TEPZZ¥_ 

6 _ZB_T
(19)

(11) EP 3 126 210 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: B62D 55/14 (2006.01) B60B 11/02 (2006.01)
28.08.2019 Bulletin 2019/35
(86) International application number:
(21) Application number: 15733356.8 PCT/EP2015/056909

(22) Date of filing: 30.03.2015 (87) International publication number:

WO 2015/150333 (08.10.2015 Gazette 2015/40)

(54) ROAD WHEEL

STRASSENRAD
ROUE PORTEUSE

(84) Designated Contracting States: • POYRAZLI, Aysel

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB Levittown, PA 19057 (US)
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO • RESARE, Lars Johan
PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR Ewing, NJ 08628 (US)

(30) Priority: 01.04.2014 US 201461973615 P (74) Representative: Zimmermann & Partner

27.03.2015 US 201514670919 Patentanwälte mbB
Josephspitalstr. 15
(43) Date of publication of application: 80331 München (DE)
08.02.2017 Bulletin 2017/06
(56) References cited:
(73) Proprietor: Hutchinson SA FR-A- 1 393 425 GB-A- 199 373
75908 Paris (FR) US-A1- 2012 001 478 US-A1- 2012 146 394
US-B1- 6 299 264
(72) Inventors:
• HOBE, Peter
Levittown, PA 19056 (US)
EP 3 126 210 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 3 126 210 B1
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention relate to a road wheel for use on fully
or partially tracked vehicles, which are light-weight and
may be integrally formed from a single piece of material
or fabricated from multiple parts.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicles having tracked or partially tracked run-
ning gear ride over a closed loop of interconnected links
or pads. The vehicle rolls forward over the links on road
wheels having rubber covered metal rims. The road
wheels act as the interface between the tracks and ve-
hicle body, and spread the weight of the vehicle over the
tracks. The road wheels are connected to the vehicles
body through a suspension system that helps minimize
shock and vibrations. The road wheels therefore suffer
from varying stresses that can cause bending and de-
flection particularly of the rims. These road wheels have
previously been made of heavy rolled steel or aluminum
to resist such stress and bending moments, but the
weight of the wheels impacts cost, fuel efficiency, and
transportability. Therefore, road wheels of lesser weight
but comparable or greater strength and durability, which
can also be easily manufactured, are sought. For exam-
ple, US 2012/0001478 A1 describes a wheel of a track
assembly of a tracked vehicle, such as, for example, an
all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a snowmobile, a construction
vehicle or agricultural vehicle. The wheel in use is one
of a plurality of wheels of a track assembly. The wheel
comprises a wheel body comprising a hub portion, a rim
portion, and a radially-extending portion between the hub
portion and the rim portion. US 2012/0001478 A1 further
describes that the rim portion is an outer portion of a mid-
roller, which contacts an inner side of an endless track.
It is further described, that the radially-extending portion
is an intermediate portion of the mid-roller, which extends
radially between the hub portion and the rim portion. The
mid-roller comprises a pair of lateral sides opposite one
another and a peripheral side between the lateral sides.
GB 199 373 A describes improvements in or relating to
endless track vehicles and US 6 299 264 B1 describes
a heat shielded mid roller.
SUMMARY
[0003] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention according to claim 1 relate to a road
wheel comprising a mounting disc, a dish-shaped tran-
sitional wall having an outer edge, a rim with an annular
cylindrical wall attached along a first rim edge to the outer
edge of the transitional wall, and a stiffening flange at-
tached to the rim along a second rim edge opposite the
first rim edge, wherein the flange provides radial support
2
to the second rim edge of the cylindrical wall to resist
deflection.
[0004] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion also relate to a road wheel, wherein the transitional
5 wall meets and joins the rim along an edge, and not at
an interior section of the rim that may be approximately
at the middle of the annular cylindrical wall.
[0005] Embodiments of the claimed invention also re-
late to a road wheel further comprising an elastomeric
10 pad adjoining and adhering to an outer cylindrical surface
of the annular cylinder wall, wherein the elastomeric pad
provides a cushioned area between the road wheel and
an operatively associated tread, or track pad/ track seg-
ment.
15 [0006] Some embodiments of the road wheel may also
further comprise a protruding lip extending from an inner
face of the stiffening flange, an outer face of the stiffening
flange, or both, where the stiffening flange is integral with
and cantilevered from the rim, and the lip may be integral
20 with and cantilevered from a face of the stiffening flange.
[0007] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention also relate to a road wheel, wherein
the stiffening flange is tapered, such that it may be thicker
at an end attached to the rim and thinner at an unattached
25 end, or thinner at the end attached to the rim and thicker
at the unattached end. Some embodiments of the
claimed invention also relate to a unitary road wheel fur-
ther comprising a plurality of openings through the stiff-
ening flange to allow passage of debris.
30 [0008] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion relate to a road wheel further comprising a wear ring
removably attached to the transitional wall by one or more
fastening devices, for example, bolts, nuts, and washers.
[0009] Principles and embodiments of the presently
35 claimed invention also relate to a road wheel that may
be made from one or more materials selected from a
group consisting of a ferrous alloy, aluminum alloy, tita-
nium alloy, magnesium alloy, plastic, fiber reinforced
composite, aluminum metal matrix composite, and mix-
40 tures thereof, and wherein the wheel may be forged from
a single piece of material or cast as a single piece.
[0010] In some embodiments of the road wheel, the
road wheel is fabricated with a mold, a tool, machined,
joined together from multiple pieces or a combination
45 thereof., as when the road wheel is made of fiber rein-
forced composite, plastic or cast metal.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the road wheel is
fabricated by assembling two or more preformed com-
ponents.
50 [0012] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention also relate to a road wheel assembly
for a tracked vehicle, the road wheel assembly compris-
ing a pair of road wheels, wherein a first road wheel is
an inner road wheel and a second road wheel is an outer
55 road wheel, and wherein an outer face of the mounting
disc of the outer road wheel is connected to the outer
face of the mounting disc of the inner road wheel to form
a recessed region between the inner and outer road
2
 3 EP 3 126 210 B1
wheels, wherein the recessed region is created by the
configuration and dimensions of the inner and outer dish-
shaped transitional walls, and configured and dimen-
sioned to accommodate a guide on a track, and the stiff-
ening flange of the outer road wheel and the stiffening
flange of the inner road wheel form sections of increased
radial thickness and strength to resist bending and/or de-
flection of each peripheral unsupported edge of the inner
and outer rims.
[0013] Embodiment of the claimed invention also re-
late to a road wheel assembly, wherein a first wear ring
is removably attached to the inner road wheel and a sec-
ond wear ring is removably attached to the outer road
wheel, and the wear rings are made of a material that
has greater wear resistance than the material(s) used for
the inner and outer road wheels, for example hardened
and/or alloyed steel, and wherein a stud may be press-
fit into the wear ring, a female threaded insert may be
press-fit into the wear ring, or a blind fastener threaded
into the transitional wall or rim or into a threaded insert
affixed to the transitional wall or rim.
[0014] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention also relate to a road wheel invention
according to claim 1, comprising an annular cylindrical
wall having a flat outer cylindrical surface with a diameter
D1, and inner surface, a wall thickness T1, wherein the
wall thickness may vary, a first edge with a first edge
face, a second edge with a second edge face opposite
the first edge face, and a width W 1 between the first and
second edge faces, a mounting disc having a first face,
wherein the first face is flat and the first face has an outer
diameter D2, and a second face opposite the first face,
and a wall thickness T2 between the first face and the
second face, a transitional wall having a thickness T4,
wherein the transitional wall joins an outer edge of the
