JP2000351301A - Wheel for motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheel for motor vehicle capable of reducing its weight. SOLUTION: This wheel for a motor vehicle consists of a thin plate rim 10 having a surface rim flange part 14a and a rear rim flange part 14b, a surface flange wheel 20 joined to the surface rim flange part 14a of the thin plate rim 10, a rear flange wheel 30 joined to the rear rim flange part 14b of the thin plate rim 10 at one end and joined to the surface flange wheel 20 at the other end or in its vicinity, and a disc 40 joined to the surface flange wheel 20 or the rear flange wheel 30 in an end part or its vicinity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Most of lightweight steel and aluminum wheels are mostly composed of a rim and a disk. In this case, the rim has restrictions on the outer shape necessary for the function such as mounting of a tire and the inner shape on which the brake drum and the like are arranged, and the weight has been reduced among the restrictions. Also, since the disc is welded to the rim, it is necessary to ensure the rim thickness at the welding position, and the thickness of the rim flange and bead seat required at the welding position or the strength is required. It was the entire thickness.

[0003]

The following problems exist in the conventional automobile wheel. With the wheel stress analysis,
It is necessary to increase the thickness of the rim flange portion and bead seat portion, but it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the drop portion, so in a conventional rim formed with the same thickness as a whole, the rim flange portion, Since the entire sheet has a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the bead sheet portion, there is a limitation in weight reduction. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle wheel that can be reduced in weight.

[0004]

The present invention for achieving the above object is as follows. (1) A thin rim having a front rim flange portion and a rear rim flange portion, a front flange wheel joined to the front rim flange portion of the thin rim, and one end joined to the back rim flange portion of the thin rim. An automobile wheel comprising: a back flange ring joined to the front flange ring at or near the end; and a disc joined to the front flange ring or the back flange ring at or near the end. (2) The vehicle wheel according to (1), wherein the front flange wheel is formed integrally with the disk. (3) The back flange ring includes a back flange ring main body,
(1) The vehicle wheel according to (1), comprising a connecting portion for connecting the back flange wheel main body portion and the front flange wheel.

In the above-mentioned (1) or (2) or (3) automobile wheel, the rim is formed by a thin plate rim, a front flange wheel, and a back flange wheel, so that the rim needs to be thick. The flange part and bead seat part of
The strength of the rim is increased by joining the front and rear flange rings to the flange part.The rim that does not need to be thickened has only a thin rim drop part. By reducing the plate thickness in the vicinity thereof, the plate thickness can be reduced in a portion where the plate thickness does not need to be increased, and the rim can be reduced in weight.

[0006]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. 6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 11 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention. Portions common to the first to tenth embodiments of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the first to tenth embodiments of the present invention. First, portions common to the first to tenth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to, for example, FIGS.
explain. The automobile wheel according to the present invention comprises a thin rim 10
A front flange wheel 20 joined to the front rim flange portion 14a of the thin plate rim 10; a back flange wheel 30 joined to the back rim flange portion 14b of the thin plate rim 10;
0.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thin plate rim 10 is made of steel or aluminum, and has a drop portion 11 provided at or near the center in the axial direction. A portion 12a and a back sidewall portion 12b are formed continuously, and a front bead seat portion 13a and a back bead seat portion 13b extend outward from the respective outer peripheral ends in the rim axial direction. The front side wall portion 12a is formed with a valve hole 15 into which air is inserted after mounting a tire (not shown). Front bead seat part 13
a, a front rim flange portion 14a and a rear rim flange portion 14b are connected to the outer end of the back bead seat portion 13b in the rim axial direction. The thin rim 10 is manufactured by the current rim manufacturing method and manufacturing line. Since the thickness of the thin rim 10 is sufficient to hold air, the thin rim 10 has a thickness that does not cause deformation due to air pressure, and may be less than half the thickness of a conventional rim. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the front flange ring 20 is made of steel or aluminum, has a greater plate thickness than the thin rim 10, and is formed integrally with or separately from the disk 40. ing. The front flange wheel 20 can be manufactured either as a flat plate or as a mold. Front flange wheel 2
Numeral 0 is located on the inner side in the wheel radial direction of the side wall portion 12a and the bead seat portion 13a of the thin plate rim 10, on the inner side in the wheel radial direction of the front rim flange portion 14a, and on the axial side. The front flange wheel 20 includes a sidewall portion 12a, a bead seat portion 13a, and a front rim flange portion 1.
It has a shape substantially following the 4a shape, and the front flange wheel outer end 21 which is one end is joined to the front rim flange portion 14a. Joining (hereinafter, welding 1) between the outer flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a is performed by, for example, laser welding, friction welding, or the like.

