Integral Rim And Disc Making Patents (Class 29/894.324)
  • Patent number: 11260446
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a floating block of a hub shaping mold. The floating block can include: at least one inner support member having a first side and a second side opposite to each other, wherein the first side of the at least one inner support member can include a first arc surface, and at least one first bulge can be arranged on the first arc surface; at least one outer pressing member having a first side and a second side opposite to each other, wherein the first side of the at least one outer pressing member can include a second arc surface matched with the first arc surface, at least one second bulge can be arranged on the second arc surface, and the at least one first bulge and the at least one second bulge can be arranged in a staggered manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: NINGBO DEMA INTELLIGENT MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiangyi Dong
  • Patent number: 10919083
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an aluminum alloy wheel includes: casting, de-flashing, soaking, spinning, thermal treatment, de-gating, X-ray and machining. During the casting, a casting mold is cooled with water, and a cast blank is produced from carrying out the casting. The de-flashing includes removing flashes of the cast blank at a rim of the cast blank with a de-flashing device. The soaking includes reheating on the cast blank that has been de-flashed. The spinning includes an adaptive spinning mold. The thermal treatment includes direct solution treatment and aging on the cast blank in a thermal treatment furnace after spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zuo Xu, Haiping Chang, Lijuan Zhang, Shiwen Xu, Changhai Li, Zhihua Zhu
  • Patent number: 10882104
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel, or other axisymmetric shaped article, is formed of an aluminum-based alloy by a combination of a liquid forging step of a pre-form shape of the wheel and a subsequent solid-state flow forming step to complete the specified shape of the wheel. An aluminum-based alloy, containing specified amounts of zinc, silicon, and magnesium is devised for use in the forming process. The composition of the aluminum-based alloy is devised to facilitate the performance of each forming step of the article and the mechanical properties of the final shaped product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lei Gao, Bin Hu
  • Patent number: 9573179
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a metal wheel (1) from a pre-form, with stretching rolls (3) engaging on the rim region of the pre-form, by means of which rolls a rim (1.1) is end-formed which, for forming a rim flange (1.7). Freely rotatable rolls (4) are arranged underneath the stretching rolls (3) and cooperate with them. A method for manufacturing a metal wheel (1) from a pre-form, the pre-form of the metal wheel (1) to be manufactured is placed on a clamping mandrel (2) and is caused to rotate, stretching rolls (3) engage an axially outer side of a rotation-symmetrical jacket of the pre-form with the exertion of radial pressure, and move along the jacket wall of the pre-form with compression and stretching of the jacket wall to form a rim (1.1) with a main movement component parallel with the axis of rotation (2.1) of the pre-form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: RONAL AG
    Inventor: Giorgio Muffatto
  • Patent number: 9545819
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel rim for use on a motor vehicle, having a wheel rim well (1, 29), having an inner wheel rim flange (7, 30) and having an outer wheel rim flange, wherein the wheel rim well (1, 29) is delimited at its axial end regions by in each case one of the wheel rim flanges (7, 30), wherein the wheel rim flanges (7, 30) are formed by a radially encircling wall, said walls extending in each case at a predefinable angle (5, 27) with respect to the wheel rim well (1, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg von Tardy-Tuch, Achim Schulz
  • Patent number: 8776372
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul E. Krajewski, Ravi Verma
  • Publication number: 20120291283
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel is suggested in which the vehicle wheel can provide function and effect of preventing molding defects during molding of an outer rim portion and/or an inner rim portion having sound absorbing spaces 25 and of reducing acoustic cavity noise that occurs in a tire-internal space by use of the sound absorbing spaces. After a separation groove having a curved shape groove bottom surface 55a is formed between a ring-shaped wall portion and partition wall portions, the ring-shaped wall portion is bent toward a flange portion, and the ring-shaped wall portion and the flange portion are welded together. The sound absorbing spaces which communicate with each other via communication gaps defined according to the separation groove are thereby formed in the outer rim portion and/or the inner rim portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Akihiro Ikeda, Masahide Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7958636
    Abstract: An outer rim molded material is molded by forging or casting, a portion of the outer rim which extends from a hump to a bead seat is separated from part of a rim flange precursor 2a and is caused to fall in a sloping fashion inwards of a wheel width so as to form a bead seat precursor 12a, and the bead seat precursor 12a so formed is then joined to be welded to a top or side of a rim well rising portion precursor 5b. An external surface is cut to be finished to a proper shape, and an annular hollow portion 8 is formed underneath a lower surface of the bead seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7895752
