阅读说明：本技术 具有混合车轮的机动车辆及制造方法 (Motor vehicle with hybrid wheel and method of manufacture ) 是由 埃里克·巴拉巴奎尔 加布里埃莱·佩里斯·马涅托 阿兰·卡利法 于 2018-10-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种机动车辆,该机动车辆包括转动轮毂和车轮(2),该车轮具有转动轴线(4)、铝轮辋(6)、以及通过箍紧和焊接紧固至轮毂的钢轮辐(8)。这两种材料使车轮(2)具有混合的特征。该车轮包括使轮辐(8)与轮辋(6)分隔开的径向间隙。轮辋包括焊接部,该焊接部在与径向间隙相对应处成角度地设置。焊接部设置在轮辐(8)的两个连续分支(18)之间,也就是说,位于与轮辐(8)的镂空部分相对应处。本发明还提出了一种用于制造混合车轮(2)的方法。(The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a rotating hub and a wheel (2) having an axis of rotation (4), an aluminium rim (6), and steel spokes (8) fastened to the hub by tightening and welding. The two materials provide the wheel (2) with mixed characteristics. The wheel comprises a radial gap separating the web (8) from the rim (6). The rim includes a weld disposed at an angle corresponding to the radial gap. The weld is provided between two consecutive branches (18) of the spoke (8), that is to say in correspondence with the hollowed-out portion of the spoke (8). The invention also proposes a method for manufacturing a hybrid wheel (2).)

1. A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a hub and a wheel (2) having an axis of rotation (4), a rim (6) around the axis of rotation (4) and spokes (8) connecting the rim (6) to the hub,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the spoke (8) comprising a plurality of branches (18) extending radially and distributed around the axis of rotation (4),

and in that the rim (6) comprises a weld (10) angularly disposed between two consecutive branches (18) of the spoke (8).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said spoke (8) has a plurality of hollowed portions (22) angularly distributed around said rotation axis (4) so as to form an alternation with said branches (18), said weld (10) being angularly disposed in correspondence with one of said hollowed portions (22).

3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the wheel (2) comprises a radial gap (24) separating the spoke (8) from the rim (6), the weld (10) being provided angularly in correspondence of the radial gap (24).

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spokes (8) are made of steel and the rim (6) is made of aluminum.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spokes (8) have areas of reduced radial thickness, the welds (10) being located in correspondence of said areas of reduced radial thickness.

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spoke (8) comprises an annular edge (30) which overlaps the weld (10) along the circumference of the rim (6).

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the weld (10) is a first weld, in particular an axial weld, and in that the spoke (8) is fastened to the rim (6) by means of second welds (34), each second weld (34) being disposed angularly away from the first weld.

8. Wheel (2) of a vehicle comprising an outer rim (6) and an inner spoke (8) for fastening to a hub of the vehicle, characterized in that the spoke (8) comprises a plurality of branches (18) angularly distributed inside the rim (6), and in that the rim (6) comprises a weld angularly disposed between two consecutive branches (18) of the spoke (8).

9. A method of manufacturing a wheel (2) of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a) -supplying or producing an outer rim (100),

b) supplying or producing the inner spokes (102),

c) tightening (104) the inner spoke (8) to the outer rim (6),

characterized in that, in said step (a) of supplying or producing an outer rim (100), said outer rim comprises a weld (10);

in the step (b) of supplying or generating the inner spokes (102), the spokes (8) have a plurality of branches (18) distributed angularly;

and the number of the first and second electrodes,

during step (c) of the tightening (104), the weld (10) is angularly located between two consecutive branches (18) of the spoke (8).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that at the end of step (c) of the tightening (104), the spokes (8) and the rim (6) have alternating annular interfaces (36) forming first and second zones, with respect to which the radial contact pressure between the spokes (8) and the rim (6) is greater, and in that the weld (10) is angularly provided in one of the first zones.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a hybrid wheel. The invention also provides a wheel with a rim and an inner spoke made of different materials. The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel.

Background

Motor vehicles typically include four ground connections, each having a wheel that receives a tire in contact with the ground. To this end, the wheel has an annular rim defining a sealed chamber together with the tyre, and spokes fastened to the hub of the vehicle. In order to reduce the mass, such as the inertia of the wheel, and thus the consumption of the vehicle, the spokes are hollowed out. The holes allow to define the branches according to a predetermined design, which improves the perceived quality of the vehicle.

