JP2006088948A - Tire wheel assembly and run-flat supporter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tire wheel assembly which is made easy to insert a supporter into a tire without spoiling the basic performance owned by the supporter, and the supporter for run-flat. <P>SOLUTION: In the tire wheel assembly in which a pneumatic tire 2 is fitted to a rim 11 of a wheel 1 and in which the run-flat supporter 3 comprising a pair of elastic rings 5 and 5 to be fitted into the rim 11 and an annular shell 4 straddling over the these elastic rings 5 and 5 are inserted unto the hollow part, at least one position of the shoulder part 5a of at least one elastic ring 5 is provided with a chamfered part 5b recessed more than the other parts on the circumference. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire-wheel assembly and a run-flat support body that enable run-flat travel, and more specifically, a tire that facilitates insertion of the support body into the tire without impairing the basic performance of the support body. The present invention relates to a wheel assembly and a run-flat support.

  Many technologies for enabling a certain degree of emergency traveling have been proposed in response to market demands even when a pneumatic tire punctures while the vehicle is traveling. Among these many proposals, there is one that enables run-flat running by mounting a core on a rim in a hollow portion of a pneumatic tire and supporting the punctured tire with the core (for example, Patent Document 1). To 3).

  Such a run-flat support body has an annular shell with an open leg structure having leg portions along both sides of the corresponding contact portion while projecting a contact portion with the inner surface of the tire to the outer peripheral side, and elastically supports both leg portions. It consists of a configuration with a ring attached, and is mounted on the rim via the elastic ring. This run-flat support has the advantage that it can be used without any disruption to the market because it can be used as it is without any special modifications to existing wheels and rims.

  When assembling the run-flat support body to the tire wheel assembly, first, the run-flat support body is inserted into the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire, and the rim assembly of the pneumatic tire is carried out in a state of including the run-flat support body. Need to do. However, since the outer diameter of the run-flat support is larger than the inner diameter of the bead portion of the pneumatic tire, it is extremely difficult to insert the run-flat support into the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire. In particular, the shoulder portion of the elastic ring exposed to the outside of the annular shell interferes with the bead portion of the pneumatic tire, making the insertion operation difficult.

In addition, in order to avoid interference between the shoulder portion of the elastic ring and the bead portion of the pneumatic tire, when the shoulder portion of the elastic ring is uniformly chamfered over the entire circumference, the end portion of the annular shell embedded in the elastic ring The covering part to cover becomes thin. Therefore, when the rim assembling operation of the pneumatic tire is performed with the run-flat support body included, there is a risk that the thinned covering portion may be damaged by a tool or the like used in the rim assembling operation. And when the part where the rust prevention treatment of the annular shell is not performed due to the damage of the covering part is exposed, rust is generated from that part, and in the worst case, the elastic ring and the annular shell are separated during the run flat running, There is a problem that desired run-flat running performance cannot be exhibited.
JP-T-2001-519279 JP 2001-163020 A JP-A-10-297226

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tire-wheel assembly and a run-flat support that facilitate the insertion of the support into the tire without impairing the basic performance of the support.

  In order to achieve the above object, a tire / wheel assembly of the present invention includes a pair of elastic rings that fit a pneumatic tire to a rim of the wheel, and a hollow portion of the pneumatic tire that fits the rim. In a tire / wheel assembly in which a run-flat support body composed of an annular shell straddling between the elastic rings is inserted, at least one shoulder portion of at least one elastic ring is depressed more than other portions on the circumference. It is characterized by providing a chamfered portion.

  The run-flat support body of the present invention comprises a pair of elastic rings fitted to the rim and an annular shell straddling the elastic rings, and is provided at least at one position on the shoulder portion of at least one elastic ring. In this case, a chamfered portion that is depressed more than other portions on the circumference is provided.

