The present disclosure relates to vehicle wheels and methods of making vehicle wheels.
Vehicle wheels comprising undesired mass distributions can causes vibrations and/or poor fuel mileage during operation of a vehicle. To correct the undesired mass distributions, wheel weights can be added to regions of the vehicle wheels in order to balance the vehicle wheels. Additionally, the mass of the vehicle wheels can affect the fuel mileage of the vehicle. Designing vehicle wheels to accept wheel weights and achieve desirable fuel mileage of a vehicle presents challenges.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle wheel is provided. The vehicle wheel comprises a generally annular first region, a second region, and a flange region. The first region comprises an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end. The second region extends radially inwardly from the first region, and the second region is configured to mount to a vehicle axle. The flange region extends from the first region. The flange region comprises a first flange end adjacent to the first end of the first region, a second flange end, and a curved elongate portion extending intermediate the first flange end and the second flange end. The curved elongate portion comprises a first thickness no greater than 0.3 inches and a second thickness greater than 0.3. The vehicle wheel comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle wheel is provided. The vehicle wheel comprises a generally annular first region, a second region, a first flange region, and a second flange region. The first region comprises an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end. The second region extends radially inwardly from the first region adjacent to the first end of the first region. The second region is configured to mount to a vehicle axle. The first flange region extends from the first region. The first flange region comprises a first flange end adjacent to the first end of the first region, a second flange end, and a first curved elongate portion extending intermediate the first flange end and the second flange end. The first curved elongate portion comprises a first thickness no greater than 0.3 inches and a second thickness greater than 0.3 inches. The second flange region extends from the first region, opposite the first flange region. The second flange region comprises a third flange end adjacent to the second end of the first region, a fourth flange end, and a second curved elongate portion extending intermediate the third flange end and the fourth flange end. The second curved elongate portion comprises a third thickness no greater than 0.3 inches and a fourth thickness greater than 0.3 inches. The vehicle wheel comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of making a vehicle wheel is provided. The method comprises providing a vehicle wheel by a method comprising at least one of forming, curing, forging, casting, and additive manufacturing. The vehicle wheel comprises at least one of metal and a metal alloy. The vehicle wheel comprises a generally annular first region, a second region, and a flange region. The first region comprises an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end. The second region extends radially inwardly from the first region, and the second region is configured to mount to a vehicle axle. The flange region extends from the first region. The flange region comprises a first flange end adjacent to the first end of the first region, a second flange end, and a curved elongate portion extending intermediate the first flange end and the second flange end. The curved elongate portion comprises a first thickness no greater than 0.3 inches and a second thickness greater than 0.3 inches. The vehicle wheel comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
It is understood that the inventions disclosed and described in this specification are not limited to the aspects summarized in this Summary. The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, upon considering the following detailed description of various non-limiting and non-exhaustive aspects according to this specification.
The features and advantages of the examples, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent, and the examples will be better understood, by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate certain embodiments, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims in any manner.
Various embodiments are described and illustrated herein to provide an overall understanding of the structure, function, and use of the disclosed articles and methods. The various embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Thus, an invention is not limited by the description of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims. The features and characteristics illustrated and/or described in connection with various embodiments may be combined with the features and characteristics of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this specification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any features or characteristics expressly or inherently described in, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported by, this specification. Further, Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmatively disclaim features or characteristics that may be present in the prior art. The various embodiments disclosed and described in this specification can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the features and characteristics as variously described herein.
Any references herein to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or like phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or like phrases in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present embodiments.
In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in all instances by the term “about,” in which the numerical parameters possess the inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter described herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Also, any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Also, all ranges recited herein are inclusive of the end points of the recited ranges. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes the end points 1 and 10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited. All such ranges are inherently described in this specification.
The grammatical articles “a,” “an,” and “the,” as used herein, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more,” unless otherwise indicated, even if “at least one” or “one or more” is expressly used in certain instances. Thus, the foregoing grammatical articles are used herein to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to “at least one”) of the particular identified elements. Further, the use of a singular noun includes the plural and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise.
As used herein, a referenced element or region that is “intermediate” two other elements or regions means that the referenced element/region is disposed between, but is not necessarily in contact with, the two other elements/regions. Accordingly, for example, a referenced element that is “intermediate” a first element and a second element may or may not be immediately adjacent to or in contact with the first and/or second elements, and other elements may be disposed between the referenced element and the first and/or second elements.
