Abstract: Presented are hybrid metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wheels for vehicle wheel assemblies, methods for making/using such wheels, and motor vehicles equipped with such wheels. A wheel for a motor vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel face with multiple spokes that are circumferentially spaced about and project radially outward from a central hub. The central hub rotatably attaches to the vehicle's body, e.g., via a corner module. The wheel face is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from an FRP material. A wheel barrel, which circumscribes the wheel face, includes an annular rim that mounts thereon an inflatable tire. The wheel barrel is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from a metallic material. Multiple overmold through holes and/or inset tabs are circumferentially spaced about the annular rim. The FRP material extends through and/or surrounds the overmold through holes/inset tabs and thereby mounts the wheel face to the wheel barrel.

Abstract: A wheel and a rim with a weight reduction inner flange are provided. The rim includes an inner flange, a middle portion and an outer flange which are all annular and connected end to end to form an annular rim, in which the inner flange or the outer flange includes multiple groups of edge weight reduction sockets arranged side by side on one side of the inner cavity of a hub, and multiple groups of inner weight reduction sockets arranged side by side are provided inside the edge weight reduction sockets on the rim; a group of edge weight reduction sockets includes a first edge weight reduction socket and a second edge weight reduction socket at the edge of the inner flange or the outer flange, and the first edge weight reduction socket is in the shape of a right-angled triangle having round angles.

Abstract: A wheel assembly having an outboard portion and an inboard portion including a wheel hub configured to enable fastening of the wheel assembly to a vehicle such that the outboard portion is oriented away from a centerline of the vehicle and the inboard portion is oriented toward the centerline of the vehicle, a wheel rim positioned concentrically with the wheel hub, and configured to receive one or more friction elements, and one or more wheel spokes radially connecting the wheel hub and the wheel rim, each of the one or more wheel spokes having a retainer positioned at an inboard portion, the retainer being configured to enable retaining one or more decorative parts at an outboard portion of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A wheel assembly including a wheel and a wheel clad. The wheel includes a wheel outer rim portion, a wheel inner hub portion adapted to receive an axle therethrough, and a plurality of wheel spokes extending radially between the wheel outer rim portion and the wheel inner hub portion. The wheel has an outer surface having a plurality of wheel turbine openings therein. The wheel turbine openings have a first area. The wheel clad includes a clad outer rim portion axially aligned with at least a portion of the wheel outer rim portion, a clad inner hub portion axially aligned with at least a portion of the wheel inner hub portion, and a plurality of clad spokes extending radially between the clad outer rim portion and clad inner hub portion. The clad has a plurality of clad turbine openings each having a second area. The second area is substantially less than the first area. The clad/wheel assembly has a drag coefficient of substantially less than that of the wheel by itself.

Abstract: A cast aluminum wheel includes a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis and a central element extending radially outwardly between the axis and the rim element. The rim element includes a wall extending circumferentially around the axis between a proximal bead and a distal bead. The central element includes a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly toward the proximal bead and meets proximate the axis with adjacent of the plurality of spokes defining a cooperative feature therebetween for providing stiffness to the wheel. The spokes progressively increase in volume in a direction toward the axis from the rim element thereby providing increased mass of the spokes proximate the axis relative to the rim element.

Abstract: A tire-like exercise device having a substantially round outer periphery and a non-round inner periphery. The non-round inner periphery may be substantially rectangular and have one or more flat regions to provide hand and toe holds for performing various exercises. A first valve allows the firmness of the Never Tire™ exercise apparatus to be adjusted by increasing or decreasing inner air pressure. A second larger valve allows ballast, such as water or sand, to be input to the device to stabilize the apparatus against slipping and sliding.

