阅读说明：本技术 辐条轮结构 (Spoke wheel structure ) 是由 F·阿尔贝里奥 于 2020-11-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于车辆的辐条轮结构,包括带槽的轮缘；轮毂；介于轮毂和轮缘之间安装且拉紧的车轮辐条,每个车轮辐条具有固定至轮毂的辐条近端和固定至轮缘的辐条远端,且包括：沿辐条轴线在辐条近端和辐条远端之间延伸的长条形辐条杆,和在辐条远端处的扩大的辐条头；轮缘包括接收和保持辐条的辐条接合底座,每个底座通孔,通孔包括：第一孔部分、第二孔部分以及连接二者的保持面,保持面与辐条头邻接地保持该辐条头；辐条轮结构还包括安全部件,每个安全部件能够接合在辐条底座中,以通过沿辐条轴线施加并从轮缘朝向轮毂定向的推力将相应辐条头压向保持面。(A spoked wheel structure for a vehicle comprising a grooved rim; a hub; wheel spokes mounted and tensioned between a hub and a rim, each wheel spoke having a spoke proximal end fixed to the hub and a spoke distal end fixed to the rim and comprising: an elongated spoke shaft extending along the spoke axis between the spoke proximal end and the spoke distal end, and an enlarged spoke head at the spoke distal end; the rim includes spoke-engaging seats that receive and retain the spokes, each seat through-hole including: a first hole portion, a second hole portion, and a retaining surface connecting the first hole portion and the second hole portion, the retaining surface retaining the spoke head adjacent the spoke head; the spoked wheel structure further comprises safety members each engageable in the spoke seat to press the respective spoked head against the retaining surface by a thrust force applied along the spoke axis and directed from the rim towards the hub.)

1. A spoked wheel structure (1) for vehicles, comprising:

-a rim (10) comprising a groove (19) for housing a tyre;

-a hub (40) arranged centrally with respect to the rim (10) and adapted to be rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle;

-a plurality of wheel spokes (20) mounted and tensioned between the hub (40) and the rim (10), wherein each wheel spoke (20) of the plurality of wheel spokes defines a proximal spoke end (21) and an opposite distal spoke end (22), the proximal spoke end (21) being configured to be secured to the hub (40) and the distal spoke end (22) being configured to be secured to the rim (10), and wherein each wheel spoke (20) of the plurality of wheel spokes comprises: an elongated spoke shaft (23) extending along a spoke axis (R-R) between the spoke proximal end (21) and the spoke distal end (22), and an enlarged spoke head (24) at the spoke distal end (22);

-wherein the rim (10) comprises a plurality of spoke-engaging seats (11), each seat (11) being configured to receive and retain a respective spoke (20) of the plurality of spokes at the spoke distal ends (22), each spoke seat (11) comprising a through hole (12), the through hole (12) comprising: a first bore portion (13) configured to allow passage of a spoke stem (23) of a respective spoke (20); a second bore portion (14) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first bore portion (13) and configured to allow passage of the enlarged spoke head (24); a retaining surface (15) joining the first bore portion (13) and the second bore portion (14) and configured to retain the spoke head (24) in abutment with the enlarged spoke head (24) of the respective spoke (20) when the respective spoke (20) is tensioned between the rim (10) and the hub (40);

-wherein the spoked wheel structure (1) comprises a plurality of safety members (50), each safety member (50) being engageable in a respective seat (11) of said plurality of spoke seats to press the enlarged spoke head (24) of the respective spoke (20) towards the retaining surface (15) by a thrust force applied along the spoke axis R-R and directed from the rim (10) towards the hub (40).

2. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein each safety member (50) is configured to: each safety element (50) is inserted into the second hole portion (14) by placing the enlarged spoke head (24) between the retaining surface (15) and the safety element (50) until it abuts against the enlarged spoke head (24) on the opposite side with respect to the elongated spoke bar (23).

3. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each safety member (50) of the plurality of safety members comprises a friction pad (55) attached to said each safety member (50) for facing the enlarged spoke head (24) and in contact bearing against the enlarged spoke head (24) to resist rotation of the spoke head (24) relative to said each safety member (50).

4. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 3, wherein the friction pad (55) comprises an elastic material.

5. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of safety members (50) and the second bore portion (14) of the respective corresponding spoke seat (11) comprise detachable engagement means (51, 16) for detachably engaging the each safety member (50) in the second bore portion (14).

6. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 3, wherein the detachable engagement means (51, 16) comprise: -an external thread (51) of said each safety member and a complementary internal thread (16) of said second hole portion (14) configured to bring said each safety member (50) close to said enlarged spoked head (24) by screwing said each safety member (50) according to a predetermined screwing rotation direction.