  In the present invention, the run-flat support body is formed with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tread portion of the pneumatic tire so as to maintain a certain distance from the pneumatic tire, and the inner diameter of the bead portion of the pneumatic tire. It is formed to have substantially the same dimensions as the inner diameter. The run-flat support body is assembled to the rim of the wheel together with the pneumatic tire in a state where the run-flat support body is inserted into the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire, thereby constituting a tire wheel assembly. When the pneumatic tire is punctured while the tire / wheel assembly is mounted on the vehicle, the punctured and crushed tire is supported by the run-flat support body, so that run-flat travel is possible.

  In the present invention, a chamfered portion that is depressed more than the other part on the circumference is provided in at least one of the shoulder portions of at least one elastic ring, so that the run-flat support is inserted into the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire. In doing so, the chamfered portion is used to avoid interference between the shoulder portion of the elastic ring and the bead portion of the pneumatic tire, and the insertion operation can be performed smoothly. In addition, since the chamfered portion is locally provided on the shoulder portion extending on the circumference of the elastic ring, the elastic ring is used when the pneumatic tire rim is assembled with the run-flat support body included. Can be prevented from being damaged. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of rust in the annular shell, further prevent the elastic ring and the annular shell from being separated, and exhibit the desired run-flat running performance. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily insert the run-flat support into the cavity of the pneumatic tire without impairing the basic performance of the run-flat support.

  In the present invention, in order to further facilitate the operation of inserting the run-flat support into the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire and to balance the weight in the circumferential direction, a plurality of equidistant positions on the shoulder portion of at least one elastic ring In addition, it is preferable to provide a chamfered portion that is recessed from the other portions on the circumference. In addition, the minimum thickness of the elastic body interposed between the end portion of the annular shell embedded in the elastic ring and the chamfered portion is 0.8 mm or more, and the chamfered portion measured along the circumferential direction of the elastic ring. The length is preferably 30 mm to 70 mm.

  The chamfered portion described above may be provided on at least one elastic ring. However, it is desirable that the chamfered portion is provided only in the elastic ring disposed on the opposite side of the wheel from the disk side of the pair of elastic rings. In other words, since the elastic ring arranged on the disk side of the wheel is relatively likely to be damaged by a tool or the like during the rim assembly work, it is better not to provide the chamfered portion on the elastic ring arranged on the disk side. .

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a meridian cross-sectional view showing the main part of a tire-wheel assembly (wheel) according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a wheel, 2 is a pneumatic tire, and 3 is a run-flat support. The wheel 1, the pneumatic tire 2, and the run-flat support body 3 are formed in an annular shape around a wheel rotation shaft (not shown). The wheel 1 includes a rim 11 that fits a bead portion of the pneumatic tire 2, a disk 12 that connects the rim 11 and an axle (not shown), and a pair that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the rim 11 and extends in the circumferential direction. Humps 13 and 13.

  The run-flat support 3 includes an annular shell 4 and an elastic ring 5 as main parts. The run-flat support 3 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the pneumatic tire 2 during normal running, but supports the collapsed pneumatic tire 2 from the inside during puncture.

  The annular shell 4 projects an abutment portion 4a that abuts against the inner surface of the punctured tire to the outer peripheral side (radially outer side) and includes leg portions 4b and 4b along both sides of the contact portion 4a. It has become. The contact portion 4a of the annular shell 4 is formed such that the outer surface shape in a cross section orthogonal to the circumferential direction is a convex curved surface on the outer peripheral side. At least one convex curved surface may be present, but it is preferable that two or more convex curved surfaces are arranged in the tire axial direction. In this way, by forming the contact portion 4a of the annular shell 4 so that two or more convex curved surfaces are arranged, the contact portion of the contact portion 4a with respect to the tire inner surface is dispersed into two or more, and the local portion is given to the tire inner surface. In order to reduce wear, the run distance of run-flat travel can be extended.