Abstract: A wheel assembly including a cover portion permanently attached to a wheel. The wheel includes a wheel central hub portion, a wheel outer peripheral rim portion, a plurality of wheel spoke portions extending between the wheel central hub portion and the wheel outer peripheral rim portion, and a plurality of wheel turbine openings disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of wheel spoke portions. A cover portion is configured to overlie a portion of the wheel portion. The cover portion is configured to overlie one or more of the wheel central hub portion; the plurality of wheel spoke portions, and the plurality of turbine openings or the wheel outer periphery. An adhesive is disposed between an outboard surface of the wheel and the inboard surface of the cover portion to permanently secure the cover portion to the wheel portion. When the cover portion is secured to the wheel, substantial portions of the plurality of wheel spokes, the wheel central hub, or wheel outer periphery remain exposed.

Abstract: A cast aluminum wheel includes a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis and a central element extending radially outwardly between the axis and the rim element. The rim element includes a wall extending circumferentially around the axis between a proximal bead and a distal bead. The central element includes a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly toward the proximal bead and meets proximate the axis with adjacent of the plurality of spokes defining a cooperative feature therebetween for providing stiffness to the wheel. The spokes progressively increase in volume in a direction toward the axis from the rim element thereby providing increased mass of the spokes proximate the axis relative to the rim element.

Abstract: A one-part wheel which is made of fiber composites without interruption of fibers with excellent mechanical properties and with low weight at the same time as well as a process for the manufacture thereof. The wheel has especially a rim well as well as a wheel disk passing over into a wheel flange of the rim well, where the wheel disk is formed at least partly by fiber layers, which run from the rim well over a wheel flange and the wheel disk. The wheel is manufactured by a multipart mold with parts displaceable at least in the axial direction. The mold is completely removed after the deposition of fibers or remains as a lost core in the wheel.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention concerns a wheel body of a wheel of an electric vehicle including a rim body with a rim portion for receiving a tire and a spoke portion for carrying the rim portion on a bearing for rotatably mounting the rim body on a wheel axle, a motor receiving body for receiving an electric motor for driving the wheel, and the motor receiving body includes an outer, radially surrounding receiving portion for receiving and fixing an outer part of the electric motor, which part is rotatable relative to the wheel axle.

Abstract: A wheel for straddle vehicle includes a hub, a rim, a plurality of first spokes, a plurality of second spokes, spoke side hollow portions, and first opening portions. Each of the plurality of second spokes is provided between adjacent two first spokes among the plurality of first spokes to be a pair with a closest first spoke between the adjacent two first spokes. The pair has opposite surfaces facing to each other. The spoke side hollow portions are provided inside the plurality of first spokes and second spokes, respectively. The first opening portions are provided on the opposite surfaces, respectively. Each of the first opening portions communicates with each of the spoke side hollow portions.

Abstract: Process and casting mold for producing a cast wheel. A core, which remains in the cast wheel and has a circumferential rim, is inserted into a casting mold having at least one lower mold part and an upper mold part moved relative to one another to close casting mold. Core is positioned by at least one positioning element in a predetermined position in casting mold, so that an end region of positioning element is fixed with a force fit or frictional fit in circumferential rim of the core. A free end region of positioning element, which protrudes from circumferential rim of the core, is placed on a contact surface, which is preferably arranged substantially horizontally during operation, of lower mold part during positioning of core in casting mold. Core is positioned in the predetermined position under the action of the force of gravity.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel according to the present invention includes a hollow-state hollow portion and a solid-state non-hollow portion inside an outboard bead seat in a radial direction, which are provided in series in a circumferential direction of the wheel, the non-hollow portion having a cross section with a larger area than a hole cross section of a valve hole and having the valve hole formed therein. This structure prevents a sealing structure for ensuring hermetic performance from being complicated as compared to a wheel having the valve hole in the hollow portion, thus simplifying a mounting structure of an air valve. A method for manufacturing such a vehicle wheel allows formation of the valve hole in the non-hollow portion. Machining dust generated through a cutting process can thus be prevented from entering the hollow portion and remaining therein.

