Patent Application
20050269866
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of original equipment or aftermarket wheels for motor vehicles and, more particularly, to wheels which include at least partially transparent components.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide variety of wheel configurations are known from both original equipment manufacturers and after market sources for passenger cars and trucks, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and the like. There is a large and widely varied market for wheels coming either from an original equipment manufacturer or purchased as after market accessories to provide a vehicle with enhanced aesthetic characteristics. For example, consumers may purchase wheels having decorative covers, chrome finishings, wheel spinners, and/or modified spoke or hole patterns to provide a desired aesthetic appearance to the vehicle so provided.
Consumers also desire wheels provided either by the original manufacturer or as after market accessories that improve the performance of the vehicle. For example, consumers may desire wheels which are wider or larger in diameter to which lower profile tires may be fitted to provide improved handling response. Consumers also desire wheels which are of reduced weight to provide the vehicle with the significant advantage of reduced unsprung weight to improve handling response. Lower unsprung weight also improves ride comfort due to the reduced influence upon the vehicle of oscillatory inertial loads of the wheel and tire in contact with an uneven road surface.
Metal materials are typically employed for wheels due to their preferable material characteristics of ductility, fatigue resistance, resistance to absorption or loss of water, resistance to corrosion or other material degradation over time when properly treated or coated, and the ability to be machined or forged into desired shapes. However, metal as a material for wheels also has some inherent limitations for certain aesthetic features. For example, metal material is not able to conduct light being opaque and is thus limited to reflective optical effects for its aesthetic presentation. Metal is also relatively dense compared to other materials and thus metal-based wheels are generally heavier than comparably sized components made of alternative materials.
Thus, it will be appreciated that there is an unsatisfied need for wheel configurations offering aesthetic and weight advantages over solely metal-based wheel configurations. There is also an unsatisfied need for wheel designs which admit of optical effects which are not limited strictly to the reflective properties of the materials.
The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the invention which in one aspect is a multi-piece wheel assembly which includes structural components made of non-metallic materials. In one embodiment, the multi-piece wheel assembly comprises a metallic outer hoop to which a tire is fitted and a central, generally disk-shaped portion which is formed out a material which has a relatively large optical transmissibility. In one particular embodiment, the outer hoop comprises aluminum or magnesium alloy and the generally disk-shaped central portion is made of polycarbonate such that the central portion of the wheel assembly is substantially transparent.
In other embodiments, the central disk-shaped portion comprises a material which is substantially transparent however upon at least one surface of which the material is roughened or frosted to provide a more visibly apparent surface to the wheel. In other embodiments, at least one surface of the central disk portion is provided with a coating or finish, such as paint, powder coating, or chroming with the remainder of the material being substantially transparent such that the wheel assembly has both reflective and light-transmissive portions.
In certain embodiments, the wheel assembly is of a modular construction such that the central portion may be attached to a wide variety of outer hoops provided by different manufacturers or sources. In certain embodiments, the wheel assembly also comprises a mounting adapter which can be configured for a wide variety of different bolt patterns and wheel offset to allow the wheel assembly to be fitted to a wide variety of vehicles.
The multi-piece wheel assembly comprising non-metallic components is significantly lighter than known wheel configurations as well as offering significant strength and toughness advantages. In particular embodiments wherein the central portion comprises polycarbonate, the material is resistant to high temperatures far in excess of what would typically be encountered in normal vehicle environments as well as being of high strength to resist bending, cracking, breaking, or fatigue from repeated stress.
Thus, one embodiment comprises a motor vehicle comprising one or more wheel assemblies wherein the wheel assemblies comprise a centrally arranged, planar structural component wherein structural support properties of the centrally arranged component are substantially provided by at least partially transparent materials.
Another embodiment comprises a wheel for motor vehicles comprising an annular outer rim portion configured for fitting of a tire at an outer contour thereof and defining an inner circumference and a planar central portion attached to the inner circumference wherein the central portion comprises at least partially transparent structural material. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The wheel assembly 100, 200 comprises a generally annular rim portion 102, 202 of circular cross-section. In certain embodiments, the rim portion 102 is of a one piece construction and in other embodiments, the rim portion 202 comprises multiple pieces which are joined together to form the rim portion 202. The rim portions 102, 202 preferably comprise a metal alloy, such as an aluminum, steel, and/or magnesium alloy to provide strength, toughness, ductility, and machinability. The rim portions 102, 202 are configured for mounting of conventional tires and thus define outer contours 103, 203 (
The wheel assembly 100, 200 also comprise an at least partially transparent central portion arranged inside the inner circumference of the rim portion 102, 202. The central portion 104, 204 comprises a generally planar circular member which is arranged within the inner circumference of the rim portion 102, 202 and approximately centrally located axially therein. The central portion 104, 204 comprises a relatively high strength and optically transparent plastic material and in certain preferred embodiments, comprises polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is also commonly known under the trademark name, Lexan. Depending upon the requirements of particular applications, certain embodiments comprise polycarbonate which is processed for improved mechanical and/or machining properties with partially degraded optical characteristics. In other embodiments, the central portion 104, 204 comprises polycarbonate having enhanced optical clarity with slightly reduced mechanical properties. In certain embodiments, the polycarbonate can be reinforced with glass or other reinforcing fibers.
