Abstract: A road wheel for a vehicle includes a face portion and a rim portion. The face portion is formed from a metallic alloy and defines a central portion plurality of spokes extending between the central portion and a proximal bead element. The rim portion is formed from a composite material and defines an annular wall circumscribing a wheel axis extending to a distal bead element from said face portion. The proximal bead element is defined by the metallic alloy and the distal bead element is defined by the composite. The face portion and the rim portion are interconnected in interlocking engagement.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine and including a first indentation; an impeller shell fixedly secured to the cover; at least one impeller blade fixedly secured to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixedly secured to the turbine shell; and a lock-up clutch including a first carrier plate fixedly secured to the cover and including a first protrusion disposed in the first indentation and a clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the first carrier plate.

Abstract: Application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer structures to metal vehicle wheels is effective in reducing the mass of the wheel while retaining suitable stiffness in the wheel structure. For maximum effect the reinforced polymer structure and the metal wheel must operate cooperatively. Because of the wide range of operating temperatures experienced by wheels and the large difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between metals and carbon fiber reinforced composites attachment of the polymer structure to the wheel by adhesive alone is problematical. However a wheel with an effective and durable reinforcement may be fabricated by confining, through mechanical interference, the reinforced polymer in a cavity in or on the spoke and by preheating the wheel before curing the polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of wheels having an increased interior lip depth. In some embodiments, the wheel can include a wheel barrel having a register formed on the inner surface thereof. A wheel center piece can have a junction rim secured to the register. The wheel center piece can include a center portion configured to be secured to a vehicle. The wheel center piece can include spokes which extend radially outwardly from the center portion and axial extenders which connect the radially outward ends of the spokes to the junction rim. The axial extenders can function to increase the size of the cavity formed between the wheel center piece and the inboard end of the wheel. Thus, the cavity can have a volume sufficient to accommodate mechanical components of the vehicle while allowing the register can be formed relatively close to the inboard side of the wheel, thereby increasing the depth of the interior lip extending from the outboard end of the wheel to the junction rim.

Abstract: The process of production of a hybrid wheel in light alloy of the type including a disk and a rim able to be rendered integral by a friction weld, is characterized by the fact that it involves the following working phases: production of the front disk, obtained via a dual operation of casting of an initial foundry preform and transferring the said initial foundry preform into a forging die, plus the operation of forging of the aforesaid initial foundry preform in view of obtaining the front disk, and then the operation of flash removal to obtain the said front disk; manufacturing of the rim portion, with production of a billet of light alloy, and conversion of the said billet into a circular flank obtained by hot or cold extrusion, followed by expansion of this circular flank to the dimensions of the final rim, plus the operation of hot or cold flow-forming of the circular flank to the final form and profile of the rim; assembly of the front disk portion and the rim via welding, involving a friction welding o

Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a rim and a disk. A disk flange of the disk may have a non-contact portion non-contacting a radially inner surface of the rim, at a radially outer extension of a width center line of a spoke. As a result, the rigidity of a portion of the disk in the circumferential direction of the wheel where the spoke is provided may be decreased compared with a wheel (conventional) where such non-contact portion is not provided. A difference in rigidity of the disk in the circumferential direction of the wheel between a portion where the vent window is provided and a portion where the spoke is provided may be smaller than that in the case of the conventional wheel, whereby a durability of the wheel and a run-out accuracy of the wheel may be improved.

Abstract: An automobile wheel 10 comprising: (a) a rim 20; and (b) a disc 30 including: a plurality of spokes 33; and a disc flange 35 positioned at an outside end in the wheel radial direction, the disc having decorative holes 34, in which the rim and the disc flange are joined together, wherein a part of the disc flange, which corresponds to a radially outside end S of each of the spokes, is cut out toward an outside in a wheel axial direction relative to a disc-flange inside end edge 35a of the disc flange on an inside in the wheel axial direction to form a notch 36, and a minimum distance a1 between the notch and an outer periphery of the decorative hole is smaller than a width a2 of the disc flange at a middle position CD of the decorative hole.