Typically, different wheel weights are used to balance different vehicle wheel types (e.g., sizes, materials). For example, a wheel weight used to balance a steel vehicle wheel may be different than a wheel weight used to balance an aluminum vehicle wheel. Stocking multiple varieties of wheels weights can be costly, and determining which of the variety of wheel weights to use on a particular vehicle wheel can be time consuming. Additionally, the inventors of the present disclosure discovered the flange regions of vehicle wheels can be susceptible to gutter cracks and wear that can result in a failure of the vehicle wheel or a tire mounted to the vehicle wheel. Accordingly, vehicle wheels and methods of making vehicle wheels are provided herein that can include a mounting feature accepting a wheel weight common to various types and/or sizes of wheels (e.g., an I7 series wheel weight 550 as illustrated in
Additionally, a sturdy vehicle wheel can be heavy, which can reduce vehicle mileage and increase vehicle fuel costs. According to the present disclosure, a vehicle wheel is provided that can comprise a sturdy structure suitable to support a load carried by the vehicle and which has a decreased mass relative to certain conventional vehicle wheels. The decreased mass can result in fuel savings while operating the vehicle.
The first region 102 can comprise a nominal rim width and a nominal rim diameter adapted to receive a tire. In various non-limiting embodiments, the first region 102 can comprise a nominal rim width, w, in a range of 1 inch (2.54 mm) to 100 inches (2540 mm), such as, for example, 6 inches (152.4 mm) to 24 inches (609.6 mm), or 6 inches (152.4 mm) to 12 inches (304.8 mm). For example, and without limitation, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the nominal rim width, w, of the first region 102 can be 8.25 inches (209.6 mm) or 11 inches (279.4 mm).
In various non-limiting embodiments, the first region 102 can comprise a nominal rim diameter, d1, in a range of 1 inch (2.54 mm) to 200 inches (5080 mm), such as, for example, 14 inches (406.4 mm) to 25 inches (635 mm), or 19 inches (482.6 mm) to 25 inches (635 mm). For example, and without limitation, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the nominal rim diameter, d1, of the first region 102 can be 22.5 inches (571.5 mm) or 24.5 inches (622.3 mm).
In various embodiments, the first region 102 can comprise a valve stem mount (not shown). The valve stem mount can be configured to receive a valve stem in order to control gas transport into and out of a tire mounted on the tire mount 128.
The second region 112 can extend radially inwardly from the first region 102. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the second region 112 is integral with and extends radially inwardly from the inner surface 106 of the first region 102. In various non-limiting embodiments, the second region 112 extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 106 of the first region 102. The second region 112 can comprise a first surface 114, a second surface 116, and an opening 118 extending from the first surface 114 to the second surface 116.
The second region 112 can be configured to mount to a vehicle axle (not shown). For example, the opening 118 can be configured to receive at least a portion of a hub of the vehicle axle. Additionally, a hub surface 120 of the second region 112 can be configured to engage the hub of the vehicle axle and facilitate alignment of the vehicle wheel 100 with the hub of the vehicle axle. In various non-limiting embodiments, the hub surface 120 can comprise a pilot bore suitable to engage a pilot tab of the hub of the vehicle axle.
In various non-limiting embodiments, the second region 112 can comprise at least two bores 124 extending from the first surface 114 to the second surface 116. Each of the at least two bores 124 can be configured to receive a stud on a hub of a vehicle axle. Center points of each of bores 124 can be disposed evenly about a mounting circle. In various non-limiting embodiments, the mounting circle has a center common with the second region 112. In various non-limiting embodiments, the mounting circle can comprise a diameter, d2, in a range of 1 inch (25.4 mm) to 15 inches (381 mm). For example, the diameter, d2, can be 11.25 inches (285.75 mm). In various non-limiting embodiments, each bore 124 can have a diameter in a range of 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) to 2 inches (50.8 mm). For example, each bore 124 can have a diameter of 1.023 inches (26 mm). In various non-limiting embodiments, the second region 112 can comprise ten bores 124.
In various non-limiting embodiments, the second region 112 can comprise at least two peripheral openings 126 disposed about a periphery 112a of the second region 112 and proximal to the first region 102. The at least two peripheral openings 126 can reduce a weight of the vehicle wheel 100. In various non-limiting embodiments, the second region 112 can comprise ten peripheral openings 126. In various non-limiting embodiments, the peripheral openings 126 can be disposed about the second region 112 offset from the bores 124, as illustrated in
Referring to
Referring again to
Similarly, referring to
The inner radii of curvature, r1 and r3, can be at least 0.3 inches (7.62 mm), such as, for example, at least 0.35 inches (8.89 mm) or at least 0.4 inches (10.16 mm). In various non-limiting embodiments, the inner radii of curvature, r1 and r3, can be no greater than 0.5 inches (12.7 mm), such as, for example, no greater than 0.4 inches (10.16 mm) or no greater than 0.35 inches (8.89 mm). In certain non-limiting embodiments, the inner radii of curvature, r1 and r3, can be in a range of 0.3 inches (7.62 mm) to 0.5 inches (12.7 mm), such as, for example, in a range of 0.35 inches (8.89 mm) to 0.4 inches (10.16 mm).