mounting disc and first edge of the cylindrical wall, and
functionally connects the mounting disc to the annular
cylindrical wall, wherein the transitional wall provides ra-
dial support to the first edge of the cylindrical wall, and a
stiffening flange integral with the second edge of the cy-
lindrical wall, and opposite the transitional wall, having
an inner diameter D3, an inner face, and inner edge, and
a wall thickness T3, wherein the wall thickness T3 may
be uniform, greater at the inner edge extending along the
inner diameter, or greater at the outer edge joined to the
cylindrical wall, the stiffening flange provides radial sup-
port to the second edge of the cylindrical wall to resist
deflection, and the integral mounting disc, transitional
wall, cylindrical wall, and flange form the road wheel.
[0015] Embodiments of the road wheel further com-
prising a hole in the center of the mounting disc having
a diameter D4 for piloting the wheel onto a hub, and a
plurality of holes forming a bolt pattern in the mounting
disc for fastening a first road wheel to a second road
wheel, and for mounting both road wheels to the hub.
[0016] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion also relate to a road wheel, which further comprises
at least one protruding lip extending from the inner face
4
of the stiffening flange, the outer face of the stiffening
flange, or both, and wherein the thickness of the stiffening
flange tapers down from the circumferential rim towards
the inner diameter D3.
5 [0017] Embodiments of the invention also relate to a
road wheel, wherein the stiffening flange is offset from
the second edge of the cylindrical wall by a distance df.
[0018] Embodiments of the invention also relate to a
road wheel, wherein the stiffening flange tapers outward-
10 ly from the second edge of the cylindrical wall to form an
outwardly sloped second edge face opposite and non-
parallel with the first edge face.
[0019] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention also relate to a lightweight road wheel
15 500 made from a single piece of material 501 having a
continuous surface, comprising a first flat outer surface
510 extending from a first inner diameter D21 to a second,
outer diameter D22, a dish-shaped curved surface 520
extending from the second outer diameter D22 to a third
20 circumferential diameter D23, a second outer surface
530 extending a distance d22 axially from the curved
surface 520, wherein the curved surface 520 creates an
offset distance d21 from the first flat surface 510 to a
beginning edge 535 of the second outer surface 530,
25 wherein the second surface defines a rim 130 of the road
wheel 500, and a third outer surface 540 extending from
the trailing edge 539 of the second outer surface 530
having a circumferential diameter between D23 and D25
to an inner diameter D24, a distance d23 at an angle θ22
30 from the second surface, a fourth outer surface 550 ex-
tending a distance d24, a first inner surface 560 at an
angle θ23 from the second surface, extending a distance
d23, which may be less than distance d23 of the third
outer surface 540 towards the second outer surface 530,
35 a plurality of connected openings formed in the third outer
surface 540 and first inner surface 560, and a second
inner surface 570 approximately parallel to the second
outer surface 530 having a diameter D25 less than D23,
a third inner surface 580 approximately parallel to the
40 curved surface 520, a fourth inner surface 590 approxi-
mately parallel to the first outer surface 510, and a fifth
inner surface 599 connecting the fourth inner surface 590
to the first outer surface 510 with a diameter of D21.
[0020] Principles and embodiments of the presently
45 claimed invention also relate to a road wheel, wherein
the shapes and dimensions of the continuous inner and
outer surfaces are defined in a forging process or by a
machining process after forging or casting the net shape,
such that the road wheel is formed from a single piece
50 of material.
[0021] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion also relate to a road wheel, wherein the third outer
surface, fourth outer surface, and first inner surface de-
fine a wall of thickness d24 forming a stiffening flange,
55 wherein the thickness of the stiffening flange may vary
from diameter D24 to diameter D25.
[0022] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion also relate to a road wheel, wherein the first inner
3
 5 EP 3 126 210 B1
surface is separated from the third inner surface by a
distance d26 less than d22, which defines an interior
space adjacent the second inner surface, and wherein
the first inner surface of the stiffening flange does not
connect to the third inner surface, and the first and third
inner surfaces do not form an enclosed volume.
[0023] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion also relate to a road wheel, wherein the openings in
the first inner surface are a distance d27 from the diam-
eter D25 to allow the passage of debris from the interior
space. The openings may be adjacent to the surface of
the inside diameter.
[0024] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion also relate to a road wheel, wherein the curved sur-
face meets and is connected to the second outer surface
along a filleted corner, and/or wherein the curved surface
meets and is connected to the second outer surface along
a chamfered corner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Further features of the present invention, its na-
ture and various advantages will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which are also illustrative of the best mode contemplated
by the applicants, and in which like reference characters
refer to like parts throughout, where:
FIG. 1 illustrates a cut-away side view of an embod-
iment of a road wheel;
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the embodiment of
a road wheel shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the embodi-
ment of a road wheel shown in FIG. 1 and a wear ring;
FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away side view of another
embodiment of a road wheel;
FIGs. 5A-C illustrate cut-away side views of embod-
iments of a road wheel with a tapered stiffening
flange;
FIGs. 6A-C illustrate cut-away side views of embod-
iments of a road wheel with at least one lip on the
stiffening flange with various orientations;
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodi-
ment of a road wheel from the side with the stiffening
flange;
FIGs. 8A-B illustrate cut-away side views of embod-
iments of a road wheel with one lip on the stiffening
flange;
FIG. 9 illustrates a cut-away side view of an embod-
iment of a road wheel showing the various intercon-
necting sections and surfaces;
FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of an assembly
with two joined and mounted road wheels and a track
section; and
FIGs. 11A-C illustrate close up views of various em-
bodiments comprising fasteners affixing a wear ring
to a face of a transitional wall.
6
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Before describing several exemplary embodi-
ments of the invention, it is to be understood that the
5 invention is not limited to the details of construction or
process steps set forth in the following description. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced or being carried out in various ways. These
illustrations are intended as examples only and are not
10 to be construed as limiting the disclosed road wheels to
any particular structure, material, or process.
[0027] Reference throughout this specification to "one
embodiment," "certain embodiments," "one or more em-
bodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular
15 feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least
one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances
of the phrases such as "in one or more embodiments,"
"in certain embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in
20 one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various plac-
es throughout this specification are not necessarily re-
ferring to the same embodiment of the invention. Further-
more, the particular features, structures, materials, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner
25 in one or more embodiments.
[0028] Although the invention herein has been de-
scribed with reference to particular embodiments, it is to
be understood that these embodiments are merely illus-
trative of the principles and applications of the present
30 invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made to the
method and apparatus of the present invention.
[0029] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention relate to a road wheel for use on fully
35 or partially tracked vehicles, which are configured and
dimensioned to be lighter weight than previous road
wheels, while exhibiting comparable or superior strength,
durability, and fatigue resistance.
