JP4522607B2 - Automotive wheel covers - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automobile wheel cover attached to an automobile road wheel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
12 (a) and 12 (b) show a conventional wheel cover. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a road wheel of an automobile, 2 is a wheel disk, 3 is a hub nut, 4 is a wheel nut, 5 is a wheel rim, 6 is a tire, and 7 is a wheel cover.
The wheel cover 7 is mainly composed of a cover main body 8 formed in a substantially disc shape by a synthetic resin, and the engagement of the wheel cover 7 protrudes from a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral portion of the cover main body 8 toward the back surface 8 a side of the cover main body 8. The stop piece 9 is assembled to the road wheel 1 by fitting it to the outside of the wheel rim 5, and the wheel disc 2, the hub nut 3, the wheel nut 4 and the like are covered by the cover body 8 so as not to be exposed to the outside of the vehicle. It has become. In FIG. 12B, reference numeral 10 denotes a ring-shaped wire, which maintains the distance between the locking pieces 9 facing the radial direction of the cover body 8 and attaches each locking piece 9 to the wheel rim 5. It functions as a biasing member. Further, the wheel cover 7 has a protrusion 11 a that protrudes from each locking piece 9 toward the outer side in the radial direction of the wheel cover 7, and a hump 11 that is formed over substantially the entire circumferential direction of the vehicle outer portion of the wheel rim 5. Further, by engaging from the center side in the radial direction of the wheel rim 5, the wheel rim 5 is not easily detached from the vehicle rim to the outside of the vehicle. The wheel cover 7 is removed by inserting a tool 12 (see FIG. 12B) between the outer periphery of the cover body 8 and the wheel rim 5.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, there is a demand for a wheel cover to resemble a metal wheel such as an aluminum wheel, and a design close to that of a metal wheel such as an aluminum wheel is formed by the color and shape of the surface of the cover body (the surface facing the outside of the vehicle). . In addition, the design comes closer to the real thing by integrally forming the shape of a nut (a pseudo nut 13 in FIGS. 12A and 12B) resembling a wheel nut or the like for attaching the road wheel to the hub.
However, if a pseudo nut is formed on the wheel cover, for example, when replacing a tire or installing a chain on a snowy road, the user misinterprets the pseudo nut as a real nut and tries to rotate it using an in-vehicle tool. The nut could be destroyed or damaged, and the decorativeness of the wheel cover could be lost. For example, a pseudo nut that is modeled to resemble a wheel nut that attaches a road wheel to a hub is inserted into a socket part of a wheel nut wrench, which is an in-vehicle tool for rotating a real wheel nut, and rotated. There is a possibility of destruction or injury.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and prevents an in-vehicle tool (in particular, a standard tool that is an accessory at the time of purchase of an automobile) or a general commercially available tool from being erroneously fitted into a pseudo nut. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an automotive wheel cover that can prevent a pseudo nut from being damaged and can secure a design close to a real nut.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an automotive wheel cover attached to a road wheel, wherein a cover body formed in a disc shape from a synthetic resin has a recess recessed from the surface side of the cover body, and a bottom surface of the recess. A pseudo nut having a gap between the recess and the side wall of the recess and protruding toward the cover body surface side and having a polygonal shape when viewed from the cover body surface side is formed. When the minimum inner diameter dimension is a and the outer diameter dimension of the pseudo nut connecting the opposite vertices across the center point of the pseudo nut is b, a ≦ b .
An automotive wheel cover to be attached to a road wheel, wherein a cover body formed in a disc shape with a synthetic resin has a recess recessed from the surface side of the cover body, and a recess formed from the bottom surface of the recess. A pseudo-nut having a gap between the side wall portion and projecting toward the cover body surface side and having a polygonal shape when viewed from the cover body surface side is formed, and the minimum inner diameter of the opening edge of the recess When the dimension is a and the outer diameter dimension of the socket part of the wheel nut wrench for rotating the wheel nut provided on the road wheel attached to the vehicle to which the vehicle wheel cover is mounted is c. , A <c.