The outer end 21 of the front flange wheel is
One rim flange of the wheel may be formed in cooperation with the front rim flange portion 14a of the first embodiment. In this case, the wheel outer end 21 is located outside the front rim flange portion 14a in the axial direction. When viewed from the outside in the axial direction on the 40 side, there is no joining line between the thin plate rim 10 and the radially outer end of the front flange wheel 20.

A hole 22 is formed in the front flange wheel 20. The hole 22 has the same central axis as the central axis of the valve hole 15 provided in the sidewall portion 12a.
Air can be injected through the hole 22 and the valve hole 15 even after the wheel is assembled. Front flange wheel 2
0 indicates that the hole 22 may be in contact with the sidewall 12a in a state where the central axis of the hole 22 is located at the central axis of the valve hole 15; The periphery of 15 may be joined by, for example, laser welding that penetrates the thin plate rim 10. When the front flange wheel 20 and the sidewall portion 12a are in contact with each other, the hole 22 and the valve hole 15 may be formed together after the front flange wheel 20 and the sidewall portion 12a are joined.

The end of the front flange wheel 20 opposite to the front flange outer end 21 is joined to the back flange wheel 30, and when the front flange wheel 20 is formed separately from the disc 40, It may be joined to the disk 40.
Joining of the front flange ring 20 and the back flange ring 30 (hereinafter, referred to as
The welding 2) is performed by, for example, laser welding, friction welding, or the like. When the front flange ring 20 and the disk 40 are formed separately, the joining (hereinafter, welding 3) between the front flange ring 20 and the disk 40 is performed by, for example, laser welding, friction welding, and a tack-like member 50. This is performed by performing friction welding. When friction welding is performed via the stud-shaped member 50, one or more insertion portions 53 in which the head portion 51 cannot be inserted and the shaft portion 52 can be inserted are formed in the disk 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the back flange wheel 30 is made of steel or aluminum, and is made of one or two members. The back flange wheel 30 includes the drop portion 11, the side wall portion 12b, and the bead seat portion 1 of the thin plate rim 10.
3a, wheel inner side in the radial direction, rear rim flange portion 14b
Is located on the inner side in the radial direction of the wheel and on the back side opposite to the side where the disc 40 is arranged. Back flange wheel 3
0 has a shape substantially following the shape of the drop portion 11, the side wall portion 12b, the bead seat portion 13b, and the back rim flange portion 14b. And are joined.
The joining (hereinafter, welding 1 ′) between the back flange wheel outer end 33 and the back rim flange portion 14b is performed continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction by, for example, laser welding, friction welding, or the like. The back flange wheel 30 may have a drain hole 34 serving as an outlet for water that has entered between the thin plate rim 10, the front flange wheel 20, and the back flange wheel 30.

An end of the rear flange wheel 30 opposite to the rear flange outer end 33 is joined to the front flange wheel 20 and may be further joined to the disk 40. The back flange wheel 30, the front flange wheel 20, and the disk 40 are joined by, for example, laser welding, friction welding, or friction welding via the stud-like member 50. When friction welding is performed via the tack-shaped member 50,
An insertion portion 53 through which the head portion 51 cannot be inserted and the shaft portion 52 can be inserted.
However, at least one of the back flange wheel 30 and the disk 40 is formed.

When the back flange wheel 30 is made of one member,
As shown in FIG. 4, the back flange wheel 30 may be tapered so that the thickness increases from the end opposite to the back flange wheel outer end 33 toward the back flange outer end 33. In addition, the back flange wheel 30 is a back flange wheel outer end 3.
3 is not provided and the back flange outer end 33
One or more lightening holes 35 may be formed between them. When the back flange wheel 30 is formed of one member, the back flange wheel 30 is formed by press forming, roll forming, or the like. When the back flange wheel 30 is formed by roll forming, if the back flange wheel 30 is manufactured with a double width and separated at the center in the width direction, the back flange wheel 30 can be manufactured efficiently.

