JP2007145126A - Elastic wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an elastic wheel capable of improving durability of a damper member over a long period. <P>SOLUTION: This elastic wheel 5 has a rim 3 extending in the circumferential direction capable of movably supporting a tire 2, a disc 4 fixed to an axle, and a damper member 5 constituted of an elastic body connecting between the rim 3 and the disc 4. Either the rim 3 or the disc 4 extends in the circumferential direction, protruding in the radial direction and includes a pair of first ring pieces 6 provided at a distance in the axial direction, while the other of the rim 3 or the disc 4 protrudes in the radial direction, extends in the circumferential direction between the first ring pieces 6, and includes a second ring piece 7 holding the ring-shaped damper member between the first ring pieces 6 on both sides, further being provided with a covering part 8 composed of an elastic material which extends in the circumferential direction by joining between the rim 3 and the disc 4 and covers the damper member 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an elastic wheel capable of improving durability.

  FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional elastic wheel r. The elastic wheel r includes a rim a that can support a tire and extends in the circumferential direction, a disk b that is fixed to an axle, and a damper member c that is made of elastic rubber that connects them (for example, the following patents) Reference 1). In such an elastic wheel r, the vibration of the rim a during traveling is absorbed by the damper member c, so that the amount of vibration transmitted to the disk b and the axle (not shown) is reduced. Therefore, riding comfort and noise performance in the passenger compartment are improved.

JP 2005-96642 A

  However, since the damper member c is exposed to the outside in the conventional elastic wheel r, there is a risk that the damper member may be damaged by contact with foreign matter during traveling. Further, oils and fats around the vehicle suspension are likely to adhere to the damper member c. This causes the damper member c to swell and causes a decrease in strength. Further, the damper member c receives heat from a brake device (not shown) and is directly exposed to energy such as ultraviolet rays and ozone. For this reason, there existed a problem that deterioration and destruction were easy to occur.

  The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and provides an elastic wheel capable of improving the durability of a damper member over a long period of time, based on the provision of a covering portion that covers the damper member. The main purpose is to do.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a damper member comprising a circumferentially extending rim capable of supporting a tire, a disk fixed to an axle, and an elastic body connecting between the rim and the disk. One of the rim or the disk includes a pair of first ring pieces protruding in the radial direction, extending in the circumferential direction and spaced apart in the axle direction, and the rim Alternatively, the other ring of the disk protrudes in the radial direction and extends between the first ring pieces in the circumferential direction and holds the ring-shaped damper member between the first ring pieces on both sides. An elastic wheel characterized in that it includes a piece and is provided with a covering portion made of an elastic material that covers the damper member.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the first ring piece is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rim, the second ring piece is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the disk, and the covering portion is 2. The elastic wheel according to claim 1, wherein the elastic wheel is disposed across the first ring piece and the second ring piece and in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the damper member.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first ring piece is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rim, the second ring piece is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the disk, and the covering portion is 2. The elastic wheel according to claim 1, wherein the first ring piece and the disk are connected apart from an inner peripheral surface of a damper member exposed between the first ring piece and the second ring piece. is there.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the elastic wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the damper member includes rubber and a fiber that reinforces the rubber.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the fibers include long fibers having a length exceeding one circumference of the damper member, and the total mass of the long fibers is 50% or more of the total fiber mass. The elastic wheel according to claim 4.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the elastic wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the covering portion is made of a hardened material of rubber or thermoplastic elastomer in a fluid state poured into a predetermined position.

  In the elastic wheel of the present invention, the damper member is protected by the covering portion made of an elastic material. Therefore, the contact of foreign matters and the adhesion of oils and fats to the damper member during traveling are prevented. Moreover, it does not receive heat, ultraviolet rays, etc. directly from the brake device. Therefore, the performance of the damper member is maintained over a long period of time, and the durability of the elastic wheel is improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic wheel equipped with a pneumatic tire, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the elastic wheel, and FIG. 3 is an end view taken along line AA of FIG.

  The elastic wheel 1 of the present embodiment includes a rim 3 that can support a pneumatic tire (hereinafter, simply referred to as “tire”) 2, a disk 4 that is fixed to an axle (not shown), the rim 3, And a damper member 5 made of an elastic body for elastically connecting the disk 4.