The outer radii of curvature, r2 and r4, can be at least 0.4 inches (10.16 mm), such as, for example, at least 0.45 inches (11.43 mm) or at least 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). In various non-limiting embodiments, the outer radii of curvature, r2 and r4, can be no greater than 0.6 inches (15.24 mm), such as, for example, no greater than 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) or no greater than 0.45 inches (11.43 mm). In certain non-limiting embodiments, the outer radii of curvature, r2 and r4, can be in a range of 0.4 inches (10.16 mm) to 0.6 inches (15.24 mm), such as, for example, in a range of 0.45 inches (11.43 mm) to 0.6 inches (15.24 mm). In various non-limiting embodiments, the outer radius of curvature, r2, can be greater than the inner radius of curvature, r1, and the outer radius of curvature, r4, can be greater than the inner radius of curvature, r3.
As discussed herein, the thickness of the curved elongate portions 136 and 146 can vary along their lengths. Referring to
The thicknesses, t1 and t3, can be no greater than 0.3 inches (7.62 mm), such as, for example, no greater than 0.25 inches (6.35 mm), no greater than 0.2 inches (5.08 mm), or no greater than 0.1 inches (2.54 mm). In various non-limiting embodiments, the thicknesses, t1 and t3, can be at least 0.05 inches (1.27 mm), such as, for example, at least 0.1 inches (2.54 mm), at least 0.2 inches (5.08 mm), or at least 0.25 inches (6.35 mm). In certain non-limiting embodiments, the thicknesses, t1 and t3, can be in a range of 0.05 inches (1.27 mm) to 0.3 inches (7.62 mm), such as for example, 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) to 0.3 inches (7.62 mm).
In various non-limiting embodiments, the thicknesses, t2 and t4, can be at least 0.3 inches (7.62 mm), such as, for example, at least 0.35 inches (8.89 mm), at least 0.4 inches (10.16 mm), or at least 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). The thicknesses, t2 and t4, can be no greater than 0.7 inches (17.78 mm), such as, for example, no greater than 0.5 inches (12.7 mm), no greater than 0.4 inches (10.16 mm), or no greater than 0.35 inches (8.89 mm). In certain non-limiting embodiments, the thicknesses, t2 and t4, can be in a range of greater than 0.03 inches (7.62 mm) to 0.7 inches (17.78 mm), such as for example, 0.35 inches (8.89 mm) to 0.5 inches (12.7 mm).
Referring again to
Referring to
Referring again to
In various non-limiting embodiments, each angle, α1-α4, can be at least 20 degrees, such as, for example, at least 30 degrees. In various non-limiting embodiments, each angle, α1-α4, can be no greater than 40 degrees, such as, for example, no greater than 30 degrees. In certain non-limiting embodiments, each angle, α1-α4, can be in a range of 20 degrees to 40 degrees.
Referring to
In various non-limiting embodiments of vehicle wheel 100, flange regions 130 and 140 can be less rigid than a typical vehicle wheel flange region, which can reduce forceful contact between a tire mounted on the vehicle wheel 100 and the flange regions 130 and 140, resulting in a reduction in the formation of gutter cracks and/or reduced wear on the flange regions 130 and 140.
One or more wheel weights can be installed on the vehicle wheel according to the present disclosure. An operator can determine the desired wheel weight for an application by inspecting the flange region 130 or 140 that will receive the wheel weight. For example, referring to
In various embodiments, vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can be, for example, at least one of a bonded wheel, a welded wheel, a formed wheel (e.g., vacuum formed), a cured wheel, a cast wheel, a forged wheel, and an additively manufactured wheel. For example, the vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can be forged wheels. In various embodiments, the flanged portions of the vehicle wheel are not formed by rolling. For example, the flanged portions of the vehicle wheels can be formed by forging. The vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure may have been subjected to further processing to provide the final vehicle wheel, such as, for example, a lathe procedure.