7. A spoked wheel structure (1) according to claim 6, wherein a respective spoke (20) of the plurality of spokes comprises tensioning means capable of tensioning the respective spoke (20) by rotating the enlarged spoke head (24) according to a predetermined tensioning rotation direction, and wherein the screwing rotation direction of each safety member (50) is opposite to the tensioning rotation direction of the respective spoke (20).

8. A spoked wheel structure (1) according to claim 7, wherein each of the spokes (20) is monolithic, the enlarged spoke head (24) being formed in one piece with the elongated spoke shaft (23), and wherein the elongated spoke shaft (23) has a free end (26) at the proximal end (21) of the spoke on the opposite side of the spoke head (24) comprising an external thread complementary to a corresponding internal thread in the hub (40).

9. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 7, wherein the enlarged spoke head (24) of each spoke (20) is separate from the spoke shaft (23) and is coupled to the spoke shaft (23) by a threaded coupling.

10. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each safety member (50) of the plurality of safety members and the second hole portion (14) of the respective corresponding spoke seat (11) comprise non-detachable engagement means, preferably selected from interference coupling, press fitting, gluing.

11. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each safety member (50) of the plurality of safety members and the second hole portion (14) of the respective corresponding spoke seat (11) comprise resilient engagement means, preferably selected from the group consisting of a sigma ring, a cotter pin.

12. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the slot (19) for receiving a tyre is configured to form, together with the tyre, a sealed chamber (61) of the tubeless type, and wherein the plurality of spokes (20) are connected to the rim (1) outside the sealed chamber.

13. A spoke wheel structure (1) according to claim 12, further comprising a second plurality of spokes (30) mounted and tensioned between the hub (40) and the rim (10), wherein each spoke (30) of the plurality of spokes defines a proximal spoke end (31) and an opposite distal spoke end (32), the proximal spoke end (31) being configured to be secured to the hub (40), and the spoke distal ends (32) are configured to be secured to the rim (10), wherein the second plurality of spokes (30) are connected to the rim (10) inside the sealed chamber (61) and, wherein the spoke wheel structure (1) is free of safety features at each spoke (30) of the second plurality of spokes, and wherein distal ends (32) of the spokes (30) of the second plurality of spokes are tightly sealed with respect to the slot (19).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a spoked wheel structure.

Background

The use of spoked wheels, which bring particular promise to automobiles, is known in the automotive field, in particular in the luxury car field.

Such a wheel comprises a rim, a hub, which is central with respect to the rim, and a plurality of spokes, which connect and fix the rim and the hub in position with each other.

The rim outer portion forms a rim groove configured to couple with a tire.

In one type of spoked wheel known as a "tubeless" wheel, the rim channel and the tire form a sealed chamber with each other.

In another type of spoked wheel, there is an annular tubular rubber member between the rim groove and the tire, which is separate from the rim groove and the tire, forming an airtight inner tube.

The two ends of the spokes are engaged in respective seats in the rim and the hub, respectively.

During assembly of a spoked wheel structure, the spokes are tensioned or pre-tensioned along their axes to ensure the desired rigidity of the structure.

To prevent the spokes from unscrewing or loosening during driving, the spokes are tensioned between the hub and the rim with a high tightening torque (typically about 30 Nm).

This produces a very high pretension on the axis of the spokes, which can reach several tons.

Very high pretension values are indispensable for the known spoked wheels, which implies the following disadvantages: causing a high risk with respect to the safety of use of the car.

In fact, imagine a bumpy road surface in a turn, the pulsating and non-pulsating stresses applied to the spokes exacerbate the already high pretension. Thus, the risk of spoke breakage is very realistic.

In order to avoid such a high pre-tensioning of the spokes, it is not possible to use a screw-locking or self-locking glue in the coupling thread between the spokes and the hub to lock the spokes in order to prevent undesired rotation of the spokes, since the wheel brakes heat the hub even up to 300 ℃, especially in sport applications. This high temperature can damage the thread locking glue or in any case reduce its locking capacity.

It has therefore been considered necessary to provide a spoked wheel which does not require the pretensioning of the spokes with a high pretension value to prevent them from unscrewing, thus ensuring the locking of the spokes even at pretension values which are substantially lower than those required in the prior art.

Furthermore, it is considered necessary to prevent fragments of the spokes from being ejected at a very high speed in the event of collision breakage of the spokes.

In fact, when the spokes of the known wheel break in collision, the very high pretension on the spokes of the known wheel imparts a great kinetic energy to the fragments of the spokes, so that these fragments, like real projectiles, project out according to an uncontrollable trajectory, being able to penetrate obstacles or persons.

