Description: A SECURING STRUCTURE FOR A WHEEL RIM

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to wheels for automobiles, more particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel rim securing structure that is provided on the wheels.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Two-piece wheels, which consist of a wheel rim (also referred to as simply "rim") in the form of a hollow cylindrical body and a disk-shaped wheel disc (also referred to as simply "disc") inserted in the wheel rim, have been widely used as wheels for supporting tyres necessary for automobiles to travel on. The wheel rim and the wheel disc are joined to one another by MIG welding, TIG welding, or similar methods. Making an aluminium disc and rim together has been popular in recent years due to the demand for lightweight cars..
[0003] A wheel rim houses a tyre, typically with a tube, and is connected to a hub and a vehicle by spokes and the hub.
[0004] A wheel rim is largely stressed by pressure and shear forces, which, if not dimensioned properly, can result in failure. This is subsequent when the wheel is subjected to powerful hits from riding through rocky terrain and strains from jumps. As a result, there is also a risk of buckling, damage from rock impact, and/or failure from percussion impacts. Because stones, rock edges, or curbstones can selectively compress the tyre to such a degree that they strike directly on the wheel rim sidewall at the appropriate position and can damage the wheel rim sidewall, the wheel rim sidewalls or wheel rim flanges are particularly compromised. In addition, the inflation of the tire's tube can place lateral pressure on the wheel rim sidewall, which can cause the sidewall to crack.
[0005] Therefore a solution is provided in an existing art Ref. Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, where a wheel has a wheel rim (101) to receive a tire and a disc (102) secured to the wheel rim (101). Four twin lugs (100) are secured to the radially inner periphery of the wheel rim (101). Each twin lug (100) includes two curved channels (103) and flange portions (104) on both sides of the curved channels (103). The flange portions (104) are welded to the wheel rim (101) and the curved channels (103) receive a bolt which passes through the lug and through an aperture in the disc (102) to assemble wheel rim (101) and the disc (102).
[0006] The drawback with the existing state of art or lug is that the stress is more in mounting area. This leads to not passing the endurance test requirements and earlier failure of the wheel. Also, it is difficult to paint the surface of the wheel rim (101) below the lug surface between the curved channels (103). Thus, this causes rusting of the wheel rim and/or lug portion.
[0007] Therefore it is necessary to reduce stress in the lug and improve theload capacity of the wheel. Also, it is necessary to paint the surface of the wheel rim in order to avoid rusting of the wheel rim.
[0008] Thus, the present invention aims to improve the afore-mentioned problems.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus.
[0010] It is a primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a wheel rim securing structure that reduces stress in the area where the lug is mounted.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to reduce weight in the wheel rim securing structure that also leads to overall wheel weight reduction.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to improve load carrying capacity of the wheel.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective solution.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY
[0015] Solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0016] The present disclosure offers a solution in the form of a securing structure provided on a mounting region of a wheel rim. The securing structure includes a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the upper surface to the lower surface and a cut out portion provided along a length of the lower surface wherein the cut out portion divides the lower surface into two equal parts.
[0017] In an aspect of the disclosure, the upper surface and the lower surface have a curved shape.
[0018] In an aspect of the disclosure, the upper surface and the lower surface are parallel to each other.
[0019] In an another aspect of the disclosure, the side surfaces are parallel to each other.
[0020] In an another aspect of the disclosure, the side surfaces have a plurality of mounting holes.
[0021] In an aspect of the disclosure, the upper surface and the lower surface are perpendicular to the side surfaces.
[0022] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0024] Fig. 1a is the illustration of a lug mounted on a wheel rim according to the prior art;
[0025] Fig. 1b illustrates the lug according to the prior art;
[0026] Fig. 2 illustrates the securing structure provided on a mounting region of a wheel rim according to the present disclosure;
[0027] Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the securing structure provided on the mounting region of the wheel rim according to the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates an assembled securing structure on the mounting region of the wheel rim according to the present disclosure;
[0029] Fig. 5 illustrates the securing structure weled on the wheel rim according to the present disclosure.
[0030] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0032] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0033] In accordance with this invention, a securing structure is provided. The securing structure helps in reducing stress in a mounting area provided on the wheel rim and the securing structure also improves overall load carrying capacity of the wheel.
[0034] Referring to Fig. 2, the securing structure (200) is disclosed. The securing structure is connected to the radially inner surface of the wheel rim (101) and forms a joint to secure a disc (102) to the wheel rim (101).