Abstract: A full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel comprises a full face wheel disc defining an axis and having an outer end and a wheel rim having an outer end joined to the outer end of the wheel disc by at least one weld to produce the full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel. The full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel includes only a generally radially outwardly extending outer end formed by a combination of at least a portion of two of the outer end of the wheel disc, the outer end of the wheel rim and the at least one weld.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel rim for a motor vehicle which can be economically manufactured, with a wheel disc made of steel sheet and a rim flap running around the circumference of the wheel disc. Due to the fact that the steel sheet of the wheel disc is formed from at least three superimposed steel layers, joined to one another by roll-bonding in a non-detachable manner, of which the inner core layer has a lower strength than the outer layers, it is thereby guaranteed that the wheel rim according to the invention, with a low weight, can safely accommodate the forces arising in practical operation.

Abstract: A wheel for an automobile is configured in such a manner that the wheel disc comprises an outer peripheral ring section having protrusions and recesses, the outer peripheral ring section being formed by continuously and alternately forming circular arc-shaped contact sections and contactless protrusion sections along the circumferential direction of the wheel, the circular arc-shaped contact sections being in contact with and welded to the bent peripheral section of the wheel rim, the contactless protrusion sections protruding further toward the front side than the circular arc-shaped contact sections and separating from the bent peripheral section. Welded sections at which the circular arc-shaped contact sections and the bent peripheral sections are welded together are intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction of the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel disk includes a plurality of spoke portions extending radially outwardly from a hub coupling portion with vent windows between the spokes. Each spoke includes a bottom wall and axially extending side walls, with a radially outer disk portion connecting the radially outer ends of the spokes. A connecting wall connects a pair of spoke side portions on opposite sides of the vent window in the circumferential direction of the wheel. The spoke bottom wall includes an axially extending inclined portion and a radially extending main portion. A spoke strengthening wall extends circumferentially from the axial end of the spoke side wall. The connecting wall includes a vent window surrounding portion, a vent window surrounding curved portion, and a crest wall portion of a radially inwardly protruding protrusion.

Abstract: A wheel for vehicle comprising: a rim 2 having a drop portion; and a disk 10 formed integrally from a plate material, the rim and the disk being welded together, wherein the disk has: a hub mounting portion 10a; a plurality of spokes 10b radially extending from the hub mounting portion toward an outer periphery of the disk; and a ring-shaped disk flange 10c that is connected to the spokes through a curved-surface connecting portion R that is formed by bending the spokes at an outer circumferential end thereof in a wheel axial direction, the disk flange extends in the wheel axial direction, and a decorative hole 20 is defined by the adjacent spokes, the hub mounting portion, and the disk flange, and a part that faces a distal end 12 of the spoke in a fitting area between an inner circumferential surface of the rim and an outer circumferential surface of the disk flange is welded.

Abstract: An automobile wheel includes: a wheel rim 2 including a circumferential positioning fitting groove 32 formed circumferentially around the center axis of the wheel rim 2 in the front surface of a circumferential bent portion 31 at which a front bead seat portion 13 and a front rim flange portion 11 are formed continuously with each other; and a wheel disc 3 including a circumferential insertion edge 36 formed circumferentially around the center axis of the wheel disc 3 on the back surface of an outer peripheral edge portion 24. The wheel rim 2 and the wheel disc 3 are welded to each other for integration with the circumferential insertion edge 36 fitted in the circumferential positioning fitting groove 32. The respective center axes of the wheel rim 2 and the wheel disc 3 are aligned with each other with high precision, achieving an advantageous effect that vibration that occurs while an automobile is running is suppressed to improve the operation stability and achieve high durability.