Accordingly, it is believed that there is a need to provide a spoked wheel structure that is capable of retaining any fragments of the spokes in the event of spoke breakage.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to propose and propose a spoked wheel structure which allows to satisfy the above-mentioned needs and which at least partially overcomes the drawbacks described above with reference to the prior art.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a spoked wheel structure which ensures a high degree of safety in use, overcoming the risk of the spokes coming loose and breaking.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spoked wheel construction that prevents loosening or unthreading of the spokes, while not requiring pretensioning of the spokes at very high pretension values.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a spoked wheel structure which ensures a high resistance to the spokes unscrewing or unthreading by a spoke tightening torque which is significantly lower than that required in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spoked wheel structure which ensures sufficient safety even in the event of some of the spokes breaking.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spoked wheel structure which allows to retain any fragments of the spokes in case of breakage of the spokes.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved by a spoked wheel structure as claimed.

Other objects, aspects and advantages are given in the embodiments described below and in the appended claims.

The spoked wheel structure according to the invention allows to ensure locking of the spokes while avoiding pre-tensioning of the spokes with a high tightening torque, thanks to the presence of a safety member applied in a corresponding spoke seat in the rim and pressing against the enlarged spoke heads of the spokes on the opposite side of the retaining surface abutting the arranged spoke heads themselves.

In other words, these safety members press the enlarged head against the retaining surface, thus increasing the friction against the retaining surface, which prevents the head from rotating. In other words, the locking of the spokes is not achieved by pulling the spoke head towards the retaining surface of the spoke base, but instead by pressing the safety member against the enlarged spoke head on the opposite side of the spoke stem.

Moreover, the presence of the safety member allows the spokes to be retained in the respective seats in the rim even when they break, thus avoiding high speed ejection of the spokes.

Thus, the presence of the safety member ensures a high degree of safety when using the spoke wheel structure according to the invention.

Drawings

The invention will be disclosed by describing some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an angled isometric view of a spoked wheel structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a partial front view of the spoke wheel structure shown in FIG. 1, wherein the safety member is shown separately from the base before installation, and wherein the area of the rim material near the corresponding spoke base is removed for presentation and is shown in phantom;

fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of fig. 2 close to the above-mentioned safety member;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the spoke structure shown in FIG. 1, taken along a section plane passing through the spoke axis;

fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the spoked wheel structure shown in fig. 1, taken along a section plane passing through the axis of rotation of the spoked wheel, with the tire shown in broken lines.

Detailed Description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a spoked wheel structure according to the invention is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1.

The spoke wheel structure 1 is intended for application in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a luxury vehicle or a sports car.

The spoke and wheel structure 1 comprises a rim 10, a hub 40 arranged centrally with respect to the rim 10, the rim 10 comprising a groove 19 for receiving a tyre 60, the hub 40 being for rotatably mounting with respect to a vehicle, and a plurality of wheel spokes 20 mounted and tensioned between said hub 40 and said rim 10.

Each wheel spoke 20 of the plurality of wheel spokes 20 defines a spoke proximal end 21 configured for securing to the hub 40 and an opposing spoke distal end 22 configured for securing to the rim 10.

Each wheel spoke 20 of the plurality of wheel spokes 20 includes: an elongated spoke bar 23 extending along the spoke axis R-R between the spoke proximal ends 21 and the spoke distal ends 22; and an enlarged spoke head 24 at the spoke distal ends 22.

The rim 10 includes a plurality of spoke-engaging seats 11, each of the seats 11 being configured to receive and retain the spoke distal ends 22 of a respective spoke 20 of the plurality of spokes.

Each of the spoke-engaging seats 11 comprises a through hole 12, the through hole 12 comprising: a first bore portion 13 configured to allow passage of the spoke shafts 23 of the respective spokes 20; a second bore portion 14 having a larger diameter than the first bore portion 13 and configured to allow passage of an enlarged spoke head 24 therethrough; a retaining surface 15 joining the first bore portion 13 with the second bore portion 14 and configured to retain the spoke head 24 in abutment with the enlarged spoke head 24 of the respective spoke 20 when the respective spoke 20 is pulled taut between the rim 10 and the hub 40.

The holding surface 15 is a surface substantially transverse to the axis of the through-hole 12. Preferably, the retaining surface 15 is configured to form an abutment undercut for the enlarged spoke head 24.

According to one embodiment, the shape of the retaining surface is complementary to the lower surface of the enlarged spoke head 24 facing the spoke shaft 23.

Thus, the insertion of the safety member 50 (described below) into the enlarged spoke head 24 creates greater locking friction between the spoke head 24 and the retaining surface 15, or between the lower surface of the spoke head 24 and the retaining surface 15.

