JP4046662B2 - Core tightening device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a core fastening device for fastening a run-flat core attached to a wheel to the wheel so that the tire can run as it is even if the tire is punctured (referred to as “run-flat”).

  In recent years, run-flat tires have been developed in order to eliminate spare tires and reduce vehicle weight to improve fuel economy and to ensure passenger security.

  The run-flat tire includes a core type (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-178727) and a tire sidewall reinforcing type (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-178725). The core type is compatible with a normal tire and a rim. There is a problem that the tires and cores are difficult to attach to and detach from the wheel, and the tire sidewall reinforcement type makes the tires more springy, which reduces ride comfort and noise. There are problems such as difficulty in attaching and detaching.

  In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has proposed a method of loading a “slender core” on a “laterally loaded wheel” as a third method (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-26955, 2003). Filed on June 13).

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the structure is such that a run-flat resin core 1 in which a plurality of pieces divided in the circumferential direction of the wheel are connected in the circumferential direction of the wheel, the outer periphery of the wheel 2, and the tire 5. The steel band 3 is wound around the core 1 (for example, on a shelf made of the bottom surface 1a of the longitudinal groove 10 formed in the core 1 at a position lower than the top plate 1b of the core 1), The ends of the band 3 were connected to each other by the fastening tool 6 and tension was applied to the band 3 to fasten the core 1 to the wheel 2.

However, the proposed technique has the following problems to be solved.
1. Since the resin core 1 is fastened with the steel band 3, the expansion rate of the resin core 1 is large. Therefore, the tightening force of the core greatly changes due to temperature change. Deformation occurs.
2. The rotational balance of the wheel is deteriorated by the fastener 6.
JP 2002-178727 A JP 2002-178725 A

  The problems to be solved by the present invention include at least two problems, that is, the tightening force of the core changes greatly due to temperature change, and the rotational balance of the wheel is deteriorated by the fasteners.

  An object of the present invention is to satisfy a core satisfying at least one of the following: a change in the tightening force of the core due to a temperature change can be reduced, and a rotation balance of the wheel can be balanced even if the core is fastened to the wheel by a fastener. It is to provide a fastening device.

  The present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

A band wrapped around a run-flat core attached to the wheel,
A fastener that connects the ends of the band in the circumferential direction and applies tension to the band to clamp the core to the wheel;
Have
When tension is applied to the band, the band is elastically deformed in the extending direction of the band to suppress an increase in tension, and when the band tension is reduced, the shape is restored to the original state to suppress a decrease in tension. A tension adjusting mechanism for maintaining is attached to the band ,
A core fastening device in which the position and mass of the tension adjusting mechanism are set so as to cancel out the wheel rotation unbalance caused by the fastening tool.
The tension adjusting mechanism may have two metal strips (band plates) and a pipe-like member (pipe spring) inserted between the two metal strips.

  Since the tension adjusting mechanism is provided in the above-described core tightening apparatus of the present invention, even if there is a temperature change, the thermal expansion difference between the core and the band is absorbed by the tension adjusting mechanism. In addition, by appropriately selecting the spring constant of the tension adjusting mechanism, the change in the core clamping force can be reduced, and the core can be prevented from being deformed so much that it does not function as a run-flat core. Further, since the position and mass of the tension adjusting mechanism are set so as to cancel the wheel rotation unbalance due to the tightening tool, the wheel rotation balance is maintained even if the tightening tool and the tension adjusting mechanism exist. .

  The core fastening device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  1 and 2 show the tension adjusting mechanism of the core tightening device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the tension adjusting mechanism of the core tightening device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the tension adjusting mechanism of the core tightening device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the core tightening device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 9 to 11 show the tension adjusting mechanism of the core tightening device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the core of the sixth embodiment according to the present invention. 2 shows a tension adjusting mechanism of a tightening device.

  FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of the tension adjusting mechanism, which can be applied to any of the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention.

  The core structure shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 is applicable to the present invention except that a tension adjusting mechanism is provided in the present invention.

  1 to 14, parts having the same structures as those in FIGS. 15 to 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 15 to 17.

  Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common part over all the Examples of this invention over all the Examples of this invention.

  First, portions common to all the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 to 17.

  The core tightening device 11 of the present invention connects a band 3 wound around a run-flat core 1 mounted on a wheel 2 and ends of the band 3 in the circumferential direction and tensions the band 3. And a fastening tool 6 for fastening the core 1 to the wheel 2.

  A tension adjusting mechanism 20 that maintains the tension of the band 3 is attached to the band 3, and the position and mass of the tension adjusting mechanism 20 are set so as to cancel the wheel rotation unbalance due to the fastener 6. .

