WO2010046868A1

WO2010046868A1 - A vehicle wheel

Info

Publication number: WO2010046868A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/054665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Alexander Smit
Original assignee: Bpt Technologies (Proprietary) Limited
Priority date: 2008-10-21
Filing date: 2009-10-21
Publication date: 2010-04-29

Abstract

The invention is for a heavy duty rim assembly for a wheel (10) for a very heavy vehicle and for a wheel including such a rim. The rim assembly includes an inner barrel (13) having an inner mounting formation for mounting on a wheel mounting hub of a vehicle and an outer barrel (16) around the inner barrel, the barrels (13,16) being coaxial with the rotational axis and spaced apart with an annular gap being defined between the barrels. It includes also at least one connector means (20) interconnecting the inner and outer barrels, the connector means including an annular connector flange in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis. The annular connector flange is secured to the inner barrel and to the outer barrel around the rotational axis. The wheel of the invention includes the rim assembly and a moulded or cast non- inflatable tyre (18), e.g. one of curable polyurethane compound, provided around the outer barrel.

Description

A VEHICLE WHEEL

THIS INVENTION relates to a wheel. It relates in particular to a wheel for a very heavy vehicle and to a rim assembly of such a wheel.

The Inventors believe that non-inflatable tyres for wheels of heavy duty vehicles have advantages over pneumatic tyres, particularly so for very heavy vehicles involving slow moving heavy loads or rough terrain or both. Examples of such vehicles include a CAT

797B, a Liebherr T 282 B, and a Bell loader.

A particular type of non-inflatable tyre of the general type referred to above is disclosed in inter a/ia WO 2008/053450.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an economical alternative non-inflatable wheel of the general type referred to above.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a heavy duty rim assembly for a wheel for a very heavy vehicle, the rim assembly having a rotational axis and including: an inner barrel having an inner mounting formation for mounting on a wheel mounting hub of a vehicle; an outer barrel around the inner barrel, the barrels being coaxial with the rotational axis and spaced apart with an annular gap being defined between the barrels; and at least one connector means interconnecting the inner and outer barrels, the connector means including an annular connector flange in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis, the annular connector flange being secured to the inner barrel and to the outer barrel around the rotational axis.

For use of the rim assembly, a moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre is provided around the outer barrel. The non-inflatable tyre may be manufactured from a synthetic plastics material or polymeric material, and may in particular be made from a curable polyurethane compound. For a given outer diameter of such a tyre, the quantity of material required for manufacturing the tyre may be minimized by maximizing the outer diameter of the outer barrel. The configuration of the rim assembly of the present invention facilitates maximizing of the outer diameter of the outer barrel within practical limits whilst maintaining the required structural strength of the rim assembly. The configuration of the rim of the invention thus permits the profile of a tyre operatively provided on the rim to be reduced compared to that of a conventional inflatable tyre with the same outer diameter fitted on a conventional rim.

The annular connector flange may be made of steel plate.

The rim assembly may include: a securing formation on the inside of the outer barrel, around the rotational axis; and a plurality of releasable outer barrel fasteners, angularly spaced around the rotational axis, via which the securing formation is secured to the connector flange.

In this case, the securing formation on the inside of the outer barrel may include an arrangement of securing lugs for the outer barrel fasteners. Alternatively, the securing formation may be a securing flange. Each outer barrel fastener may be a threaded combination, e.g. a bolt and nut combination.

The rim assembly may include: a securing formation around the inner barrel; and a plurality of releasable inner barrel fasteners, angularly spaced around the rotational axis, via which the securing formation is secured to the connector flange.

In this case, the securing formation around the inner barrel may include an arrangement of securing lugs for the inner barrel fasteners. Alternatively, the securing formation may be a securing flange. Each inner barrel fastener may be a threaded combination, e.g. a bolt and nut combination. The inner barrel may be frusto-conical and the outer barrel may be round cylindrical.

The inner mounting formation may include a pair of annular flanges that are spaced apart along the rotational axis, each flange being peripherally secured to the inside of the inner barrel and defining holes spaced angularly about the rotational axis and the flanges being configured for mounting on a compatible double wheel mounting hub of a heavy vehicle axle.

The at least one connector means may include at least two such connector means that are spaced apart along the rotational axis.

In a particular embodiment of the rim assembly of the invention, including at least two such connector means that are spaced apart along the rotational axis, the outer barrel is comprised of a series of at least two outer barrel segments arranged along the rotational axis and the at least two connector formations include at least one connector formation for each outer barrel segment via which that outer barrel segment may be connected to the inner barrel.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wheel for a very heavy vehicle, the wheel including: a rim assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and a moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre of annular form provided around the outer barrel.