Abstract: The technology provides vehicle wheel disks where a spoke portion can have a spoke bottom wall and a spoke side portion. The spoke side portion can include a spoke side wall rising from the spoke bottom wall in an axial direction of the wheel and a spoke reinforcing wall connected from an axially end portion of the spoke side wall and curved from the axial direction of the wheel toward a circumferential direction of the wheel and extending in the circumferential direction of the wheel. A pair of spoke side portions can be located on opposite sides of the vent window in the circumferential direction of the wheel have radially inner end portions which are connected to each other via a connecting wall. The connecting wall can be flat or substantially flat in the circumferential direction of the wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting construction equipment, and particularly backhoe loaders, to be transported in the hold of a seagoing vessel within the interior of an enclosed cargo container includes front and rear rollers that temporarily replace the wheels of the equipment and allow it to be driven into and out of the container without any disassembly of the equipment.

Abstract: An automobile wheel includes first bottom portions provided inward in a radial direction of a front side bead seat portion and a back side bead seat portion between the front side bead seat portion and back side bead seat portion and second bottom portions provided inward in the radial direction of the first bottom portions. The first bottom portions and second bottom portions are alternately provided in a circumferential direction. This configuration increases difference in area between area of a cross section in the radial direction of a tire-internal space in sections where the first bottom portions are provided and area of a cross section in the radial direction in sections where the second bottom portions are provided and thus allows improvement in an effect of reducing cavity resonant noise.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle wheel structure comprises a wheel rim and a wheel disk having a circumferential border bent and welded within the wheel rim, and a central portion bearing a circumferential series of holes for engagement of bolts for fixing the wheel to the wheel support. The central portion is radiused to the circumferential border of the disk by means of an intermediate annular portion having in cross section an arched configuration projecting outwards. The intermediate annular portion has a plurality of embossed portions projecting outwards, configured in such a way as to define a plurality of spokes set at the same angular distance apart from one another.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a wheel including a first portion including magnesium, the first portion including at least a rim; a second portion including aluminum; and an interface where the first portion and the second portion contact each other.

Abstract: There are provided a wheel having excellent mechanical strength in spite of being lightweight, and a method of manufacturing the wheel. The present invention provides a wheel (100) including a disk portion (6), an outer rim portion (7), and an inner rim portion (8). The wheel (100) includes an aluminum portion (22) made of an aluminum alloy and a magnesium portion (21) made of a magnesium alloy, with the aluminum portion and magnesium portion being integrated by joining utilizing forging.

Abstract: A fabricated bead seat attached vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim and wheel disc joined together. The wheel rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inner tire bead seat, a well, an outer tire bead seat, and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The wheel defines a wheel axis and includes a generally centrally located wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which defines a wheel disc outer flange The wheel disc outer annular flange is segmented around a circumference thereof and includes at least a first plurality of segments and a second plurality of segments. The first plurality of segments extending a first axial distance relative to an adjacent outer surface of the wheel disc and the second plurality of segments extending a second axial distance relative to the adjacent outer surface of the wheel disc which is less than the first axial distance.

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 and is caused to fall in a sloping fashion inwards of a wheel width so as to form a bead seat precursor, and the bead seat precursor so formed is then joined to be welded to a top or side of a rim well rising portion precursor. An external surface is cut to be finished to a proper shape, and an annular hollow portion is formed underneath a lower surface of the bead seat portion.