  The core 1 is formed by connecting a plurality of core pieces divided in the wheel circumferential direction. The core 1 is made of resin. The band 3 is made of metal and is made of a belt or a wire. The band 3 is fastened by the fastening tool 6 after being mounted on the wheel.

  The wheel 1 is a tire side loading type wheel in which the rim flange at one end in the axial direction can be removed. With the rim flange removed, the tire and the core are mounted on the outer periphery of the rim from the side, and then the rim flange is mounted. Attach to the wheel and fix.

  An example of “the position and mass of the tension adjusting mechanism 20 canceling out the wheel rotation imbalance due to the fastener 6” is shown in FIG. 12, “the mass of the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is the same as that of the fastener 6. In terms of mass, the position of the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is 180 ° away from the fastener 6 around the wheel center, that is, the point is symmetrical with the fastener 6 with respect to the wheel center.

  However, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is not necessarily single. That is, when there are a plurality of tension adjusting mechanisms 20, the vector sum of the centrifugal forces of the plurality of tension adjusting mechanisms 20 at the time of wheel rotation is a point with the centrifugal force vector of the fastener 6 and the wheel rotation center as the center of symmetry. It may be in a symmetrical relationship.

  The tension adjusting mechanism 20 has a structure having elasticity in the extending direction of the band 3. When tension is applied to the band 3 by the fastening tool 6, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is pulled in the extending direction of the band 3 and elastically deforms. When a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the core 1 and the band 3 due to a temperature change, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is elastically deformed to absorb the thermal expansion difference and suppress a large change in the tensile force applied to the band 3. .

  Assuming that the spring constant of the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is K and the difference in thermal expansion between the core 1 and the band 3 per circumference of the wheel is ΔS, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is elastically deformed when the difference in thermal expansion occurs. Absorbs ΔS. In band 3, although an increase in tension of ΔT = K · ΔS occurs, ΔT can be set to a small value by selecting K (a relatively soft spring).

  The tension adjusting mechanism 20 can take various structures to be described later according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The operations and effects of the parts common to all the embodiments of the core fastening device of the present invention will be described.

  Since the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is provided in the core tightening device of the present invention, the difference in thermal expansion between the core 1 and the band 3 is absorbed by the tension adjusting mechanism 20 even if the temperature changes. Further, the core tightening force is prevented from greatly changing, and the core 1 is prevented from being excessively deformed.

  Further, since the position and mass of the tension adjusting mechanism 20 are set so as to cancel the wheel rotation unbalance due to the fasteners, the wheel rotation balance can be maintained even if the fasteners 6 and the tension adjusting mechanism 20 are present. It has been.

  Next, parts unique to each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 is a ring tension adjusting mechanism. A clip 21 is fixed to the end of the band 3 by welding or the like, and the clip 21 is engaged with a ring 22 that functions as a spring.

  When tension is applied to the band 3, the ring 22 is distorted in an elliptical shape and suppresses an increase in tension. When the tension of the band 3 decreases, the ring 22 returns to a circular shape and suppresses a decrease in tension. When a difference in thermal expansion between the core 1 and the band 3 occurs, the spring of the ring 22 suppresses a change in the tension applied to the band 3 and suppresses a large change in the core tightening force.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 includes a ring tension adjusting mechanism. A boss 23 is fixed to the end of the band 3 by welding or the like, and the boss 23 is coupled to a ring 24 serving as a spring by a screw 25, and the screw 25 is caulked to ensure the coupling with the ring 24. .

  When a tension is applied to the band 3, the ring 24 is distorted in an elliptical shape and suppresses an increase in the tension. When the tension of the band 3 decreases, the ring 24 returns to a circular shape and suppresses a decrease in tension. When a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the core 1 and the band 3, the spring of the ring 24 prevents the tension applied to the band 3 from changing, and the core tightening force is prevented from changing greatly.

  In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 includes a spring steel tension adjusting mechanism. Each end of the band 3 is joined to each leg of the U-shaped steel 26 serving as a spring by welding or the like (when it cannot be welded, it is mechanically coupled).

  When tension is applied to the band 3, the U-shaped steel 26 is distorted so that the distance between both legs is widened, and the increase in tension is suppressed. When the tension of the band 3 is reduced, the U-shaped steel 26 is deformed so that the distance between both legs is narrowed, and the decrease in the tension is suppressed. When a difference in thermal expansion between the core 1 and the band 3 occurs, the spring of the U-shaped steel 26 suppresses a change in the tension applied to the band 3 and suppresses a large change in the core clamping force. The

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 includes a spring type tension adjusting mechanism. The tension adjusting mechanism 20 includes a cylinder member 27 having both end plates, a piston member 28 therein, and a spring 29 (compression spring) disposed between the piston member 28 and an end plate at one end of the cylinder member 27. One end of the band 3 is coupled to the piston member 28 by welding or the like, and the other end of the band 3 is coupled to the end plate of the cylinder member 27 by welding or the like.

