Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING
RIM AND DISK INTEGRATED WHEEIS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to a unique connection between a rim and a
disk in an integrated wheel.
Integrated wheels are known, in which a disk provides the entire
forward face of the wheel. A rim is attached to a rear face of the disk, and
provides the other structure for properly mounting the tire.
Many methods have been utilized to connect the rim to the disk. In
one common method, the rim and disks have been provided with telescopic
structure which interfit to connect the two members.
Another type of integrated wheel has the rim welded to a rear face of
the disk. This method has some deficiencies in that proper positioning has
been a challenge.
It is also known to provide a groove in the rear face of the disk and
have the rim extend into the groove. The rim is then welded in the groove
securing the two parts together. The groove has some desirable characteristics
compared to the other types of prior art in that it does assist in providing a
secure connection and in properly positioning the rim relative to the disk.
However, it would be desirable to improve upon the shape of the groove and
the portion of the rim received in the groove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, various configurations are
provided for a groove in the rear face of a disk and the inner end of the rim.
In addition, an outer sealing bead is also manufactured in a unique way.
In particular, a number of unique groove embodiments are disclosed in
combination with several different rim embodiments which provide a better
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weld joint and better positioning of the two parts. In one embodiment, the rim
and the groove have a roughly equivalent cross-section such that the rim is
closely secured within the groove and that the weld joint can provide a good
interface between the two. In other embodiments, the groove and the rim have
distinct configurations. In particular, it is preferred that the groove have
angled surfaces to facilitate the flow of the weld material. In a most
preferred
embodiment of this invention, the groove has one angled surface moving
downwardly to a side wall. The rim for this embodiment has an angled inner
face leading to an end face. The angled face of the rim, along with the angled
face of the groove, facilitates material flow onto both sides of the rim. The
weld joint may be achieved by known welding techniques, such as friction
welding.
In a method, an outer surface of the disk is initially formed to be
generally planar. The outer part is then bent axially outwardly. Portions of
the axially outermost and radially outermost portions are then machined away.
In one embodiment, intended for a painted surface, the surface is removed in
a curved configuration. In a second embodiment, intended for receiving a
cladding skin, a ledge is formed in the outer surface to receive a cladding
portion.
These and other features of the present invention can be best
understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of
which is a brief description.
BRIEF DF.SCREPTION OF T'HE DRAWIhTGS
Figure 1 is a side view of an integrated wheel showing features of the
present invention.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the inventive full face wheel.
Figure 3 shows a step in machining the disk of this invention.
Figure 4 shows a first embodiment groove.
Figure 5 shows a second embodiment groove.
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Figure 6 shows a third embodiment groove.
Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment groove.
Figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment groove.
Figure 9 shows a first embodiment rim end portion.
Figure 10 shows a second embodiment rim end portion.
Figure 11 shows a third embodiment rim end portion.
Figure 12 shows a fourth embodiment rim end portion.
Figure 13 shows a fifth embodiment rim end portion.
Figure 14 shows a sixth embodiment rim end portion.
Figure 15 shows a seventh embodiment rim end portion.
Figure 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1 showing the
connection of the rim to the disk.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 shows an integrated whee120 having a disk 22 secured to a
rim 24. As shown, a weld joint 26 is placed near a groove 28 to secure an
end 30 of the rim 24. The preferred shapes of the groove and rim will-be
detailed below. As shown at 31, the radially and axially outermost portion of
the disk is curved. A feature of this invention is the unique way that this
surface is formed, as will be explained below. This shape is particularly well-
suited for a wheel wherein the disk is to be painted.
Figure 2 shows a disk embodiment 40 wherein a notch 42 is formed in
the radially and axially outermost surfaces of the disk. This embodiment is
particularly well-suited to receive a cladding skin.
Figure 3 shows a method of forming the inventive disk. As shown, a
cutting too150 cuts the groove 28 into the disk. As will be disclosed below,
there are many possible shapes for the groove, and the cutting tool 50 can cut
any one of the shapes. It is well within the skill of a worker in this art to
define a cutting tool for cutting a particular shape.
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As shown in Figure 3, the disk is initially formed with a flange 52
extending generally planar with the remainder of the disk. That portion is
deformed by a tool 53, shown schematically to extend axially forwardly as
shown at 54. Another tool 55 machines surface 31, such as shown in Figure 1
(or alternatively, the shape 42 as shown in Figure 2).