  As the tire 2, for example, a radial tire for a toroidal passenger car having a pair of bead portions 2a and 2a seated on a rim 3 is shown.

  The rim 3 is a pair of rim seat portions 3a, 3a on which the bead portion 2a of the tire 2 is seated, and an outer end portion of the rim of each rim seat portion 3a in the rotational axis direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “axial direction”). It includes a pair of flange portions 3b and 3b which are continuous and extend outward in the radial direction of the rim (hereinafter simply referred to as “radial direction”). Further, the rim 3 includes a recessed groove-shaped well portion 3c having a smallest outer diameter between the rim seat portions 3a and 3a, and a body having an outer diameter larger than that of the well portion 3c and smaller than that of the rim seat portion. The portion 3d is provided side by side in the axial direction. For example, the well portion 3c is provided close to one rim sheet 3a, but may be a central portion, and the shape and / or arrangement thereof is not particularly limited. Further, the body portion 3d is formed with a larger width in the axial direction than the well portion 3c.

  Further, the rim 3 is formed of an annular body in which each of the parts extends substantially continuously in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis. Such a rim 3 is preferably formed of a substantially non-stretchable metal material such as iron, aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy.

  The disk 4 is offset to the outside of the vehicle and is fixed to an axle (or axle hub) (not shown). Further, the disk 4 can be appropriately bent into a bowl shape as shown in the drawing in order to increase rigidity, and further, a cavity 4a and the like are provided as appropriate from the viewpoint of weight reduction and heat dissipation. Such a disk 4 is preferably formed of a substantially non-stretchable metal material, such as iron, aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy, similar to the rim 2.

  In addition, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2, the rim 3 protrudes radially inward on the inner peripheral surface 3i side and extends in a ring shape in the circumferential direction provided at a distance in the axle direction. A pair of first ring pieces 6, 6 is provided. The inner peripheral surface 3i of the rim 3 means a surface on the side opposite to the side on which the tire 2 of the rim 3 is mounted. In the present embodiment, the first ring piece 6 is formed in a flange shape extending continuously in the circumferential direction. As a result, a groove-like cavity O extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the rim 3, which is surrounded by the two ring pieces 6, 6 facing each other and the inner peripheral surface 3 i of the rim 3 therebetween.

  Further, first engagement grooves 9 extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the first ring pieces 6 facing each other. In the present embodiment, each of the first engagement grooves 9 has the same diameter, the same groove width GW, and the same groove depth GD with the rotation axis of the rim 3 as the center. In the present embodiment, the first engagement groove 9 extends continuously in the circumferential direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first ring piece 6 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 3i of the rim 3 in advance by a fixing ring piece 6A and fixing means such as welding or screwing to the inner peripheral surface 3i. And a retrofitted ring piece 6B.

  The fixing ring piece 6A is provided on the well portion 3 side in the axial direction. The method for forming the fixing ring piece 6A is not particularly limited, but it is desirable that the fixing ring piece 6A be integrally formed by, for example, casting or forging. Thus, by previously forming one fixed ring piece 6A on the inner peripheral surface 3i of the rim 3, the productivity of the wheel 1 is improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the retrofitting ring piece 6B is formed in a ring shape whose outer peripheral surface 6o has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the body portion 3d of the rim 3. Therefore, the second ring piece 6B can move in the axle direction along the trunk portion 3d of the rim 3 before being fixed to the rim 3, and the position thereof is adjusted. The rim 3 has an inner diameter of the rim seat portion 3a or the like so that the post-attach ring piece 6B can be fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 3d from the flange 3b side far from the well portion 3c. It is set larger than the outer diameter D1.

  The disk 4 is provided with one second ring piece 7 projecting radially outward and extending in the circumferential direction between the first ring pieces 6, 6. The second ring piece 7 is disposed so as to enter the groove-like space O of the rim 3 and has an outer diameter D2 smaller than the inner peripheral surface 3i of the body portion 3d of the rim 3. The second ring piece 7 is formed to be smaller than the axial width of the space O. As a result, a gap formed between the second ring piece 7 and the first ring piece 6 is formed on both axial sides of the second ring piece 7.