  When tension is applied to the band 3, the spring 29 contracts to suppress an increase in tension. When the tension of the band 3 is reduced, the spring 29 is extended to suppress the decrease in tension. When a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the core 1 and the band 3, the tension applied to the band 3 is suppressed from being changed due to the expansion and contraction of the spring 29, and the core tightening force is suppressed from changing greatly.

  In Embodiment 5 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 includes a spring-type tension adjusting mechanism. The tension adjusting mechanism 20 is disposed between the first member 30, the second member 31 that extends through the hole 30 a provided in the first member 30, and faces the first member 30, and both the members 30, 31. It has a spring 32 (compression spring), a pin 33 that serves as a guide for the spring 32, and a screw member 34 that fastens and fixes the pin 33 to the first member 30, and one end of the band 3 is the first member. The other end of the band 3 is connected to the second member 31 by welding.

  When tension is applied to the band 3, the spring 32 is contracted to suppress an increase in tension. When the tension of the band 3 is reduced, the spring 32 is extended and the decrease in tension is suppressed. When a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the core 1 and the band 3, the tension applied to the band 3 is suppressed from being changed due to the expansion and contraction of the spring 32, and the core tightening force is suppressed from changing greatly.

  In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the tension adjusting mechanism 20 includes a pipe tension adjusting mechanism. The tension adjusting mechanism 20 includes two metal strips (for example, stainless steel strips) 36 fixed by spot welding 35 or the like at two spaced positions, and the spot welding 35 between the two strips 36. And an elastically deformable pipe member (pipe spring, for example, a stainless steel pipe spring) 37 inserted between two fixed positions such as one end of the band 3 is welded to one end of the two strips 36. The other end of the band 3 is connected to the other end of the two strips 36 by welding or the like. The pipe-shaped member 37 may be connected over the entire circumference, or there may be one break on the circumference.

  When tension is applied to the band 3, the pipe spring 37 is deformed in an elliptical shape (in a pipe-shaped member having one cut on the circumference, the end portion is deformed so as to overlap), and an increase in tension is suppressed. When the tension of the band 3 decreases, the pipe spring 37 returns to a circular shape and suppresses a decrease in tension. When a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the core 1 and the band 3, the elastic deformation of the pipe spring 37 suppresses a change in the tension applied to the band 3, and suppresses a large change in the core tightening force. The

  The present invention can be used for a tightening structure of a run-flat core.

It is a front view of the tension | tensile_strength adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the tension adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is a front view of the tension | tensile_strength adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. It is a top view of the tension adjustment mechanism of the core clamping device of Example 2 of the present invention. It is a front view of the tension | tensile_strength adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 3 of this invention. It is a side view of the tension | tensile_strength adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the tension adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 4 of this invention. It is a side view of the tension | tensile_strength adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the tension adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 5 of this invention. It is a top view of the tension adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 5 of this invention. It is a side view of the tension adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 5 of this invention. It is a front view of the tension | tensile_strength adjustment mechanism of the core fastening apparatus of Example 6 of this invention. It is a top view of the tension adjustment mechanism of the core clamping device of Example 6 of this invention. It is a front view of the core clamping device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a run-flat core structure to which the core tightening device of the present invention can be applied and a run-flat wheel core structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-26955. It is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to FIG. 15 of the core structure of FIG. FIG. 17 is a front view of a fastener having a core structure in FIG. 16.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Core 1a for run flats Bottom face 1b of core longitudinal groove 2 Top plate 2 of a core 2 Wheel 3 Band 5 Tire 6 Fastening tool 10 Vertical groove 11 of a core 11 Tightening apparatus 20 Tension adjusting mechanism 21 Clip 22 Ring 23 Boss 24 Ring 25 Screw 26 U-shaped steel 27 Cylinder member 28 Piston member 29 Spring 30 First member 30a Hole 31 Second member 32 Spring 33 Pin 34 Screw member 35 Spot weld 36 Band plate 37 Pipe-shaped member (pipe) spring)

Claims (2)

A band wrapped around a run-flat core attached to the wheel,
A fastener that connects the ends of the band in the circumferential direction and applies tension to the band to clamp the core to the wheel;
Have
When tension is applied to the band, the band is elastically deformed in the extending direction of the band to suppress an increase in tension, and when the band tension is reduced, the shape is restored to the original state to suppress a decrease in tension. A tension adjusting mechanism for maintaining is attached to the band ,
A core fastening device in which the position and mass of the tension adjusting mechanism are set so as to cancel out the wheel rotation unbalance caused by the fastening tool.   The core clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the tension adjusting mechanism includes two metal strips and an elastically deformable pipe member inserted between the two metal strips.

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