MXPA99008476A - Structure and method for connecting rim and disk integrated wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

A unique integrated wheel is disclosed wherein a groove (28) is formed with an angled surface to facilitate the flow of a weld material. A rim (24) extends into the groove (28) and has surfaces which act in conjunction with the surface of the groove to provide proper positioning and a secure connection. In addition, a method of forming the disk (22) is disclosed.

Description

STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING WHEELS I NT AND TIRE AND DISC GRADES BACKGROUND DB THE INVENTION This application relates to a unique connection between a rim and a disc in an integrated wheel. Integrated wheels are known, in which a disc provides the entire front face of the wheel. A rim is attached to the rear face of the disc, and provides the other structure for properly mounting the tire. Many methods have been used to connect the tire to the disk. In an ordinary method, the rim and discs are provided with a telescopic structure that fits to connect the two elements. Another type of integrated wheel has the rim welded to a back car of the disc. This method has some shortcomings because proper placement has been a challenge.

It is also known to arrange a groove in the back face of the disc and to cause the rim to extend into the groove. The rim is then welded into the groove by firmly joining the two parts. The slot has some desirable characteristics compared to the other types of the prior art because it facilitates the provision of a secure connection and the proper placement of the rim in relation to the disc. However, it would be desirable to improve the shape of the groove and the portion of the rim received in the groove.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION In a described embodiment of this invention, various configurations are provided for a groove in the rear face of a disc and the inner end of the rim.

In addition, an outer hermetic heel is also uniquely manufactured. In particular, several single slot embodiments are described in combination with several different rim embodiments that provide a better weld joint and better placement of both parts. In one embodiment, the rim and groove have an approximately equivalent cross section such that the rim is tightly fixed within the groove and the weld joint can provide a good interface between the two. In other embodiments, the groove and the rim have different configurations. In particular, it is preferred that the groove has inclined surfaces to facilitate the flow of the welding material. In a very preferred embodiment of this invention, the slot has a sloping surface that travels down to a side wall. The rim for this embodiment has an inclined inner face leading to an end face. The inclined face of the rim, together with the inclined face of the groove, facilitates the flow of material on both sides of the rim. The weld joint can be achieved by known welding techniques, such as friction welding. In one method, an outer surface of the disk is initially formed so that it is generally flat. The outer part is then bent axially outwards. Next, portions of the axially outer and radially outer portions are machined. In one embodiment, intended for a painted surface, the surface is removed in a curved configuration. In a second embodiment, intended to receive a liner casing, a rim is formed on the outer surface to receive a backing portion.