Further, the present invention is an automotive wheel cover attached to a road wheel, wherein a cover body formed in a disc shape from a synthetic resin has a recess recessed from the surface side of the cover body, and a bottom surface of the recess. And a pseudo nut that has a gap between the concave portion and the side wall portion of the recess and protrudes toward the cover body surface side, and has a polygonal shape when viewed from the cover body surface side. A rib for bridging between at least one portion of the surface and the side wall of the recess is formed.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that at least a portion of the rib on the vehicle outer end surface located in the vicinity of the pseudo-nut is lowered from the opening edge of the concave portion to the bottom surface side of the concave portion.
Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that the rib is formed so as to bridge between the side wall portion of the concave portion and the apex of the pseudo-nut having a polygonal shape.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An automotive wheel cover according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle wheel cover 20 of the present embodiment (hereinafter may be abbreviated as “wheel cover 20”) is attached to the outside of the road wheel of the vehicle and is made of synthetic resin. A plurality of pseudo nuts 22 resembling wheel nuts are formed at the center of the cover main body 21 formed in a substantially disc shape with a substantially uniform thickness and on the vehicle exterior side. In addition, each following embodiment demonstrates the specific structure of the said wheel cover 20, and the difference of each embodiment is the recessed part formed in the cover main body, and the pseudo nut formed in this recessed part inside. The specific shape is different. Configurations other than the concave portion and the pseudo nut in each embodiment are the same as those of the wheel cover shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B (however, the reference numerals attached to the cover main body and the like are different).
[0007]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a wheel nut wrench 23 as an example of an in-vehicle tool. In FIG. 2, the dimension c is an outer diameter dimension of the socket portion 24 of the wheel nut wrench 23.
[0008]
(First embodiment)
3-5 is a figure which shows the vicinity of the recessed part 32 formed in the cover main body 31 of the wheel cover of 1st Embodiment based on this invention, and the pseudo nut 33, FIG. 3 is the surface 31a of the cover main body 31. FIG. 4 is a plan view seen from the side, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line SA-SA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line SB-SB in FIG.
The concave portion 32 is formed in a shape recessed from the front surface 31a by a portion formed by projecting the cover main body 31 from the front surface 31a side to the back surface 31b side, and the pseudo nut 33 This is a portion formed so as to protrude from the bottom surface 32 a of the recess 32 and to have a gap 34 between the recess 32 and the side wall 32 b of the recess 32 and project toward the cover body surface 31 a side. The concave portion 32 has a hexagonal inner surface shape in plan view, and the pseudo nut 33 is also formed in a hexagonal shape in plan view. Each hexagonal vertex of each recess 32 (each corner 32c of the inner surface of the recess 32) extends from a center point 35 in a plan view of the central axis of the pseudo nut 33, and each hexagonal vertex in plan view of the pseudo nut 33. It is located on each virtual straight line (for example, the SA-SA line in FIG. 3) passing through 33a.
The recess is formed in a shape recessed from the surface of the cover body by a portion formed by projecting the cover body from the front surface side to the back surface side, and the pseudo nut stands from the bottom surface of the recess. It is also common to the other embodiments that the cover body is formed in a shape that protrudes toward the cover body surface side with a gap between the recess and the side wall of the recess.
[0009]
3 passes through a pair of apexes 33a and a pair of entering corners 32c facing each other across the center point 35 in the pseudo nut 33. The SA-SA line in FIG. The SB-SB line in FIG. 3 is perpendicular to the two side surfaces 33b facing each other across the center point 35 in the pseudo nut 33, and the inner surface of the side wall portion 32b facing each side surface 33b via the gap 34. Is also orthogonal. As shown in FIG. 5, the distance a between the opening end edges 32d of the recess 32 in the cross section along the SB-SB line is the minimum inner diameter dimension (hereinafter referred to as the "minimum inner diameter dimension a" of the opening end edge 32d of the recess 32. May be referred to as “)”.