  In addition, on both side surfaces of the second ring piece 7 in the axial direction, second engagement grooves 10 that are opposed to the first engagement grooves 9 and are paired are provided. The second engagement groove 10 extends in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the rim 3 and has the same groove width GW and groove depth GD as the first engagement groove 9 in this embodiment. In addition, it is formed in an annular shape that is continuous in the tire circumferential direction.

  The damper member 5 has a rectangular shape whose cross section is horizontally long and includes a pair of axially juxtaposed members, and is mounted in a gap formed by the first ring piece 6 and the second ring piece 7. Specifically, both end portions 5e and 5e in the axial direction of the damper member 5 are inserted into the first engagement groove 9 and the second engagement groove 10 and locked. The middle part 5c of the damper member 5 extends in the space O in the axial direction, and does not contact the rim 3 and the disk 4 when no load is applied. Therefore, this part can be easily deformed according to the load.

  The manufacturing method of such an elastic wheel 1 will be briefly described. First, as shown in FIG. 4, one damper member 5, the disk 4, and the other toward the first engagement groove 9 of the fixing ring piece 6 </ b> A. The damper member 5 and the retrofit ring 6B are sequentially mounted and temporarily assembled. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the retrofitting ring piece 6 </ b> B is pressed in the axial direction toward the fixed ring piece 6 </ b> A using a press or the like, and each damper member 5 is compressed. The damper member 5 held in a compressed state is in close contact with the groove surfaces of the engagement grooves 9 and 10 with high pressure. As a result, a very large frictional force is obtained on the contact surface between the first and second ring pieces 6 and 7 and the damper member 5. In this state, the retrofitting ring piece 6B is integrated with the inner peripheral surface 3i of the rim 3 by fixing means (welding in this embodiment) such as welding or screwing to the rim 3.

  Here, although not particularly limited, if the pressing force for compressing the damper member 5 is too small, the frictional force between the damper member 5 and the engagement grooves 9 to 10 cannot be sufficiently increased. As a result, the steering force tends to decrease and the steering stability tends to decrease. Further, it has been found that the noise performance is improved as well as the steering stability when the pressing force is large. On the other hand, when the pressing force becomes excessively large, the damper member 5 tends to be damaged, such as cracks, or the vibration absorbability of the damper member 5 is lowered and noise performance tends to deteriorate. From this point of view, it is desirable to press the retrofitting ring piece 6B toward the first ring piece 6A with a force in the axle direction of 10 kN or more, more preferably 15 kN or more, and the upper limit is 30 kN or less. More preferably, it is 25 kN or less.

  The damper member 5 compressed in this way can smoothly transmit torque between the rim 3 and the disk 4 and can greatly reduce transmission loss due to slip or the like. Further, such an elastic wheel 1 does not require, for example, the vulcanization and adhesion of the damper member 5 to the rim 3 or the disk 4. Therefore, the elastic wheel 1 of the present embodiment can be manufactured on a general wheel manufacturing line, and the productivity is greatly improved. However, it goes without saying that an adhesive or the like may be used in combination.

  In the elastic wheel 1, the radial displacement of the rim 3 with respect to the disk 4 is absorbed by the shear deformation of the damper member 5. This exhibits an excellent buffering effect against a small vibration input within the radial gap provided between the outer peripheral surface of the second ring piece 7 and the inner peripheral surface 3i of the rim 3. The comfort and noise performance in the passenger compartment can be greatly improved. On the other hand, when the elastic wheel 1 receives large vibrations in the radial direction, the outer peripheral surface of the second ring piece 7 and the inner peripheral surface 3i of the rim 3 are both in direct contact with each other. A large radial displacement is limited to ensure safe driving.

  Here, the groove depth GD and the groove width GW of the first engagement groove 9 (or the second engagement groove 10) are not particularly limited, but a sufficient contact area with the damper member 5 is not limited. Therefore, the groove depth GD is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and still more preferably 8 mm or more. On the other hand, if the groove depth GD is too large, the damper member 5 becomes excessively large, so that it is preferably 15 mm or less. Further, the groove width GW along the radial direction of the first engaging groove 9 (or the second engaging groove 10) is preferably 100% or more, more preferably 150% or more with respect to the groove depth GD. Further, the upper limit is preferably 400% or less, more preferably 300% or less.