When the back flange wheel 30 is composed of two members,
As shown in FIG. 1, the back flange wheel main body 31 and the connecting portion 3
Consists of two. One end of the back flange wheel main body 31 is an outer end 33 of the back flange wheel, and the other end is joined to the connecting portion 32. The connecting portion 32 is arranged continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction, and the end of the connecting portion 32 on the side not joined to the back flange ring main body portion 31 is joined to the front flange ring 20. , And may be further joined to the disk 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the disk 40 is made of steel or aluminum, and is formed integrally with or separate from the front flange wheel 20. When the disc 40 is formed integrally with the front flange wheel 20, the disc 40
And its vicinity function as the front flange wheel 20. When the disc 40 is formed separately from the front flange ring 20, the disc 40 is located at or near the outer peripheral end,
It is joined to at least one of the front flange ring 20 and the back flange ring 30. When joining the disc 40 and the front flange wheel 20, the welding 3 may be performed from the back side of the wheel as shown in FIG. 2 or from the front side of the wheel as shown in FIG.

The method of manufacturing the rim portion of the vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a step of joining the back flange wheel main body 31 and the connecting portion 32 (this step is unnecessary when the back flange wheel 30 is formed of one member). And a step of performing welding 1 and welding 1 ′, and a step of performing welding 2. Alternatively, a step of joining the back flange ring main body portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 (this step is unnecessary when the back flange ring 30 is formed of one member), a step of performing welding 1, and performing welding 1 'and welding 2. And a process. Or a step of joining the back flange ring main body portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 (this step is unnecessary when the back flange ring 30 is formed of one member), a step of performing welding 1, and a step of performing welding 2.
Performing welding 1 '. Or a step of joining the back flange ring main body portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 (this step is unnecessary when the back flange ring 30 is formed of one member), a step of performing welding 1 ′, and a step of performing welding 1. Performing welding 2. Alternatively, a step of joining the back flange ring main body portion 31 and the connecting portion 32 (this step is unnecessary when the back flange ring 30 is formed of one member), a step of performing welding 1 ′, and performing welding 1 and welding 2 And a process.

The production method will be described in more detail. First, the connecting portion 32 is welded to the back flange main body portion 31 so that the back flange wheel 30 is integrated. Thus, the rim is assembled by a rim assembling device (not shown). The rim assembly device
It comprises a left and right jig which can be rotated by a coaxial core and is separable in the axial direction, and a middle jig arranged at the lower center in the axial direction and in which the thin plate rim 10 can be set. First, in a state where the left and right jigs are separated in the axial direction (the central portion in the axial direction is open), the front flange ring 20 is attached to the right jig, and the back flange ring 30 is attached to the left jig.
Are set and fixed to a jig. The thin rim 10 is put on the middle jig through the space between the opened jigs. The middle jig has a height adjustment mechanism, and can be set at the same height as the left and right jigs. After making the middle jig concentric with the left and right jigs,
The right jig is moved to the left jig side, and the left jig is moved to the right jig side. At this time, the valve hole 15
And the central axis of the hole 22 is aligned. With the jig set, weld 1 and weld 1 '
Is applied. Next, when the grip of the left jig is released and returned to the original position, the space is widened. Therefore, the welding rim is completed by inserting a welding torch from the space and performing welding 2.

When assembling and welding the disc 40 in this apparatus, the disc 40 is set on a disc jig which can be set on the left side of the left jig (away from the right jig). Then, the disc 40 is moved rightward (right jig side) through the hole of the left jig, the disc 40 is pressed into the completed rim, and the disc jig is returned to the original position.
Perform assembly welding in the space created.

Next, the operation of the parts common to the first to tenth embodiments of the present invention will be described. A thin rim 10 having a thickness less than half the thickness of a conventional rim is used, and the front flange ring 20 and the back flange ring 30 are joined and reinforced only at portions where strength is required. The drop portion formed in the above-described plate thickness and the plate thickness in the vicinity of the drop portion can be reduced, and the rim can be reduced in weight. Further, when the back side disk 30 is formed of two members, the connecting portion 32 for connecting the front flange ring 20 and the back flange ring main body 31 is intermittently provided in the circumferential direction, so that the weight of the rim can be further reduced.