[0030] In some embodiments, such road wheels may
40 be formed from a single piece of material, for example
an ingot or billet, by hot, warm, or cold forging. In other
embodiments, such road wheels may be cast as a single
work piece, and/or machined from a single piece of ma-
terial, for example a metal or plastic. A combination of
45 these forming and shaping processes may also be em-
ployed to produce a single unitary road wheel, without
the need to join separate discrete components together
through other joining methods, such as but not limited to
fastening, gluing, welding, or brazing. However, joining
50 separate discrete components together through other
joining methods, such as but not limited to fastening, glu-
ing, welding, or brazing may also be employed to produce
a single road wheel.
[0031] In alternative embodiments, such road wheels
55 may comprise multiple components bonded together. In
various embodiments, a separate mounting disc may be
affixed to a rim, and/or a separate stiffening flange may
be affixed to a rim. Fastening, gluing, welding, or brazing
4
 7 EP 3 126 210 B1
can be used to affix components together. Joining sep-
arate, discrete components, for example mounting discs,
rims, and stiffening flanges, together by techniques such
as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, rivets, weld-
ing, brazing, or adhering, and may also be employed to
reduce manufacturing costs by improving manufactura-
bility.
[0032] Embodiments of the road wheel can have the
transitional wall transition into the rim along an edge or
interface where the two sections meet, and not at an in-
terior section of the rim that may be approximately at the
middle of the annular cylindrical wall. Similarly the road
wheel can have the cylindrical wall of the rim transition
into the stiffening flange along an edge or interface where
the two sections meet. Because some embodiments may
have a smooth curved surface where the sections meet,
there may not be a clearly defined interface, unlike at
sharp corners.
[0033] Principles and embodiments of the presently
claimed invention relate to improving the resistance to
deflection of an annular rim used to support the weight
of a tracked vehicle, particularly from radial and lateral
static and dynamic loads, including shocks and impacts.
[0034] Embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion relate to a road wheel comprising a flange portion to
provide additional strength and stiffness to an otherwise
unsupported or cantilevered end of a road wheel rim. The
stiffening flange is typically positioned at the opposite
end from where a transitional wall meets the rim.
[0035] In embodiments of the presently claimed inven-
tion, the road wheel may comprise a mounting disc that
provides a flat face for mating with another road wheel.
The road wheel may also comprise a transitional wall that
extends from the mounting disc to a rim, and a flange
extending from the rim. The mounting disc can be a first
portion of a vertical section of the road wheel, and a tran-
sitional wall can be a second portion of a vertical section
of the road wheel. The rim can have an annular cylindrical
wall attached along a first edge to an edge of the transi-
tional wall. The terms vertical and horizontal relate to the
orientation of surfaces or sections when the road wheel
is in its intended, operational, upright position.
[0036] The transitional wall may be curved or angled
away from the vertical plane of the face of the mounting
disc to create an offset distance. This distance creates
a gap of twice the offset when two road wheels are joined,
where the gap is wide enough to receive a track guide.
The dish-shaped transition wall is so named because of
its first curved section like the bowl of a soup dish, and
a second flatter section like the rim of a soup dish. While
the transition wall may be referred to as dish-shaped, the
term dish-shaped is intended to also encompass walls
having a smoother S-shaped curve, as well as walls with
minimal or no curvature that effectively form a straight
angle from the mounting disc to the rim, or have a 90°
angle that creates a corner and horizontal ledge between
the mounting disc and rim, or any angle in between.
[0037] Examples of different embodiments of each of
8
the various components and aspects of a road wheel as
well as different embodiments of the overall road wheel
assembly will now be described in more detail with ref-
erence to the figures. It should be understood that these
5 drawings only illustrate some of the embodiments, and
do not represent the full scope of the present invention
for which reference should be made to the accompanying
claims.
[0038] A cross-sectional view of an exemplary embod-
10 iment of a road wheel 100 in a typical upright position is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The road wheel 100 has an overall
outside diameter O.D. that includes the rim 130 and af-
fixed rubber pad 200, and a total width WT from the outer
face 115 of the mounting disc 110 to the opposite edge
15 139 of the rim or outside surface 155 of the stiffening
flange 150.
[0039] The road wheel comprises a mounting disc 110,
with a diameter D2, which has a flat outer face 115 over
at least a portion of the mounting disc 110 for meeting
20 the mounting disc of a second road wheel. A central open-
ing 112 in the mounting disc 110 has a diameter D4 that
allows the road wheel to be fitted over a hub. The mount-
ing disc has a thickness T2 that is sufficient to reliably
fasten the road wheel to a vehicle suspension and pro-
25 vide radial support to a rim.
[0040] The road wheel further comprises a rim 130
having an annular cylindrical wall 135 that provides a
suitable surface to interface with the links of a track (not
shown).
30 [0041] A transition wall 120 joins the mounting disc 110
to the rim 130 along a first rim edge 137, so that forces
are transferred from the rim to the mounting disc and
suspension. The transition wall 120 has a thickness T4
that may be the same or different than the thickness T2
35 of the mounting disc. In various embodiments, the mount-
ing disc 110 and dish-shaped transitional wall 120 may
be separate components that may be joined together by
mechanical fasteners, rivets, welding, brazing, gluing,
and/or adhesives at a mounting disc interface 116 be-
40 tween mating surfaces.
[0042] The rim has an outside diameter D1. The annu-
lar cylindrical wall 135 of the rim 130 has a width W 1 and
a thickness T1. The annular cylindrical wall 135 is joined
to the transition wall 120 along a first rim edge 137. In
45 various embodiments, the annular cylindrical wall 135
may be joined to the transition wall 120 by mechanical
fasteners, rivets, welding, brazing, gluing, and/or adhe-
sives at a transition wall interface 125 between mating
surfaces. In some embodiments, the transition wall 120
50 may join the annular cylindrical wall 135 at a distinct cor-
ner. In other embodiments, where for example the road
wheel is formed from a single piece of material, for ex-
ample aluminum, or there is a chamfer or fillet, there may
be a smooth transition from the transition wall 120 to the
55 annular cylindrical wall 135 without a clear interface, as
shown in FIG. 4.
[0043] A stiffening flange 150 joins the annular cylin-
drical wall 135 of the rim 130 at a second edge 139 on
5
 9 EP 3 126 210 B1
the side opposite the first rim edge 137 and transitional
wall 120. In various embodiments, the annular cylindrical
wall 135 may be joined to the stiffening flange 150 by
mechanical fasteners, rivets, welding, brazing, gluing,
and/or adhesives at a stiffening flange interface 145 be-
tween mating surfaces. The stiffening flange provides
radial support to the side of the rim opposite the transi-
tional wall 120. The stiffening flange may have a tapered
thickness, and an opening with a diameter D3. The di-
ameter of the opening D3 on the side of the wheel with
the stiffening flange is greater than the diameter of the
opening D4 in the mounting disc 110 and may be greater
than diameter D2. Openings 170 may be formed through
the stiffening flange 150, and openings 124 may be
formed in the transition wall 120 to allow passage of wa-
ter, rocks, mud, snow, and debris out of the interior sec-
tion between the stiffening flange and the transitional wall
that might otherwise become trapped. These openings
also contribute to the weight reduction of the design. The
stiffening flange does not connect to the transitional wall
or mounting disc, so an internal volume that might hold
debris is not created.
[0044] In an embodiment of a road wheel, a tapered
stiffening flange 150 has an initial thickness T3 that de-
creases to a final thickness TL less than T3. The exterior
face or outside surface 155 is approximately perpendic-
ular to the rim 130, whereas the interior face or inside
surface 157 is angled towards the perpendicular plane
of the outside surface 155, so that in the illustrated em-