In various non-limiting embodiments, the vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can weigh at least 10 pounds (lbs.) (4.5 kg), such as, for example, at least 25 lbs. (11.3 kg), at least 35 lbs. (15.9 kg), or at least 40 lbs. (18.1 kg). In some embodiments, the vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can weigh no greater than 50 lbs. (22.7 kg), such as, for example, no greater than 40 lbs. (18.1 kg), no greater than 35 lbs. (15.9 kg), no greater than 25 lbs. (11.3 kg), or no greater than 10 lbs. (4.5 kg). In some embodiments, the vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can weigh in a range of 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) to 50 lbs. (22.7 kg), such as, for example, 25 lbs. (11.3 kg) to 40 lbs. (18.1 kg).
In various non-limiting embodiments, the load rating of vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can be at least 1,000 pounds (lbs.) (453.6 kg), such as, for example, at least 5,000 lbs. (2268 kg), at least 9,000 lbs. (4082.3 kg), at least 10,000 lbs. (4535.92 kg), at least 13,000 lbs. (5896.7 kg), or at least 15,000 lbs. (6803.89 kg). In various non-limiting embodiments, the load rating of vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can be no greater than 20,000 lbs. (9071.85 kg), such as, for example, no greater than 15,000 lbs. (6803.89 kg), no greater than 13,000 lbs. (5896.7 kg), no greater than 10,000 lbs. (4535.92 kg), no greater than 9,000 lbs. (4082.3 kg), or no greater than 5,000 lbs. (2268 kg). In various non-limiting embodiments, the load rating of vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can be 1,000 lbs. (453.6 kg) to 20,000 lbs. (9071.85 kg), such as, for example, 5,000 lbs. (2268 kg) to 15,000 lbs. (6803.89 kg) or 9,000 lbs. (4082.3 kg) to 13,000 lbs. (5896.7 kg). In various embodiments, the load rating of vehicle wheels according to the present disclosure can be at least 10,000 lbs. (4535.92 kg) and the vehicle wheel can weigh less than 40 lbs. (18.1 kg).
A method for using a vehicle wheel according to the present disclosure is provided. The method comprises mounting a vehicle wheel according to the present disclosure on a steer axle of a vehicle, a drive axle of a vehicle, or a trailer axle of a trailer. The vehicle can comprise a vehicle weight class in a range of 1 to 8, such as, for example, 3 to 8, as defined by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. For example, in various non-limiting embodiments the gross weight of the vehicle can be at least 10,001 lbs. (4536.48 kg) or at least 26,000 lbs. (11,798.4 kg). The vehicle can be, for example, a light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty vehicle, such as, for example, a medium-duty or heavy-duty vehicle. In various non-limiting embodiments, the vehicle can be a truck (e.g., pick-up, full-sized, tractor (e.g., semi-truck)), a van, or a bus. The vehicle can comprise at least two axles, such as, for example, at least three axles, at least four axles, at least five axles, or at least six axles. In various non-limiting embodiments, the vehicle can comprise no greater than ten axles such as, for example, no greater than six axles, no greater than five axles, no greater than four axles, or no greater than three axles. In various non-limiting embodiments, the vehicle can comprise a quantity of axles in a range of two to ten.
The trailer can comprise a single axle or at least two axles, such as, for example, at least three axles, at least four axles, at least five axles, or at least six axles. In various non-limiting embodiments, the trailer can comprise no greater than ten axles, such as, for example, no greater than six axles, no greater than five axles, no greater than four axles, or no greater than three axles. In various non-limiting embodiments, the trailer can comprise one to ten axles.
A method of producing a vehicle wheel according to the present disclosure also is provided. The method comprises forming, curing, forging, casting, and/or additively manufacturing at least one of a metal and a metal alloy to provide a vehicle wheel according to the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the method of making the vehicle wheel comprises steps in addition to the forming, curing, casting, forging, or additive manufacturing. For example, the flange regions of the vehicle wheels can be formed utilizing a lathe. Creating the flange regions with a geometry suitable to be formed on a lathe can enable rapid manufacture of the vehicle wheels.
Various aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, the aspects listed in the following numbered clauses.
1. A vehicle wheel comprising:
providing a vehicle wheel by a method comprising at least one of forming, curing, forging, casting, and additive manufacturing, the vehicle wheel comprising at least one of metal and a metal alloy, the vehicle wheel comprising:
One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described articles and methods, and the discussion accompanying them, are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific examples/embodiments set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components, devices, operations/actions, and objects should not be taken to be limiting. While the present disclosure provides descriptions of various specific aspects for the purpose of illustrating various aspects of the present disclosure and/or its potential applications, it is understood that variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention or inventions described herein should be understood to be at least as broad as they are claimed and not as more narrowly defined by particular illustrative aspects provided herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2020/063757 | 12/8/2020 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62945703 | Dec 2019 | US |