The spoked wheel structure 1 comprises a plurality of safety members 50, each of said safety members 50 being engageable in a respective seat 11 of said plurality of spoke seats to press the enlarged spoked head 24 of said respective spoke 20 towards said retaining surface 15 by a thrust force applied along said spoke axis R-R and directed from said rim 10 towards said hub 40.

According to one embodiment, each of the safety members 50 is configured to be inserted into the second bore portion 14 until abutting the enlarged head 24 on the opposite side with respect to the elongated spoke bar 23 by placing the enlarged head 24 between the retaining surface 15 and the safety member 50.

In other words, the safety member 50 is configured to push the enlarged head 24 towards the retaining surface 15 to prevent the enlarged head 24 from rotating relative to the retaining surface 15.

According to an embodiment, each safety member 50 of said plurality of safety members comprises a friction pad 55 integral with said each safety member 50, intended to face the enlarged spoked head 24 and to be in contact pressing against the enlarged spoked head 24 to resist the rotation of the spoked head 24 with respect to said each safety member 50.

Thus, the friction pads help prevent the spokes 20 from unscrewing, creating static friction against the upper surface of the enlarged spoke head 24 facing away from the spoke shaft 23 and/or the lower surface of the spoke head 24.

According to one embodiment, the friction pad 55 comprises an elastomeric material.

According to an embodiment, each of the safety members 50 of the plurality of safety members and the second hole portion 14 of the respective spoke seat 11 includes a detachable engagement means 51, 16 for detachably engaging each of the safety members 50 in the second hole portion 14.

According to an embodiment, said detachable engagement means 51, 16 comprise: the external thread 51 of each safety member and the complementary internal thread 16 of the second hole portion 14 are configured to bring each safety member 50 close to the enlarged spoke head 24 by screwing each safety member 50 according to a predetermined screwing-in rotation direction.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the safety member comprises a body with an external thread, which has an insertion end face for pressing against the enlarged spoke head 24 and an opposite actuation end face for being turned to screw the safety member into or out of the seat 11.

The insertion end face may include a recess for receiving a portion of the friction pad 55 such that the friction pad 55 at least partially protrudes from the insertion end face.

According to an embodiment, a respective spoke 20 of said plurality of spokes comprises tensioning means able to tension the respective spoke 20 by rotating the spoke head 24 according to a predetermined tensioning rotation direction, and wherein the screwing rotation direction of each safety member 50 is opposite to the tensioning rotation direction of the respective spoke 20.

According to an embodiment, each spoke 20 is monolithic, the enlarged spoke head 24 being formed in one piece with the elongated spoke shaft 23, and wherein the elongated spoke shaft 23 has a free end 26 on the opposite side of the spoke head 24 (at the proximal spoke end 21) comprising an external thread complementary to a corresponding internal thread in the hub 40.

According to another embodiment (not shown in the figures), the enlarged spoke head 24 of each spoke 20 is separate from the spoke shaft 23 and is coupled to the spoke shaft 23 by a threaded coupling.

According to an embodiment, each safety member 50 of the plurality of safety members and the second hole portion 14 of the respective spoke base 11 includes a non-detachable engagement means, preferably selected from interference coupling (interference coupling), press-fitting (press-fitting), and bonding (bonding).

According to an embodiment, each safety member 50 of the plurality of safety members and the second hole portion 14 of the respective spoke seat 11 includes a resilient engagement means, preferably selected from the group consisting of a Seeger ring, a cotter pin.

According to an embodiment, said groove 19 for housing a tyre is configured to form, together with said tyre, a sealed chamber 61 of the tubeless type, and wherein said plurality of spokes 20 are connected to said rim 1 outside said sealed chamber.

According to an embodiment, the spoked wheel structure 1 further comprises a second plurality of spokes 30 mounted and tensioned between the hub 40 and the rim 10, wherein each spoke 30 of the plurality of spokes defines a proximal spoke end 31 and an opposite distal spoke end 32, the proximal spoke end 31 being configured to be fixed to the hub 40 and the distal spoke end 32 being configured to be fixed to the rim 10, wherein the second plurality of spokes 30 are connected to the rim 10 inside the sealing chamber 61, and wherein the spoked wheel structure 1 is free of safety features at each spoke 30 of the second plurality of spokes, and wherein the distal ends 32 of the spokes 30 of the second plurality of spokes are tightly sealed with respect to the slots 19.

A person skilled in the art may make changes and modifications to the described embodiments of the device or may substitute parts with other functionally equivalent parts in order to comply with the contingent requirements without departing from the scope of the following claims. All features described above as belonging to possible embodiments may be implemented irrespective of the other embodiments described.

The means and materials for carrying out the various described functions may be of different nature without departing from the scope of the invention.

All of the features described herein may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features are mutually exclusive.