bodiment the stiffening flange narrows from the inside
surface of the cylindrical wall 135 towards the distal end
of the flange. In some embodiments, the stiffening flange
150 may join the annular cylindrical wall 135 at a distinct
corner. In other embodiments, where for example the
road wheel is formed from a single piece of material, for
example aluminum, or there is a chamfer or fillet, there
may be a smooth transition from the stiffening flange 150
to the annular cylindrical wall 135 without a clear inter-
face, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0045] An elastomeric pad, for example rubber, may
be affixed to the outer surface of the rim 130 to further
cushion the interface between the road wheel and the
track links. The inside surface of the pad is in contact
with and adjoining the outer cylindrical surface of the an-
nular cylindrical wall 135. The pad may be adhered to
the rim surface through thermal bonding or the use of a
suitable adhesive, or some combination thereof, as
would be known in the art.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the embodiment
of a road wheel shown in FIG. 1, and shows the position-
ing of the mounting disc 110, a dish-shaped transitional
wall 120, and the rim 130. The central opening 112 in the
mounting disc is also illustrated, as is a plurality of open-
ings 117 arranged in a bolt hole pattern for adjoining two
road wheels face-to-face. In some embodiments, a road
wheel assembly 10 can be bolted together and fitted over
a hub of a vehicle for mounting, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0047] In some embodiments, openings 124 may be
10
formed through the transitional wall 120 to allow passage
of water, rocks, mud, and debris out of the interior section
between the transitional wall and the stiffening flange that
might otherwise become trapped. These openings also
5 serve as weight reduction features. Prior art road wheels
trap debris in the 570 region without the possibility of
egress resulting in added weight over time.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the em-
bodiment of a road wheel 100 shown in FIG. 1 and a
10 wear ring 300. In some embodiments, the wear ring 300
may be affixed to the transitional wall 120 using fasteners
310, and optional washers 320, which pass through fas-
tening holes 122 in the offset portion of the dish-shaped
transitional wall 120. Threaded inserts 330 may be af-
15 fixed to the wear ring to accept the fasteners 310. The
wear ring 300 may be made of a harder and/or more
wear-resistant material than the road wheel.
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away side view of anoth-
er embodiment of a road wheel 100. The mounting disc
20 110 and dish-shaped transitional wall 120 are shown join-
ing the rim 130 along a chamfered first edge 137 of the
annular cylindrical wall 135. The stiffening flange 150 is
also shown joining the rim 130 along a chamfered second
edge 139 of the annular cylindrical wall 135. In addition,
25 the depicted embodiment shows smooth curved transi-
tional surfaces along the inside surfaces of the annular
cylindrical wall 135, transitional wall 120, and stiffening
flange 150. The wall thicknesses, therefore, vary through
the transitional regions between the wall sections and
30 the flange section.
[0050] FIG. 5A illustrate a cut-away side view of an
example useful for understanding the invention of a road
wheel with a tapered stiffening flange 150 having an initial
thickness T3 that increases to a final thickness TL greater
35 than T3. The interior face or inside surface 157 is approx-
imately perpendicular to the rim 130, whereas the exterior
face or outside surface 155 is angled away from the per-
pendicular plane, so that in the illustrated embodiment
the stiffening flange tapers outwardly from the second
40 edge of the cylindrical wall 135.
[0051] FIG. 5B illustrate a cut-away side view of an
example useful for understanding the invention of a road
wheel with a tapered stiffening flange 150 having an initial
thickness T3 that increases to a final thickness TL greater
45 than T3. The exterior face or outside surface 155 is ap-
proximately perpendicular to the rim 130, whereas the
interior face or inside surface 157 is angled away from
the perpendicular plane of the exterior face, so that in
the illustrated embodiment the stiffening flange tapers
50 inwardly from the inside surface of the cylindrical wall
135. While FIGs. 5A and 5B depict one side or the other
angled outwardly, in some embodiments both surfaces
may be angled to form a triangular wall.
[0052] FIG. 5C illustrate a cut-away side view of an
55 example useful for understanding the invention of a road
wheel with a tapered stiffening flange 150. The illustrated
embodiment depicts the stiffening flange tapering in-
wardly from the inside surface of the cylindrical wall 135,
6
 11 EP 3 126 210 B1
similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B. The ex-
terior face or outside surface 155 is approximately per-
pendicular to the rim 130, whereas the interior face or
inside surface 157 is angled away from the perpendicular
plane of the exterior face, however the exterior face 155
of the stiffening flange 150 is indented from the outer
edge of the cylindrical wall 135 by an offset distance df.
This indentation creates a portion of the rim 130 which
overhangs the stiffening flange by an equivalent length
df. In some embodiments, the offset does not reduce the
thickness of the stiffening flange 150, which still has an
initial thickness T3 that increases to a final thickness TL
greater than T3.
[0053] FIG. 6A illustrates a cut-away side view of an
embodiment of a road wheel with one lip 180 on the stiff-
ening flange protruding from the exterior face or outside
surface 155 of the stiffening flange 150. The stiffening
flange has an approximately uniform thickness T3 that
extends from the cylindrical wall 135 to the point at which
the lip 180 begins to stick out from the outer surface 155.
The thickness of the flange and lip increases to TL at the
widest point. While the lip is shown having a rounded
end, a flat face or other geometrical shapes are possible
and contemplated within the scope of the claims.
[0054] FIG. 6B illustrates a cut-away side view of an
embodiment of a road wheel with two lips 180 on the
stiffening flange with one lip 180 protruding from the out-
side surface 155 of the stiffening flange 150, and one lip
180 protruding from the inside surface 157 of the stiffen-
ing flange 150. The two lips create an I-shape that pro-
vides increased stiffening and deflection resistance to
the stiffening flange 150 and rim 130. The stiffening
flange has an approximately uniform thickness T3 that
extends approximately from the cylindrical wall 135 to
the point at which the two lips 180 begin to stick out from
the flange surfaces 155,157. The thickness of the flange
and two lips then increases to TL at the widest point.
[0055] FIG. 6C illustrate a cut-away side view of an
embodiment of a road wheel with a stiffening flange 150
having one lip 180 protruding from the interior face 157
of the stiffening flange 150. The stiffening flange has an
approximately uniform thickness T3 that extends from the
cylindrical wall 135 to the point at which the lip 180 begins
to stick out from the inside surface 157. The exterior face
155 of the stiffening flange 150 is indented from the outer
edge of the cylindrical wall 135 by an offset distance df.
This indentation creates a portion of the rim 130 which
overhangs the stiffening flange by an equivalent length df.
[0056] While the particular embodiments having one
or more lips have been illustrated with a stiffening flange
having an approximately uniform thickness T3, embodi-
ments having a lip protruding from one or both sides of
a tapered flange are also considered within the scope of
the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a road
wheel from the stiffening flange side showing a plurality
of openings 170 in the stiffening flange 150. The openings
may be circular, oval, elliptical, hexagonal, or have other
12
geometric shapes to allow mud, rocks, ice, and other
debris to escape from the interior side of the stiffening
flange 150. The transition wall 120 on the opposite side
of the rim 130 may also have similar openings 124 to
5 allow material to pass through and reduce the overall
weight.
[0058] In some embodiments, there are no ribs be-
tween the annular cylindrical wall 135 and the stiffening
flange 150. In some embodiments, there is no connecting
10 surface between the transition wall 120 and the stiffening
flange 150 other than the rim 130.
[0059] FIG. 8A illustrate a cut-away side view of an
embodiment of a road wheel with one lip on the stiffening
flange and at least one debris opening of varying size,
15 and where outer surface is approximately parallel and
inline with inside diameter of 130, to permit easy egress