Abstract: A method of forming a casting includes providing a preform to a mold cavity. The preform is formed from one of a first metal and a second metal and defines an interface surface. A molten portion of the other of the first metal and the second metal is cast into the mold such that the molten portion proximately contacts the interface surface of the preform. An interface layer at the interface surface, a first portion defined by the mold cavity and the interface layer, and a second portion defined by the interface layer, are formed during casting. The interface layer may define a metallurgical bond between the first portion and the second portion. In the non-limiting example provided herein, the first portion is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second portion is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the casting may be configured as a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a product and a method of galvanically isolating an outer wheel portion from a wheel hub. A center wheel portion may comprise a less galvanically active material than the outer wheel portion and may be attached to the outer wheel portion with an interlock.

Abstract: A method of imparting superior fatigue performance to a vehicle wheel cast from a magnesium alloy by selective application of friction stir processing to regions of the casting known to be subject to high in-service stresses is described. The method may be particularly applicable to open wheel designs in which a plurality of spokes is used to connect the hub and rim portions of the wheel.

Abstract: A tire wheel set comprising a front wheel to be attached to a front axle of a vehicle, and a rear wheel to be attached to a rear axle thereof. The front wheel is greater in rigidity than the rear wheel.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing aluminum vehicle wheels by a casting process that is followed by processing including flow forming and heat treatment steps while one or more risers remain on the cast wheel blank. The process can include directing cooling fluid onto an exposed surface of the casting mold to enhance wheel strength. One-by-one transfer of wheel blanks can be practiced to avoid negative aspects of batch processing.

Abstract: A drainable vehicle wheel having a hub, a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub and a rim having tips ends of the spokes connected thereto. Each of the plurality of spokes has a hollow portion and a plurality of water-discharge hole formed therein. The hub has an outer hollow portion formed by a plurality of walls, and one the walls has a drain hole formed therein. The outer hollow portion of the hub is fluidly connected to a hollow portion formed in each of the spokes. A wall of the tip end portion of each of spokes is thickened or reinforced to increase stiffness of the spokes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle wheel, in particular a hybrid vehicle wheel, composed of a wheel disc, which is fabricated from lightweight metal as a cast part, and a rim ring, which is made from steel, is connected to the wheel disc in a rotationally fixed fashion and has at least one rim horn and a drop base edge, and a method for manufacturing such a hybrid vehicle wheel. In order to be able to manufacture the hybrid vehicle wheel at low cost and to ensure sufficient force flow between the rim ring and the wheel disc, the wheel disc has, on the disc edge, a contour which is matched to the profile of the rim horn and drop base edge and extends over the distance between them and on which the rim ring bears in the mounted state of the wheel disc and rim ring while clamping the wheel disc between a first pressure zone on the drop base edge and a second pressure zone on the rim horn. Fitting is carried out by folding over or rolling over a rim ring blank onto the edge of the disc.

Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly body enables reduction of road noise while reducing unsprung mass using a light-metal wheel. The tire/wheel assembly body is formed by installing a pneumatic tire on the light-metal wheel with a rigidity index (?) of 35 to 65 (1/rad). In the pneumatic tire, reinforcement layers are arranged at end portions of a belt layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a one-piece, wheel that is modified to have the appearance of a multi-piece wheel. In certain embodiments, the interior surface of the wheel barrel may be modified such that it is substantially parallel with the wheels axis of rotation. In some embodiments, a plurality of fastening devices such as bolts may be placed through the wheel center. In various embodiments, a groove may be located on the interior surface of the wheel barrel to give the appearance that the barrel comprises multiple pieces.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel (4) comprises a hub (8), a rim (32), and at least one connecting spoke (52) between the hub (8) and the rim (32). The at least one spoke (52) comprises, in the region of a rim-attachment portion (60), a first duct (68) which is arranged substantially radially and a second duct (72) which is arranged substantially axially and is in communication with the first duct (68). The second duct (72) constitutes a seat for an inflatation valve (94) that can be associated with the wheel (4). The inflatation valve (94) is easily accessible for operations to inflate a tyre (44) mounted on the rim (32).