    Abstract: A method comprising: a step of preforming a plurality of bulging portions on a substantially circular plate blank, the bulging portions being located concentrically and circumferentially outward of a bolt hole, each of the bulging portions being a base of a reinforcing portion of a spoke; a step of forming a plurality of prototypical decorative holes on the respective bulging portions to form a prototypically-shaped spoke between the adjacent prototypical decorative holes; a step of forming a disk flange by bending an outer circumferential portion of the plate blank, on which the prototypical decorative holes are formed, at a right angle to be substantially parallel to a wheel axial direction, so that an outer periphery of a resultant decorative hole forms an upper end edge of the disk flange; and a step of forming the spoke by providing the prototypically-shaped spoke with the reinforcing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsu Sano, Yoshinobu Sakashita, Kei Takagi, Kikuya Ito
  • Patent number: 7774938
    Abstract: Thus, the present disclosure includes a method of producing a weight-optimized pneumatic tire rim having rotationally-symmetrically partially different wall thickness. The steps include: providing a tube section having a first wall thickness and two end sides; leveling the first wall thickness starting from the two end sides over a defined rotationally-symmetrical area thereby forming two flanks by precontouring, each of the flanks having a second wall thickness, and pushing tolerance-caused excess material of the flanks into a well base zone between the two flanks; and contouring the flanks by pressure rolling while drawing each of the flanks toward an end area of each of the flanks and reducing the thickness of each of the flanks partially differently to predetermined measurements. The present disclosure also includes a device to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: WF-Maschinenbau und Blechformtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Udo Friese
  • Patent number: 7658007
    Abstract: Methods for forming a soft lip for a wheel rim are disclosed herein. The wheel rim may be a cold-formed, spun-formed, or rolled-formed cylindrical blank, wherein the blank includes an upturned outer edge. As the blank is spun, a blunting roller lowered to contact the upturned outer edge to blunt the outer edge into a work-strengthened annular bead, and finish off the external surface of the annular bead to form a soft lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Donald Melbinger
  • Publication number: 20090278399
    Abstract: This invention relates to a unitary steel wheel as well as an apparatus and method for producing a unitary steel wheel. The unitary wheel comprises rim and disc components. In one embodiment, the unitary wheel further comprises approximately a 50 taper bead-seat for flat or semi-drop cantar rims, produced from a generally circular steel blank. The blank preferably has a cantar hole of predetermined size. In a first step, the blank is initially placed in a spinning machina to form disk and rim portions of a predetermined profila and shape. The preform is further spun and flow formed in the spinning machine, to form a gutter, well, bead-Seat, and/or fixed flange. The preform is then forward and reverse spun to form the final profila and shape of the gutter, wall, bead-seat, and/or fixed flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ram Srivats, S. Jayaram
  • Patent number: 7587825
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Coleman, Tom Czarniecki, Bill Fowler
  • Patent number: 7559145
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Utz Jäcke, Ramon J. Aquilué, Jordi Bosch
  • Publication number: 20090113713
    Abstract: A method for making a wheel rim includes the steps of: A) casting an aluminum alloy containing silicon and magnesium into a blank including a lateral portion and a disk portion that is surrounded by the lateral portion and that has a plurality of radial elements extending toward and connected to the lateral portion; B) forging the disk portion of the blank to form the radial elements into radial ribs; C) solution heat-treating the blank after forging; and D) spinning the lateral portion to form a rim body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Wang-Fa Tsai, Shou-Chang Hwang
  • Publication number: 20090026830
    Abstract: An elastic wheel comprises a rim for mounting a tire, a disk to be fixed to an axle, and a connecting apparatus for connecting elastically between the rim and disk, the apparatus comprising a pair of axially spaced internal flanges each provided on an inner circumference side of the rim and extending circumferentially, an external flange provided on a radially outer portion of the disk, the external flange disposed in a space between the internal flanges with an axial gap on its both sides and extending circumferentially, a pair of rubber dampers each disposed in the axial gap and connecting between the internal and external flanges, wherein each internal flange is provided on its axially inner side with a first groove, the external flange is provided on its both sides with a second groove so as to face each first groove, axial ends of each damper are inserted into the first and second grooves, and a radial gap is provided between the external flange and the inner circumference side of the rim in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Masaki Shiraishi, Tadashi Imamura, Yoshiaki Kimura, Kenji Maki
  • Publication number: 20080252136
    Abstract: This invention relates to a unitary steel wheel as well as the apparatus and method of producing a unitary steel wheel. The unitary wheel comprises wheel rim and disc portions. In one embodiment, the unitary wheel of this invention further comprise a one-piece wheel of 5° and 15° drop center rims, providing a generally circular steel blank from a sheet stock of pre-determined substantially uniform thickness. The bank preferably has a center hole having a predetermined size. The blank is performed in a spinning machine to a predetermined profile and shape. The perform is further spun and flow formed in a spinning machine, the perform being positioned between an outer roll and inner mandrel and held against a clamping plate. The inner mandrel comprises an outboard surface, which conforms to the predetermined inner diameter of the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: WHEELS INDIA LIMITED