of debris. In some embodiments, the size of the openings
are sufficient for weight reduction and passage of debris.
[0060] FIG. 8B illustrate a cut-away side views of em-
20 bodiments of a road wheel with one lip 180 on the stiff-
ening flange 150, and protruding from the interior face
157 of the stiffening flange 150. The stiffening flange has
an approximately uniform thickness T3 that extends from
the cylindrical wall 135 to the point at which the lip 180
25 begins to stick out from the inside surface 157. In this
example, the exterior face 155 of the stiffening flange
150 is flush with the second edge 139, which is an outer
edge of the cylindrical wall 135, such that they meet at a
sharp exterior corner.
30 [0061] FIG. 9 illustrates a cut-away side view of an em-
bodiment of a road wheel showing the various intercon-
necting sections and surfaces, wherein the a lightweight
road wheel 500 made from a single piece of material 501
has a continuous inner and outer surface, comprising a
35 first flat outer surface 510 extending from a first inner
diameter D21 to a second, outer diameter D22, a dish-
shaped curved surface 520 extending from the second
outer diameter D22 to a third circumferential diameter
D23, a second outer surface 530 extending a distance
40 d22 axially from the curved surface 520, wherein the
curved surface 520 creates an offset distance d21 from
the first flat surface 510 to a beginning edge 535 of the
second outer surface 530, wherein the second surface
defines a rim 130 of the road wheel 500, and a third outer
45 surface 540 extending from the trailing edge 539 of the
second outer surface 530 having a circumferential diam-
eter between D23 and D25 to an inner diameter D24, a
distance d23 at an angle θ22 from the second surface,
as shown in the detailed inset, a fourth outer surface 550
50 extending a distance d24, a first inner surface 560 at an
angle θ23 from the second surface, extending a distance
d25, which may be less than distance d23 of the third
outer surface 540 towards the second outer surface 530,
a plurality of connected openings formed in the third outer
55 surface 540 and first inner surface 560, and a second
inner surface 570 approximately parallel to the second
outer surface 530 having a diameter D25 less than D23,
a third inner surface 580 approximately parallel to the
7
 13 EP 3 126 210 B1
curved surface 520, a fourth inner surface 590 approxi-
mately parallel to the first outer surface 510, and a fifth
inner surface 599 connecting the fourth inner surface 590
to the first outer surface 510 with a diameter of D21. In
some embodiments, surfaces 530 and 570 may not be
parallel, such that the thickness between D25 and D23
may not be constant, but rather have a varying thickness
or taper on the inside diameter. In some embodiments,
the thickness between third inner surface 580 and curved
surface 520 may have a varying thickness.
[0062] The first inner surface 560 is separated from
the third inner surface 580 by a distance d26 less than
d22, which creates an interior space adjacent the second
inner surface 570, which may accumulate mud, snow,
and debris.
[0063] In some embodiments, the first inner surface
560 of the stiffening flange does not connect to the third
inner surface 580, and the first and third inner surfaces
do not form an enclosed volume.
[0064] In some embodiments, the various surfaces
may meet and be connected to an adjoining surface along
a filleted or chamfered interior or exterior corner.
[0065] FIG. 10 illustrates two road wheels 100 joined
together as an assembly 10 and mounted onto a vehicle,
and a track section with a track guide 900 operatively
engaging the road wheel assembly.
[0066] FIGs. 11A-C illustrate a close up view of fasten-
ers 310 affixing a wear ring 300 to a face of a transitional
wall 120 of a road wheel 100 with an optional washer
320. In an embodiment, the fastener may be threaded
and secured to a threaded nut 340. Threaded inserts 330
may be affixed to wear ring or to the transitional wall 120
to accept fasteners 310.
[0067] In some embodiments, two road wheels are as-
sembled together for mounting onto the suspension of a
tracked vehicle. When assembled, one road wheel be-
comes an inner road wheel, which would be closer to the
hull of the vehicle and the stiffening flange would be fac-
ing towards the vehicle; and, the other road wheel would
become an outer road wheel, which would be farther from
the vehicle and the stiffening flange would be facing away
from the vehicle. The outer face of the mounting disc for
the inner road wheel would be abutting and operatively
associated with the outer face of the mounting disc of the
outer road wheel. The transitional walls of the joined inner
and outer road wheels form an approximately V-shaped
gap or recessed region between the two wheels that is
suitably dimensioned to allow a track guide 900 to pass
between the road wheels. The size of the gap is deter-
mined by the offset d21 created by the transitional wall
from the mounting disc to the rim.
[0068] In embodiments of the road wheel assembly,
the stiffening flange of the outer road wheel and the stiff-
ening flange of the inner road wheel form sections of
increased thickness and strength to resist bending and/or
deflection of each peripheral unsupported edge of the
inner and outer rims, and the road wheel assembly as a
whole.
14
[0069] The offset distance between the face of the tran-
sitional wall and the face of the mounting disc creates a
gap or recessed region that is configured and dimen-
sioned to receive a guide on the track links, when two
5 such road wheel are mounted together.
[0070] A threaded stud is press-fit into a plurality of
holes in the wear ring. Each stud is fastened to a corre-
sponding nut with an optional washer assembled from
the opposite side of the road wheel, to clamp the wear
10 ring to the road wheel.
[0071] In some embodiments, a female threaded insert
may be press-fit into a plurality of holes in the wear ring.
Each insert would fasten to a corresponding bolt with
optional washer assembled from the opposite side of the
15 road wheel, to clamp the wear ring to the road wheel.
[0072] In some embodiments, a blind fastener with an
optional washer is assembled through a plurality of holes
in the wear ring and threads directly into the rim or into
a threaded insert installed in the rim, to clamp the wear
20 ring to the road wheel.
[0073] In one or more embodiments, a road wheel may
be fabricated from two or more components joined to-
gether, whereas in other embodiments a single unitary
road wheel may be formed from a single piece of metal,
25 plastic, or composite. In various embodiments, a unitary
road wheel or individual road wheel components (e.g.,
mounting disc, rim, transitional wall, stiffening flange,
wear ring, elastomeric pad, etc.) may be fabricated by
forging, metal casting, molding, stamping, machining, or
30 a combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, the
road wheel is fabricated by assembling two or more pre-
formed components, where individual road wheel com-
ponents may be assembled by joining the components
together by mechanical fasteners, rivets, welding, braz-
35 ing, or adhering. In various embodiments, a mold may
be a casting mold for parts cast from metal, or an injection
mold for plastic parts. A tool may be a cutting tool for
machining or a forming tool, for example a die for forging
or stamping.
40
Claims
1. A road wheel (100) comprising:
45
a mounting disc (110);
a dish-shaped transitional wall (120);
a rim (130) with an annular cylindrical wall (135)
attached along a first rim edge (137) to an edge
50 of the transitional wall (120); and
a stiffening flange (150) attached to the rim (130)
along a second rim edge (139) opposite the first
rim edge (137) wherein the flange (150) is ta-
pered to be thicker at an end attached to the rim
55 and thinner at an unattached end and provides
radial support to the second edge (139) of the
cylindrical wall (135) to resist deflection.
8
 15 EP 3 126 210 B1
2. The road wheel (100) of claim 1, further comprising
at least one of an elastomeric pad (200) adjoining
and adhering to an outer cylindrical surface of the
annular cylinder wall (135); a protruding lip (180) ex-
tending from an inner face of the stiffening flange
(150), an outer face of the stiffening flange (135), or
both; and a plurality of openings (170) through the
stiffening flange to allow passage of debris.
3. The road wheel (100) of claim 1, further comprising
a wear ring (300) removably attached to the transi-
tional wall (120) by one or more fastening devices
(310).
4. The road wheel (100) of claim 1, wherein the road
wheel is forged or cast; or the road wheel is fabricat-
ed with a mold, a tool, machined, and joined together
from multiple pieces or a combination thereof; or the
road wheel is fabricated by assembling two or more
preformed components.
5. A road wheel assembly (10) for a tracked vehicle,
