FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The embodiment herein generally relates to a vehicle steel wheel. Specifically the present invention provides a novel design for a vehicle steel wheel with large vent hole.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] In general, vehicle wheels are classified into two types based on the material used for manufacturing the wheel. The materials are non–ferrous or ferrous material. That is in non-ferrous material; alloys such as aluminum or magnesium-based alloys are utilized for manufacturing wheels and this type of wheels are referred as alloy wheels. However in ferrous-based materials, various steel compositions are utilized for manufacturing wheels and these wheels are commonly referred to as steel wheels.
[0003] While considering steel wheel, the steel wheels are cheaper compared to the alloy wheels. But, weight of the steel wheel is heavier compared to the alloy wheel.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need to develop a vehicle steel wheel with large vent holes. Further, there is a need to develop a vehicle steel wheel with light weight as of the aluminum alloy wheel.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below: [0006] A main object of the present invention is to provide a new design for a vehicle steel wheel with large vent holes.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steel wheel
with light weight as of an aluminum alloy wheel.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steel
wheel with a load transferring disc body.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steel
wheel with a deeper nave portion that gives the vehicle steel wheel a look of an
alloy wheel.
[00010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steel wheel
that are feasible to use with various wheel covers and thereby facilitate multiple
styling options on a single wheel rim.
[00011] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred
embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope
thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00012] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a vehicle steel wheel in such a way to improve the performance and aesthetics as that of an alloy wheel. Moreover, a vehicle steel wheel with light weight as of the alloy wheel. According to an embodiment, the vehicle steel wheel comprises of a rim, a disc and reinforcing ribs. According to an embodiment, the disc is having a base profile. The disc includes a disc flange, plurality of spokes, plurality of vent holes, plurality of mounting holes and a nave portion.

[00013] According to an embodiment, the reinforcing ribs are provided radially on each side of the vent holes. According to an embodiment, depth between the reinforcing ribs and the base profile in the range of 0 mm to 10 mm.
[00014] The disc flange is connected orthogonally to a well portion of the rim. According to an embodiment, the disc flange includes plurality of scallops placed in circumferential direction of the disc flange. According to an embodiment, length of the disc flange in contact with the rim well portion is in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm. According to an embodiment, the scallops are placed equally in the circumferential direction. According to an embodiment, depth of the scallop portion is within 11mm from the disc flange.
[00015] According to an embodiment, the rim and the disc are connected together with plurality of weldments placed in between the two spokes. According to an embodiment, the weldments are placed equidistant to each other. The disc and rim are welded together with at least four segment weldments of length in the range of 100 mm to 140 mm.
[00016] According to another embodiment, the rim and the disc are connected together with plurality of weldments at regions excluding the scallop portions. According to an embodiment, plurality of mounting holes is provided to fasten the wheel rim with a hub. The number of mounting holes and the number of spokes are equal or unequal. The ratio of number of mounting holes to the number of spokes is whole number or a fractional value.
[00017] The spoke is provided to connect the nave portion and the disc flange. According to an embodiment, the nave portion is deeper than the base profile. The nave portion includes an outer annular bead, a middle strap and an inner annular bead. The outer annular bead, the middle strap and the inner annular bead is