Depending upon the strength and size requirements of a particular wheel assembly 100, 200 for a given application, the thickness of the central portion 104, 204 can range from fractions of an inch up to approximately 2 inches. In certain embodiments, the material properties of the central portion 104, 204 comprising one or more types of polycarbonate, provide particular material and functional advantages as compared to conventional materials utilized for wheels. For example, in certain embodiments, the central portions 104, 204 comprising polycarbonate, have a density of between 1.2 and 1.4 g/cm3. As a comparison, conventional materials such as magnesium, aluminum, and steel alloys have densities ranging from approximately 1.8 to 7.9 g/cm3. Thus, embodiments of the central portion 104, 204 have significantly lower density than conventional materials offering significant weight savings for embodiments of the wheel assembly 100, 200. Embodiments of the central portion 104, 204 comprising polycarbonate have a useful working temperature range of approximately −40° C. to 240° C. which encompasses operating conditions for common personal automobiles or other motor vehicles. An additional advantage of embodiments of central portion 104, 204 comprising polycarbonate are electrically insulating characteristics as polycarbonates has a dielectric strength of approximately 400 V/mil or a volume resistivity of approximately 1016 Ω-cm.
In certain embodiments, the central portion 104, 204 is generally planar presenting a smooth, flat surface. This contributes to unique optical characteristics of the wheel assemblies 100, 200 which will be described in greater detail below and which are not readily feasible with strictly metallic based wheels. The central portion 104, 204 is also materially continuous in a circumferential extend while retaining optical transparency. For example, in certain embodiments, the central portions 104, 204 lack spoke or reinforcing rib arrangements but rather have a substantially uniform thickness circumferentially at a given radial distance from the center and are materially and thus structurally continuous. Known wheels may have gaps between spokes or various voids between ribs or structural members through which light can pass, but with material discontinuities or absences which do not contribute to the structural strength of those wheels.
The rim portion 102, 202 is attached to the central portion 104, 204 in a variety of embodiments. For example, in one embodiment as illustrated in
In this embodiment, the wheel assembly 100 also comprises a mounting adaptor 110 which is configured to facilitate mounting the wheel assembly 100 to a motor vehicle. In one particular embodiment, the mounting adaptor 110 comprises a generally planar circular member and is formed of metal, phenolic, plastic, or other relatively high strength machinable material. In this embodiment, the mounting adaptor 110 also comprises a centrally positioned mounting opening 124 which is configured to receive a central spindle shaft of the vehicle such that the wheel assembly 100 can be secured to the vehicle via a spin-on fastener of conventional type or any other type of known attachment device.
The mounting adaptor 110 also comprises a plurality of openings 116 which are aligned with corresponding openings 120 in the central portion 104. A corresponding plurality of connectors 122 can thus be applied to attach the mounting adaptor 110 to the central portion 104 and thus to the wheel assembly 100. In this embodiment, various configurations of the mounting adaptor 110 can be attached to the central portion 104 of the wheel assembly 100 to enable the wheel assembly 100 to be attached to a variety of configurations of individual motor vehicles. This provides additional flexibility for the utilization of the wheel assembly 100 as different mounting adaptors 110 can be used to allow the wheel assemblies 100 to be fitted to a variety of different vehicles.
In a second embodiment of the wheel assembly 200, the rim portion 202 also comprises a pair of opposed mounting flanges 208A and 208B, however, is of a one piece configuration. In this embodiment, the rim portion 202 is partially expanded or splayed open to a C shape to provide clearance for insertion of the central portion 204 within the opposed mounting flanges 208A and 208B. The rim portion 202 is then closed such that opposed ends of the rim portion 202 are brought into adjacency. The joint 205 is formed to seal the rim portion 202 to form a closed annular structure and so as to form the friction fit 206 between the rim portion 202 and the central portion 204.