Document EP 1418011 a1 discloses a wheel of a vehicle of the motor vehicle type. The wheel includes an outer rim and a disc-shaped inner spoke. The inner spokes are firmly inserted inside the rim. Four welds are distributed around the inner spoke, which allow to fasten the inner spoke to the inside of the rim. However, the strength of such wheels is limited and stress peaks can lead to breakage. To prevent this risk, the spokes and the rim must be thickened, which increases the weight of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to solving at least one problem presented by the prior art. More specifically, the present invention aims to improve the strength of the wheel. The invention also aims to optimize the mass, the rigidity and the durability of the wheels of a motor vehicle.

The invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a hub and a wheel having an axis of rotation, a rim surrounding the axis of rotation and a spoke connecting the rim to the hub, which is distinguished in that the spoke comprises a plurality of branches extending radially and distributed around the axis of rotation, and in that the rim comprises a weld disposed angularly between two consecutive branches of the spoke.

According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle may comprise one or more of the following features taken independently or according to all possible technical combinations:

the spoke has a plurality of hollowed-out portions angularly distributed around the rotation axis to alternate with the branches, the weld being angularly disposed in correspondence with one of the hollowed-out portions.

The wheel includes a radial gap separating the web from the rim, and the weld is disposed at an angle corresponding to the radial gap.

The spokes are made of steel and the rim is made of aluminum.

The spoke comprises an area of reduced radial thickness, the weld being located in correspondence with this area of reduced radial thickness.

The spoke comprises an annular edge that overlaps the weld along the circumference of the rim.

The weld is a first weld, in particular an axial weld, and the spoke is fastened to the rim by means of second welds, each of which is arranged at an angle away from the first weld.

The spokes are made of a material.

The rim is made of a material.

All the cutouts extend over a large part of the circumference of the rim.

The weld is disposed at an angle away from each branch.

The spoke comprises a central portion fastened to the hub, the branches connecting the central portion to the rim.

The weld extends axially over the entire width of the rim.

-the branches and the hollows are alternating.

The weld is not in contact with the spoke.

The rim has an axis of symmetry coinciding with the axis of rotation.

The wheel comprises, at an angle away from the weld, a valve passing through an opening formed in the rim.

The rim and the spokes are made of different materials and/or of a metallic material.

The density of the material of the rim is less than the density of the material of the spokes.

The branches and/or the cutouts are angularly distributed inside the rim.

The thickness of the spokes is greater than or equal to the thickness of the rim, optionally greater than twice the thickness of the rim.

The spoke comprises an arc-shaped joint connecting the radially outer ends of the branches, a weld being provided at one of the arc-shaped joints.

The rim comprises an annular sheet metal part having two circumferentially opposite edges, the weld connecting the two opposite edges.

The weld extends along the axis of rotation.

The radial thickness of the radial gap is smaller than the radial thickness of the spoke.

The invention also relates to a vehicle wheel comprising an outer rim and an inner spoke for fastening to a hub of a vehicle, which is notable in that the spoke comprises a plurality of radial branches angularly distributed inside the rim, and in that the rim comprises a weld angularly disposed between two consecutive branches of the spoke.

The invention also relates to a wheel of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a rim and a spoke, which is distinguished in that the wheel comprises a radial gap separating the spoke from the rim, and in that the rim comprises a weld disposed at an angle in correspondence with the radial gap.

The invention also relates to a wheel for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a rim, a spoke and an annular interface between the rim and the spoke, which wheel is distinguished in that the interface has an angular zone between the rim and the spoke in which the radial pressure is low, and in that the rim comprises a weld which is angularly disposed in correspondence with the angular zone.

The invention also relates to a wheel for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a central axis, a rim arranged around the axis and having an annular inner surface, and a web, which is distinguished in that the web has alternating rigid zones and zones of lesser radial rigidity formed along the annular inner surface of the rim, and in that the rim comprises a weld arranged angularly in the vicinity of, in particular opposite, the zone of lesser rigidity of the web.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel, comprising the following steps: (a) supplying or producing an outer rim, (b) supplying or producing an inner spoke, (c) tightening the inner spoke inside the outer rim, the method being remarkable in that in the step (a) of supplying or producing the outer rim, the outer rim includes a weld; in the step (b) of supplying or generating the inner spokes, the spokes have a plurality of branches distributed angularly; and during step (c) of tightening, the weld is angularly located between two consecutive branches of the spoke.