provided flat at the nave portion. According to an embodiment, difference between inner diameter and outer diameter of the outer annular bead is at least 8mm.
[00018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00019] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying
figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the
figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference
numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[00020] Fig.1 illustrates a vehicle steel wheel showing plurality of vent holes,
plurality of spokes, plurality of mounting holes and a nave portion, according to
an embodiment of the present invention herein;
[00021] Fig.2 illustrates the vehicle steel wheel that shows disc flange,
reinforcing ribs, scallops and weldments, according to an embodiment of the
present invention herein;
[00022] Fig.3 (a) illustrates an enlarged view of the reinforcing ribs, according to
an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00023] Fig.3 (b) illustrates the vehicle steel wheel showing depth of the
reinforcing ribs and base profile, according to an embodiment of the present
invention herein;
[00024] Fig.4 (a) illustrates an enlarged view of the disc flange, according to an
embodiment of the present invention herein;
[00025] Fig.4 (b) illustrates a sectional view of a wheel profile of the vehicle
steel wheel showing length of the disc flange in contact with the rim portion of the
wheel, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;
[00026] Fig.5 (a) illustrates the vehicle steel wheel showing depth of the scallop
portion from the disc flange, according to an embodiment of the present invention
herein;
[00027] Fig.5 (b) illustrates a sectional view of a wheel profile of the vehicle steel
wheel showing penetration at scallop portion, according to an embodiment of the
present invention herein;
[00028] Fig.6 illustrates an enlarged view of the weldments, according to an
embodiment of the present invention herein;
[00029] Fig.7 (a) illustrates a vehicle steel wheel in which ratio of number of the
mounting holes to number of spokes between the nave portion and the disc flange
is a fractional value, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;
[00030] Fig.7 (b) illustrates a vehicle steel wheel in which ratio of number of the
mounting holes to number of spokes between the nave portion and the disc flange
is a whole number, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;
[00031] Fig.8 (a) illustrates a nave portion design for a vehicle steel wheel below
15”, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00032] Fig.8 (b) illustrates a nave portion design for a vehicle steel wheel above
15”, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;
[00033] Fig.9 illustrates a nave portion design for a vehicle steel wheel showing
the difference in dimension for wheels below 15” and wheels above 15”,
according to an embodiment of the present invention herein; and
[00034] Fig.10 illustrates a wheel profile of the vehicle steel wheel, according to
an embodiment of the present invention herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00035] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[00036] As mentioned above, there is a need to develop a vehicle steel wheel with large vent holes. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a vehicle steel wheel with light weight as of the aluminum alloy wheel. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 10, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

[00037] Fig.1 illustrates a vehicle steel wheel showing plurality of plurality of spokes 101, vent holes 102, a nave portion 103 and plurality of mounting holes 105, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the vehicle steel wheel comprises of a rim, a disc and reinforcing ribs. According to an embodiment, the disc is having a base profile. The disc includes a disc flange, plurality of spokes 101, plurality of vent holes 102, a nave portion 103 and plurality of mounting holes 105.
[00038] Fig.2 illustrates the vehicle steel wheel that shows disc flange 201, reinforcing ribs 202, scallops 203 and weldments 204, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 202 are provided radially on each side of the vent holes 102. Fig.3 (a) illustrates an enlarged view 300 (a) of the reinforcing ribs 202, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vent holes 102 are provided with reinforced ribs 202 on either sides radially for providing strength and rigidity to the wheel. Fig.3 (b) illustrates the vehicle steel wheel showing depth 301 of the reinforcing ribs 202 and base profile 302. According to an embodiment, depth 301 between the reinforcing ribs 202 and the base profile 302 in the range of 0 mm to 10 mm. The depth 301 of 10mm improves the rigidity of the wheel disc and also maintaining the depth to below 10mm improves the manufacturing feasibility. [00039] Fig.4 (a) illustrates an enlarged view 400 (a) of the disc flange 201, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disc flange 201 is connected orthogonally to a well portion of the rim. According to an embodiment, the disc flange 201 includes plurality of scallops 203 placed in circumferential direction of the disc flange 201. Fig.4 (b) illustrates a sectional view 400 (b) of a wheel profile of the vehicle steel wheel showing length 401 of the disc flange 201

