WO2015116765A1

WO2015116765A1 - Demountable vehicle wheel assembly and method for producing such a demountable vehicle wheel assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2015116765A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/013427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ömer BASOL; Yaşar USTA; Salih KARACA; Öztan ÖZTÜRK
Original assignee: Maxion Wheels U.S.A. Llc
Priority date: 2014-01-29
Filing date: 2015-01-29
Publication date: 2015-08-06

Abstract

A demountable vehicle wheel assembly comprises a wheel rim; a wheel hub secured to the wheel rim by a plurality of clamping assemblies; and a side ring secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring; wherein the lock ring is configured to be secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring clamping member to thereby secure the side ring to the wheel rim.

Description

TITLE

DEMOUNTABLE VEHICLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A DEMOUNTABLE VEHICLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to demountable vehicle wheel assemblies and in particular to an improved demountable vehicle wheel assembly and method for producing such a wheel assembly.

[0002] An example of a known prior art "tube type" of a demountable vehicle wheel assembly is shown in Fig. 1. As shown therein, the prior art tube type of demountable vehicle wheel assembly, indicated generally at 10, includes a three-piece wheel rim 12, a wheel spoke or hub, indicated generally at 14, a plurality of clamping plates 16 and a plurality of bolt and nut assemblies, indicated generally at 18. In the illustrated prior art demountable wheel assembly 10, the number of the clamping plates 16 and the bolt and nut assemblies 18 matches such that six clamping plates 16 and six bolt and nut assemblies 18 are provided. As is known, the bolt and nut assemblies 18 along with the clamping plates 16 are configured to secure the spider 14 and the three-piece wheel rim 12 together to produce the "assembled" prior art demountable wheel assembly 10 (the assembled prior art demountable wheel assembly 10 not being shown in Fig. 1). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a demountable vehicle wheel assembly and method for producing such a demountable vehicle wheel assembly.

[0004] According to one embodiment, a demountable vehicle wheel assembly may comprise, individually and/or in combination, one or more of the following features: a wheel rim; a wheel hub secured to the wheel rim by a plurality of clamping assemblies; and a side ring secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring; wherein the lock ring is configured to be secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring clamping member to thereby secure the side ring to the wheel rim.

[0005] According to this embodiment, the vehicle wheel assembly is a tubeless type of vehicle wheel assembly and further includes a sealing ring configured to be operatively disposed adjacent at least one of the wheel rim and the side ring or the vehicle wheel assembly is a tube type of vehicle wheel assembly.

[0006] According to this embodiment, the wheel rim is a one-piece wheel rim.

[0007] According to this embodiment, the wheel rim is configured to define at least a portion of an outboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly and the side ring is configured to define at least a portion of an inboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly. [0008] According to this embodiment, a hub adapter is provided and secured to the wheel rim, the hub adapter configured to enable the wheel hub to be secured to the wheel rim via the clamping assemblies.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the lock ring is split so as to provide a pair of spaced apart free ends.

[0010] According to this embodiment, the free ends are pulled towards one another during installation of the lock ring clamping member.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the lock ring clamping assembly includes a pair of fasteners, a plate, and a locking member, wherein the fasteners extend through openings provided in each of the lock ring and the plate, and wherein the locking member is configured to secure the fasteners to the plate and the lock ring.

[0012] According to this embodiment, at least one of the openings provided in the plate is an elongated opening.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the wheel rim is provided with an annular recess formed therein which is configured to receive at least a portion of the lock ring. [0014] According to another embodiment, a demountable vehicle wheel assembly may comprise, individually and/or in combination, one or more of the following features: a one-piece wheel rim configured to define at least a portion of an outboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly; a hub adapter secured to the wheel rim; a wheel hub secured to the wheel rim via the hub adapter by a plurality of clamping assemblies; and a side ring secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring, wherein the side ring is configured to define at least a portion of an inboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly; wherein the lock ring is split so as to provide a pair of spaced apart free ends and the lock ring is configured to be secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring clamping member to thereby secure the side ring to the wheel rim.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the vehicle wheel assembly is a tubeless type of vehicle wheel assembly and further includes a sealing ring configured to be operatively disposed adjacent at least one of the wheel rim and the side ring or the vehicle wheel assembly is a tube type of vehicle wheel assembly.