[0010]
In the wheel cover of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer diameter dimension b (maximum outer diameter dimension) of the pseudo nut 33 which is the distance between a pair of apexes 33a facing each other with the center point 35 of the pseudo nut 33 interposed therebetween. ) And the minimum inner diameter dimension a (see FIG. 5) of the recess 32 match (that is, a = b). If an attempt is made to turn the pseudo nut 33 using the wheel nut wrench 23 illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer diameter dimension c is at least smaller than the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess 32 (that is, b> c). Although it is necessary to selectively use the one provided with the socket portion 24, even if the socket portion 24 satisfying the relationship of b> c is adopted, the socket portion 24 is fitted into the recess 32 due to the above-described relationship of a = b. It cannot be included.
[0011]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a comparative example, in which the minimum inner diameter dimension a (see FIG. 5) of the recess H is sufficiently larger than the maximum outer dimension b of the pseudo nut N, and the side walls of the pseudo nut N and the recess H are shown. This is a case where the socket part 24 can be inserted into the gap S between the parts. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the socket portion 24 includes a wall portion having a wall thickness t between a nut housing portion 24 a (see FIG. 2) for housing a nut and an outer surface 24 b of the socket portion 24. If it can be inserted into the gap S between the inner surface of the recess H and the inner surface of the recess H, the pseudo nut N can be accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 24a and the socket portion 24 can be engaged with the pseudo nut N. If the dimensional difference between the minimum inner diameter a of the recess H and the maximum outer dimension b of the pseudo nut N is larger than the wall thickness t of the wall portion of the socket portion 24 (ab> t), the socket portion with respect to the pseudo nut 33 24 fits are possible.
[0012]
However, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, if the relationship between the maximum outer diameter dimension b of the pseudo nut 33 and the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess 32 is a = b, the socket portion 24 has the minimum inner diameter of the recess 32. Even if the outer dimensions c satisfy the relationship of a> c with respect to the dimension a, the wall portion t cannot be inserted into the gap 34 unless it is the socket portion 24 where the wall thickness t does not substantially exist. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent the pseudo nut 33 from being erroneously turned by the tool (wheel nut wrench 23). In addition, since a sufficient gap 34 is secured between the pseudo nut 33 and the inner surface of the recess 32, a design close to the real one can be secured in appearance.
[0013]
When the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess is larger than the maximum outer dimension b of the pseudo nut, the difference in dimension between the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess and the maximum outer dimension b of the pseudo nut is the wall thickness of the socket portion 24. As long as the relationship smaller than t (that is, a−b <t) is established, the relationship is not limited to the above-mentioned relationship of a = b, and the maximum outer dimension b of the pseudo nut is set to be smaller than the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess. Even if it is set to be small, the insertion of the socket portion 24 into the gap 34 can be reliably prevented. It is possible to adjust the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess and the maximum outer dimension b of the pseudo nut within a range in which ab <t is maintained, and thus a design closer to a real nut can be formed. .
By the way, a wheel nut wrench contained in an in-vehicle tool (particularly a standard tool that is an accessory at the time of purchase of an automobile) is a distance between two opposing surfaces of a nut 25 that rotates by inserting and engaging a socket portion. The dimension ratio (c / d) of the dimension (see FIG. 7, the two-surface width d) to the socket portion outer diameter c is 1.21 at the minimum. Therefore, if the minimum inner diameter a of the opening edge of the recess of the wheel cover and the opposing two-surface width d of the pseudo nut 33 are in the relationship of (a / d) ≦ 1.21, the socket with respect to the pseudo nut 33 Incorrect insertion of the portion 24 can be prevented. With the configuration of (a / d) ≦ 1.21, it is possible to prevent erroneous insertion of the socket portion 24 with respect to the pseudo nut 33 in almost all commercially available wheel nut wrenches.
[0014]
(Second Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment according to the present invention, the maximum outer diameter dimension b of the pseudo nut 33 is slightly larger than the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess 32 (that is, a <b ). Even in this embodiment, it goes without saying that the socket portion 24 of the wheel nut wrench 23 cannot be inserted outside the pseudo nut 33.
[0015]
(Third embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 9, 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention forms the pseudo | simulation nut 33 of the planar view hexagon inside the recessed part 37 in which the opening edge 36 is a planar view circular shape. In this embodiment, the maximum outer diameter dimension b of the pseudo nut 33 coincides with the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the recess 37 (that is, a = b), and each apex 33a of the pseudo nut 33 is the opening edge 36 of the recess 37. Touching or continuous.
