Patent ID: 6240638
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B23K,B60B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for producing a vehicle wheel assembly comprising the steps of:(a) providing a wheel disc which includes an outboard tire retaining flange;(b) forming a unitary dual rim preform comprising two connected partial wheel rims, the preform formed with an inboard tire retaining flange connected to an inboard tire bead seat at each axial end;(c) determining a distinct axial length for each partial wheel rim;(d) splitting the preform to produce two separate partial wheel rims having predetermined axial lengths, each partial wheel rim including an inboard tire retaining flange connected to an inboard tire bead seat at one axial end and a joining edge at an opposite axial end;(e) positioning the wheel disc and one of the partial wheel rims in a fixture for locating the disc and the rim coaxially with the joining edge of the wheel rim adjacent to a portion of the wheel disc; and(f) attaching the wheel disc to the wheel rim to form the wheel assembly.