusion 82 has a spoke hole 83 formed therein, and multiple spoke holes 83 penetrate the inner peripheral protrusion 82 in the axle direction. As in this embodiment, the outer surface 84 of the inner peripheral protrusion 82 is formed with a support surface 85 that receives the heads 51 of the wire spokes 15 at one end of the spoke hole 83. Alternatively, although not shown, as in the second modified example, a pair of support surfaces may be formed on both side surfaces of multiple inner peripheral protrusions lined up in a row along the inner peripheral surface of the rim, and this pair of support surfaces also function as chamfered surfaces.

[0030] In addition, although a spoke wheel for a tubeless tire is exemplified in this embodiment, a spoke wheel for a tube tire may also be used. In this case, spoke holes may be formed in the bottom wall of the rim, and the rim may not have an inner peripheral protrusion.

[0031] In addition, in this embodiment, the groove-shaped support surface and chamfered surface are formed during extrusion molding of the rim, but the method for forming the groove-shaped support surface and chamfered surface is not limited thereto. For example, the groove-shaped support surface and chamfered surface may be formed by cutting after extrusion molding of the rim.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rim is formed with a groove-shaped support surface and a chamfered surface, but it is sufficient that the rim is formed with at least a groove-shaped support surface.

[0033] In addition, in this embodiment, the support surface is formed in an arc-shaped groove in cross section, but the support surface may have any groove shape that can receive the heads of the wire spokes. For example, the support surface may be formed in a square groove in cross section.

[0034] Furthermore, the spoke wheels are not limited to saddle-ride vehicles and may be used in other vehicles. Furthermore, saddle-ride vehicles are not limited to motorcycles and include bicycles.

[0035] As described above, the spoke wheel (10) of this embodiment is a spoke wheel for use in a saddle-type vehicle. It includes an annular rim (13) on the outer periphery of which a tire (11) is mounted, a cylindrical hub (14) supported by an axle (12) inside the rim, and a plurality of wire spokes (15) connecting the rim and the hub. The rim is formed with a plurality of spoke holes (26) through which the wire spokes pass and a support surface (31) at one end of the spoke holes that receives the heads of the wire spokes. The support surface is groove-shaped and extends in the direction of wheel rotation. With this configuration, the heads of the wire spokes fit into the groove-shaped support surface. Because the support surface is groove-shaped, it is not necessary to perform countersinking on the rim using a dedicated tool for each spoke hole. This reduces the number of processing steps during rim formation, thereby reducing costs.

[0036] In the spoke wheel of this embodiment, the support surface is inclined in cross section so that the groove width narrows toward the groove bottom, and the head bottom surfaces (53) of the multiple wire spokes are tapered. With this configuration, the tapered head bottom surfaces of the wire spokes are stably supported by the inclined surface of the support surface.

[0037] In the spoke wheel of this embodiment, the support surface is formed in an arc-shaped groove in cross section, which makes it easier for the tapered head bottom surfaces of the wire spokes to be stably supported by the support surface even if there is an error in the taper angle of the head bottom surfaces of the wire spokes.

[0038] In the spoke wheel of this embodiment, the rim has a chamfered surface (34) that connects to the opening edges of the spoke holes at the other end of the spoke holes, and the chamfered surface is groove-shaped and extends in the direction of wheel rotation. This configuration eliminates sharp edges at the opening edges of the spoke holes, reducing stress concentration on the wire spokes. Furthermore, because the chamfered surface is groove-shaped, it is not necessary to chamfer the rim for each spoke hole. This reduces the number of processing steps required when molding the rim, thereby reducing costs.

[0039] In the spoke wheel of this embodiment, an inner peripheral protrusion (23) projects radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the rim, and the inner peripheral protrusion has multiple spoke holes and a support surface formed therein. With this configuration, the inner peripheral protrusion of the rim and the hub are connected by wire spokes that are bent at the head side.

[0040] In the spoke wheel of this embodiment, the inner peripheral protrusions are a pair of inner peripheral protrusions spaced apart in the axle direction. Each pair of inner peripheral protrusions has a plurality of spoke holes extending from its outer surface outside the axle direction to its inner surface inside the axle direction, through which a plurality of wire spokes pass. The outer surfaces (24) of the pair of inner peripheral protrusions form a support surface for receiving the heads of the wire spokes at one end of the spoke holes, and the inner surfaces (25) of the pair of inner peripheral protrusions form chamfered surfaces at the other end of the spoke holes, continuing to the opening edges of the spoke holes. This configuration eliminates the need to countersink the outer surfaces of the pair of inner peripheral protrusions for each spoke hole, and also eliminates the need to chamfer the inner surfaces of the pair of inner peripheral protrusions for each spoke hole. In particular, because the chamfered surfaces are formed during the extrusion molding of the rim, unlike typical chamfering processes, the chamfered surface on the inner surface of one inner peripheral protrusion does not get in the way of the other inner peripheral protrusion when forming the chamfered surface on the inner surface of the other inner peripheral protrusion.

[0041] Although the present embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be made by combining the above-described embodiments and modifications in whole or in part.

[0042] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to technological advances or other derived technologies, it may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10: Spoke wheels 11: Tires 12: Axle 13: Rim 14: Hub 15: Wire spokes 23: Inner protrusion 24: Outer surface of inner peripheral protrusion 25: Inner surface of inner peripheral protrusion 26: Spoke holes 31: Support surface 34: Chamfered surface 51:Head 53: Bottom of head

Claims

1. A spoke wheel used in a saddle-ride type vehicle, a circular rim on whose outer circumferential surface a tire is mounted; a cylindrical hub supported on an axle inside the rim; a plurality of wire spokes connecting the rim and the hub; The rim is formed with a plurality of spoke holes through which the plurality of wire spokes pass, and a support surface that receives heads of the plurality of wire spokes at one end sides of the plurality of spoke holes, The support surface has a groove shape extending in the wheel rotation direction, In cross-sectional view, the support surface is formed in an arc-shaped groove that is inclined so that the groove width narrows toward the groove bottom, A spoke wheel characterized in that the head bottom surfaces of the plurality of wire spokes are formed in a tapered shape.

2. the rim has chamfered surfaces that are continuous with opening edges of the spoke holes on the other end side of the spoke holes, 2. The spoke wheel according to claim 1, wherein the chamfered surface is a groove extending in the direction of rotation of the wheel.

3. an inner peripheral protrusion protrudes radially inward from an inner peripheral surface of the rim, The spoke wheel according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of spoke holes and the support surface are formed in the inner peripheral protrusion.

4. the inner peripheral protrusions are a pair of inner peripheral protrusions spaced apart in the axle direction, the pair of inner peripheral protruding portions are formed with the plurality of spoke holes through which the plurality of wire spokes pass from an outer surface on the outer side in the axle axis direction to an inner surface on the inner side in the axle axis direction; the support surfaces for receiving the heads of the wire spokes are formed on outer surfaces of the pair of inner circumferential protrusions at one end sides of the spoke holes, 4. The spoke wheel according to claim 3, wherein the chamfered surfaces are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of inner peripheral protrusions, and are continuous with the opening edges of the spoke holes on the other end sides of the spoke holes.

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