[0016] According to this embodiment, the free ends are pulled towards one another during installation of the lock ring clamping member.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the lock ring clamping assembly includes a pair of fasteners, a plate, and a locking member, wherein the fasteners extend through openings provided in each of the lock ring and the plate, and wherein the locking member is configured to secure the fasteners to the plate and the lock ring. [0018] According to this embodiment, at least one of the openings provided in the plate is an elongated opening.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the wheel rim is provided with an annular recess formed therein which is configured to receive at least a portion of the lock ring.

[0020] According to another embodiment, a method for producing a demountable vehicle wheel assembly may comprise, individually and/or in combination, one or more of the following steps; (a) securing a wheel hub to a wheel rim by a plurality of clamping assemblies; and (b) securing a side ring to the wheel rim by a lock ring, wherein the lock ring is configured to be at least partially disposed in an annular recess provided in the wheel rim and the lock ring is split so as to provide a pair of spaced apart free ends, and (c) securing the lock ring to the wheel rim by a lock ring clamping member.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the vehicle wheel assembly is one of a tubeless type of vehicle wheel assembly, and further includes a sealing ring configured to be operatively disposed adjacent at least one of the wheel rim and the side ring, or a tube type of vehicle wheel assembly.

[0022] According to this embodiment, the wheel rim is a one-piece wheel rim.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the wheel rim is configured to define at least a portion of an outboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly and the side ring is configured to define at least a portion of an inboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly.

[0024] According to this embodiment, a hub adapter is provided and is secured to the wheel rim, the hub adapter configured to enable the wheel hub to be secured to the wheel rim via the clamping assemblies.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the free ends of the lock ring are pulled towards one another during installation of the lock ring clamping member.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the lock ring clamping assembly includes a pair of fasteners, a plate, and a locking member, wherein the fasteners extend through openings provided in each of the lock ring and the plate, and wherein the locking member is configured to secure the fasteners to the plate and the lock ring.

[0027] According to this embodiment, at least one of the openings provided in the plate is an elongated opening.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the wheel rim is provided with an annular recess formed therein which is configured to receive at least a portion of the lock ring. [0029] Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Fig. 1 is a view of a prior art tube type of a demountable vehicle wheel assembly.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a view of an embodiment of a tubeless type of a

demountable vehicle wheel assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0032] Figs. 3 and 4C-12 are views of selected portions or parts of the demountable vehicle wheel assembly illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0033] Figs. 4A and 4B are selected views of a portion of an embodiment of a tube type of a demountable vehicle wheel assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring now to drawing Figs. 2-12, there is illustrated an embodiment of a tubeless of a demountable vehicle wheel assembly, indicated generally at 20, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated demountable vehicle wheel assembly 10 is shown as being a tubeless type of demountable vehicle wheel assembly 10 but, as will be discussed below, can also be designed or configured in accordance with the present invention to be a tube type of demountable vehicle wheel assembly, for example, such a tube type of demountable vehicle wheel assembly can be generally similar to that shown in Fig. 3 with any necessary modifications thereto to accommodate the associated tube, if so desired.