  The elastic body constituting the damper member 5 is not particularly limited, but rubber or elastomer is preferably used in order to improve riding comfort.

  Further, the damper member 5 may be composed of rubber alone, but preferably a fiber reinforced rubber (FRR) including a rubber 5a and fibers 5b that reinforce the rubber 5a as shown in FIG. . Such a fiber-reinforced rubber can exhibit high rigidity without deteriorating the vibration absorption performance of the damper member 5 due to the high tensile elastic modulus of the fiber 5b. Therefore, problems such as delays in steering response of wheels when turning the steering wheel, which tends to occur in conventional elastic wheels, wobbling feeling at neutral rudder angle, and damping of wheels at low speed (small vibration) are effective. To be suppressed.

  The material of the fiber 5b is not particularly limited, but organic fibers such as nylon, polyester, rayon, vinylon, aromatic polyamide, cotton, cellulose resin or crystalline polybutadiene, boron, glass fiber, carbon, etc. Inorganic fibers can be preferably used. Particularly preferred is organic fiber from the viewpoint of light weight and adhesiveness to rubber.

  Various fibers such as short fibers and / or long fibers are employed as the fibers 5b, and cords c formed by twisting long fibers, particularly filaments, are desirable. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, an aspect having a cord c extending continuously in the circumferential direction is shown. The cord c has a length exceeding the length of one circumference of the damper member 5 (referred to as the inner circumference) as a long fiber. Since such a damper member 5 has a large tensile rigidity in the circumferential direction, the shear strain in the circumferential direction of the damper member 8 can be further reduced when torque is transmitted between the disk 4 and the rim 3. Accordingly, for example, the responsiveness of the wheels during acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle is greatly improved. In order to exhibit such an effect more reliably, the total mass of the cord c forming the long fiber per one damper member 5 is 50% or more of the total fiber mass, more preferably 60% or more, More preferably, 70% or more is desirable.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a method for manufacturing the damper member 5. The damper member 5 of the present embodiment can be made, for example, by continuously winding a ribbon-like cord ply P in a spiral shape to form a ply laminate 5L and vulcanizing it. As shown in FIG. 8, the cord ply P is configured in a sheet shape including a plurality of cords 5b arranged in parallel and unvulcanized rubber 5a covering the cords 5b.

  Moreover, the damper member 5 may include a cord 5b1 extending along the circumferential direction and a cord 5b2 extending along the axial direction, as shown in FIG. Each cord 5b1 and 5b2 intersects at an angle of substantially 90 °. Since the cord 5b2 extending along the axial direction shows a large resistance to the axial compression or tensile force of the damper member 5 generated during turning, the lateral rigidity of the damper member 5 is improved, and steering stability is further improved. Helps to increase. Note that all the cords 5b of the damper member 5 may be arranged along the axial direction.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the damper member 5 may include cords 5b3 and 5b4 that are inclined obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction. Particularly in this example, the damper member 5 has a cord 5b3 inclined at an angle θ1 of greater than 10 ° and less than 50 ° with respect to the circumferential direction, and the cord 5b3 is opposite to the circumferential direction and 10 ° with respect to the circumferential direction. And a cord 5b4 inclined at an angle θ2 of less than 50 °. The cords 5b3 and 5b4 preferably have an intersection angle (θ1 + θ2) greater than 0 and less than 90 °. The damper 5 including the intersecting cords 5b3 and 5b4 has high rigidity in the circumferential direction of the damper 5. Accordingly, when a large torque (torsion) is applied to the damper 5 as in the case of driving or braking the vehicle, the torsion angle of the damper 5 can be suppressed. Thereby, the response at the time of driving and braking of the vehicle can be improved.

  Since each of these damper members 5 has substantially no change in the rigidity in the radial direction, the vibration absorption during running is not impaired. Therefore, the excellent riding comfort of the elastic wheel 1 can be maintained as it is. In addition, although each said embodiment shows what uses the cord 5b as a fiber, these may be replaced with a short fiber and a short fiber may be used together. Further, the damper member 5 of FIGS. 9 and 10 can be formed by alternately winding cord plies P having respective cords.