[0035] The securing structure (200) comprises of a body (201). The body (201) has an upper surface (202a) and a lower surface (202b). Further, a plurality of side surfaces (203a, 203b) are provided that connects the upper surface (202a) to the lower surface (202b).
[0036] The upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) are provided parallel to each other. Also, the side surfaces (203a, 203b) are parallel to each other. The upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) are perpendicular to the plurality of side surfaces (203a, 203b).
[0037] Furthermore, the upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) have curved surfaces to imitate the surface area of the wheel rim (101) such that the upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) are easily able to connect to the mounting region (105 as provided in Fig. 1a) of the wheel rim (101). Also, the side surfaces (203a, 203b) have a flat profile.
[0038] Additionally, the lower surface (202b) of the body (201) of the securing structure (200) has a cut-out portion (204). The cut-out portion (204) is provided throughout a length of the lower surface (202b) i.e. from one end to another end. The cut-out portion (204) further divides the lower surface (202b) into two equal parts. The cut-out portion (204) results in weight reduction in the securing structure (200) and also reduces the overall wheel weight.
[0039] The plurality of side surfaces (203a, 203b) have a plurality of mounting holes (205) that are located at ends of the side surfaces but not limited to that position. Two mounting holes (205a, 205b) are provided on one side surface (203a) and other two mounting holes (205c, 205d) are provided on other side surface (203b).
[0040] Referring to Fig. 3, another embodiment of the securing structure (200) is disclosed. The securing structure (200) comprises of the body (201) that has the upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b). Further, the plurality of side surfaces (203a, 203b) connects the upper surface (202a) to the lower surface (202b).
[0041] The upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) are provided parallel to each other and the side surfaces (203a, 203b) are parallel to each other. The upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) are perpendicular to the plurality of side surfaces (203a, 203b).
[0042] The cut-out portion (204) is also present on the lower surface (202b) of the body (201) of the securing structure (200). The lower surface's (202b) cut-out portion (204) runs the entire length of the lower surface (202b), from one end to the other. The lower surface (202b) is further divided into two equal parts by the cut-out portion (204). The weight of the wheel rim (101) fastening structure is reduced as a result of the cut-out portion (204), which also lessens the weight of the entire wheel.
[0043] Also, the plurality of side surfaces (203a, 203b) have a plurality of mounting holes (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d) that have a key hole shape. The shape of the mounting holes (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d) is not limited to the key hole shape. The shape can also be elliptical or of any other shape. The plurality of mounting holes (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d) are provided perpendicular to the radial central plane of the wheel rim (101). The mounting holes (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d) on the fastening structure (200) match the diameter of the mounting holes on the disc (102) and the wheel rim (101).
[0044] The fastener is then inserted through the mounting holes (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d) on the fastening structure (200) and towards the mounting holes on the disc (102) and the wheel rim (101) forming a 3 ply joinery. Due to this joinery, the stress that occurs in the mounting region (105 as provided in Fig. 1a) is reduced as the mounting region (105 as provided in Fig. 1a) gets strengthened.
[0045] Referring to Fig. 4, the assembly of the securing structure (200) on the wheel rim (101) is shown. The securing structure (200) is circumferentially spaced on different mounting regions (105) on the the wheel rim (101).
[0046] Ref. to Fig. 5, the securing structure (200) is welded on the wheel rim (101) on the lower surface (202b).
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0047] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the overall weight of the wheel is reduced.
[0048] The present disclosure improves wheel strength.
[0049] The present disclosure reduces more than 30% stress at the mounting region.
[0050] The life span of the wheel is improved.
[0051] With the help of the present disclosure, it is easy to manufacture the wheel rim fastening structure for different sizes of wheels.
[0052] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0053] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A securing structure (200) provided on a mounting region (105) of a wheel rim (101), the securing structure (200) comprising of:
a body (201) having an upper surface (202a), a lower surface (202b), and a plurality of side surfaces (203a, 203b) connecting the upper surface (202a) to the lower surface (202b); and
a cut out portion (204) provided along a length of the lower surface (202b), wherein the cut out portion (203) divides the lower surface (202b) into two equal parts.
2. The securing structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) have a curved shape.
3. The securing structure (200) as claimed in claim 1-2, wherein the upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) are parallel to each other.
4. The securing structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side surfaces (203a, 203b) are parallel to each other.
5. The securing structure (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the side surfaces (203a, 203b) have a plurality of mounting holes (205).
6. The securing structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface (202a) and the lower surface (202b) are perpendicular to the side surfaces (203a, 203b).