The wheel of the third aspect of the invention may have an overall width comparable to that of a conventional pair of inflatable tyre wheels which are configured to be fitted on a double wheel mounting hub of a vehicle axle. - A -

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a wheel for a very heavy vehicle, the wheel including: a rim assembly in accordance with the abovementioned particular embodiment; and a moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre of annular form provided around each outer barrel segment.

The wheel of the third aspect of the invention therefore includes a single rim assembly and at least two tyre units, each tyre unit comprising a barrel segment and a tyre around the barrel segment.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description presented by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a face-on view of an embodiment of a heavy duty wheel, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a section of the wheel of Figure 1 taken at N-Il in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a face-on view of an inner barrel assembly of the wheel of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a face-on view of a tyre unit of the wheel of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a face-on view of another embodiment of a heavy duty wheel, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 shows a section of the wheel of Figure 5 taken at Vl-Vl in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a face-on view of yet another embodiment of a heavy duty wheel, in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 8 shows a section of the wheel of Figure 7 taken at VIII-VIII in Figure 7.

Each of the heavy duty wheels illustrated includes a heavy duty rim assembly, in accordance with the invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a heavy duty wheel, in accordance with the invention, for a very heavy vehicle. The wheel 10 includes: an inner barrel assembly 12, shown separately in Figure 3, including an inner barrel 13; a tyre unit 14, shown separately in Figure 4, including an outer barrel 16 and a moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre 18; two opposite annular connector flanges 20; and an arrangement of releasable fasteners 22.

The inner barrel 13, the outer barrel 16, the connector flanges 20, the lugs 28, and the fasteners 22 are shown in Figures 1 and 2 to define a rim assembly 23, in accordance with the invention. The wheel 10 thus comprises the rim assembly 23 and the tyre 18.

In each drawing where the reference numeral 24 appears, it refers to an axis of radial symmetry and also a rotational axis of an assembly shown in the drawing.

Generally, all non-tyre components in the wheel 10 are made of suitable steel.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the inner barrel assembly 12 includes: the inner barrel 13, which is round cylindrical; an inner mounting formation comprising a pair of spaced apart annular flanges 26.1 and 26.2; and near respective opposite sides of the inner barrel 13, a securing formation in the form of an arrangement of eight securing lugs 28 angularly equally spaced around the axis 24.

As will be mentioned below with reference to Figure 5, a flange may be provided in lieu of the arrangement of lugs 28.

Each lug 28 of each arrangement of lugs defines therethrough a receiving hole or bolt hole 30, parallel to the axis 24 and in register with a bolt hole 30 in a lug of the opposite arrangement of lugs. Each of the flanges 26.1 and 26.2 defines therethrough a plurality of bolt holes 32 angularly spaced about the axis 24, for receiving bolts or studs for securing the flanges to a double wheel mounting hub of a heavy duty vehicle.

Each annular connector flange 20 and both the lugs 28 and fasteners 22 associated with the flange define one of a pair of connector means 33.1 and 33.2.

Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the tyre unit 14 includes the outer barrel 16 and the moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre 18. The tyre 18 is manufactured from a synthetic plastics material or polymeric material, which may be a curable polyurethane compound, moulded or cast onto the outer barrel 16. The outer barrel 16 may have key formations provided around an outer surface thereof for keying into the material of the tyre 18. Insofar as such key formations do not form a part of the present invention, they are not shown or described.

The outer barrel 16 has secured to an inner surface thereof, near each of two opposite sides of the barrel, a securing formation in the form of an arrangement of eight securing lugs 28 angularly spaced around the axis 24. Each lug 28 of each arrangement of lugs defines therethrough a bolt hole 30, parallel to the axis 24 and in register with a bolt hole 30 in a lug of the opposite arrangement of lugs. As will be mentioned below with reference to Figure 5, a flange may be provided in lieu of this arrangement of lugs 28.

In Figures 1 and 2, the inner barrel 13 and the outer barrel 16 are shown secured together via the connector means 33. Each fastener 22 is a bolt and nut combination, the bolt of each defining a shaft fitted through four holes in register, including two holes 30 defined by lugs 28 and two registering holes defined through the respective annular connector flanges 20.

Each annular connector flange 20 is similarly connected to the inner barrel 13 so that the barrels 13 and 16 are releasably interconnected by the annular connector flanges. An annular gap 32 is defined between the barrels 13 and 16, which are coaxial with the rotational axis 24, and the annular connector flanges 20 are received in this gap. The wheel 10 may be mounted on a wheel mounting hub of a heavy duty vehicle via the flanges 26.1 and 26.2, to effectively replace a pair of conventional inflatable tyre wheels.

In Figures 5 and 6, another embodiment of a heavy duty wheel, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 80. The wheel 80 includes certain features that are identical or similar to features of the wheel 10 of Figures 1 and 2. Such features, where designated, are thus designated again by the same reference numerals as before and a description of these features is not repeated here.