the road wheel assembly comprising:
a pair of road wheels (100) of claim 1, wherein
a first road wheel (100) is an inner road wheel
and a second road wheel (100) is an outer road
wheel; and
wherein an outer face (115) of the mounting disc
(110) of the outer road wheel is connected to an
outer face of the mounting disc of the inner road
wheel to form a recessed region between the
inner and outer road wheels, wherein the re-
cessed region is created by the configuration
and dimensions of the inner and outer dish-
shaped transitional walls (120), and configured
and dimensioned to accommodate a guide on a
track.
6. The road wheel assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein a
first wear ring (300) attached to the inner road wheel
and a second wear ring (300) attached to the outer
road wheel are made of a material that has greater
wear resistance than the material(s) used for the in-
ner and outer road wheels.
7. The road wheel (100) of claim 1,
wherein the annular cylindrical wall (135) has an out-
er cylindrical surface with a diameter D1, and an inner
surface, a wall thickness T1, a first edge (137) with
a first edge face, a second edge (139) with a second
edge face opposite the first edge face, and a width
W1 between the first and second edge faces;
wherein the mounting disc (110) has a first face,
wherein the first face is flat and the first face has an
outer diameter D2, and a second face opposite the
first face, and a wall thickness T2 between the first
face and the second face;
16
wherein the transitional wall (120) has a thickness
T4, wherein the transitional wall joins an outer edge
of the mounting disc (110), and functionally connects
the mounting disc (110) to the annular cylindrical wall
5 (135), wherein the transitional wall (120) provides
radial support to the first edge (137) of the cylindrical
wall (135); and
wherein the stiffening flange (150) has an inner di-
ameter D3, an outer face, an inner face, and inner
10 edge, and a wall thickness T3.
8. The road wheel (100) of claim 7, further comprising:
a hole in the center of the mounting disc (110)
15 having a diameter D4; and
a plurality of holes (117) forming a bolt pattern
in the mounting disc (110).
9. The road wheel (100) of claim 7, which further com-
20 prises at least one protruding lip (180) extending
from the inner face of the stiffening flange (150), the
outer face of the stiffening flange (150), or both.
10. The road wheel of claim 7, wherein the stiffening
25 flange (150) is offset from the second edge of the
cylindrical wall (135) by a distance df; or the stiffening
flange (150) tapers outwardly from the second edge
of the cylindrical wall to form an outwardly sloped
second edge face opposite the first edge face.
30
11. A lightweight road wheel (500) made from a single
piece of material (501) having a continuous surface,
comprising:
35 a first flat outer surface (510) extending from a
first inner diameter D21 to a second outer diam-
eter D22;
a dish-shaped curved surface (520) extending
from the second outer diameter D22 to a third
40 circumferential diameter D23;
a second outer surface (530) extending a dis-
tance d22 axially from the curved surface (520),
wherein the curved surface (520) creates an off-
set distance d21 from the first flat surface (510)
45 to a beginning edge (535) of the second surface
(530), wherein the second surface (530) defines
a rim (130) of the road wheel (500); and
a third outer surface (540) extending from the
circumferential diameter D23 to an inner diam-
50 eter D24 a distance d23 at an angle θ22 from
the second surface (530);
a fourth outer surface (550) extending a distance
d24 from the third outer surface (540);
a first inner surface (560) extending a distance
55 less than distance d23 at an angle θ23 towards
the second outer surface (530);
a plurality of connected openings formed in the
third outer surface (540) and first inner surface
9
 17 EP 3 126 210 B1
(560); and
a second inner surface (570) approximately par-
allel to the third outer surface (540) having a
diameter D25 less than D23;
a third inner surface (580) approximately parallel
to the curved surface (520);
a fourth inner surface (590) approximately par-
allel to the first outer surface (510); and a fifth
inner surface (599) connecting the fourth inner
surface (590) to the first outer surface (510) with
a diameter of D21, wherein the third outer sur-
face (540), fourth outer surface (550), and first
inner surface (560) define a wall of thickness
d24 forming a stiffening flange (150) and the
thickness of the stiffening flange (150) varies
from diameter D24 to diameter D25.
12. The road wheel (500) of claim 11, wherein the first
inner surface (560) is separated from the third inner
surface (580) by a distance d26 less than d22, which
defines an interior space adjacent the second inner
surface (570).
13. The road wheel (500) of claim 11, wherein the curved
surface (520) meets and is connected to the second
outer surface (530) along a filleted corner; or the
curved surface (520) meets and is connected to the
second outer surface (530) along a chamfered cor-
ner.
Patentansprüche
1. Straßenrad (100), umfassend:
eine Montagescheibe (110);
eine schalenförmige Übergangswand (120);
eine Felge (130) mit einer ringförmigen zylind-
rischen Wand (135), die entlang einer ersten
Felgenkante (137) an einer Kante der Über-
gangswand (120) angebracht ist; und
einen Versteifungsflansch (150), der an der Fel-
ge (130) entlang einer zweiten Felgenkante
(139) gegenüber der ersten Felgenkante (137)
angebracht ist, wobei der Flansch (150) verjüngt
ist, um an einem Ende, das an der Felge ange-
bracht ist, dicker und an einem nicht angebrach-
ten Ende dünner zu sein, und radiale Unterstüt-
zung für die zweite Kante (139) der zylindrischen
Wand (135) bereitstellt, um einer Durchbiegung
zu widerstehen.
2. Straßenrad (100) nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfas-
send mindestens eines aus einem elastomeren
Polster (200), das an eine äußere zylindrische Ober-
fläche der ringförmigen Zylinderwand (135) angrenzt
und daran haftet; eine vorstehende Lippe (180), die
sich von einer Innenfläche des Versteifungsflan-
18
sches (150), einer Außenfläche des Versteifungs-
flansches (135) oder beiden erstreckt; und eine Viel-
zahl von Öffnungen (170) durch den Versteifungs-
flansch, um den Durchgang von Schmutz zu ermög-
5 lichen.
3. Straßenrad (100) nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfas-
send einen Verschleißring (300), der abnehmbar an
der Übergangswand (120) durch eine oder mehrere
10 Befestigungsvorrichtungen (310) angebracht ist.
4. Straßenrad (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Stra-
ßenrad geschmiedet oder gegossen ist; oder das
Straßenrad mit einer Gussform, einem Werkzeug
15 hergestellt, bearbeitet und aus mehreren Stücken
oder einer Kombination derselben zusammengefügt
wird; oder das Straßenrad durch Zusammenfügen
von zwei oder mehreren vorgeformten Komponen-
ten hergestellt wird.
20
5. Straßenradanordnung (10) für ein Kettenfahrzeug,
wobei die Straßenradanordnung Folgendes um-
fasst:
25 ein Paar Straßenräder (100) nach Anspruch 1,
wobei ein erstes Straßenrad (100) ein inneres
Straßenrad und ein zweites Straßenrad (100)
ein äußeres Straßenrad ist; und
wobei eine Außenfläche (115) der Montage-
30 scheibe (110) des äußeren Straßenrades mit ei-
ner Außenfläche der Montagescheibe des inne-
ren Straßenrades verbunden ist, um einen ver-
tieften Bereich zwischen dem inneren und äu-
ßeren Straßenrad zu bilden, wobei der vertiefte
35 Bereich durch die Konfiguration und Abmessun-
gen der inneren und äußeren schalenförmigen
Übergangswände (120) erzeugt wird und konfi-
guriert und dimensioniert ist, um eine Führung
auf einer Schiene aufzunehmen.
40
6. Straßenradanordnung (10) nach Anspruch 5, wobei
ein erster Verschleißring (300), der am inneren Stra-
ßenrad angebracht ist, und ein zweiter
Verschleißring (300), der am äußeren Straßenrad
45 angebracht ist, aus einem Material hergestellt ist,
das eine höhere Verschleißfestigkeit aufweist als
das/die für die inneren und äußeren Straßenräder
verwendete(n) Material(ien).
50 7. Straßenrad (100) nach Anspruch 1,
wobei die ringförmige zylindrische Wand (135) eine
äußere zylindrische Oberfläche mit einem Durch-
messer D1 und eine innere Oberfläche, eine Wand-
dicke T1, eine erste Kante (137) mit einer ersten Kan-
55 tenfläche, eine zweite Kante (139) mit einer der ers-
ten Kantenfläche gegenüberliegenden zweiten Kan-
tenfläche und eine Breite W 1 zwischen der ersten
und zweiten Kantenfläche aufweist;
10
 19 EP 3 126 210 B1
wobei die Montagescheibe (110) eine erste Fläche
aufweist, wobei die erste Fläche flach ist und die
erste Fläche einen Außendurchmesser D2 aufweist,
und eine der ersten Fläche gegenüberliegende zwei-
te Fläche, und eine Wanddicke T2 zwischen der ers-
ten Fläche und der zweiten Fläche;
wobei die Übergangswand (120) eine Dicke T4 auf-
weist, wobei die Übergangswand mit einer Außen-
