Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a three piece aluminum wheel assembly comprising the steps of providing a pair of circular blanks made of a heat treatable alloy to be formed into preforms of a general shape. The preforms are subjected to a quenching step in an unconstrained condition to allow for natural thermal deformation during the quenching operation. The as quenched preforms are then subjected to a first forming operation using spin forming to remove the effects of the thermal deformation in the preform, followed by a second forming step using spin forming to shape the component to its desired final shape. The components are then exposed to precipitation heating and finishing to yield the final product.
Abstract:
A valve stem installation system includes a robotic arm for moving a valve stem insertion device around the lip of wheel. The system also includes a pair of valve stem aperture sensors positioned on the robotic arm adjacent the valve stem insertion device and moveable around the lip of the wheel. The sensors can be positioned on opposite sides of the valve stem insertion device. When the first sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic can be slowed. When the second sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be stopped. The conveyor unit can include an identification station to sense the configuration of the wheel. A controller can select the appropriate valve stem to insert in the valve stem aperture in response to the sensed configuration of the wheel.
Abstract:
A rim material having a non-uniform thickness, a rim manufactured from the rim material, and a method for manufacturing the rim from the rim material. The rim material includes a first material portion which forms an axially curved portion of the rim after the rim material is formed to the rim and a second material portion which forms an intermediate portion between adjacent axially curved portions after the rim material is formed to the rim. The first material portion has a thick parallel-surface portion including opposite surfaces parallel to each other. The parallel-surface portion has a width greater than a maximum amount of an axial dislocation of the parallel-surface portion expected to occur when the parallel-surface portion is formed to a corresponding curved portion. The second material portion has a thickness varying portion. The thickness varying portion includes a surface having a configuration defined by a line including a straight line and/or a slightly curved line.
Abstract:
The present invention provides wheel manufacturing method comprising a pressing step in which a primary molded product having a cylindrical shape with a bottom in which a flange part that extends to the outside is disposed on the open side end part is manufactured, a working step in which a secondary molded product is obtained by cutting away the bottom part of the abovementioned primary molded product, and a spinning step in which, the secondary worked product is fit over and fastened to a rotating jig, a rim flange molding roller is pressed against the end part of the flange part while the secondary worked product is rotated together with the rotating jig, so that the flange part is gradually molded into the shape of a rim flange part, and the flange part is subsequently subjected to an angular adjustment to an appropriate angle to mold a rim flange part.
Abstract:
Pneumatic tires adapted to use on bicycles have a number of criteria that need to be evaluated. For high performance bicycle riding, such as in mountain bike races, it is advantageous to optimize performance. Standard tires with tubes have ease of repair in the replacement of a punctured tube, have the ability to maintain pressure for long periods, and do not require special adaptation of the rim for sealing.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a wheel rim made from a light alloy, such as an aluminium-based alloy, comprising a front face (10) and a tyre tread (20) which are welded together. The inventive method of producing the wheel rim (J) comprises the following steps: moulding of the front face (10) with a light alloy; provision of a weldable alloy strip with structural hardening; curving of said strip to produce a generally cylindrical shape; welding of the ends in relation to the curved strip with fusion of the strip material; forming of the strip by necking and/or spinning in order to form the tyre tread (20); and welding of the front face and the tyre tread to one another.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a wheel rim for a motor vehicle comprises the steps of a strip of aluminum alloy sheet material having a predetermined cross-section suitable for forming into a wheel rim by extrusion molding, pressing the strip step-by-step lengthwise by an upper mold and a lower mold having complimentary profiles for causing the strip to have predetermined profiles as a hoop with a formed gap between the both ends, welding the gap to form an unfinished wheel rim, and annealing, shaping, heat treating, and polishing the unfinished wheel rim to form a finished wheel rim.