Abstract: A tire wheel set includes a front wheel to be attached to a front axle of a vehicle, and a rear wheel to be attached to a rear axle thereof. The rear wheel is greater in rigidity than the front wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast wheel having a wheel rim base, a rear edge region, and a front edge region, wherein the front edge region is coupled to the rear edge region via the wheel rim base. The cast wheel includes at least one reduced-material portion structured and arranged in the rear edge region and a circumferential bead arranged in a rearward portion of the rear edge region, wherein at least a part of the reduced-material portion is located in a region of the circumferential bead and is structured and arranged to widen radially inward from a radially outwardly located vertex region towards a leveling-off end.

Abstract: An automotive wheel rim to receive a vehicle tire, at least one tire bead seat extending inwardly of the wall of the rim whereby the outer contour or profile of the wheel rim is selected to be of a different contour or profile to the inner contour or profile of the rim.

Abstract: A two-piece-wise built-up light-alloy wheel with a rather big diameter for automobiles and two-wheeled vehicles, being aimed to be made as lightweight and have an improved ornamental appearance, comprising: a rim (2) having outer and inner rim portions integrally formed with each other; a center disk (1) built-up with the integral rim (2); fastener bolts fastening the rim with the center disk; and a plurality of thick-wall portions (9) bulging from and integrally formed with the outer rim portion as bulging toward center of the wheel, as to form screw holes for the fastener bolts. Thickness of the rim (2) is substantially same except for the thick-wall portions, throughout from a bead seat (6) on the outer rim portion through a well part (8).

Abstract: A cast wheel rim including a light-metal body which at least partially encompasses at least one shaped part forming a cast-in core and having a mean specific weight smaller than that of the light metal used for the body, wherein the shaped part is comprised of a pressed body made of a porous silicate material.

Abstract: A light alloy wheel for a vehicle comprising a disc portion comprising a hub portion and a design portion and a rim portion, the design portion having as-die-cast spoke portions having a taper angle of less than 5.0°. This wheel can be produced by using a casting apparatus comprising a die assembly comprising at least a stationary lower die and a movable upper die, a movable platen to which the upper die is fixed, a first cylinder and at least three synchronous second cylinders mounted onto a frame of the apparatus for moving the movable platen; driving the first cylinder to slowly reduce the clamping force of the lower die and the upper die; synchronously driving the second cylinders to elevate the movable platen in parallel from a position at which the lower die and the upper die are clamped to a position at which the wheel would not impinge on the lower die even if the movable platen were slanted; and then further elevating the movable platen by the first cylinder.

Abstract: A wheel, particularly a light metal wheel, for motor vehicles, essentially consists of a spoke wheel center (20) and a wheel rim (10). In order to reduce weight and to increase the bending strength, which is of great significance in regard to contacts with curbstones and driving through potholes, profile segments (31) in the form of half-shell units, which from a continuous hollow chamber (41) in the direction of circumference, at least in sections, are provided in the area of an external base of the rim (14).

Abstract: In a wheel for a motor vehicle, the existing hollow spaces are filled with residual cores. These cores are made of a metallic foam or are of shell-shaped bodies or shell-shaped bodies filled with metallic foam. The cores are arranged in closed and open hollow spaces.

Abstract: An automobile spider wheel is made of aluminum alloys and has an outer face layer made of stainless steel. A process for manufacturing the automobile spider wheel includes working the stainless steel insert by a known press process based on side face shapes of an automobile wheel. Joining faces of the insert are treated roughly by sanding or brushing for joining with melted aluminum alloys. Protrusions are fixed on the joining faces of the insert in positions corresponding to rim support faces of the insert. The stainless steel insert is inserted in surface-to-surface relationship with a surface of a lower mold of a molding device with the protrusions projecting upwardly. The stainless steel insert is integrally molded-to the melted alloys to form the wheel by a known die casting process after closing the molding device.

