Mounting structure of decorative member of wheel

Abstract

A mounting structure of a decorative member of a wheel includes: a wheel (10) in which an attachment hole (26) is formed; and a decorative member which has a pair of engagement parts (30, 32) placed a gap apart in the rotation circumferential direction of the wheel (10), and which is mounted to the wheel (10) in a state in which the pair of engagement parts (30, 32) are inserted into the attachment hole (26) and the pair of engagement parts (30, 32) are urged toward an edge side of the attachment hole (26) and engaged with the edge of the attachment hole (26). The gap in the rotation circumferential direction of the wheel (10) between the portion in the edge of the attachment hole (26) where one engagement part is engaged and the portion where the other engagement part is engaged is gradually increased toward the outside in the rotation radial direction.

Description

Wheel decoration component mounting structure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mounting structure for a decorative member of a wheel.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 5-278403 discloses a wheel cover device comprising a wheel having a first engaging portion and a cover having a second engaging portion. In the wheel cover device described in this publication, through grooves extending in the radial direction and opening toward the center are formed in the wheel. The inner end surfaces facing each through groove form the first engaging portion on the wheel side. Meanwhile, a pair of protruding members are formed on the back surface of the cover plate of the cover, which are elastically deformable so as to be able to move closer and farther apart in the circumferential direction. The radially extending outer surfaces of the tips of the pair of protruding members form the second engaging portion on the cover side. The second engaging portion on the cover side is engaged with the first engaging portion on the wheel side, thereby maintaining the cover attached to the wheel.

[0003] However, depending on the material of the decorative member, such as the cover, it is conceivable that the decorative member may expand radially outward due to environmental factors (such as water absorption) in which the decorative member is placed. In this case, it is conceivable that stress will increase at the engaging portion of the decorative member that engages with the wheel mounting hole, but the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 5-278403 does not take this into consideration.

[0004] The present disclosure provides a mounting structure for a wheel decorative member that can suppress an increase in stress generated at an engagement portion of the decorative member that engages with a mounting hole of the wheel.

[0005] The mounting structure for a decorative member on a wheel in a first aspect comprises a wheel having a mounting hole formed therein, and a decorative member having a pair of engaging portions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the wheel, the pair of engaging portions being inserted into the mounting holes and biased toward the edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole, and the distance in the circumferential direction of the wheel between the portion on the edge of the mounting hole where one engaging portion engages and the portion on the edge of the mounting hole where the other engaging portion engages gradually increases as it moves outward in the radial direction of rotation.

[0006] The mounting structure for a wheel decorative member of the second aspect is the mounting structure for a wheel decorative member of the first aspect, wherein the decorative member further has an outer engagement portion arranged radially outward of the wheel relative to the pair of engagement portions, and the decorative member is mounted to the wheel with the pair of engagement portions and the outer engagement portion inserted into the mounting hole and the pair of engagement portions and the outer engagement portion biased toward the edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole, and a biasing member is provided between one of the engagement portions and the other engagement portion and the outer engagement portion to bias the pair of engagement portions and the outer engagement portion toward the edge of the mounting hole.

[0007] The mounting structure for a wheel decorative member of the third aspect is the same as the mounting structure for a wheel decorative member of the second aspect, in that when the pair of engaging portions move radially outward in the rotational direction of the wheel along the edge of the mounting hole, the outer engaging portions elastically deform while contacting the edge of the mounting hole.

[0008] In a first aspect of the wheel decorative member mounting structure, the decorative member is mounted to the wheel with a pair of engaging portions of the decorative member inserted into a mounting hole formed in the wheel and biased toward the edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole. The distance between the portion of the mounting hole edge where one engaging portion engages and the portion where the other engaging portion engages increases gradually in the circumferential direction of the wheel as the distance increases radially outward. With this configuration, even if the pair of engaging portions move radially outward due to a change in the dimensions of the decorative member, the force with which the pair of engaging portions are pressed by the edge of the mounting hole does not increase. This prevents stress buildup at the engaging portions of the decorative member that are engaged with the wheel mounting hole.