Abstract: Because a front flange portion including an annular front peripheral portion and an annular back peripheral portion is formed along an outer peripheral edge portion of the wheel disc, and because a back surface portion and an opening end portion of a front bead seat portion of a wheel rim are welded to each other over the entire circumference of the wheel but the annular back peripheral portion and the wheel rim are not welded to each other, stress concentration on the front flange portion due to a load generated while the automobile is running can be mitigated. Therefore, an automobile wheel has high durability against a load generated while the automobile is running.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel rim and a wheel disk that attaches to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes an inner region for receiving a wheel hub and defines a rotational axis. The wheel disk includes a section for attachment to the wheel hub and an attachment flange for securing the wheel disk and the wheel rim together. The attachment flange includes a first side corresponding to the inner region and a second side corresponding to the wheel rim, where the attachment flange extends from the section in a direction that is transverse to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A wheel for vehicle comprising: a rim 2 having a drop portion; and a disk 10 formed integrally from a plate material, the rim and the disk being welded together, wherein the disk has: a hub mounting portion 10a; a plurality of spokes 10b radially extending from the hub mounting portion toward an outer periphery of the disk; and a ring-shaped disk flange 10c that is connected to the spokes through a curved-surface connecting portion R that is formed by bending the spokes at an outer circumferential end thereof in a wheel axial direction, the disk flange extends in the wheel axial direction, and a decorative hole 20 is defined by the adjacent spokes, the hub mounting portion, and the disk flange, and a part that faces a distal end 12 of the spoke in a fitting area between an inner circumferential surface of the rim and an outer circumferential surface of the disk flange is welded.

Abstract: A fabricated bead seat attached vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim and wheel disc joined together. The wheel rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inner tire bead seat, a well, an outer tire bead seat, and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The wheel defines a wheel axis and includes a generally centrally located wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which defines a wheel disc outer flange The wheel disc outer annular flange is segmented around a circumference thereof and includes at least a first plurality of segments and a second plurality of segments. The first plurality of segments extending a first axial distance relative to an adjacent outer surface of the wheel disc and the second plurality of segments extending a second axial distance relative to the adjacent outer surface of the wheel disc which is less than the first axial distance.

Abstract: A wheel (11) having a wheel rim (13) and a centre portion configured as a central disc (15). A tyre (17) is mounted on the rim (13). The wheel rim (13) comprises a generally annular body (21) incorporating a rim well (25). The rim well (25) defines a radially inner portion (27) which presents a radially inner face (29). The radially inner face (29) is of an annular configuration centred about the axis of rotation of the wheel. The centre disc (15) comprises a generally circular plate (31) having an outer periphery (35). The plate (31) incorporates a centre hole (37) and circumferentially spaced mounting holes (39) for receiving wheel studs. The outer periphery (35) is of a diameter which allows the plate (31) to be snugly received within the confines of the annular face (29) of the rim (13).The annular inner face (29) of the rim (13) has an axial extent (in the direction of rotation of the wheel) which is significantly greater than the thickness of the plate (31).

Abstract: One embodiment includes a wheel including a first portion including magnesium, the first portion including at least a rim; a second portion including aluminum; and an interface where the first portion and the second portion contact each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wheel, particularly for use on automotive vehicles. The wheel has a wheel rim and a wheel disc connectable to each other. The method includes shaping the wheel disc, shaping the wheel rim, manufacturing the wheel disc to form a first centering element and manufacturing the wheel rim to form a second centering element. The centering elements allow the wheel disc and the wheel rim to be connectable to each other via the first and second centering elements in a centered or concentric way.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a full face vehicle wheel having a high durability performance, in which the back surface of a wheel disk is provided in advance with an annular joining groove. A peripheral joining end of a wheel rim is provided in advance with an inside slope end surface. The peripheral joining end is seated and positioned on the bottom surface of the annular joining groove. A welding heat confining annular region is produced between the inside groove wall of the annular joining groove and the inside slope end surface. The annular joining groove and the peripheral joining end are joined by welding.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel disc and a rim that are welded together. The wheel disc includes a full face disc portion with a disc lip extending in an inboard direction. The rim includes a main rim body with a rim lip that extends in an outboard direction, and which is in an overlapping relationship with the disc lip. The rim lip is defined by a smaller diameter than the disc lip such that the disc lip engages an outer peripheral surface of the rim lip. A weld is formed along a distal end of the disc lip to secure the wheel disc and rim together. This provides a vehicle wheel assembly that has a full, flat face, flangeless appearance.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel rim and a wheel disk that attaches to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes an inner region for receiving a wheel hub and defines a rotational axis. The wheel disk includes a section for attachment to the wheel hub and an attachment flange for securing the wheel disk and the wheel rim together. The attachment flange includes a first side corresponding to the inner region and a second side corresponding to the wheel rim, where the attachment flange extends from the section in a direction that is transverse to the rotational axis.