These and other features of the present invention can be understood well by the following specification and the drawings, the brief description of which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of an integrated wheel showing features of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the full face wheel of the invention. Figure 3 shows a step of machining the disc of this invention. Figure 4 shows a slot of the first embodiment. Figure 5 shows a slot of the second embodiment. Figure 6 shows a slot of the third embodiment. Figure 7 shows a slot of the fourth embodiment. Figure 8 shows a slot of the fifth embodiment. Figure 9 shows a rim end portion of the first embodiment. Figure 10 shows a rim end portion of the second embodiment. Figure 11 shows a rim end portion of the third embodiment. Figure 12 shows a rim end portion of the fourth embodiment. Figure 13 shows a rim end portion of the fifth embodiment. Figure 14 shows a rim end portion of the sixth embodiment. Figure 15 shows a rim end portion of the seventh embodiment. Figure 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1 showing the connection of the rim to the disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 depicts an integrated wheel 20 having a disc 22 fixed to a rim 24. As shown, a solder joint 26 is positioned near a slot 28 to fix one end 30 of the rim 24. The preferred forms of the The groove and rim will be explained in detail later. As shown at 31, the radially and axially outer portion of the disk is curved. A feature of this invention is the unique manner in which said surface is formed, as will be explained below. Said shape is especially suitable for a wheel in which the disc is to be painted. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of disk 40 where a notch 42 is formed in the radially and axially outer surfaces of the disk. This embodiment is especially suitable for receiving a coating casing. Figure 3 shows a method of forming the disc of the invention. As shown, a cutting tool 50 cuts the slot 28 in the disk. As will be described later, there are many possible shapes of the slot, and the cutting tool 50 can cut any of the shapes. It falls within the knowledge of experts in this field to define a cutting tool to cut a particular shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the disk is initially formed with a flange 52 extending generally flat with the rest of the disk. Said portion is deformed with a tool 53, shown schematically, so as to extend axially forward as shown at 54. Another tool 55 machines the surface 31, as shown in Figure 1 (or, alternatively, the form 42 shown in figure 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the groove 60 of the embodiment has a surface 62 defined at an angle a, which is intended to perform the proper positioning and firm attachment to the rim and groove. A surface 64 is defined at an angle b, intended to receive the molten solder material by the deposited solder joint, or the fusion of the disc and the rim during the welding process. The maximum depth of the slot 60 is defined by a dimension x. Figure 5 shows a groove 66 with three surfaces 68, 70 and 72. The surface 68 is at an angle a, which is intended to facilitate the joining of the rim to the groove of the disc. The surface 70 extends a dimension y, and the surface 3 is inclined at an angle b, which again serves to receive the welding material. Figure 6 shows an embodiment 72 having a first flat surface 74 extending a distance x, and defined at an angle a with respect to a vertical plane, the angle facilitating the joining of the rim to the groove of the disc. A second surface 76 is curved and formed at a radius R from the end point of the surface 74 extending to the plane extending perpendicularly to the groove 72. A third surface 78 is inclined at an angle b, and again serves to receive the welding material. Figure 7 shows a groove 80 with the first surface 82 defined at an angle a that facilitates the joining of the rim to the disc, and also receives the molten solder material that is deposited, or coming from the base rim or disc during the welding process. The surface 82 is limited to a depth x. The second surface 84 is at an angle b, again to facilitate the joining of the rim to the disc slot and to receive the molten solder material. This surface 84 also extends to a depth x. The slot 86 is shown in FIG. 8, and has a surface 88 defined at an angle a relative to a vertical plane, a flat surface 90 extending a width y, and a second inclined surface 92 defined at an angle b. The surfaces 88 and 92 perform functions similar to the slots explained above. The depth of the grooves is fixed again by the dimension x. Figure 9 depicts a rim end portion 100 of the first embodiment having an inclined end surface 102 defined at an angle b that facilitates attachment to the disc slot, and also provides a space for welding material. This rim is especially suitable for the groove shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 10 shows a rim 104 having an inclined surface 106 defined at angle b, again for welding material. A surface 108 is formed at the end, and is generally planar and extends a distance x. The function of this surface is to rest in the disc slot. This rim also has a curved edge represented by the radius R. This rim is particularly suitable for the groove of figure 5. Figure 11 represents a rim 110 having a surface 112 defined at an angle b which is for welding material. . A second flat surface 114 extends a distance x and makes it easier for the rim to rest in the groove. A surface 116 extends up a distance and at an angle a, and facilitates the joining of the rim to the disc slot. This rim is especially suitable for the groove shown in Figure 5. Figure 12 shows an embodiment of rim 120 with curved edges 122 formed around a radius R. The flat surface 124 facilitates the rim to rest within its groove. This rim is especially suitable for the groove shown in Figure 8. Figure 13 shows an embodiment of rim 126 with a curved surface 128 resting in the groove. The curved surface 128 is formed in a radius R. The lateral surfaces 130 provide contact space for the welding material. This rim is especially suitable for use with the groove shown in Figure 6. Figure 14 shows an embodiment of rim 132. Rim embodiment 132 has a first side surface 134 formed at an angle α, and provides an improved connection of the rim to the disc slot, and a space for welding material. A second surface 136 is formed at an angle b, and serves for welding material. The rim 132 is especially suitable for use with the grooves shown in Figs. 7 or 8. Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of groove 140 with a first surface 142 formed at an angle a that improves the bonding of the rim to the discs and Provides space for the molten solder material. A flat surface 144 facilitates the rim to rest within the groove. Another inclined surface 146 is formed at an angle b, which serves to provide space for the welding material. The rim 140 is especially suitable for use with the groove shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 16 represents the preferred assembly as shown in FIG. 1. This combination combines the groove 66 of FIG. 5 with the rim 110 of FIG. 11. The surface 68 in combination with the surface 116 includes suitable angles to ensure correct positioning and mounting, and to guarantee the radial concentricity of the final wheel. The flat surface 70 in combination with the flat surface 114 guarantees adequate axial positioning. The inclined surface 72, in combination with the inclined surface 112, ensures that the welding material fixes the two elements together. The welding material 150 is represented as a large bead which will fix the rim to the disk. The present invention improves the prior art systems that provide a rim received within a groove, improving the structure of the groove and the rim. With the present invention, the correct placement of the rim in relation to the disc will be achieved with much greater probability. In addition, this invention guarantees a very reliable connection. Preferred embodiments of this invention have been described; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that some modifications would fall within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. An integrated wheel, including: a disk element with a front face and a rear face, and said rear face having a slot extending to an otherwise generally flat surface, said groove being formed with at least one surface inclined in a radial extension of said groove; and a rim member having an axial end welded into said groove.

2. A wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said slot has inclined surfaces in each radial extension of said slot.

3. A wheel as set forth in claim 2, wherein said axial end of said rim also has an inclined surface.

4. A wheel as set forth in claim 3, wherein said axial end of said rim has a first portion that is generally flat, and said inclined portion extends from said flat edge.

5. A wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inclined surface is joined to a generally rectangular groove.

6. A wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inclined surface is joined to a generally semicircular portion of said slot.

7. A wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said groove has a generally planar surface that is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of said wheel, and connecting said inclined surface with said planar surface.

8. A wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein a radially outer portion of said disk is formed with a curved surface.

9. A wheel as set forth in claim 1, IB wherein a radially and axially outer surface of said disc is formed with a notch to receive a retraction casing.

10. A method of forming a disk for an integrated wheel, including the steps of: (1) forming said disk so as to have a flange extending radially outwardly; (2) deforming said flange axially forward; and (3) removing a portion of material from an axial and radially outer end of said flange to form a finished surface.

11- A method as set forth in claim 10, wherein a rear face of said disk is formed with a circumferential groove.

12. An integrated wheel, including: a disc element having a front face and a rear face, said back face being formed with a groove extending to an otherwise generally flat surface, said groove being formed with a first inclined surface that extends downwardly to a second surface extending to said rear face; and a rim member having an axial end extending to said groove and welded into said groove, a weld joint formed on each radial side of said rim, said rim end portion having an inclined inner portion received within said rim. said slot.