In these embodiments, the wheel assembly 200 comprises a plurality of mounting openings 210 which are arranged in a circular pattern of a centerline of the wheel assembly 200. The mounting openings 210 are also formed in a pattern to mate with corresponding wheel studs 212 of the vehicle such that the wheel assembly 200 can be attached to the vehicle by a corresponding plurality of lug nuts 214 which are secured to the ends of the wheel studs 212.
Thus, in these embodiments, the joint 205 can comprise a circumferentially extending joint between multiple rim portions 202A and 202B which are joined at the joint 205 to form the rim portion 202 and in yet other embodiments, the joint 205 is an axially extending joining of opposed ends of a one piece rim portion 202.
In certain embodiments, the wheel assemblies 100, 200 can also comprise one or more light sources 222. In the embodiment illustrated in
The light will also be at least partially reflected off of the opaque finish 220 and out of the central portion 204 as indicated by the designation L. Thus, the light sources 222 can provide novel optical or aesthetic characteristics to the wheel assemblies 100, 200 particularly in low light conditions which are not achievable with conventional wheel assemblies comprising strictly opaque components. In this embodiment, the light from the light sources 222 is conducted to a central portion 204 via corresponding light openings 224 formed in the rim portion 202. The light sources 222 and corresponding light openings 224 are preferably formed symmetrically about the circumference of the wheel assembly 200 for improved rotational balance characteristics of the wheel assembly 100, 200.
The rim portions 302A and 302B also together define a receiving area 306 configured to receive a peripheral or circumferential edge of a transparent central wheel portion 304. It will be appreciated that any of a number of different ways of attaching the central portion 304 to the rim 302 can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention including attaching the flange of
In this embodiment, the wheel assembly 300 further comprises one or more wheel bearings 312 which are attached to a central portion of the transparent central portion 304. The one or more wheel bearings 312 are configured to receive and be supported by a wheel axle or the motorcycle such that the wheel assembly 300 can freely rotate about the wheel axle yet is restrained against axial movement with respect thereto. In this embodiment, the wheel assembly 300 also comprises one or more brake rotor mounts 316 which are positioned on either or both sides of the wheel bearings 312. Together, the wheel bearings 312 and one or more brake rotors 316 together define a mounting assembly 320 having a mounting opening 314 through which the wheel axle of the motorcycle can pass to mount the wheel assembly 300 to the vehicle.
A plurality of openings 112 are formed in the inner and outer hoops 160, 162 which are aligned with corresponding openings 113 in the transparent structural member. A corresponding plurality of outer bolts 166 and mating outer nuts 170 are passed through the openings 112 and 133 and threaded together to interconnect the inner hoop 160, the outer hoop 162, and the transparent structural member 164.
The wheel assembly 400 also comprises a hub plate 172. The hub plate 172 is configured to mate with a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the hub plate 172 comprises metal or other materials adapted to inhibit heat transfer to the wheel assembly 400. The hub plate 172 is also provided in an appropriate thickness to provide the correct wheel offset for a given application in combination with the applicable vehicle.
The hub plate 172 also comprises a plurality of threaded openings 173 arranged in a generally circular or circumferential pattern. The transparent structural member 164 comprises a corresponding plurality of openings 120 in a central mounting region 175 which are aligned with the threaded openings 173. A plurality of hub plate bolts 174 can then be passed through the openings 120 and threaded into engagement with the threaded openings 173 such that the hub plate 172 is removably attached to the transparent structural member 164. In this embodiment, the wheel assembly 400 also comprises a central opening 124 in the transparent structural member 164. The central opening 124 provides clearance, for example for a wheel bearing grease cap, as well as a mounting opening for trim or decorative components. In certain embodiments, a light source 134 a corresponding battery 136 can be fitted within the central opening 124.
The wheel assembly 400 offers the advantage of modular construction. For example, the hub plate 172 can be removed and replaced with another hub plate 172 having a different thickness to provide an adjustable offset for the wheel assembly 400. One or both of the inner hoop 160 and/or outer hoop 162 can also be detached and replaced with another inner and/or outer hoop 160, 162 to adjust the width of the wheel assembly 400 with out replacing the entire assembly. Similarly, the transparent structural member 164 can also be exchanged for another transparent structural member 164 with, or without, or having a different type of opaque finish 130 to adjust the optical characteristics of the wheel assembly 400 to suit the desired requirements.