Abstract: A cast wheel rim (1) including a light-metal body (2) which at least partially encompasses at least one shaped part (8, 8′, 8″) forming a cast-in core and having a mean specific weight smaller than that of the light metal used for the casting, wherein the shaped part (8, 8′, 8″) is comprised of a pressed body made of a porous silicate material.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel has an outboard face which includes a smoothed portion to provide a cosmetic finish to the wheel face. The smoothed portion is formed by pressing a cutting tool having a non-symmetrical tip against the wheel surface as the wheel is rotated.

Abstract: A process for forming a vehicle wheel wherein a wheel blank having a wheel disc and a cylindrical skirt extending axially form an inboard surface of the wheel disc is mounted upon a spinning machine and the skirt is spun into a vehicle wheel rim.

Abstract: The rim spider of a two-piece wheel for a motor vehicle is provided with hollow spokes in which a metal foam core is arranged and remains. The rim spider is connected with a rim by way of weld ring surfaces which are friction welded. The metal foam core is provided in a special manner with a partial core which is supported on a top core of a casting die tool so as to provide positioned bearing in the casting die tool. By way of slides, which are arranged in a distributed manner on a circumference of the rim spider, an influence on heating and cooling behavior, during and after casting, is exercised.

Abstract: A light alloy wheel for a vehicle comprising a disc portion comprising a hub portion and a design portion and a rim portion, the design portion having as-die-cast spoke portions having a taper angle of less than 5.0°. This wheel can be produced by using a casting apparatus comprising a die assembly comprising at least a stationary lower die and a movable upper die, a movable platen to which the upper die is fixed, a first cylinder and at least three synchronous second cylinders mounted onto a frame of the apparatus for moving the movable platen; driving the first cylinder to slowly reduce the clamping force of the lower die and the upper die; synchronously driving the second cylinders to elevate the movable platen in parallel from a position at which the lower die and the upper die are clamped to a position at which the wheel would not impinge on the lower die even if the movable platen were slanted; and then further elevating the movable platen by the first cylinder.

Abstract: A wheel for a motor vehicle includes cavities in a spoked rim structure. These cavities are provided with a removable sand core or with a remaining core, for example, made of metal foam. A rim, or a rim and a rim flange, may be connected with the spoked rim structure, so that a two-part or a three-part wheel can be produced in a simple manner.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel has an outboard face which includes a smoothed portion to provide a cosmetic finish to the wheel face. The smoothed portion is formed by pressing a cutting tool having a non-symmetrical tip against the wheel surface as the wheel is rotated.

Abstract: A two-piece tire rim is prepared from a molded, one-piece wheel casting which is generally cup-shaped in configuration. The casting, which is open at one end and closed at its opposite end, has an inner annular recess formed coaxially in the inner surface of its closed end, and has formed coaxially in its outer peripheral surface an external annular recess radially spaced from, and in axial registry with an internal annular recess. The casting is separated into two separate sections by cutting through the casting in a circular path extending from the external annular recess to the internal annular recess, thereby producing a generally annular shaped inner rim section, and a generally disc-shaped outer rim section. The two rim sections are then machined to final form, and are secured together to form the desired two-piece tire rim.

Abstract: Cast metal wheels, such as those made of aluminum and magnesium alloys generally have a thick cross section in the area where the wheel disc joins the rim. The disclosed invention is drawn to a device for reducing the weight of a cast metal vehicle wheel. The device includes an annular tube which is supported in the mold in the wheel is cast. The device is then cast within the wheel rim or disc and forms a hollow cavity inside the wheel which reduces the weight of the wheel.

