Patent ID: 6030051
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B60B,Y10T

Abstract:
A two-piece steel wheel comprising:a steel disk having a radially extending outer portion having the shape of a rim flange and a radially outer end; anda steel rim having an outer surface and having a rim bead seat having an inside surface at a first end of said steel rim and a rim flange at a second end of said steel rim, said steel rim being welded to said disk at said first end of said steel rim, a weld between said steel rim and said steel disk being located on the outer surface of said steel rim,wherein said steel disk defines an inboard surface having a machined surface between the radially outer end of said radially extending outer portion of said steel disk and a position radially inwardly spaced away from said inside surface of said rim bead seat, a non-machined surface is spaced radially inside said position, said machined surface being connected to said non-machined surface by a curved surface,wherein said rim bead seat at said first end of said steel rim extends substantially linearly to an axial end of said rim bead seat, andwherein said rim bead seat at said first end of said steel rim has an end surface, said end surface of said rim bead seat being abutted to said machined surface of said radially outer portion of said steel disk and being welded to said steel disk from the outside surface of said steel rim, andwherein any one of a water-tight sealant a mud-tight sealant, and a water and mud-tight sealant disposed only at a corner defined by where said end surface of said rim bead seat abuts said machined surface of said radially extending outer portion of said steel disk, wherein said sealant is located radially opposite to said weld so as to prevent degradation of the weld.