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US 6,637,828 B2Granted
Wheel construction, in particular for automobiles
AssigneeKuhl Wheels, LLC
InventorHans George Braunschweiler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In the wheel structure according to the invention, at least one and preferably several profile elements (2.1) are used for the transmission of forces between hub (1) and rim (3). Said parts (1.2, 1.3) are combined or combinable into an intrinsically stiff structure. The structure is particularly suitable for car wheels.
Claims25
A wheel structure to be fitted directly to an axle structure of a vehicle without a hub therebetween, the wheel structure comprising:
- a rim and a spoke system, wherein the spoke system has at least one profile element for transmitting forces directly between the axle structure and the rim;
- wherein said wheel structure has a first stiffness in an unmounted state such that the wheel structure is deformable by forces and torques acting on the wheel structure and a second, ultimate stiffness that is only obtained when the spoke system is mounted to the axle structure such that the wheel structure is substantially undeformable by forces and torques acting on the wheel structure.
A wheel structure to be fitted to an axle structure of a vehicle, the wheel structure comprising:
- a rim and a spoke system, wherein the spoke system has at least one profile element for transmitting forces between the axle structure and the rim;
- wherein said wheel structure has an axial direction and a circumferential direction;
- wherein said wheel structure has an ultimate stiffness, said ultimate stiffness being only obtained in a ready-to-travel, fitted state;
- wherein said at least one profile element is detachably connectable to the axle structure, is formed at least partly from steel, a light metal or a light metal alloy having a uniformly aligned crystal structure each, has a width in the axial direction, and has a thickness in the radial direction;
- wherein said width is considerably larger than said thickness;
- wherein at least one holding or retaining element is provided for a detachable connection of the at least one profile element to the axle structure;
- and
- wherein the at least one holding or retaining element is welded to the at least one profile element.
5 more elements
A wheel structure to be fitted to an axle structure of a vehicle, the wheel structure comprising:
- a rim and a spoke system, wherein the spoke system has at least one profile element for transmitting forces between the axle structure and the rim;
- wherein said wheel structure has a first stiffness in an unmounted state such that the wheel structure is deformable by forces and torques acting on the wheel structure and a second, ultimate stiffness that is only obtained when the spoke system is mounted to the axle structure such that the wheel structure is substantially undeformable by forces and torques acting on the wheel structure,
- wherein at least one holding or retaining element is provided for a detachable connection of the at least one profile element to the axle structure, and
- wherein the at least one holding or retaining element is welded to the at least one profile element.
1 more element
A wheel and axle structure comprising:
- a spoke system,
- a rim, and
- an axle system,
- wherein the radially outer portion of the spoke system is connected to the rim, and the radially inner portion is connected directly to the axle system;
- wherein the spoke system has at least one profile element for transmitting forces directly between the axle system and the rim;
- wherein said wheel and axle structure has an ultimate stiffness, obtained by mounting the spoke system to the axle system such that the wheel and axle structure is substantially undeformable by forces and torques acting on the wheel and axle structure;
- wherein said at least one profile element is detachably connected to the axle system.
4 more elements
A wheel structure to be fitted directly to an axle structure of a vehicle, the wheel structure comprising:
- a rim;
- and
- a spoke system having at least one profile element for transmitting forces directly between the axle structure and the rim and a radially inner portion to be detachably connectable to the axle structure;
- and
- wherein the radially inner portion of the at least one profile element is free.
2 more elements
A wheel structure to be fitted to an axle structure of a vehicle, the wheel structure comprising:
- a rim and a spoke system, wherein the spoke system has at least one profile element for transmitting forces between the axle structure and the rim;
- wherein said wheel structure has an axial direction and a circumferential direction;
- wherein said wheel structure has an ultimate stiffness, said ultimate stiffness being only obtained in a ready-to-travel, fitted state;
- wherein said at least one profile element is detachably connectable to the axle structure, is formed at least partly from steel, a light metal or a light metal alloy having a uniformly aligned crystal structure each, has a width in the axial direction, and has a thickness in the radial direction;
- wherein said width is considerably larger than said thickness;
- wherein at least one holding or retaining element is provided for a detachable connection of the at least one profile element to the axle structure;
- and
- wherein the at least one profile element is considerably u-shaped and has a connecting web engaging the axle structure.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.