Abstract: A portable wheel assembly for use with bicycles and other wheeled vehicles. The wheel assembly comprises a centrally positioned hub which is adapted for rotatable movement about an axis. A plurality of pie shaped disk segments are coupled together along their radial side edges to form a circular support disk with a central opening. Each disk segment is adapted to removably couple with the hub at its innermost radial edge and extends radially outwardly to form a portion of a circular rim at its outermost radial edge. The rim is adapted for supporting a tire. The tire comprises a non-pneumatic tire with an annular ridge which is adapted to couple with the circular rim formed by the disk. During assembly, each of the pie shaped disk segments is coupled together and then coupled to the hub assembly at the inside radial edge or central opening. As the disk segments are coupled to the hub, the tire is assembled onto the outer radial edge or rim.

Abstract: A disc wheel for a passenger car has a plate-like rim and a plate-like disc, the disc having a hub mounting portion extending in a direction perpendicular to an axis thereof, a hat middle portion continuously extending from the hub mounting portion toward an outer side in a radial direction and an outer side in an axial direction, a hat top portion continuously extending from the hat middle portion, and a ventilation hole portion continuously extending from the hat top portion toward an inner peripheral surface of the rim and a flange portion continuously extending from the ventilation hole portion and fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the rim. In the disc wheel, the rim inner peripheral surface and the disc flange are welded. Further, the disc has ventilation holes.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel having hollow spokes and made of a light metal is produced in a casting process. In the hollow space, the wheel spokes have a dead core consisting of a metallic material in the form of a metal foam or of a closed shell-shaped element, which dead core remains in the hollow space after casting.

Abstract: A one piece commercial highway vehicle wheel cast from a light weight metal in mold having a core insert which forms a circumferential lightener recess in the outboard end of the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a wheel spider and a wheel rim which can be connected together by a weld. For this purpose, mutually corresponding connection surfaces are provided on the wheel spider and on the wheel rim. The connection surfaces have either different inclinations or identical inclinations so that the two wheel parts can be centered with respect to one another for welding.

Abstract: A motorcycle wheel includes a rim portion, a hub portion, a joining portion extending between the hub portion and the rim portion, and an axle housing portion. The joining portion includes first and second sidewalls defining outwardly-facing continuous concave surfaces. The first and second sidewalls define a well adjacent the rim portion. The first and second sidewalls contact each other at a merger portion intermediate the hub portion and the rim portion. The first sidewall is slightly thicker than said second sidewall to facilitate casting the wheel as one piece. A merger point in the merger portion has a thickness that is less than the minimum thicknesses of a portion of the first and second walls between the hub portion and the merger portion. The hub portion includes apertures to reduce the weight of the wheel. The axle housing portion protects a motorcycle axle from debris passing through the apertures in the hub portion, and stiffens the axle bearing supports.

Abstract: A wheel for a motor vehicle has a wheel hub connected with a wheel rim by spokes. In order to create a wheel for a motor vehicle which has low weight and high stability, spokes arranged between the wheel hub and the rim are constructed such that, in first areas connected with the wheel hub, the spokes have solid cross-sections and, in second areas connected with the rim, the spokes have V-shaped cross-sections. Transitions between the two areas are progressive; that is, along a longitudinal course of each spoke from the wheel hub toward the rim, the cross-section of a spoke is changed from an initially solid cross-section, which preferably has an elliptical construction, to a triangular cross-section, which then further changes to a V-shaped cross-section while forming a groove arranged in its center.

Abstract: A wheel for a motor vehicle consists of a rim spider having air openings and of a rim well connected therewith. The wheel comprises at least two shell parts constructed as a rim well and as a rim spider with one molded-out interior and exterior wall respectively, which are connected with one another, and radially extending hollow spokes as well as at least one exterior and one interior annulus forming between meeting wall areas of adjacent air openings of the shell parts.

Abstract: A wheel for a motor vehicle has a rim spider provided with air openings and is connected with a rim well. The wheel comprises at least two shell parts which are constructed as a rim well and a rim spider and assembled and which each have an interior wall and an exterior wall. In the area of the air openings, these are connected with one another and each form hollow spokes between one another which, on respective end sides, lead into concentric annuli of the wheel.