in contact with the rim well portion 104 of the wheel, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, length 401 of the disc flange 201 in contact with the rim well portion 104 is in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm. The radial force of the vehicle is transferred from rim to disc through the disc flange 201 that connects the rim and the disc through weldments 204 joint. The length 401 of the disc flange 201 that comes in contact with the wheel rim portion 104 should have a minimum length of 5mm and a maximum length of 50mm to ensure a distributed load transfer and to avoid weld crack and air loss problems. [00040] Fig.5 (a) illustrates the vehicle steel wheel showing depth 501 of the scallop portion 203 from the disc flange 201, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the scallops 203 are placed equally in the circumferential direction of the disc flange 201. The scallops 203 are slivers carved out of the disc flange 201 and the slivers are carved out for reducing overall weight of the wheel. According to an embodiment, depth 501 of the scallop portion 203 is within 11mm from the disc flange 201. The depth 501 up to which the slivers are carved out is maintained within 11mm to ensure a good contact area between rim and disc during transfer of radial loads and also to extend service life of the wheel. Fig.5 (b) illustrates a sectional view 500 (b) of a wheel profile of the vehicle steel wheel showing variation in penetration at scallop portion 203, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The depth 501 of the scallop 203 restricts the reach of weld torch on to the disc flange 201 resulting in low weldments penetration. Therefore weldments are not provided at the scallop portions 203.
[00041] Fig.6 illustrates an enlarged view 600 of the weldments 204, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the rim

and the disc are connected together with plurality of weldments 204 placed in between the two spokes 101. According to an embodiment, the weldments 204 are placed equidistant to each other above a large window (in between the two spokes) for effective and even transfer of load. The disc and rim are welded
5 together with at least four segment weldments 204 of length in the range of 100
mm to 140 mm
[00042] According to another embodiment, the rim and the disc are connected together with plurality of weldments 204 placed at regions excluding the scallop portions 203.
0 [00043] Fig.7 (a) illustrates a vehicle steel wheel in which ratio of number of the
mounting holes to number of spokes between the nave portion and the disc flange is a fractional value, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein. According to an embodiment, plurality of mounting holes 105 is provided on the disc to fasten the wheel rim with a hub. The spokes 101 on the disc connecting the
5 nave portion 103 and the disc flange 201 are the load transferring member from an
axle to a tire. According to an embodiment, the nave portion 203 is deeper than the base profile 302. The nave portion includes an outer annular bead, a middle strap and an inner annular bead. The outer annular bead, the middle strap and the inner annular bead are provided flat at the nave portion. The ratio of number of
0 the mounting holes 105 to number of spokes 101 between the nave portion 103
and the disc flange 201 is either a fractional value or a whole number based on the required mounting and load bearing capacity. The number of mounting holes 105 is four and the number of spokes 101 is 5 and hence the ratio is fractional value. [00044] Fig.7 (b) illustrates a vehicle steel wheel in which ratio of number of the
5 mounting holes to number of spokes between the nave portion and the disc flange

is a whole number, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The number of mounting holes 105 is four and the number of spokes 101 is 4 and hence the ratio is whole number.
[00045] Fig.8 (a) illustrates a nave portion design for a vehicle steel wheel below 15”, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The large vent hole wheel has a small hub contact nave region mimicking an alloy wheel design. The nave portion 103 design are different for wheel below 15” and wheels above 15” to ensure better load and moment transfer. The wheels below 15” are provided with segment nave pads.
[00046] Fig.8 (b) illustrates a nave portion design for a vehicle steel wheel above 15”, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wheels above 15” are provided with full contact nave. The bending moment for the wheel above 15” increases due to larger static loaded radius of tire and thereby said wheels require more contact area and thus full contact nave is provided.
[00047] Fig.9 illustrates a nave portion 203 design for a vehicle steel wheel showing the difference in dimension for wheels below 15” and wheels above 15”, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Difference between pitch circle diameter (P.C.D) ‘A’ and P.C.D ‘B’ for the wheels below 15” is at least 6 mm, i.e., (P.C.D ‘A’ – P.C.D ‘B’ = 6 mm MIN). Difference between the P.C.D ‘B’ and P.C.D ‘A’ for wheels above 15” is at least 8 mm, i.e. difference between inner diameter and outer diameter of the outer annular bead is at least 8 mm (P.C.D ‘B’ – P.C.D ‘A’ = 8 mm MIN). In general, for both the wheels (below 15” and above 15”) P.C.D ‘B’ – P.C.D ‘C’ = 8 mm MIN.
[00048] Fig.10 illustrates a wheel profile of the vehicle steel wheel, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein. The wheel profile of the vehicle