Even in this embodiment, it goes without saying that the socket portion 24 of the wheel nut wrench 23 cannot be inserted outside the pseudo nut 33.
[0016]
(Fourth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 10, in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention, the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the concave portion 39 in which the opening edge 38 has a hexagonal shape in a plan view, and the plan view formed inside the concave portion 39. Although it is the same as that of the first embodiment in that the maximum outer diameter dimension b of the hexagonal pseudonut 33 is a = b, each apex 33a of the pseudonut 33 is adjacent to the opening edge 38. It is in contact with or continuous with the central portion of the side 40 extending between the mating corners 39a.
Therefore, it goes without saying that the socket portion 24 of the wheel nut wrench 23 cannot be inserted outside the pseudo nut 33 even in this embodiment.
[0017]
(Fifth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the fifth embodiment according to the present invention has a gap 43 inside the recess 41 formed in the cover body and between the side wall 42 of the recess 41. A rib 44 that bridges between the pseudo nut 33 formed in this manner and the side wall portion 42 of the recess 41 is formed at a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral surface of the pseudo nut 33. 11A and 11B, the formation position of the rib 44 corresponds to the intermediate position between the apexes 33a of the pseudo nut 33 and the adjacent apexes 33a of the six side faces 33b of the pseudo nut 33. The ribs 44 are formed at a total of 12 locations along the outer peripheral direction of the pseudo nut 33.
In this embodiment, the ribs 44 can reliably prevent erroneous insertion of the socket portion 24 of the wheel nut wrench 23. Further, the vehicle outer end surface 44a of the rib 44 is inclined so as to gradually go down to the bottom surface 41b side of the concave portion 41 from the opening end edge 41a of the concave portion 41 toward the pseudo nut 33 side. At the boundary with the pseudo nut 33, the vehicle outer end surface 44 a is at a position lower than the opening end edge 41 a of the recess 41 toward the bottom surface 41 b of the recess 41. In such a configuration, when the wheel cover is viewed from the outside of the vehicle, the pseudo nut 33 appears three-dimensionally, and a design that is closer to the real thing can be obtained.
[0018]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible.
In the above-described embodiment, as the pseudo nut, the configuration viewed from the surface side of the cover main body of the wheel cover is a hexagon (almost regular hexagon), but the present invention is not limited to this, For example, pseudo-nuts having various polygonal shapes (regular polygonal shapes) such as a dodecagonal shape (regular dodecagonal shape) as viewed from the surface side of the cover body can be employed.
11A and 11B illustrate a configuration in which ribs that bridge between the side wall portion of the recess and the pseudo nut are formed at a total of 12 positions between the side wall portion of the recess and the pseudo nut. However, the number of ribs that bridge between the side wall portion of the recess and the pseudo nut may be one or more in the gap, thereby preventing the socket portion of the wheel nut wrench from being fitted into the pseudo nut. However, it is effective to form at least ribs that bridge between the vertices of the pseudo nuts and the side walls of the recesses in order to form a model closer to a real nut in terms of design. It is more effective that the vehicle outer end surface is in a position where it is lowered to the bottom surface side of the recess in the vicinity of the pseudo nut.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the vehicle wheel cover of the present invention, the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the opening edge of the recess and the outer diameter of the pseudo nut connecting the apexes facing each other across the center point of the pseudo nut. The fitting of the wheel nut wrench to the pseudo nut can be prevented by the dimensional relationship with the dimension b.
Further, the fitting of the wheel nut wrench to the pseudo nut can be prevented by the dimensional relationship between the minimum inner diameter dimension a of the opening edge of the recess and the outer diameter c of the wheel nut wrench .
Further, the rib formed in the gap between the side wall portion of the recess formed in the cover body and the pseudo nut can prevent the wheel nut wrench from being fitted into the pseudo nut. By preventing erroneous insertion of the wheel nut wrench into the pseudo nut, damage to the pseudo nut due to erroneous insertion can be eliminated.
Further, the pseudo nut has an advantage that a design close to a real nut can be secured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which an automobile wheel cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a road wheel.