Next, in the first to tenth embodiments of the present invention, parts unique to each embodiment will be described. 1 to 3
Shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the front flange wheel 20 is formed separately from the disk 40, and the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 1 are formed.
4a is joined to the thin plate rim 10 by joining. The back flange wheel 30 is made of two members. The method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of joining the back flange wheel main body portion 31 and the connecting portion 32, and connecting the front flange wheel 20 and the back flange wheel 3 to a rim assembly device (not shown).
0, a thin plate rim 10, a step of joining the weld 1 and the weld 1 'by laser welding, a step of joining the weld 2 by laser welding, and the step of welding 3 from the back side of the disk to laser welding. Joining (welding 3 in FIG. 2) or laser welding from the disk surface side (welding 3 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the front flange ring 20 is
The thin rim 1 is formed by joining the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a.
0. The back flange wheel 30 is made of one member and is formed by press molding.
The thickness is not large and tapered. The method for manufacturing an automobile wheel according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a step of setting the front flange wheel 20, the rear flange wheel 30, and the thin plate rim 10 in a rim assembly device (not shown), and welding 1 and welding 1 '. It comprises a step of joining by laser welding, a step of joining the weld 2 by laser welding, and a step of joining the front flange ring 20 and the disk 40 by laser welding.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the front flange ring 20 is
0, and is joined to the front rim flange portion 14a at the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the thin rim 1
0 and is in contact with the periphery of the valve hole 15 and the hole 22. The back flange wheel 30 is made of one member, is manufactured by roll-forming an annular shape, and has a lightening hole 35 intermittently formed in the circumferential direction. The method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel according to the third embodiment of the present invention is performed by using a front flange wheel 2 in a rim assembly device (not shown).
0, a step of setting the back flange wheel 30 and the thin plate rim 10, a process of joining the weld 1 and the weld 1 'by laser welding, and a laser penetrating the thin plate rim 10 around the valve hole 15 and the hole 22. It comprises a step of joining by welding, a step of joining the weld 2 by laser welding, and a step of joining the front flange wheel 20 and the disk 40 by laser welding. However, the step of joining the periphery of the valve hole 15 and the hole 22 is as follows.
It may be performed in a process other than the above.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the front flange wheel 20 is formed separately from the disc 40, and is joined to the thin rim 10 by joining the outer flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a. . Also, the back flange wheel 30
Consists of one member. The method for manufacturing an automobile wheel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a step of performing welding 1 by friction welding.
It consists of a step of joining the welding 1 'and the welding 2 by friction welding, and a step of joining the front flange ring 20 and the disk 40 by laser welding. In the method of manufacturing the automobile wheel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described manufacturing method, the weld 1, the weld 1 ', and the weld 2 may be simultaneously joined by friction welding.
When the insertion (press-fitting) position of the disc 40 is near the joining position of the front flange ring 20 and the front flange ring 20 and the back flange ring 30 (FIG. 7), the disc-side burr generated at the time of welding 2 joining is removed. By re-melting and joining the front flange ring 20 and the disc 40, the front flange ring 2
The finish of the connection between the disk 0 and the disk 40 can be made smooth.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the front flange ring 20 is
The thin rim 1 is formed by joining the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a.
0. The back flange wheel 30 is made of one member. In the method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the welding 1 is joined by laser welding, the welding 2 is joined by friction welding, and the welding 1 'is joined by laser welding. And a step of joining the front flange wheel 20 and the disk 40 by laser welding.

FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the front flange ring 20 is
The thin plate rim 1 is formed by joining the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a.
0. The back flange wheel 30 is made of one member. In the method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the welding 1 is joined by laser welding, the welding 2 is joined by friction welding, and the welding 1 'is joined by laser welding. And a process.

FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the front flange wheel 20 is
0, and is joined to the thin plate rim 10 by joining the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a. The back flange wheel 30 is made of one member. In addition, a plurality of insertion portions 5
3 is formed, and the back flange wheel 30 is joined to the front flange wheel 20 via a stud-like member 50. The method for manufacturing an automobile wheel according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is based on the welding 1 ′.
And a step of joining the weld 1 by laser welding, and inserting a shaft portion 52 of the stud-like member 50 into an insertion portion 53 formed in the back flange wheel 30 to thereby form the stud-like member 50. And the front flange ring 20 are joined by friction welding and welding 2
Performing the following.

FIG. 11 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the front flange wheel 20 is
0, and is joined to the thin plate rim 10 by joining the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a. The back flange wheel 30 is made of one member. An insertion portion 53 is formed in the disk 40, and the disk 40 is joined to the back flange wheel 30 via a stud-like member 50. The method of manufacturing an automotive wheel according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is based on a method of manufacturing a rim assembly device (not shown) using a front flange wheel 20, a rear flange wheel 30, and a thin plate rim 10.
, Welding 1 and welding 1 ′ by laser welding, welding 2 by laser welding, and inserting the stud-like member 50 into the insertion portion 53 formed in the disk 40. Inserting the shaft portion 52 and joining the stud-shaped member 50 and the back flange ring 30 by friction welding.

FIG. 12 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the front flange wheel 20 is
0, and is joined to the thin plate rim 10 by joining the front flange wheel outer end 21 and the front rim flange portion 14a. The back flange wheel 30 is made of one member. In addition, a plurality of insertion portions 53
Are formed, and the disk 40 is joined to the front flange wheel 20 via a stud-like member 50. The method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of setting the front flange wheel 20, the rear flange wheel 30, and the thin plate rim 10 in a rim assembly device (not shown), and performing welding 1 and welding 1 '. A step of joining by laser welding, a step of joining the weld 2 by laser welding, and inserting the shaft portion 52 of the rivet-shaped member 50 into an insertion portion 53 formed in the disk 40, thereby connecting the rivet-shaped member 50 and the front flange. Joining the wheel 20 by friction welding.

FIG. 13 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
In the tenth embodiment of the present invention, the front flange wheel 20 is formed integrally with the disc 40,
1 and the front rim flange portion 14a are joined to the thin plate rim 10. Also, the back flange wheel 30
Consists of one member. The method for manufacturing an automotive wheel according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of joining the weld 1 'by laser welding and joining the weld 1 and the weld 2 by friction welding. In the tenth embodiment of the present invention, for example,
The thin plate rim 10 and the back flange wheel 30 may be made of steel, and the front flange wheel 30 formed integrally with the disk 40 may be made of aluminum, or may be entirely made of aluminum.

[0031]

According to the present invention, claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 is provided.
According to the described vehicle wheel, since the rim is formed by the thin plate rim, the front flange wheel, and the back flange wheel, the rim flange portion and the bead seat portion that need to be thicker are provided on the flange portion. The strength of the rim is increased by joining the front and rear flange rings, and the rim does not need to be thickened.The only drop on the rim is the thin rim. By reducing the thickness of the rim, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the portion where it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the rim.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a joint between a front flange wheel and a rear flange wheel and the vicinity thereof in the vehicle wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a joint portion between a front flange wheel and a rear flange wheel and the vicinity thereof in the automobile wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a half sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a half sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a joint between a front flange wheel and a rear flange wheel and the vicinity thereof in a vehicle wheel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a half sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a half sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a half sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a half sectional view of an automotive wheel according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a half sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a half sectional view of a vehicle wheel according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Thin rim 11 Drop part 12a Side wall part 13a Bead seat part 14a Front rim flange part 14b Back rim flange part 20 Front flange ring 30 Back flange ring 31 Back flange ring main body part 32 Connection part 40 Disk 50 Tack-shaped member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A thin rim having a front rim flange portion and a rear rim flange portion, a front flange wheel joined to the front rim flange portion of the thin rim, and one end joined to a back rim flange portion of the thin rim. An automotive wheel, comprising: a back flange ring joined to the front flange ring at the other end or in the vicinity thereof; and a disc joined to the front flange ring or the back flange ring at or near the end. 2. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein said front flange wheel is formed integrally with said disk. 3. The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the back flange wheel includes a back flange wheel main body and a connecting portion connecting the back flange wheel main body and the front flange wheel.