[0009] In the second aspect of the wheel mounting structure for a decorative member, the decorative member is mounted to the wheel with a pair of engaging portions and outer engaging portions inserted into a mounting hole formed in the wheel and the pair of engaging portions and outer engaging portions biased toward the edge of the mounting hole by a biasing member, thereby engaging with the edge of the mounting hole. This configuration allows the decorative member to be mounted to the wheel more securely than a configuration without the outer engaging portions and biasing member.

[0010] In the mounting structure for a wheel decorative member according to the third aspect, when the pair of engaging portions move radially outward of the wheel along the edge of the mounting hole, the outer engaging portions elastically deform while contacting the edge of the mounting hole. In this configuration, even if the force with which the pair of engaging portions and the edge of the mounting hole are engaged weakens as the pair of engaging portions move radially outward of the wheel along the edge of the mounting hole, the force with which the outer engaging portions and the edge of the mounting hole are engaged can be increased.

[0011] 5 is a front view showing a wheel and a decorative member attached to the wheel. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a wheel. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the wheel to which the decorative member is attached, seen from the rear side of the wheel, showing a state in which the biasing member has been removed from the decorative member. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the wheel to which the decorative member is attached, seen from the rear side of the wheel. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the wheel to which the decorative member is attached, seen from the rear side of the wheel. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7, showing a state in which the third engagement portion has moved radially outward.

[0012] 1 to 8, the configuration of a wheel 10 and a decorative member 12 to which the mounting structure for a wheel decorative member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied will be described. Note that arrows C, R, and Z shown in the figures indicate one side in the rotational circumferential direction of the wheel 10, the outer side in the rotational radial direction, and one side in the rotational axial direction, respectively. Also, arrow Z shown in the figures indicates the design surface side of the wheel 10. Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the circumferential direction, radial direction, and axial direction are indicated, they will respectively indicate the rotational circumferential direction, rotational radial direction, and rotational axial direction of the wheel 10.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a wheel 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in this figure, five decorative members 12 are attached to the wheel 10. The five decorative members 12 have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of one decorative member 12 will be described, and descriptions of the configurations of the other decorative members 12 will be omitted.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the wheel 10 is formed, for example, using an aluminum alloy or the like. The radially inner portion of the wheel 10 is a center portion 14 that is fixed to a hub. This center portion 14 is formed with a plurality of bolt insertion holes 16 into which bolts are inserted to fix the wheel 10 to the hub. The radially outer portion of the wheel 10 is a rim portion 18 to which a tire is attached. Furthermore, a plurality of spokes 20 are provided between the center portion 14 and the rim portion 18 of the wheel 10, connecting the center portion 14 and the rim portion 18 in the radial direction. In this embodiment, five spokes 20 are provided, and these five spokes 20 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0015] A connection portion 22 is provided between a pair of circumferentially adjacent spokes 20 in the wheel 10, connecting the pair of circumferentially adjacent spokes 20 in the circumferential direction and connecting the rim portion 18 and the center portion. A central opening 24 is formed in the circumferential center of this connection portion 22, penetrating the connection portion 22 in the axial direction. Furthermore, mounting holes 26 are formed on both circumferential sides of the radially outer portion of the connection portion 22, penetrating the connection portion 22 in the axial direction. When viewed from the axial direction, these mounting holes 26 have a triangular shape that gradually widens as it extends radially outward. As a result, the circumferential distance W between an edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and an edge 26B on the other circumferential side (the circumferential width W of the mounting hole 26) gradually increases as it extends radially outward.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the decorative member 12 comprises a main body portion 28 formed in a fan-shaped shape corresponding to the connection portion 22 (see Figure 2) when viewed from the design surface side of the wheel 10, and a first engagement portion 30, a second engagement portion 32, a third engagement portion 34 and a fourth engagement portion 36 that protrude from the main body portion 28 toward the connection portion 22 side (the other axial side).