According to a particular embodiment, at the end of the tightening step (c), the spokes and the rim have an annular interface forming an alternation of first and second zones, the radial contact pressure between the spokes and the rim being greater in the second zone with respect to the first zone, and the weld being angularly provided in one of the first zones.

According to a particular embodiment, the rim and/or the spokes are formed from sheet metal, in particular from stamped sheet metal and/or from rolled sheet metal.

The present invention optimizes the angular position of the closed weld of the rim with respect to the stresses at the rim/spoke interface during the manufacturing process and during operation. In fact, the mechanical stresses in the contact area between the spoke and the rim remain far from the weld of the rim, which improves the fatigue resistance. Furthermore, the welded portion of the rim is arranged between the branches and thus opposite the hollowed-out portion, which prolongs the service life.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a vehicle wheel according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a section of a wheel along a weld according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the wheel shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the following description, the axial direction is considered to be along the axis of rotation of the wheel, or the axis of symmetry of the rim. Radial is considered to be perpendicular to the axis of rotation and, correspondingly, to the axis of symmetry.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a wheel 2 of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle (not shown). The wheel 2 is shown along a rotation axis 4. The wheel 2 allows the mounting of a tyre (not shown) intended to come into contact with the road and to support the weight of the respective vehicle.

The wheel 2 comprises a rim 6 and spokes 8, in particular an outer rim and inner spokes. The rim 6 may be annular and may have a diameter variation along the axis of rotation 4. The rim 6 may be made of a lighter material than the spokes 8. This significantly reduces the inertia of the wheel 2 about its axis of rotation 4. The rim 6 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the spokes 8 may be made of steel. Thus, from the point of view of the materials used, the wheel is of the hybrid or heterogeneous type.

The spokes 8 allow the rim 6 to be connected to a mounting support such as a rotating hub (not shown) of a vehicle. The rim 6 may be made of sheet metal which realizes a ring closed by the weld 10. Along the circumference, this weld 10 can connect two opposite edges of the sheet metal part forming the rim 6. The rim 6 allows the formation of an annular sealed chamber in combination with the tyre, allowing inflation to the working pressure.

The spokes 8 may have a central aperture 14 through which a hub (not shown) passes. The fastening apertures 16 may be used to fasten the wheel 2 to the hub. A series of branches 18 extends radially, i.e. perpendicularly with respect to the axis of rotation 4. The branches 18 can be regularly distributed angularly about the rotation axis 4 and therefore inside the rim 6. The stiffener 20 may be formed in the branch 18.

Spoke 8 may have an openwork 22. The cutout 22 may be a main cutout. The main hollowed out portion may be triangular and have curved sides that conform to the inner surface of the rim 6. The cutouts 22 may be distributed angularly about the axis of rotation 4 in a uniform manner. The cutout 22 may angularly define the branch 18. Each cutout may extend from one branch to the next. The cutouts 22 and the branches 18 may have the same radial height. Thus, spoke 8 may have alternating branches 18 and cutouts 22.

Between the branches 18, optionally diametrically opposite the hollowed-out portions 22, the wheel 2 may comprise a radial gap 24 between the rim 6 and the disc 8. The radial gap 24 may be a radial cutout separating the rim 6 from the spokes 8.

In this example, five branches 18, five cutouts 22 and five radial gaps 24 are shown. However, this number may vary. Furthermore, the number of radial gaps 24 is not dependent on the number of branches 18 or the number of cutouts 22. The cutouts may overlap radially.

Furthermore, the rim 6 may comprise an opening 26 for an inflation valve (not shown) of the tyre. The opening 26 may be angled away from the weld 10. The opening 26 may be positioned at an angle corresponding to another cutout 22 that is distinguished from the cutout 22 in which the weld 10 is disposed.

Fig. 2 shows a section through the wheel 2 as shown in fig. 1. The section is formed along the weld 10 and/or along the axis of rotation 4 or the central axis of the wheel 2. These thicknesses may be symbolic. By way of example, the thickness of the spokes may be between 3mm and 6 mm; and the thickness of the rim may be between 1.5mm and 3.7 mm. According to the combination of the invention, the thickness of the rim is about 3.7mm and the thickness of the spokes is about 6 mm.