  Further, the elastic wheel 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a covering portion 8 made of an elastic material that covers the damper member 5. The covering portion 8 includes an inner peripheral surface 5i of the damper member 5, a convex portion 6t of the first ring piece 6 protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface 5i, and a radially inward direction from the inner peripheral surface 5i. Examples are those arranged in the inner groove-shaped concave portion 13 surrounded by the convex portion 7t of the second ring piece 7 projecting to the right. Furthermore, the covering portion 8 covers the damper member 5 in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 5i, and continuously extends in an annular shape in the circumferential direction.

  Accordingly, the damper member 5 covers both end portions 5e by the engaging grooves 9 and 10, the inner peripheral surface 5i by the covering portion 8, and the outer peripheral surface 5o by the space O which is a substantially closed space. Is called. Accordingly, since the damper member 5 is not exposed to the outside during traveling, foreign matter and oil and fat are not in direct contact and are not directly exposed to ultraviolet rays or heat. Furthermore, since the covering portion 8 of this embodiment is provided in close contact with the damper member 5, it is possible to block oxygen or reduce the permeation amount to the damper member 5. In addition, when the coating | coated part 8 is damaged, this can be replaced | exchanged easily.

  Therefore, the covering portion 8 can extend the life of the damper member 5 and improve the durability of the elastic wheel 1. Further, the provision of the covering portion 8 increases the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the damper member 5 and improves the productivity. Further, since the covering portion 8 is formed of an elastic material, when the rim 3 and the disk 4 move relative to each other, the covering portion 8 can also deform and follow this. Therefore, the original performance of the elastic wheel 1 is not impaired.

  The covering portion 8 is preferably required to have heat resistance, oil resistance and weather resistance. That is, the brake device generates heat up to a high temperature, and braking is frequently repeated particularly on a winding road, so that the brake rotor or brake shoe rises to several hundred degrees Celsius. In the experiments by the inventors, when the covering portion 8 is not provided, it has been found that the damper member 5 that receives the heat generates heat up to about 100 to 150 ° C. Therefore, it is desirable that at least the covering portion 8 has heat resistance that does not cause a significant change in physical properties up to a temperature of 100 ° C. or higher, more preferably 150 ° C.

  As such an elastic material having heat resistance, butyl rubber such as butyl rubber or halogenated butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber or hydrogenated diene rubber is desirable. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more if possible. Further, as described above, even if the rubber is inherently low in heat resistance, 3 parts by mass or more, more preferably 5 parts by mass or more of the nanocomposite as a nanoscale filler is added to 100 parts by mass of the rubber polymer. By doing so, heat resistance can be easily improved. Further, a large amount of the anti-aging agent may be added, more specifically, 3 parts by mass or more, more preferably 5 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber polymer.

  Further, the oil resistance of the covering portion 8 may be any material that can withstand a relatively mild oil such as grease. Examples of such an elastic material include fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, EPDM, chlorinated polyethylene, chloroprene, or chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber is preferred.

  Further, the covering thickness t (shown in FIG. 2) of the covering portion 8 is not particularly limited. However, if the thickness t is too small, damage or the like that penetrates the covering portion 8 and reaches the damper member 5 easily occurs. There is a fear. From such a viewpoint, the coating thickness t of the coating portion 8 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more. The upper limit of the coating thickness t is not particularly limited, but if it is too large, the wheel weight tends to increase, so it is preferable to keep the thickness to 10 mm or less.

  The covering portion 8 can be incorporated into the elastic wheel 1 by various methods. As one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the covering portion 8 is preliminarily vulcanized or cured as an annular ring body 8 </ b> R and molded so as to cover the inner peripheral surface 5 i of the damper member 5. The method of arranging is mentioned. In particular, in the elastic wheel 1 of the present embodiment, since the convex portions 6t and 7t are formed in the shape of a groove wall on both axial sides of the inner peripheral surface 5i of the damper member 5, the axial positioning of the ring body 8R is performed. In addition, the retaining action can be obtained.

