Abstract:
A vehicle wheel including a center section integrally formed with a rear rim half by a method including the steps of drawing, forming and stamping a first lightweight metal alloy bank. A front rim half is drawn, formed and stamped from a second blank and is attached to the front rim half. A drop comprising excess material from the second blank is used to form an additional part or parts of the wheel.
Abstract:
A composite wheel for use at normal tire pressures as well as at reduced tire pressures may include a spoke section with a mating surface, a barrel section in contact with the spoke section at said mating surface, and a bead hump with tire lock geometry on at least the spoke section. The barrel section may further include a bead hump with the tire lock geometry.
Abstract:
A wheel assembly in accordance with various embodiments for use with an aircraft can include an inner surface, a first lug extending into an area defined by the inner surface and a heat shield configured to be coupled to the first lug. The wheel assembly can also include a gasket configured to be positioned between the inner surface and the heat shield and to remain in place relative to the first lug in response to rotation of the wheel assembly relative to the aircraft.
Abstract:
A take-apart vehicle wheel assembly includes an inner wheel part defining an axis and including a generally radially extending annular flange having an outboard surface; an outer wheel part configured to be secured to the inner wheel part, the outer wheel part including a generally radially extending annular flange having an inboard surface; a gap defined between the outboard surface of the inner wheel part and the inboard surface of the outer wheel part in an area adjacently surrounding each of a plurality of stud receiving holes formed in the inner and outer wheel parts; and a seal disposed in the gap; wherein the gap is formed by providing a recess in at least one of the outboard surface of the inner wheel part and the inboard surface of the outer wheel part in at least a portion of the area adjacently surrounding each of the plurality of stud receiving holes formed therein.
Abstract:
In an automobile wheel, a surface-side flange is provided on an outer circumferential edge of a wheel disk. The surface-side flange includes: a surface-side annular circumferential portion on an aesthetic surface; and a back-side annular circumferential portion that is formed continuously with, and on the back side of, the surface-side annular circumferential portion and that is thinner than the surface-side annular circumferential portion. An inner circumferential end of the back-side annular circumferential portion of the surface-side flange and an opening end of a surface-side bead seat of a wheel rim are welded together all along their circumferences. The automobile wheel allows the back-side annular circumferential portion of the surface-side flange to bear a stress that acts on a weld area. This relaxes the stress concentration on the weld area.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wheel, particularly for use on automotive vehicles. The wheel has a wheel rim and a wheel disc connectable to each other. The method includes shaping the wheel disc, shaping the wheel rim, manufacturing the wheel disc to form a first centering element and manufacturing the wheel rim to form a second centering element. The centering elements allow the wheel disc and the wheel rim to be connectable to each other via the first and second centering elements in a centered or concentric way.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a wheel cover and a vehicle wheel including such a wheel cover. The method for producing the vehicle wheel cover comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tooling fixture including at least a first tooling member and a second tooling member; (b) providing a wheel cover having at least a preformed outer end; (c) positioning the wheel cover onto the tooling fixture wherein the wheel cover is supported on the first tooling member and spaced apart from the second tooling member; (d) actuating the tooling fixture whereby the second tooling member is operative to engage and reshape the outer end of the wheel cover to produce a desired outer end shape; and (e) removing the wheel cover from the tooling fixture.
Abstract:
An automotive wheel assembly that has a smooth, flush or continuous, transition surface between an outer wheel barrel and an inner wheel barrel, to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the automotive wheel is fabricated by a modification to the wheel design, construction, assembly and/or finishing process to impart a uniform aesthetic appearance throughout the inner and outer barrels of the wheel and a seamless transition, or “endless lip effect,” between the inner and outer barrels of the wheel. Various embodiments of the design incorporate one-piece, two-piece and three-piece automotive wheel assemblies.
Abstract:
A laterally installing wheel including a rim in which a rim main portion and a side ring are disconnectably coupled to each other at a coupling portion of the rim main portion and the side ring, wherein the coupling portion is constructed such that a gap between the rim main portion and the side ring is inconspicuous from outside in the axial direction of the wheel. The coupling portion is provided at an axially inner portion of the rim. In a case where the coupling portion is provided at an axially outer portion of the rim, the coupling portion is located at an inconspicuous portion.