[0017] 3 , 4 , and 5 , the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 each protrude from a radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28 toward the other axial side, and are adapted to be inserted into the mounting holes 26 formed on one circumferential side of the connecting portion 22. Similarly, the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 each protrude from a radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28 toward the other axial side, and are adapted to be inserted into the mounting holes 26 formed on the other circumferential side of the connecting portion 22. The configurations of the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 protruding from the radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28 are similar to the configurations of the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 protruding from the radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28. Therefore, in the following explanation, we will explain the configuration of the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 that protrude from the radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28, and may omit explanation of the configuration of the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 that protrude from the radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28.

[0018] The first engaging portion 30 as an engaging portion includes a leg portion 30A protruding from the main body portion 28 toward the other axial side, and a claw portion 30B protruding from the tip of the leg portion 30A in the protruding direction toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26. The leg portion 30A is formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction facing the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, and is curved in a convex shape toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 when viewed from the other axial side. The leg portion 30A is tiltable toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and toward the opposite side of the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26.

[0019] The second engaging portion 32 has a basic configuration similar to that of the first engaging portion 30. The second engaging portion 32 is disposed on the other circumferential side of the first engaging portion 30. The second engaging portion 32 includes a leg portion 32A protruding from the main body 28 toward the other axial side, and a claw portion 32B protruding from the tip of the leg portion 32A toward the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26. The leg portion 32A is formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction facing the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26, and is convexly curved toward the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26 as viewed from the other axial side. The leg portion 32A is tiltable toward the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26 and the opposite side of the other circumferential edge 26B of the mounting hole 26.

[0020] The third engaging portion 34, which serves as an outer engaging portion, has a basic configuration similar to that of the first engaging portion 30 and the second engaging portion 32. The third engaging portion 34 is disposed radially outward from the first engaging portion 30 and the second engaging portion 32 and in the circumferential center between the first engaging portion 30 and the second engaging portion 32. The third engaging portion 34 includes a leg portion 34A that protrudes from the main body 28 toward the other axial side, and a claw portion 34B that protrudes from the tip of the leg portion 34A in the protruding direction toward the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26. The leg portion 34A is formed in a plate shape whose thickness direction is in a direction facing the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, and is convexly curved toward the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 when viewed from the other axial side. The leg portion 34A is tiltable toward the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 and toward the opposite side from the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26.

[0021] A biasing member 38 formed in a C-shape when viewed from the other axial side is provided between the leg 30A of the first engaging portion 30, the leg 32A of the second engaging portion 32, and the leg 34A of the third engaging portion 34. The biasing member 38 biases the leg 30A of the first engaging portion 30, the leg 32A of the second engaging portion 32, and the leg 34A of the third engaging portion 34 toward the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C, respectively.

[0022] 3 and 4 , the fourth engagement portion 36 protrudes toward the other axial side from a radially inner portion in the circumferential center of the main body portion 28. The fourth engagement portion 36 is adapted to be engaged with the edge of the central opening 24 formed in the connecting portion 22 when inserted into the central opening 24.

[0023] (Operations and Effects of the Present Embodiment) Next, operations and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, to attach the decorative member 12 to the wheel 10, first, the fourth engagement portion 36 of the decorative member 12 is inserted into the central opening 24 formed in the connection portion 22 of the wheel 10 and engaged with the edge of the central opening 24.

[0025] 3 to 7, the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 protruding from a radially outer portion on one circumferential side of the main body portion 28 (see FIG. 1) are inserted into the mounting hole 26 formed on one circumferential side of the connecting portion 22 of the wheel 10. When the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 have been inserted into the mounting hole 26, the claw portion 30B of the first engaging portion 30, the claw portion 32B of the second engaging portion 32, and the claw portion 34B of the third engaging portion 34 climb over the edge 26A on one circumferential side, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, respectively, and are engaged around the edge 26A on one circumferential side, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, respectively.

[0026] Similarly, the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 protruding from the radially outer portion on the other circumferential side of the main body portion 28 (see FIG. 1) are inserted into the mounting hole 26 formed on the other circumferential side of the connecting portion 22 of the wheel 10. As a result, the claw portion 30B of the first engaging portion 30, the claw portion 32B of the second engaging portion 32, and the claw portion 34B of the third engaging portion 34 are engaged with the peripheries of the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, the edge 26B on the other circumferential side, and the radially outer edge 26C, respectively.