kante der Montagescheibe (110) verbunden ist und
die Montagescheibe (110) funktionell mit der ringför-
migen zylindrischen Wand (135) verbindet, wobei
die Übergangswand (120) die erste Kante (137) der
zylindrischen Wand (135) radial abstützt; und
wobei der Versteifungsflansch (150) einen Innen-
durchmesser D3, eine Außenfläche, eine Innenflä-
che, und Innenkante und eine Wanddicke T3 auf-
weist.
8. Straßenrad (100) nach Anspruch 7, ferner umfas-
send:
ein Loch in der Mitte der Montagescheibe (110)
mit einem Durchmesser D4; und
eine Vielzahl von Löchern (117), die ein Bolzen-
muster in der Montagescheibe (110) bilden.
9. Straßenrad (100) nach Anspruch 7, das ferner min-
destens eine vorstehende Lippe (180) umfasst, die
sich von der Innenseite des Versteifungsflansches
(150), der Außenseite des Versteifungsflansches
(150) oder beiden erstreckt.
10. Straßenrad nach Anspruch 7, wobei der Verstei-
fungsflansch (150) von der zweiten Kante der Zylin-
derwand (135) um einen Abstand df versetzt ist; oder
der Versteifungsflansch (150) sich von der zweiten
Kante der zylindrischen Wand nach außen verjüngt,
um eine nach außen geneigte zweite Kantenfläche
gegenüber der ersten Kantenfläche zu bilden.
11. Leichtgewichtiges Straßenrad (500) aus einem ein-
zigen Materialstück (501) mit einer durchgehenden
Oberfläche, umfassend:
eine erste flache äußere Oberfläche (510), die
sich von einem ersten Innendurchmesser D21
zu einem zweiten Außendurchmesser D22 er-
streckt;
eine schalenförmige gekrümmte Oberfläche
(520), die sich vom zweiten Außendurchmesser
D22 bis zu einem dritten Umfangsdurchmesser
D23 erstreckt;
eine zweite äußere Oberfläche (530), die sich
um einen Abstand d22 axial von der gekrümm-
ten Oberfläche (520) erstreckt, wobei die ge-
krümmte Oberfläche (520) einen Versatzab-
stand d21 von der ersten flachen Oberfläche
(510) zu einer Anfangskante (535) der zweiten
20
Oberfläche (530) erzeugt, wobei die zweite
Oberfläche (530) eine Felge (130) des Straßen-
rades (500) definiert; und
eine dritte äußere Oberfläche (540), die sich
5 vom Umfangsdurchmesser D23 bis zu einem In-
nendurchmesser D24 um einen Abstand d23 in
einem Winkel θ22 von der zweiten Oberfläche
(530) erstreckt;
eine vierte äußere Oberfläche (550), die sich um
10 einen Abstand d24 von der dritten äußeren
Oberfläche (540) erstreckt;
eine erste innere Oberfläche (560), die sich um
einen Abstand von weniger als dem Abstand
d23 in einem Winkel θ23 zur zweiten äußeren
15 Oberfläche (530) erstreckt;
eine Vielzahl von verbundenen Öffnungen, die
in der dritten äußeren Oberfläche (540) und der
ersten inneren Oberfläche (560) ausgebildet
sind; und
20 eine zweite innere Oberfläche (570), die unge-
fähr parallel zur dritten äußeren Oberfläche
(540) verläuft und einen Durchmesser D25 klei-
ner als D23 aufweist;
eine dritte innere Oberfläche (580), die ungefähr
25 parallel zu der gekrümmten Oberfläche (520)
verläuft;
eine vierte innere Oberfläche (590), die etwa pa-
rallel zur ersten äußeren Oberfläche (510) ver-
läuft; und
30 eine fünfte innere Oberfläche (599), welche die
vierte innere Oberfläche (590) mit der ersten äu-
ßeren Oberfläche (510) mit einem Durchmesser
von D21 verbindet, wobei die dritte äußere
Oberfläche (540), die vierte äußere Oberfläche
35 (550) und die erste Innenfläche (560) eine Wand
der Dicke d24 definieren, die einen Verstei-
fungsflansch (150) bildet, und die Dicke des Ver-
steifungsflansches (150) von Durchmesser D24
bis Durchmesser D25 variiert.
40
12. Straßenrad (500) nach Anspruch 11, wobei die erste
innere Oberfläche (560) von der dritten inneren
Oberfläche (580) durch einen Abstand d26 kleiner
als d22 getrennt ist, der einen an die zweite innere
45 Oberfläche (570) angrenzenden Innenraum defi-
niert.
13. Straßenrad (500) nach Anspruch 11, wobei die ge-
krümmte Oberfläche (520) mit der zweiten äußeren
50 Oberfläche (530) entlang einer abgerundeten Ecke
zusammenfällt und mit dieser verbunden ist; oder
die gekrümmte Oberfläche (520) mit der zweiten äu-
ßeren Oberfläche (530) entlang einer abgeschräg-
ten Ecke zusammenfällt und mit dieser verbunden
55 ist.
11
 21 EP 3 126 210 B1
Revendications
1. Roue de route (100) comprenant :
un disque de montage (110) ;
une paroi de transition en forme de cuvette
(120) ;
une jante (130) avec une paroi cylindrique an-
nulaire (135) fixée le long d’un premier bord de
jante (137) à un bord de la paroi de transition
(120) ; et
un rebord de raidissement (150) fixé à la jante
(130) le long d’un deuxième bord de jante (139)
opposé au premier bord de jante (137) dans la-
quelle le rebord (150) est effilé pour être plus
épais à une extrémité fixée à la jante et plus
mince à une extrémité libre et fournit un support
radial au deuxième bord (139) de la paroi cylin-
drique (135) pour résister à une déflexion.
2. Roue de route (100) selon la revendication 1, com-
prenant en outre au moins l’un parmi un coussinet
élastomère (200) attenant et adhérant à une surface
cylindrique externe de la paroi cylindrique annulaire
(135) ; une lèvre faisant saillie (180) s’étendant à
partir d’une face interne du rebord de raidissement
(150), d’une face externe du rebord de raidissement
(135), ou de l’une et l’autre ; et une pluralité d’ouver-
tures (170) à travers le rebord de raidissement pour
permettre le passage de débris.
3. Roue de route (100) selon la revendication 1, com-
prenant en outre une bague d’usure (300) fixée de
façon amovible à la paroi de transition (120) par un
ou plusieurs dispositifs de fixation (310).
4. Roue de route (100) selon la revendication 1, dans
laquelle la roue de route est forgée ou coulée ; ou la
roue de route est fabriquée avec un moule, un outil,
usinée, et assemblée à partir de multiples pièces ou
une combinaison de ceux-ci ; ou la roue de route est
fabriquée par assemblage de deux composants pré-
formés ou plus.
5. Ensemble de roues de route (10) pour un véhicule
à chenilles, l’ensemble de roues de route
comprenant :
une paire de roues de route (100) selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel une première roue
de route (100) est une roue de route interne et
une deuxième roue de route (100) est une roue
de route externe ; et
dans lequel une face externe (115) du disque
de montage (110) de la roue de route externe
est reliée à une face externe du disque de mon-
tage de la roue de route interne pour former une
région renfoncée entre les roues de route inter-
22
ne et externe, dans lequel la région renfoncée
est créée par la configuration et les dimensions
des parois de transition en forme de cuvette in-
terne et externe (120), et configurée et dimen-
5 sionnée pour loger un guide sur une chenille.
6. Ensemble de roues de route (10) selon la revendi-
cation 5, dans lequel une première bague d’usure
(300) fixée à la roue de route interne et une deuxième
10 bague d’usure (300) fixée à la roue de route externe
sont constituées d’un matériau qui a une plus grande
résistance à l’usure que le(s) matériau(x) utilisé(s)
pour les roues de route interne et externe.
15 7. Roue de route (100) selon la revendication 1,
dans laquelle la paroi cylindrique annulaire (135) a
une surface cylindrique externe avec un diamètre
D1, et une surface interne, une épaisseur de paroi
T1, un premier bord (137) avec une première face
20 de bord, un deuxième bord (139) avec une deuxième
face de bord opposée à la première face de bord, et
une largeur W1 entre les première et deuxième faces
de bord ;
dans laquelle le disque de montage (110) a une pre-
25 mière face, dans laquelle la première face est plate
et la première face a un diamètre externe D2, et une
deuxième face opposée à la première face, et une
épaisseur de paroi T2 entre la première face et la
deuxième face ;
30 dans laquelle la paroi de transition (120) a une épais-
seur T4, dans laquelle la paroi de transition joint un
bord externe du disque de montage (110), et relie
fonctionnellement le disque de montage (110) à la
paroi cylindrique annulaire (135), dans laquelle la
35 paroi de transition (120) fournit un support radial au
premier bord (137) de la paroi cylindrique (135) ; et
dans laquelle le rebord de raidissement (150) a un
diamètre interne D3, une face externe, une face in-
terne, et bord interne, et une épaisseur de paroi T3.
40
8. Roue de route (100) selon la revendication 7, com-
prenant en outre :
un trou dans le centre du disque de montage
45 (110) ayant un diamètre D4 ; et
une pluralité de trous (117) formant un motif de
boulon dans le disque de montage (110).
9. Roue de route (100) selon la revendication 7, qui
50 comprend en outre au moins une lèvre faisant saillie
(180) s’étendant à partir de la face interne du rebord
de raidissement (150), de la face externe du rebord
de raidissement (150), ou de l’une et l’autre.
55 10. Roue de route selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle
le rebord de raidissement (150) est décalé du
deuxième bord de la paroi cylindrique (135) d’une
distance df ; ou le rebord de raidissement (150) s’ef-
12
 23 EP 3 126 210 B1 24