  The ring body 8R preferably has an outer peripheral length that is equal to or slightly larger than the peripheral length of the inner peripheral surface 5i of the damper member 5, for example. Thereby, the ring body 8 </ b> R can be more closely attached to the inner peripheral surface 5 i of the damper member 5. Moreover, since the centrifugal force during traveling acts in a direction in which the ring body 8R (covering portion 8) is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface 5i of the damper member 5, it is possible to prevent dropping during traveling. From the same viewpoint, it is desirable that the axial width RW of the ring body 8R is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the width SW of the concave portion 13, and the ring body 8R is mounted with an interference fit in the axial direction.

  As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the covering 8 is made of fluidized (including both liquid and gel) rubber or elastomer material 8L, the inner peripheral surface 5i of the damper member 5 and its shaft. There is a method of pouring into the concave portion 13 formed by the convex portions 6t and 7t on both sides in the direction and curing the same. That is, the coating | coated part 8 is formed as a hardened | cured material of the rubber | gum or thermoplastic elastomer of the fluid state poured into the predetermined position. According to this method, molding and fixing of the covering portion 8 can be realized at the same time, and productivity is improved. Moreover, since the clearance gap between the coating | coated part 8 and the damper member 5 can be made smaller, preferably none, the protection effect of the damper member 5 further improves.

  In addition, in order to bring the fluidized material such as rubber into close contact with the damper member 5, the elastic wheel 1 can be rotated about its axis after pouring the rubber or elastomer material 8L and in an uncured state. As a result, the rubber material 8L in a fluid state can be efficiently brought into close contact with the damper member 5 by utilizing centrifugal force and can be integrally cured.

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment of the present invention.
One covering portion 8 of this embodiment covers the damper member 5 so as to be spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 5i, and is disposed so as to straddle between the first ring piece 6 and the disk 4. Yes. Specifically, the covering portion 8 is closed between the shoulder portion 4A of the disk 4 approaching inward in the radial direction of the retrofit ring piece 6B and the retrofit ring piece 6B. Thereby, since the damper member 5 is not exposed to the outside, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from the outside of the vehicle from coming into direct contact with the damper member 5. In addition, about the damper member 5 provided in the vehicle inner side, it is set as the same as the said embodiment.

  FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the disk 4 is provided with a pair of first ring pieces 6 and the rim 3 is provided with a second ring piece 7. In this aspect, since the outer peripheral surface 5o of the damper member 5 is exposed to the outside, the covering portion 8 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 5o side of the damper member 5. In this manner, the covering portion 8 can cover the portion exposed to the outside of the damper member 5 in close contact or spaced apart.

  As mentioned above, although especially preferable embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention can be deform | transformed into a various aspect, without being limited to embodiment of illustration.

  The following elastic wheel (size: 18 × 8.0-JJ) was prototyped, and the damage state of the damper member was examined by running the vehicle.

Example 1
By pouring liquid silicone rubber (KE-1800 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) over the entire inner peripheral surface of the damper member of the elastic wheel and heat-curing, the inner peripheral surface of the damper member as shown in FIGS. A covering portion having a thickness of about 3 mm was formed in close contact with the substrate. Then, a tire was assembled on this elastic wheel, and it was run on a drum tester at a speed of 80 km / H for 20000 km. After traveling, the covering portion was confirmed, and it was firmly fitted to the damper member and was not detached at all. Next, after traveling about 50 km on an unpaved rough road with a vehicle equipped with an elastic wheel, the covering portion was observed, and although there were some small scratches on the surface, it did not fall off at all. And when the coating | coated part was peeled off and the damper member was observed, it was not damaged at all, and adhesion of oil etc. was not seen.