As can be seen in the figures, the multi-piece wheel assembly comprises an outer hoop to which the tire mates. The outer hoop can be provided in a wide variety of dimensions both of width and diameter for fitment to tires for use in vehicles ranging from small motor scooters or go-carts up to relatively large commercial vehicles, aircraft, and construction equipment. The outer hoop can be of one or multi-piece construction and in some embodiments comprises aluminum alloy, however in other embodiments comprises magnesium or steel alloys, or other metallic and /or non-metallic materials.
In general, embodiments comprising a single-piece outer hoop which is for example cast or forged, tends to generally be less expensive to manufacture. Embodiments in which the outer hoop is a multi-piece assembly, tends generally to be of lighter weight.
The multi-piece wheel assembly also comprises a generally disk-shaped central portion which is joined to the outer hoop, in this embodiment, in a modular manner via a plurality of fasteners positioned about the periphery of the central portion to fix the central portion to the outer hoop. In these embodiments, the central portion is fastened to the outer hoop via a plurality of fasteners comprising, for example high-strength rivets or threaded fasteners. However, in other embodiments, the central portion can be joined to a separate outer hoop via clenching, adhesives, and/or welding, depending upon the materials used.
In this embodiment, the multi-piece wheel assembly also comprises a mounting adapter which is connected to the central portion and which is configured for attachment of the multi-piece wheel assembly to a particular vehicle. The mounting adaptor can be configured to have a bolt pattern and number to match a given bolt pattern and number of a particular vehicle as well as to have an offset to match the dimensions and indicated suspension requirements of the particular vehicle. In certain embodiments, the mounting adapter is removably attachable to the central portion such that different mounting adapters can be fitted to a given multi-piece wheel assembly to allow the same wheel assembly to be fitted to multiple vehicles. This aspects offers cost savings to a consumer by allowing the consumer to transfer a set of the multi-piece wheels to another vehicle upon purchase, trade, or sale.
In this embodiment, the central portion comprises polycarbonate material of a thickness generally from approximately half an inch to two inches wherein the thickness can be desirably selected to provide appropriate strength characteristics depending on the size and intended usage of the multi-piece wheel assembly while offering significant weight advantages compared to wheels of conventional construction. In this embodiment, the central portion comprises polycarbonate which is substantially transparent and which in this embodiment is provided with a smooth or polished finish on exterior surfaces such that the central portion of the multi-piece wheel assembly is substantially transparent. Thus, in this embodiment, decorative or other lighting may be provided behind the wheel which can readily transmit through the central portion of the wheel assembly for viewing from the outside. In other embodiments, the central portion may be roughened or frosted on one or more sides to provide regions which provide a relatively opaque reflective surface as well as portions which are substantially transparent again such that light may pass through at least a portion of the material of the multi-piece wheel assembly in a relatively unimpeded manner. In other embodiments, one or more sides of the central portion may be provided with a coating, such as paint, powder coating, and/or chroming in a colored or generally colorless manner again to provide optical characteristics for the multi-piece wheel assembly not possible with an all metal construction of strictly opaque material.
In these embodiments, the outer hoop and mounting adapter are provided as separate pieces and comprise metallic material, such as steel, aluminum, magnesium alloys, or other metals with the central portion being provided in a generally transparent, non-metallic material. In these embodiments, the regions of the multi-piece wheel assembly defined by the mounting adapter and outer hoop are mated to portions of the vehicle or other components which are materially opaque. In particular, the mounting adapter attaches to the wheel hub of the vehicle which typically comprises a metallic, ceramic, or carbon-based brake rotor or drum, metallic bearing components, and metallic wheel mounting studs. Similarly, the outer hoop mates to the tire made of opaque rubber, synthetic fibers, steel, and other materials which occlude visibility through the materials. Thus, the mounting adapter and outer hoop do not significantly restrict the otherwise light-transmissive properties of the multi-piece wheel assembly as they are in adjacency with structures or components which are themselves opaque. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, these portions of the wheel assembly can also be provided in a non-metallic material, such as polycarbonate such that in certain embodiments, substantially all of the wheel assembly comprises non-metallic components. In particular embodiments, the wheel assembly may comprise a substantially single-piece integral wheel assembly comprising non-metallic material, such as the previously described polycarbonate.
It will also be appreciated that while in these embodiments, the central portion of the wheel assembly is substantially and materially continuous, in other embodiments the central portion and/or the outer hoop can be machined, cut, or etched both to remove material for reduced weight as well as to provide a desired aesthetic appearance.
Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has shown, described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated, as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/577,346 filed Jun. 3, 2004 entitled “MULTI-PIECE WHEEL WITH NON-METALLIC COMPONENTS” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60577346 | Jun 2004 | US |