In lieu of the lugs 28 of the wheel 10, each connector means 33 of the wheel 80 includes a securing formation in the form of a circumferential inner securing flange 82 secured around the inner barrel 13 by welding and a securing formation in the form of a circumferential outer securing flange 84 secured on an inside of the outer barrel 16 by welding. In each connector means 33, the annular connector flange 20 is fastened to the associated flanges 82 and 84 via an arrangement of bolt and nut combinations 86.

The nut of each combination 86 is welded to the associated flange 82 or 84, as the case may be.

In Figures 7 and 8, another embodiment of a heavy duty wheel, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 90. The wheel 90 includes certain features that are identical or similar to features of the wheel 10 of Figures 1 and 2 and/or the wheel 80 of Figures 5 and 6. Such features, where designated, are thus designated again by the same reference numerals as before and a description of these features is not repeated here.

The wheel 90 includes an outer barrel 16 comprising a series of three outer barrel segments 16.1 , 16.2, and 16.3. The wheel 90 includes also three annular non-inflatable tyre segments 18.1 , 18.2, and 18.3 moulded or cast around the respective barrel segments to define three tyre units 14.1 , 14.2, and 14.3, respectively. The tyre units have connector means 33.1 , 33.2, and 33.3. The annular connector flange 20 of the connector means 33.3 has an inner diameter exceeding an outer diameter of the inner flange 82 of the connector means 33.1 so as to provide for removal of the annular connector flange over the flange after removal of the tyre unit 14.1 . In the wheel 90, should any of the tyres 18 be damaged, the corresponding tyre unit 14 may be replaced independently of the other tyre units, effecting a cost saving compared to replacing a single tyre unit equivalent to the combination of the tyre units 14.

The Applicant believes that the configuration of the rim assembly and wheel of the invention provides a practical means of maximizing the outer diameter of the outer barrel within practical limits, thereby to minimize the amount of tyre material required. Due to the high relative cost of such tyre material, total cost of the tyre is thus minimized.

Claims

1. A rim assembly for a wheel for a very heavy vehicle, the rim assembly having a rotational axis and including: an inner barrel having an inner mounting formation for mounting on a wheel mounting hub of a vehicle; an outer barrel around the inner barrel, the barrels being coaxial with the rotational axis and spaced apart with an annular gap being defined between the barrels; and at least one connector means interconnecting the inner and outer barrels, the connector means including an annular connector flange in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis, the annular connector flange being secured to the inner barrel and to the outer barrel around the rotational axis.

2. A heavy duty rim as claimed in claim 1 , in which the annular connector flange is made of steel plate.

3. A rim assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes: a securing formation on the inside of the outer barrel, around the rotational axis; and a plurality of releasable outer barrel fasteners, angularly spaced around the rotational axis, via which the securing formation is secured to the connector flange.

4. A rim assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the securing formation on the inside of the outer barrel includes an arrangement of securing lugs for the outer barrel fasteners.

5. A rim assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the securing formation on the inside of the outer barrel includes a securing flange.

6. A rim assembly as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which each outer barrel fastener is a threaded combination.

7. A rim assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes: a securing formation around the inner barrel; and a plurality of releasable inner barrel fasteners, angularly spaced around the rotational axis, via which the securing formation is secured to the connector flange.

8. A rim assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which the securing formation around the inner barrel includes an arrangement of securing lugs for the inner barrel fasteners.

9. A rim assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which the securing formation around the inner barrel includes a securing flange.

10. A rim assembly as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, in which each inner barrel fastener is a threaded combination.

1 1. A rim assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the inner barrel is frusto-conical and the outer barrel is round cylindrical.

12. A rim assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the inner mounting formation includes a pair of annular flanges that are spaced apart along the rotational axis, each flange being peripherally secured to the inside of the inner barrel and defining holes spaced angularly about the rotational axis and the flanges being configured for mounting on a compatible double wheel mounting hub of a heavy vehicle axle.

13. A rim assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the at least one connector means includes at least two such connector means that are spaced apart along the rotational axis.

14. A rim assembly as claimed in claim 13, in which the outer barrel is comprised of a series of at least two outer barrel segments arranged along the rotational axis and the at least two connector formations include at least one connector formation for each outer barrel segment via which that outer barrel segment is connected to the inner barrel.

15. A wheel for a very heavy vehicle, the wheel including: a rim assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13; and a moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre of annular form provided around the outer barrel.

16. A wheel for a very heavy vehicle, the wheel including: a rim assembly as claimed in claim 14; and a moulded or cast non-inflatable tyre of annular form provided around each outer barrel segment.