    Inventor: Ram Srivats
  • Patent number: 7346984
    Abstract: A wheel, particularly a light metal wheel, for motor vehicles, essentially consists of a spoke wheel center (20) and a rim (10). In order to reduce weight and increase the bending strength, which is of great significance in regard to contact with curbstones and potholes, profile segment (31) in the form of half-shell units, which forms a continuous hollow chamber (41) in the direction of the circumference, at least in sections, are provided in the area of an external base of the rim (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: BBS Motorsport & Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 6886250
    Abstract: The manufacturing method for an aluminum alloy wheel rim consists of the following steps: (1) cutting aluminum alloy material; (2) heating the aluminum alloy material to make a marked center and fillet preformed blank; (3) forging the marked center and fillet preformed blank into a preformed blank; (4) punching a central axis of the preformed blank; (5) forging the punched preformed blank into an enlarged rough forging blank; and (6) forging the enlarged rough forging blank to form an aluminum alloy wheel rim. With this presenting invention the structural strength of the wheel rim is enhanced. In addition, the aluminum alloy wheel rim can be manufactured rapidly, thereby enhancing efficient productivity and improving quality of fabrication of the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Shu-Yuan Liao
  • Patent number: 6785962
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for forming a full face fabricated vehicle wheel and includes the steps of: (a) providing a disc blank formed from a metal material; (b) subjecting the disc blank to a metal stamping operation to produce a partially formed non-bowl shaped full face wheel disc having at least one stamped pocket formed therein; (c) forming at least one decorative window in the partially formed full face wheel disc; (d) coining a back side of the window in the partially formed full face wheel disc; (e) trimming an outer edge of the partially formed full face wheel disc to a predetermined diameter; (f) forming a center hub hole in the partially formed full face wheel disc; (g) subjecting the partially formed full face wheel disc to one or more final metal forming operations to form at least one of an outer flange and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes in the partially formed wheel disc so as to produce a finished full face wheel disc; and (h) securing the full face wheel disc to a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International
    Inventor: Alan Coleman
  • Patent number: 6783190
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: BBS Motorsport & Engineering
    Inventor: Heinrich Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 6571590
    Abstract: The invention related to a method for producing a rim for a pneumatic tire. A rim base with a rear rim flange is produced from a ring-shaped blank by exerting pressure. Said rim base is then connected to a bowl of a rim at the side thereof facing away from the rear rim flange. In order to produce said rim base, the blank is inserted into a compression mould which is embodied as a cavity and is pressed against the at least partially contoured interior of the compression mould by means of at least one compression roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: WF-Maschinenbau und Blechformtecknik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Udo Friese
  • Patent number: 6536111
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Baumgarten, Kenneth R. Archibald
  • Patent number: 6436209
    Abstract: A road wheel for a track laying vehicle is made by initially roll pressing and projection drawing a planar disk of temperable steel into a blank having a cylindrical portion, a planar hub portion and an intermediate portion bridging the hub and peripheral projection. Prior to machining at least of the intermediate portions, the blank is tempered and thereby increased in size. The blank is reshaped following the tempering and prior to machining to the original blank shape and is then machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Thyssen Krupp AG
    Inventors: Johannes Wozniak, Wilfried Spintig
  • Patent number: 6427328
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a one-part vehicle wheel are provided, in which a substantially disk-shaped, undercut-free pre-form is cast. Immediately after casting the pre-form is conveyed to a flow-forming machine, while maintaining a residual heat and is fixed therein. The circumferential area of the fixed pre-form is split and, by subsequent spinning and flow-forming, is constructed as an intermediate form with a rim, which already substantially has the wall thickness of the rim of the finished vehicle wheel. The intermediate form is cooled, sized, and undergoes a final end-working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Leico GmbH & Co. Werkzeugmaschinenbau
    Inventor: Guenter Pollkoetter
  • Patent number: 6325873
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a one-part vehicle wheel are provided, in which a substantially disk-shaped, undercut-free pre-form is cast. Immediately after casting the pre-form is conveyed to a flow-forming machine, while maintaining a residual heat and is fixed therein. The circumferential area of the fixed pre-form is split and, by subsequent spinning and flow-forming, is constructed as an intermediate form with a rim, which already substantially has the wall thickness of the rim of the finished vehicle wheel. The intermediate form is cooled, sized, and undergoes a final end-working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Leico GmbH & Co. Werkzeugmaschinenbau
    Inventor: Guenter Pollkoetter