(Example 2)
According to a conventional method, the following additive (unit: PHR) was blended in 100 parts by weight of an elastomer (EXXPRO 90-lO manufactured by ExxonMobil Co.) and kneaded with a kneader to form a ring.
lSAF 50
Zinc oxide 5
Stearic acid 1
Paraffin oil 5
200 mesh sulfur 0.5
Vulcanization accelerator 1
Then, a covering portion having a thickness of about 3 mm was formed by fitting between the first ring piece and the second ring piece so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the damper member. No particular adhesive was used. afterwards. As in Example 1, it was run for 20000 km at a speed of 80 km / H on the drum testing machine, but the covering portion was firmly fitted to the damper member. After that, the vehicle traveled about 50 km on an unpaved rough road, but there were some small scratches on the surface, but it did not peel off from the damper member. Further, when the covering member was peeled off and the damper member was observed, it was not damaged at all and no adhesion of oil was observed. In addition, when a thermolabel was applied between the damper member and the covering part and on the surface (inner surface) of the covering part, and the vehicle was run on the winding road for 0.5 hours, the surface of the covering part rose to 150 ° C However, the temperature between the covering portion and the damper member was about 110 ° C. Therefore, it was confirmed that a heat insulating effect was obtained by the covering portion.

(Example 3)
The ring body was vulcanized using chloroprene rubber. Then, like the second embodiment, this ring body is fitted between the first ring piece and the second ring piece so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the damper member, and a covering portion having a thickness of about 3 mm is formed. Formed. When a running test similar to the above was performed, the same results were obtained.

Example 4
The ring body was vulcanized using hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. Then, like the second embodiment, this ring body is fitted between the first ring piece and the second ring piece so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the damper member, and a covering portion having a thickness of about 3 mm is formed. Formed. When a running test similar to the above was performed, the same results were obtained.

(Comparative example)
When the drum test and the high-speed winding running test were performed on the elastic wheel without the covering portion as in Example 2, a large number of scratches were generated on the damper member, and the oil and fat adhered to the surface and the swelling occurred. . When the surface temperature of the damper member was measured immediately after traveling, it was increased to about 150 ° C. Further, when this elastic wheel was left outdoors on the 30th of summer, many cracks were generated on the surface of the damper member.

It is sectional drawing which shows one Example of the elastic wheel of this invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is an AA end view of FIG. 2. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the temporary assembly state of a damper member. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which pressed the retrofit ring and compressed the damper member. It is a perspective view of a damper member. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating a method for molding a damper member. It is sectional drawing at the time of shaping | molding of a damper member. It is a fragmentary perspective view of the damper member which shows other embodiments. It is a fragmentary perspective view of the elastic wheel which shows other embodiment of a damper member. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the elastic wheel explaining the arrangement | positioning method of a coating | coated part. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the elastic wheel explaining the arrangement | positioning method of a coating | coated part. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the elastic wheel which shows other embodiments of a covering part. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment. It is sectional drawing explaining a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Elastic wheel 2 Tire 3 Rim 4 Disc 5 Damper member 6 First ring piece 6A Fixed ring piece 6B Retrofit ring piece 7 Second ring piece 8 Covering part 9 First engagement groove 10 Second engagement groove

Claims (6)

An elastic wheel having a circumferentially extending rim capable of supporting a tire, a disk fixed to an axle, and a damper member made of an elastic body connecting between the rim and the disk,
One of the rims or disks includes a pair of first ring pieces projecting in the radial direction, extending in the circumferential direction and spaced apart in the axle direction, and the other of the rims or disks is in the radial direction And a second ring piece that holds the ring-shaped damper member between the first ring piece and the first ring piece on both sides of the first ring piece.
An elastic wheel, characterized in that a covering portion made of an elastic material covering the damper member is provided. The first ring piece is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rim, and the second ring piece is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the disk,
Moreover, the elastic portion according to claim 1, wherein the covering portion is disposed so as to straddle the first ring piece and the second ring piece and in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the damper member. The first ring piece is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rim, and the second ring piece is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the disk,
Moreover, the covering portion is spaced apart from an inner peripheral surface of a damper member exposed between the first ring piece and the second ring piece, and connects the first ring piece and the disk. The elastic wheel according to 1.   The elastic wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the damper member includes rubber and fibers that reinforce the rubber.   5. The elastic wheel according to claim 4, wherein the fibers include long fibers having a length exceeding one circumference of the damper member, and the total mass of the long fibers is 50% or more of the total fiber mass.   The elastic wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the covering portion is made of a cured product of rubber or thermoplastic elastomer in a fluid state poured into a predetermined position.

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