file vers l’extérieur à partir du deuxième bord de la laquelle la première surface interne (560) est sépa-
paroi cylindrique pour former une deuxième face de rée de la troisième surface interne (580) d’une dis-
bord penchée vers l’extérieur opposée à la première tance d26 inférieure à d22, ce qui définit un espace
face de bord. intérieur adjacent à la deuxième surface interne
5 (570).
11. Roue de route légère (500) fabriquée à partir d’une
pièce unique de matériau (501) ayant une surface 13. Roue de route (500) selon la revendication 11, dans
continue, comprenant : laquelle la surface courbée (520) rejoint et est reliée
à la deuxième surface externe (530) le long d’un coin
une première surface externe plate (510) s’éten- 10 à chanfrein arrondi ; ou la surface courbée (520) re-
dant d’un premier diamètre interne D21 à un joint et est reliée à la deuxième surface externe (530)
deuxième diamètre externe D22 ; le long d’un coin chanfreiné.
une surface courbée en forme de cuvette (520)
s’étendant du deuxième diamètre externe D22
à un troisième diamètre circonférentiel D23 ; 15
une deuxième surface externe (530) s’étendant
d’une distance d22 axialement à partir de la sur-
face courbée (520), dans laquelle la surface
courbée (520) crée une distance de décalage
d21 à partir de la première surface plate (510) 20
jusqu’à un bord de début (535) de la deuxième
surface (530), dans laquelle la deuxième surfa-
ce (530) définit une jante (130) de la roue de
route (500) ; et
une troisième surface externe (540) s’étendant 25
du diamètre circonférentiel D23 jusqu’à un dia-
mètre interne D24 sur une distance d23 selon
un angle θ22 à partir de la deuxième surface
(530) ;
une quatrième surface externe (550) s’étendant 30
sur une distance d24 à partir de la troisième sur-
face externe (540) ;
une première surface interne (560) s’étendant
sur une distance inférieure à la distance d23 se-
lon un angle θ23 en direction de la deuxième 35
surface externe (530) ;
une pluralité d’ouvertures reliées formées dans
la troisième surface externe (540) et la première
surface interne (560) ; et
une deuxième surface interne (570) à peu près 40
parallèle à la troisième surface externe (540)
ayant un diamètre D25 inférieur à D23 ;
une troisième surface interne (580) à peu près
parallèle à la surface courbée (520) ;
une quatrième surface interne (590) à peu près 45
parallèle à la première surface externe (510) ; et
une cinquième surface interne (599) reliant la
quatrième surface interne (590) à la première
surface externe (510) avec un diamètre de D21,
dans laquelle la troisième surface externe (540), 50
la quatrième surface externe (550), et la premiè-
re surface interne (560) définissent une paroi
d’épaisseur d24 formant un rebord de raidisse-
ment (150) et l’épaisseur du rebord de raidisse-
ment (150) varie du diamètre D24 au diamètre 55
D25.

12. Roue de route (500) selon la revendication 11, dans

13
EP 3 126 210 B1

14
EP 3 126 210 B1

15
EP 3 126 210 B1

16
EP 3 126 210 B1

17
EP 3 126 210 B1

18
EP 3 126 210 B1

19
EP 3 126 210 B1

20
EP 3 126 210 B1

21
EP 3 126 210 B1

22
EP 3 126 210 B1

23
EP 3 126 210 B1

24
 EP 3 126 210 B1

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 20120001478 A1 [0002] • US 6299264 B1 [0002]

• GB 199373 A [0002]

25