[0027] By going through the above-described mounting procedure, the decorative member 12 is mounted on the wheel 10 .

[0028] 2 to 7, in this embodiment, the circumferential distance W between the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side gradually increases radially outward. In this configuration, when the radial dimension of the main body 28 of the decorative member 12 increases due to moisture absorption or the like, the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 move radially outward relative to the fourth engaging portion 36. At this time, the circumferential distance between the portion of the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 where the first engaging portion 30 engages and the portion of the edge 26B on the other circumferential side where the second engaging portion 32 engages increases. As a result, even if the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 move radially outward relative to the fourth engaging portion 36, the force with which the first engaging portion 30 and the second engaging portion 32 are pressed by the edge 26A on one circumferential side and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 does not increase. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in stress generated in the first engaging portion 30 and the second engaging portion 32 as the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 move radially outward relative to the fourth engaging portion 36.

[0029] In this embodiment, the claw portions 30B of the first engaging portion 30 and the claw portions 32B of the second engaging portion 32 are respectively engaged with the peripheries of the edge 26A on one circumferential side and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side of the mounting hole 26, and in addition, the claw portions 34B of the third engaging portion 34 are engaged with the periphery of the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26. In this configuration, the decorative member 12 can be more firmly attached to the wheel 10 compared to a configuration in which the third engaging portion 34 is not provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, biasing members 38 are provided that bias the legs 30A of the first engaging portion 30, the legs 32A of the second engaging portion 32, and the legs 34A of the third engaging portion 34 toward the circumferentially one edge 26A, the circumferentially other edge 26B, and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, respectively. This allows the decorative member 12 to be attached to the wheel 10 more firmly than in a configuration in which the biasing member 38 is not provided.

[0030] 5, 7, and 8, if the radial dimension of the main body 28 of the decorative member 12 further increases due to further moisture absorption by the decorative member 12, the first engaging portion 30, the second engaging portion 32, and the third engaging portion 34 will move further radially outward relative to the fourth engaging portion 36. In this case, the leg portion 34A of the third engaging portion 34, which had been spaced apart from the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26, will come into contact with the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 and be pressed radially inward. As a result, the leg portion 34A of the third engaging portion 34 will elastically deform (tilt) radially inward. In this configuration, even if the force of engagement between the first engaging portion 30 and the second engaging portion 32 and the edge 26A on one circumferential side of the mounting hole 26 and the edge 26B on the other circumferential side weakens as the first engaging portion 30 and the second engaging portion 32 move radially outward, the force of engagement between the third engaging portion 34 and the radially outer edge 26C of the mounting hole 26 can be increased.

[0031] In the present embodiment, an example in which the third engagement portion 34 and the biasing member 38 are provided has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, in a case in which the attachment strength of the decorative member 12 to the wheel 10 can be ensured by only the first engagement portion 30 and the second engagement portion 32, a configuration in which the third engagement portion 34 and the biasing member 38 are not provided may be adopted.

[0032] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0033] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-059175, filed on April 1, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

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

2. The decorative member further has an outer engaging portion arranged radially outward of the wheel relative to the pair of engaging portions, and the decorative member is attached to the wheel with the pair of engaging portions and the outer engaging portion inserted into the mounting hole and the pair of engaging portions and the outer engaging portion urged toward the edge of the mounting hole to engage with the edge of the mounting hole, and a biasing member is provided between one of the engaging portions and the other engaging portion and the outer engaging portion to bias the pair of engaging portions and the outer engaging portion toward the edge of the mounting hole. An attachment structure for a decorative member to a wheel as described in claim 1.

3. A mounting structure for a decorative member for a wheel as described in claim 2, wherein when the pair of engaging portions move radially outward in the rotational direction of the wheel along the edge of the mounting hole, the outer engaging portion elastically deforms while contacting the edge of the mounting hole.

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