[0035] As shown best in one or more of Figs. 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12, in the illustrated embodiment the tubeless type of demountable vehicle wheel assembly 20 includes a one-piece wheel rim 22, a spoke or hub adapter 24A, a wheel spoke or hub 24, an "optional' sealing ring or member 26, a side ring or outboard member 28, and a lock ring 30. Preferably, the wheel rim 22, hub adapter 24A, wheel hub 24, side ring 28 and lock ring 30 are formed from a metal component, such as for example steel; however, one or more of these components can be formed from other suitable material(s) if so desired.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel rim 22 includes an outboard portion, indicated generally at OB in Fig. 3, which is operative to define an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange/outboard tire bead seat, of the demountable vehicle wheel assembly 20. Also, the side ring 28 along with the sealing ring 26 (if provided), and an inboard portion of the wheel rim 22 are operative to define an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange/inboard tire bead seat, indicated generally at IB, of the wheel. Also, as can be seen in one of Figs. 7 and 7 A, the lock ring 30 is preferably not continuous, i.e., the lock ring 30 does not extend a complete 360 degrees, but rather the lock ring 30 is "split" or segmented, so as to provide a pair of spaced apart free ends 30 A and 30B. Alternatively, the construction, design and/or the configuration of the lock ring 30 can be other than illustrated and described if so desired.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the spoke adapter 24A is preferably a separate and distinct continuous or uninterrupted part (i.e., extends a complete 360 degrees), and is secured to an underside of the outboard portion OB of the wheel rim 22 by one or more welds W. The spoke adaptor 24 defines a first or "adapter" angle Al and a second or "centering" angle A2. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter angle Al is approximately 15 degrees and the centering angle A2 is approximately 18 degrees. Alternatively, one or both of the angles Al and A2 can be other than illustrated and described if so desired. Alternatively, the construction, design and/or the configuration of the spoke adapter 24 can be other than illustrated and described if so desired.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment the wheel rim 22 preferably includes a stepped end portion, indicated generally at 21. The stepped end portion 21 is preferably provided with an annular recess or gutter 22A formed therein which is configured to receive or "seat" at least a portion of the lock ring 30. The wheel rim 22 is provided with a valve step opening 22B formed generally intermediate in the wheel rim 22. As is know, the valve stem opening 22B is configured to receive a tire inflation valve assembly, indicated in phantom generally at 32 in Figs. 11 and 12, to thereby enable the inflation of a tire 34 installed on the demountable wheel assembly 10. Alternatively, the

construction, design and/or the configuration of the wheel rim 22 can be other than illustrated and described if so desired. [0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the demountable wheel assembly 20 further includes a plurality of clamping assemblies, indicated generally at 38 in Figs. 9 and 10, which are configured to secure the wheel hub 24 to the wheel rim 22 via the hub adapter 24 A. As best shown in Fig. 12 for example, each clamping assembly 38 includes a screw or fastener 40, a "flanged" nut 42 and an "adapter tightening" clip or member 44. Alternatively, the construction, design and/or the configuration of the clamping assemblies 38 can be other than illustrated and described if so desired.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel assembly 20 further includes a "lock ring" locking or clamping member, indicated generally at 50 in Fig. 7. In the illustrated embodiment the lock ring member 50 includes a pair of pin-like fasteners 52 having enlarged flanged heads (not shown), a plate 54 and a locking or needle member 56. The fasteners 52 have bodies which extend through a pair of spaced apart openings (not shown) provided in the lock ring 30 and through a pair of associated spaced apart openings 54A and 54B provided in the plate 54. Alternatively, the construction, design and/or the configuration of the clamping member 50 can be other than illustrated and described if so desired.

[0041] As can be seen in Fig. 7, in the illustrated embodiment the one opening 54A is preferably formed as an elongated or slotted opening. Each of the fasteners 52 is provided with a through hole 52A which is configured to enable a portion of the locking member 56 to extend through the holes 52A and then the locking member 56 is locked or secured in place. As a result of this, the lock ring 30, and therefore the side ring 28 and the sealing ring 26 if provided, are secured or locked in place on the wheel rim 22. Also, during assembly of the lock ring 30 and the clamping member 50, the opposed free ends 30A and 30B of the lock ring are preferably slightly pulled together or towards one another.

[0042] Alternatively, the construction, design and/or the configuration of the demountable vehicle wheel assembly 20 can be other than illustrated and described if so desired. For example, if a tube type of a demountable vehicle wheel assembly is desired, the illustrated sealing ring 26 can be eliminated from the components needed to produce the associated tube type of

demountable vehicle wheel assembly and, as shown in the alternate

embodiment of a wheel rim 22' as shown in Figs. 4A and 4b, the wheel rim 22' can be provided with an opening 22B' to accommodate the associated components which are typically used in such a tube type of a demountable vehicle wheel assembly. Also, other kinds of members other than the illustrated lock ring 30 and clamping member 50 can be utilized to retain or lock the associated lock ring in place on the wheel rim 22.

[0043] The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been described in its various embodiments. However, it should be noted that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A demountable vehicle wheel assembly comprising:

a wheel rim;

a wheel hub secured to the wheel rim by a plurality of clamping assemblies; and

a side ring secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring;

wherein the lock ring is configured to be secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring clamping member to thereby secure the side ring to the wheel rim.

2. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the vehicle wheel assembly is a tubeless type of vehicle wheel assembly and further includes a sealing ring configured to be operatively disposed adjacent at least one of the wheel rim and the side ring.

3. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the vehicle wheel assembly is a tube type of vehicle wheel assembly.

4. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the wheel rim is a one-piece wheel rim.

5. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the wheel rim is configured to define at least a portion of an outboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly and the side ring is configured to define at least a portion of an inboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly.

6. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein a hub adapter is provided and secured to the wheel rim, the hub adapter configured to enable the wheel hub to be secured to the wheel rim via the clamping assemblies.

7. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the lock ring is split so as to provide a pair of spaced apart free ends.

8. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the free ends are pulled towards one another during installation of the lock ring clamping member.

9. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the lock ring clamping assembly includes a pair of fasteners, a plate, and a locking member, wherein the fasteners extend through openings provided in each of the lock ring and the plate, and wherein the locking member is configured to secure the fasteners to the plate and the lock ring.

10. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 9 wherein at least one of the openings provided in the plate is an elongated opening.

11. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 1 wherein the wheel rim is provided with an annular recess formed therein which is configured to receive at least a portion of the lock ring.

12. A demountable vehicle wheel assembly comprising:

a one-piece wheel rim configured to define at least a portion of an outboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly; a hub adapter secured to the wheel rim;

a wheel hub secured to the wheel rim via the hub adapter by a plurality of clamping assemblies; and

a side ring secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring, wherein the side ring is configured to define at least a portion of an inboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly;

wherein the lock ring is split so as to provide a pair of spaced apart free ends and the lock ring is configured to be secured to the wheel rim by a lock ring clamping member to thereby secure the side ring to the wheel rim.

13. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 12 wherein the vehicle wheel assembly is a tubeless type of vehicle wheel assembly and further includes a sealing ring configured to be operatively disposed adjacent at least one of the wheel rim and the side ring.

14. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 12 wherein the vehicle wheel assembly is a tube type of vehicle wheel assembly.

15. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 12 wherein the free ends are pulled towards one another during installation of the lock ring clamping member.

16. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 12 wherein the lock ring clamping assembly includes a pair of fasteners, a plate, and a locking member, wherein the fasteners extend through openings provided in each of the lock ring and the plate, and wherein the locking member is configured to secure the fasteners to the plate and the lock ring.

17. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 16 wherein at least one of the openings provided in the plate is an elongated opening.

18. The demountable vehicle wheel assembly of Claim 12 wherein the wheel rim is provided with an annular recess formed therein which is configured to receive at least a portion of the lock ring.

19. A method for producing a demountable vehicle wheel assembly comprising the steps of:

(a) securing a wheel hub to a wheel rim by a plurality of clamping assemblies; and

(b) securing a side ring to the wheel rim by a lock ring, wherein the lock ring is configured to be at least partially disposed in an annular recess provided in the wheel rim and the lock ring is split so as to provide a pair of spaced apart free ends, and

(c) securing the lock ring to the wheel rim by a lock ring clamping member.

20. The method of Claim 19 wherein the vehicle wheel assembly is one of a tubeless type of vehicle wheel assembly, and further includes a sealing ring configured to be operatively disposed adjacent at least one of the wheel rim and the side ring, or a tube type of vehicle wheel assembly.

21. The method of Claim 19 wherein the wheel rim is a one-piece wheel rim.

22. The method of Claim 19 wherein the wheel rim is configured to define at least a portion of an outboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly and the side ring is configured to define at least a portion of an inboard tire bead seat flange of the vehicle wheel assembly.

23. The method of Claim 19 wherein a hub adapter is provided and is secured to the wheel rim, the hub adapter configured to enable the wheel hub to be secured to the wheel rim via the clamping assemblies.

24. The method of Claim 19 wherein the free ends of the lock ring are pulled towards one another during installation of the lock ring clamping member.

25. The method of Claim 19 wherein the lock ring clamping assembly includes a pair of fasteners, a plate, and a locking member, wherein the fasteners extend through openings provided in each of the lock ring and the plate, and wherein the locking member is configured to secure the fasteners to the plate and the lock ring.

26. The method of Claim 19 wherein at least one of the openings provided in the plate is an elongated opening.

27. The method of Claim 19 wherein the wheel rim is provided with an annular recess formed therein which is configured to receive at least a portion of the lock ring.