The weld 10 extends over the entire radial height of the rim 6 and over the entire axial length. The weld 10 may connect a shoulder 28 for receiving the side of a tire (not shown). The weld 10 may be formed throughout the thickness of the sheet metal part forming the rim 6.

The spokes 8 may have an annular rim 30. The annular rim 30 may form a tubular support portion, such as a ferrule, from which the branches 18 extend. The annular rim 30 may surround the hollowed-out portion 22 interposed between the branches 18. The annular edge 30 may belong to the interface between the rim 6 and the spokes 8. The radial gaps 24 may form areas of reduced thickness 32 in the spokes 8. The reduced thickness region 32 may be a radially reduced thickness region present in the annular rim 30. For this reason, the sheet metal member forming the spoke 8 can be made thin and light.

Alternatively, the sheet metal part may be thickened at the branches 18, which allows for the appearance of areas of smaller thickness 32 between the branches 18. Alternatively, the spokes may be integrally formed.

One or more welds 34 may secure the rim 6 to the spoke 8. The weld may be positioned at an angle between the radial gaps 24 and/or opposite the branch 18. These welds 34 may form discrete welds.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the wheel 2 as shown in fig. 1 and 2.

The weld 10 may be particularly provided at a correspondence of the angular range of one of the radial gaps 24. The radial gap 24 may extend perpendicularly with respect to the weld 10. The radial gap 24 may be about 0.5 mm. Therefore, weld 10 is separated from spoke 8 by one of radial gaps 24, and prevents the transmission of stress toward weld 10 by not contacting spoke 8.

The transmission of stresses is also limited by the positioning of the weld 10 between two consecutive branches 18 or adjacent branches of the series of branches formed in the spoke. The weld 10 is provided between two circumferentially opposite branches 18. Thus, the branches 18 do not radially abut against the weld 10, thereby reducing mechanical stresses at the weld 10. The presence of the cutout 22 between the weld 10 and the axis of rotation 4 also protects the weld 10. It will be noted that the annular rim 30 allows to connect the branches 18 along the circumference and to form an arc-shaped junction at the branches 18.

The presence of the radial gap 24 means that the interface 36 between the spoke 8 and the rim 6 is discontinuous. The interface 36 may be annular and may be a fastening interface and/or a radial contact interface.

Since the spokes 8 can be tightened to the inner surface 38 of the rim 6, the fastening interface 36 between the spokes and the rim can have a circumferential variation of the radial contact pressure. The interface 36 may have an angular region against the branch 18 in which the contact pressure is greater than in the angular region facing the cutout 22 and provided with the weld 10.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a method of manufacturing a wheel associated with that shown in fig. 1-3.

The method may comprise the following steps, optionally carried out in the following order:

(a) the rim 100 having the welded portion of the outer portion is supplied or produced,

(b) supplying or producing the spoke 102 with a plurality of angularly distributed branches, a plurality of hollowed-out portions and an inner portion with a plurality of radial gaps,

(c) the inner spokes are tightened 104 inside the outer rim,

(d) the spokes are welded 106 to the rim, which is optional since tightening is sufficient.

In the step (a) of supplying or producing the rim 100, the welding can be carried out using an electric arc and a filler metal in an inert Gas atmosphere, which can also be indicated by the abbreviation "MIG", corresponding to the english expression "Metallnert Gas".

During step (c) of tightening, for example from the beginning to the end, the weld of the rim is angularly located between two consecutive branches of the spoke. The onset may be considered as the moment when the rim contacts the spokes.

In steps (a) and (b) of manufacturing the rim and the spokes, the rim and the spokes may be produced from sheet metal parts from a coil material. The sheet metal part of the spoke may be formed by stamping to bend it and cut hollow out portions therein, such as openings and apertures. As for the rim, the sheet metal piece strip may be bent to form a closed loop. Two circumferentially opposite edges are butted and then welded. The tubular material thus formed is then shaped, for example by rolling or rolling, to form an annular central region and to make the annular edge vertical to form a shoulder.

At the end of step (c) of tightening 104, the spokes and rim may have an annular interface. The interface may form an alternation of first and second regions, the radial contact pressure between the spoke and the rim being greater in the second region relative to the first region. The weld may be disposed in one of the first regions at an angle to protect the weld.

In step (d) of the weld 106, the weld may be a weld according to the Cold Metal Transfer method, also denoted by the acronym "CMT", which corresponds to the expression "Cold Metal Transfer" in english.