  The annular shell 4 is thin with a thickness of 0.5 to 5.0 mm, and is made of a highly rigid material for supporting the vehicle weight via the punctured pneumatic tire 2. A metal, resin, or the like can be used as the constituent material. Among these, steel, aluminum, etc. can be illustrated as a metal. On the other hand, the resin may be either a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, and ABS. Examples of the thermosetting resin include an epoxy resin and an unsaturated polyester resin. The resin may be used alone, or may be used as a fiber reinforced resin by blending reinforcing fibers.

  The elastic rings 5 are attached to the leg portions 4b and 4b of the annular shell 4, respectively, and support the annular shell 4 while abutting on the left and right rim seats. The elastic ring 5 reduces the impact and vibration received by the annular shell 4 from the punctured pneumatic tire 2, and prevents the slip against the rim seat to stably support the annular shell 4.

  As a constituent material of the elastic ring 5, rubber or resin can be used, and rubber is particularly preferable. As rubber, natural rubber (NR), isoprene rubber (IR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), hydrogenated NBR, hydrogenated SBR, ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM, EPM), butyl rubber (IIR) ), Acrylic rubber (ACM), chloroprene rubber (CR), silicone rubber, fluorine rubber and the like. Of course, additives such as a filler, a vulcanizing agent, a vulcanization accelerator, a softening agent, and an anti-aging agent can be appropriately blended with these rubbers. And a desired elasticity modulus can be obtained based on the mixing | blending of a rubber composition.

  FIG. 2 shows a run-flat support body according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows its main part. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic ring 5 is a portion located on the outer side in the radial direction, and a portion exposed to the outside of the annular shell 4 forms a shoulder portion 5a. A chamfered portion 5b that is depressed more than other portions on the circumference is formed at least at one location of the shoulder portion 5a of one elastic ring 5. More specifically, a pair of chamfered portions 5b are arranged at two locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the shoulder portion 5a. In this case, when the run-flat support 3 is inserted into the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire 2, a pair of chamfered portions 5 b that can be used to avoid interference between the chamfered portion 5 b and the bead portion of the pneumatic tire 2 are provided. Since it is in a properly dispersed state, the insertion operation is facilitated. Of course, it is also advantageous in terms of weight balance in the circumferential direction.

  Next, a method for assembling the tire wheel assembly will be described with reference to FIG. When assembling the run-flat support 3 to the tire wheel assembly, first, the run-flat support 3 is inserted into the cavity of the pneumatic tire 2. At that time, as shown in FIG. 4, half of the run-flat support 3 is inserted into the tire, and the other half is not inserted into the tire. Here, the run-flat support body 3 is pushed into the tire. Since the chamfered portion 5b is formed on the shoulder portion 5a of the elastic ring 5, the elastic ring can be obtained by using the chamfered portion 5b. 5 can avoid interference with the shoulder portion 5a of the pneumatic tire 2 and the bead portion of the pneumatic tire 2, and the run-flat support 3 can be inserted smoothly.

  Next, the rim of the pneumatic tire 2 is assembled with the run-flat support 3 included therein. That is, the pneumatic tire 2 is fitted to the rim 12 together with the run-flat support 3 from the disk 12 side of the wheel 1. At that time, a tool or the like used for the rim assembly work may come into contact with the elastic ring 5, but a chamfered portion 5 b is locally provided on the shoulder portion 5 a extending on the circumference of the elastic ring 5. Therefore, damage to the elastic ring 5 can be prevented. As shown in FIG. 1, the chamfered portion 5 b is preferably provided only on the elastic ring 5 disposed on the opposite side of the wheel 1 from the disk 12 side. Since the elastic ring 5 disposed on the disk 12 side of the wheel 1 is relatively likely to be damaged by a tool or the like during the rim assembly operation, the chamfered portion 5b is not provided on the elastic ring 5 disposed on the disk 12 side. Better.

