ALLOY COMPOSITE ROAD WHEEL FOR A VEHICLE
A road wheel for a vehicle includes a central portion and a rim portion. The central portion defines a wheel axis and is formed from a first material. The central portion includes a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly from a lug member defined by the central portion. Each of the spokes is interconnected to a link disposed at a distal end of the spokes. The rim portion is formed from a second material and defines a tubular wall being coaxial with the wheel axis. The rim portion including an interlock configured to receive the link for interconnecting the central portion with the rim portion.
1 . A road wheel for a vehicle, comprising:
a central portion defining a wheel axis and being formed from a first material and including a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly from said central portion, each of said spokes being interconnected to a link disposed at a distal end of said spokes; and
a rim portion formed from a second material and defining a tubular wall being coaxial with said wheel axis, said rim portion including an interlock engaging said link thereby interconnecting said central portion with said rim portion.
2 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , wherein said link defines a foot disposed at said distal end of each of said spokes.
3 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , wherein said link defines a hoop circumscribing said wheel axis and interconnecting each said distal end of said spokes.
4 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first material defines a metallic alloy and said second material comprises a polymeric composite.
5 . The road wheel set forth in claim 4 , wherein said second material comprises a polymeric composite reinforced by at least one of a fibrous material, carbon, glass or an equivalent.
6 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second material at least partially encapsulates said link.
7 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second material fully encapsulates said link.
8 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , said rim defines an inner bead element and an outer bead element and said link and said interlock are disposed proximate said outer bead element.
9 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , wherein said interlock of said rim defines a face disposed between each of said spokes.
10 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , wherein said link defines a partial hoop interconnecting some of said spokes.
11 . The road wheel set forth in claim 2 , wherein said foot defines a stop thereby preventing circumferential displacement of said central portion relative to said wheel portion.
12 . The road wheel set forth in claim 1 , further including a cover member being overlaid upon said link thereby encapsulating said link between said cover member and said rim portion.
13 . A method of manufacturing a composite wheel assembly, comprising the steps of:
forming a central portion from an alloy, with said central portion defining a hub portion and a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly away from said wheel axis with said spokes defining an link being spaced from said wheel axis
forming a rim portion from a composite material with said rim portion defining an annular wall disposed between first and second bead elements with said first bead element defining a seat for receiving said link; and
mating said link to said seat with said link defining an interlocking engagement therebetween for securing said central portion to said rim portion.
14 . The method set forth in claim 13 , wherein said step of mating said link to said seat defining an interlocking engagement is further defined by said link defining a circumferential abutment with said seat.
15 . The method set forth in claim 13 , wherein said step of mating said link to said seat defining an interlocking engagement is further defined by adhering said link to said seat with an adhesive.
16 . The method set forth in claim 13 , further including step of concealing said link with a cover member.
17 . The method set forth in claim 13 , further including the step of adhering said cover member over said link with an adhesive.
18 . The method set forth in claim 13 , further including the step of forming a preform of said rim portion and reforming said preform on said link thereby securing said central portion to said rim portion.
19 . The method set forth in claim 13 , further including the step of interconnecting at least some of said spokes with a hoop.
20 . The method set forth in claim 13 , further including the step of applying a clear coating paint to said wheel assembly after said central portion has been secured to said rim portion.