2 is a perspective view showing a wheel nut wrench for rotating operation of a wheel nut provided in the road wheel of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vicinity of a recess and a pseudo nut formed in the cover body of the automotive wheel cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the surface side of the cover body.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line SA-SA in FIG. 3;
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line SB-SB of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the vicinity of a recess and a pseudo nut formed in a cover body of a vehicle wheel cover for a comparative example, as viewed from the surface side of the cover body.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a nut to which a wheel nut wrench is applied, and shows the two-surface width of the nut.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the vicinity of a recess and a pseudo nut formed on a cover body of a vehicle wheel cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the surface side of the cover body.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the vicinity of a recess and a pseudo nut formed in a cover body of an automobile wheel cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the surface side of the cover body.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the vicinity of a recess and a pseudo nut formed in a cover body of an automobile wheel cover according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the surface side of the cover body.
FIG. 11 is a view showing the vicinity of a recess and a pseudo nut formed in a cover main body of an automobile wheel cover according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view seen from the surface side of the cover main body. (B) is the SC-SC sectional view taken on the line of (a).
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing a conventional vehicle wheel cover, in which FIG. 12A is a plan view and FIG. 12B is a front sectional view showing an attachment state to a road wheel.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Wheel cover, 21 ... Cover main body, 22 ... Pseudo nut, 23 ... Wheel nut wrench, 24 ... Socket part, 31 ... Cover main body, 31a ... Cover main body surface, 32 ... Recessed part, 32a ... Bottom face, 32b ... Side wall part, 32d ... Open edge, 33 ... Pseudo nut, 33a ... Vertex, 33b ... Outer peripheral surface (side surface), 34 ... Gap, 35 ... Center point, 36 ... Open edge, 37 ... Recess, 38 ... Open edge, 39 ... Recessed portion 41... Recessed portion 41 a. Opening edge 41 b. Bottom surface 42. Side wall portion 43. Gap 44. Rib 44 a. c: the outer diameter of the wheel nut wrench, d: the width of two opposing surfaces of the pseudo nut.

Claims (5)

An automotive wheel cover that is attached to a road wheel,
The cover body formed in a disc shape with a synthetic resin has a recess recessed from the surface side of the cover body and a gap between the bottom surface of the recess and the side wall of the recess, and the cover body surface side And a pseudo nut that is formed in a polygonal shape as seen from the cover body surface side,
When the minimum inner diameter dimension of the opening edge of the recess is a, and the outer diameter dimension of the pseudo nut connecting the vertices facing each other across the center point of the pseudo nut is b, a ≦ b. A featured wheel cover for automobiles. An automotive wheel cover that is attached to a road wheel,
The cover body formed in a disc shape with a synthetic resin has a recess recessed from the surface side of the cover body and a gap between the bottom surface of the recess and the side wall of the recess, and the cover body surface side And a pseudo nut that is formed in a polygonal shape as seen from the cover body surface side,
The minimum inner diameter dimension of the opening edge of the recess is a, and it is attached to a vehicle to which the wheel cover for an automobile is attached, and the socket portion of the wheel nut wrench for rotating the wheel nut provided on the road wheel is provided . An automotive wheel cover, wherein a <c, where c is an outer diameter.   An automotive wheel cover to be attached to a road wheel, wherein a cover body formed in a disc shape with a synthetic resin has a recess recessed from the surface side of the cover body, and a side wall portion of the recess from the bottom surface of the recess A pseudo nut that protrudes toward the cover body surface side with a gap therebetween and has a polygonal shape when viewed from the cover body surface side, and at least one place on the outer peripheral surface of the pseudo nut, The automobile wheel cover is characterized in that a rib for bridging between the side wall portion of the recess is formed.   4. The automobile wheel according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the rib on the vehicle outer end surface located in the vicinity of the pseudo nut is lowered from the opening end edge of the recess toward the bottom surface of the recess. cover.   5. The automotive wheel cover according to claim 3, wherein the rib is formed so as to bridge between the side wall portion of the concave portion and the apex of the pseudo-nut having a polygonal shape.

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