  In the run-flat support 3, the minimum thickness t of the elastic body interposed between the end of the annular shell 4 embedded in the elastic ring 5 and the chamfered portion 5 b is set to 0.8 mm or more ( (See FIG. 3). When the minimum thickness t is less than 0.8 mm, the elastic ring 5 is damaged when the elastic ring 5 is extremely bent or when a tool or the like used for the rim assembling work comes into contact with the chamfered portion 5b. The end of the shell 4 may be exposed. When a portion of the annular shell 4 that is not subjected to rust prevention is exposed, rust is generated from the portion, and in the worst case, the elastic ring 5 and the annular shell 4 are separated during run flat running, and the desired run flat running is performed. There is a risk that performance cannot be achieved.

  The length of the chamfered portion 5b measured along the circumferential direction of the elastic ring 5 is set in a range of 30 mm to 70 mm. If this length is less than 30 mm, the effect of facilitating the insertion work of the run-flat support 3 cannot be obtained, and conversely if it exceeds 70 mm, the elastic ring 5 tends to break.

  FIG. 5 shows a main part of a run-flat support body according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, only one elastic ring 5 and a part of the annular shell 4 of the run-flat support 3 are shown. As shown in FIG. 5, in the run-flat support body 3, chamfered portions 5 b that are recessed from other portions on the circumference are formed at a plurality of locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the shoulder portion 5 a of the elastic ring 5. Has been. Also in this case, the operation of inserting the run-flat support 3 into the cavity of the pneumatic tire 2 is facilitated by the presence of the plurality of chamfered portions 5b. Also, the weight balance in the circumferential direction is good. If the chamfered portion 5b is continued on the circumference of the shoulder portion 5a of the elastic ring 5, the work for inserting the run-flat support 3 is facilitated, but the damage prevention effect of the elastic ring 5 is reduced, and the tire is tired. There is a drawback of deteriorating the left and right weight balance.

It is meridian sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the tire wheel assembly which consists of embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the support body for run flats which consists of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective sectional view showing the important section of a run flat support which consists of an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the insertion method in the tire of the support body for run flats which consists of embodiment of this invention. It is a partially notched perspective view which shows the principal part of the support body for run flats which consists of other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wheel 2 Pneumatic tire 3 Run-flat support body 4 Annular shell 4a Contact part 4b Leg part 5 Elastic ring 5a Shoulder part 5b Chamfer part 11 Rim 12 Disc 13 Hump

Claims (7)

For a run flat comprising a pneumatic tire fitted to a wheel rim, and a pair of elastic rings fitted to the rim in the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire and an annular shell straddling the elastic rings. A tire wheel assembly in which a support body is inserted, wherein at least one shoulder portion of at least one elastic ring is provided with a chamfered portion that is depressed more than other portions on the circumference. The tire wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein chamfered portions that are recessed from other portions on the circumference are provided at a plurality of equidistant positions on a shoulder portion of at least one elastic ring. The minimum thickness of the elastic body interposed between the end portion of the annular shell embedded in the elastic ring and the chamfered portion is 0.8 mm or more, and is measured along the circumferential direction of the elastic ring. The tire wheel assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamfered portion has a length of 30 mm to 70 mm. The tire wheel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chamfered portion is provided only in an elastic ring disposed on a side opposite to a disk side of the wheel among the pair of elastic rings. A chamfer which is composed of a pair of elastic rings fitted to the rim and an annular shell straddling the elastic rings, and is recessed at least in one shoulder portion of at least one elastic ring from the other parts on the circumference. Run-flat support body with part. 6. The run-flat support body according to claim 5, wherein chamfered portions that are depressed more than other portions on the circumference are provided at a plurality of equally spaced shoulder portions of at least one elastic ring. The minimum thickness of the elastic body interposed between the end portion of the annular shell embedded in the elastic ring and the chamfered portion is 0.8 mm or more, and is measured along the circumferential direction of the elastic ring. The run-flat support according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the chamfered portion has a length of 30 mm to 70 mm.

Images