As show in Figure 4, embodiment 60 groove has a surface 62 defined
at an angle a, which is designed to provide proper positioning and strong
attachment to the rim and the groove. A surface 64 is defined at an angle b,
designed,to receive the melted weld material by the deposed weld joint, or the
melting of the disk and rim during the welding process. The groove 60
deepest depth is set forth by a dimension x.
Figure 5 shows a groove 66 with three surfaces 68, 70 and 72. Surface
68 is set forth at an angle a, which is intended to facilitate the attachment
of
the rim into the disk groove. Surface 70 extends for a dimension y, and
surface 3 is angled at an angle b, which again functions to receive the weld
material.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment 72 having a first flat surface 74
extending for a distance x, and defined at an angle a relative to a vertical
plane, with the angle a facilitating the attachment of the rim into the disk
groove. A second surface 76 is curved and formed at a radius R from the end
point of surface 74 extended into the plane extending perpendicularly into the
groove 72. A third surface 78 is angled at an angle b, and again functions to
receive the weld material.
Figure 7 shows a groove 80 with the first surface 82 defined at an
angle a which facilitates the attachment of the rim into the disk, and also
receives melted weld material which is deposited, or from the base rim or disk
during the welding process. The surface 82 is limited to a depth x. The
second surface 84 is set at an angle b, again to facilitate the attachment of
the
rim into the disk groove and receive the melted weld material. This surface
84 also extends to a depth x.
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Groove 86 is shown in Figure 8, and has a surface 88 defined at an
angle a relative to a vertical plane, a flat surface 90 extending over a width
y,
and a second angled surface 92 defined at an angle b. The surfaces 88 and 92
provide functions similar to the above-discussed grooves. The grooves depth
is again set by the dimension x.
Figure 9 shows a first embodiment rim end portion 100 having an
angled end surface 102 defined at an angle b which facilitates the attachment
into the disk groove, and also provides a space for weld material. This rim
is particularly well-suited to the groove shown in Figure 4.
Figure 10 shows a rim 104 having an angled surface 106 defined at the
angle b, again for weld material. A surface 108 is formed at the end, and is
generally flat and extends over a distance x. The function of this surface is
to rest into the disk groove. This rim also has a curved edge shown by the
radius R. This rim is particularly well-suited for the groove of Figure 5.
Figure 11 shows a rim 110 having a surface 112 defined at an angle b
which is for weld material. A second flat surface 114 extends over a
distance x and assists in the resting of the rim in the groove. A surface 116
extends upwardly for a distance y at an angle a, and facilitates the
attachment
of the rim into the disk groove. This rim is particularly well-suited for the
groove shown in Figure 5.
Figure 12 shows a rim embodiment 120 having curved edges 122
formed about a radius R. Flat surface 124 assists the rim in resting within
its
groove. This rim is particularly well-suited for the groove shown in Figure 8.
Figure 13 shows a rim embodiment 126 having a curved surface 128
which rests in the groove. The curved surface 128 is formed at a radius R.
The side surfaces 130 provide contact space for weld material. This rim is
particularly well-suited to be used with the groove shown in Figure 6.
Figure 14 shows a rim embodiment 132. Rim embodiment 132 has a
first side surface 134 formed at an angle a, and provides an improved
attachment of the rim to the disk groove, and a space for weld material. A
second surface 136 is formed at an angle b, and functions for welding
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material. The rim 132 is particularly well-suited to be used with the grooves
shown in Figures 7 or 8.
Figure 15 shows a groove embodiment 140 having a first surface 142
formed at an angle a which improves the attachment of the rim into the disks
and provides space for the melted weld material. A flat surface 144 assists
the
rim in resting within the groove. Another angled surface 146 is formed at an
angle b, which functions to provide a space for weld material. The rim 140
is particularly well-suited to be used with the groove shown in Figure 8.
Figure 16 shows the preferred assembly such as shown in Figure 1.
This combination combines the Figure 5 groove 66 with the Figure 11 rim
110. The surface 68 in combination with the surface 116 includes appropriate
angles to ensure correct positioning and assembly, and to ensure the radial
concentricity of the final wheel.
The flat surface 70 in combination with the flat surface 114 ensures
proper axial positioning. The angled surface 72, in combination with the
angled surface 112 ensures that the weld material does secure the two
members together. The weld material 150 is shown as a large bead which will
secure the rim to the disk.
The present invention improves upon the prior art systems which have
provided a rim received within a groove, by improving upon the structure of
the groove and the rim. With the present invention, correct positioning of the
rim relative to the disk is much more likely to be achieved. Further, a very
reliable connection is assured with this invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however,
a worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain
modifications
would come 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.