Abstract: Process (20) for manufacturing a wheel rim (1) in light alloy including the following operations: providing (21) a rough wheel rim in light ally, comprising a wheel disc (2) and an annular portion (3), the annular portion (3) including a first (4I) and a second (4e) bead defining a drop well (C) having a first profile; processing (23) the rough wheel rim, modifying the first profile in order to obtain a second profile being of a lower thickness than the first profile, at least at an intermediate portion (C1) of the drop well (C), characterised by including a finishing operation (25) of a surface of the second profile intermediate portion by means of a compression action of said surface, the finishing operation leaving the low thickness substantially unchanged.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel comprises a rim (172) and a disk section (171) separate from the rim. Since the disk section is separate from the rim, the freedom of designing the disk section is improved. The rim comprises an outer rim (178) and an inner rim (181) separate from the outer rim. The outer and inner rims are attached to the outer periphery of the disk section at the same place by welding.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel disc and a rim that are welded together. The wheel disc includes a full face disc portion with a disc lip extending in an inboard direction. The rim includes a main rim body with a rim lip that extends in an outboard direction, and which is in an overlapping relationship with the disc lip. The rim lip is defined by a smaller diameter than the disc lip such that the disc lip engages an outer peripheral surface of the rim lip. A weld is formed along a distal end of the disc lip to secure the wheel disc and rim together. This provides a vehicle wheel assembly that has a full, flat face, flangeless appearance.

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 form 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: A large-diameter part, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter in the center, is provided at the edges of a rim via parts having a difference in a level. Curled parts are provided on both edges of the rim by curling the large-diameter part. Each end face of the curled parts is touched to the parts having a difference in a level. The rigidity of the side of the edge of the rim can be enhanced by providing the parts having a difference in a level to the rim. As a result, the rigidity of the whole wheel can be enhanced and in addition, as a disc and the rim are not required to be thickened, the weight of the wheel can be prevented from being increased.

Abstract: An improved automotive vehicle wheel plated with an overcoating, such as chrome, is constructed in such a manner as to be free of the blistering effects of residual acidic and caustic chemicals employed in the chrome-plating process. Like conventional automotive vehicle wheels of this type, the wheel of the invention is comprised of an outer rim into which a wheel center is set. However, unlike conventional wheels, the center of the wheel of the invention is provided with a radially inwardly directed groove into its rim-contacting surface near the outboard extremities of the contacting surfaces of the wheel rim and wheel center. A resilient O-ring is seated in the groove prior to setting the wheel center within the wheel rim. The outer rim is then heated so as to thermally expand it to receive the wheel center. When the rim cools it shrinks into tight, intimate contact with the radially outwardly facing surface of the wheel center.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim having a plurality of holes formed therein; a wheel disc having a central mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, each of the spokes having at least two holes formed therein; at least one rim to disc interface area provided along each of the spokes wherein some portion of a surface of the rim and some portion of a surface of the spoke contact one another; and a fastener extending through each of the at least two holes of each of the spokes and through an associated at least two holes of the plurality of holes of the rim to secure the rim and disc together.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim having a plurality of holes formed therein; a wheel disc having a central mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, each of the spokes having at least one hole formed therein; at least one rim to disc interface area provided along each of the spokes wherein some portion of a surface of the rim and some portion of a surface of the spoke contact one another; an adhesive deposited in at least some portion of the rim to disc interface area; and at least one fastener extending through the holes of the rim and the spokes to secure the rim and disc together.

Abstract: A unique integrated wheel is disclosed wherein a groove is formed with an angled surface to facilitate the flow of a weld material. A rim extends into the groove and has surfaces which act in conjunction with the surface of the groove to provide proper positioning and a secure connection. In addition, a method of forming the disk is disclosed.