steel wheel indicates the weldments 204, outer nave pads 801 and inner nave pads
802.
[00049] A main advantage of the present invention is that the provided new
design of the vehicle steel wheel has large vent holes.
[00050] Another advantage of the present invention is that the provided vehicle
steel wheel has light weight as of the aluminum alloy wheel.
[00051] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the provided
vehicle steel wheel has load transferring disc body.
[00052] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the provided
vehicle steel has a deeper nave portion that gives the vehicle steel wheel a look of
the alloy wheel.
[00053] Another advantage of the present invention is that the provided vehicle
steel wheel is feasible to use with various wheel covers and thereby facilitate
multiple styling options on a single wheel rim.
[00054] Another advantage of the present invention is that the provided vehicle
steel wheel comprises five large vent holes that aids in rapid cooling during
breaking.
[00055] Another advantage of the present invention is that the reinforced ribs
provided on each side of the vent holes provide strength and rigidity to the wheel.
[00056] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully
reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such
specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore,
such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended
within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to

be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We claim:
1. A vehicle steel wheel comprises of:
a rim and a disc;
wherein the disc having a base profile 302 includes plurality of spokes 101,
plurality of vent holes 102, a nave portion 103, plurality of mounting holes 105
and a disc flange 201;
wherein the nave portion 103 includes an outer annular bead, a middle strap and
an inner annular bead;
wherein the spoke 101 provided to connect the nave portion 103 and the disc
flange 201;
wherein the number of mounting holes 105 and the number of spokes 101 are
equal or unequal;
wherein the ratio of number of mounting holes 105 to the number of spokes 101
give a whole number or a fractional value;
wherein the disc flange 201 connected orthogonally to a well portion 104 of the
rim;
characterized in that
the wheel further includes reinforcing ribs 202 provided radially on each side of
the vent holes 102; and
wherein the rim and the disc are connected together with plurality of weldments
204 placed in between the two spokes 101.
2. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc and rim welded
together with at least four segment weldments 204 of length in the range of 100
mm to 140 mm.

3. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weldments 204 placed equidistant to each other.
4. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein depth 301 between the reinforcing ribs 202 and the base profile 302 in the range of 0 mm to 10 mm.
5. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nave portion 103 deeper than the base profile 302.
6. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer annular bead, middle annular bead and inner annular bead are provided flat at the nave portion 103.
7. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein difference between inner diameter and outer diameter of the outer annular bead is at least 8mm.
8. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein length 401 of the disc flange 201 in contact with the well portion 104 of the rim in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm.
9. A vehicle steel wheel comprises of: a rim and a disc;
wherein the disc having a base profile 302 includes plurality of spokes 101,
plurality of vent holes 102, a nave portion 103, plurality of mounting holes 105
and a disc flange 201;
wherein the nave portion 103 includes an outer annular bead, a middle strap and
an inner annular bead;
wherein the spoke 101 provided to connect the nave portion 103 and the disc
flange 201;
wherein the number of mounting holes 105 and the number of spokes 101 are
equal or unequal;

wherein the ratio of number of mounting holes 105 to the number of spokes 101
give a whole number or a fractional value;
wherein the disc flange 201 connected orthogonally to a well portion 104 of the
rim;
characterized in that
the wheel further includes reinforcing ribs 202 provided radially on each side of
the vent holes 102;
wherein the disc flange 201 includes plurality of scallops 203 placed in
circumferential direction of the disc flange 201; and
wherein the rim and the disc are connected together with plurality of weldments
204 at regions excluding the scallop portions 203.
10. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the scallops 203 placed
equally in the circumferential direction.
11. The vehicle steel wheel as claimed in claim 9, wherein depth 501 of the
scallop portion 203 is within 11mm from the disc flange 201.