Abstract:
A vehicle wheel assembly for a four-wheeled vehicle having a passenger compartment is provided. A vehicle wheel is adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle for rotation about an axis. A disc ring is mounted to the vehicle wheel for rotation with the vehicle wheel. A caliper is adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle radially inward from the disc ring to selectively contact the disc ring and impede rotation thereof. A vehicle wheel system may be provided with a pair of vehicle wheels, a pair of disc rings and a pair of calipers. A vehicle wheel system may be provided with a second pair of vehicle wheels, a second pair of disc rings and a second pair of calipers.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The multiple embodiments disclosed relate to an automotive vehicle wheel assembly and system. 
         [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    An automotive vehicle system is typically includes four-wheel assemblies. Two of the four-wheel assemblies are typically aligned along a front axis and the other two of the four-wheel assemblies are typically aligned along a rear axis. To impede rotation of each wheel of the wheel assemblies, separate brake assemblies are mounted proximate to each of the wheel assemblies. 
         [0005]    Often, disc brakes are employed as the separate brake assemblies. A conventional disc brake has a rotor shaped like a disc that is mounted on the axle and a caliper provided radially outward from the rotor. To impede rotation of the wheel, brake pads mounted on the caliper are forced mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electromagnetically against the opposing sides of the rotor. Friction then causes the rotor, the axle and the attached wheel to slow or stop. 
         [0006]    Conventional calipers for automotive vehicles are large in size, which results in increased material costs. Additionally, the large calipers are heavy, which increases the total weight for the automotive vehicle to increase fuel costs for the automotive vehicle. The large calipers are also inefficient because contact area between the calipers and the rotor are small. The inefficiency of the large calipers are evident because of the large amount of heat produced by the calipers during use. 
         [0007]    Some straddle-type vehicles employ calipers radially inward from rotors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, a vehicle wheel assembly for a four-wheeled vehicle having a passenger compartment is provided. A vehicle wheel is adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle for rotation about an axis. A disc ring is mounted to the vehicle wheel for rotation with the vehicle wheel. A caliper is adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle radially inward from the disc ring to selectively contact the disc ring and impede rotation thereof. 
         [0009]    In a further embodiment, the disc ring further defines a plurality of mounting apertures sized to each receive a fastener to mount the disc ring to the vehicle wheel. 
         [0010]    In another further embodiment, an inner rim is sized to receive a vehicle tire. A mounting tab extends radially inward from the inner rim and defines a plurality of receiving apertures each sized to receive the fastener to mount the disc ring to the vehicle wheel. 
         [0011]    In yet another further embodiment, the disc ring is spaced apart from a center of the vehicle wheel. 
         [0012]    In still another further embodiment, the caliper further comprises a first brake pad provided on a first side of the disc ring. A second brake pad is provided on a second side of the disc ring. The first brake pad and the second brake pad each selectively contact the disc ring to impede rotation thereof. 
         [0013]    In another further embodiment, the disc ring further defines a plurality of vent apertures to cool the disc ring while contacting the caliper. 
         [0014]    In still another further embodiment, the caliper further comprises at least one piston mounted within caliper for actuation thereof so that the caliper contacts the disc ring to impede rotation thereof. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, a vehicle wheel system for a four-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. A pair of vehicle wheels are adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle for rotation about an axis. A pair of disc rings are individually mounted to one of the pair of vehicle wheels for rotation with the pair of vehicle wheels. A pair of calipers are individually adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle radially inward from one of the pair of disc rings to each selectively contact the pair of disc rings and impede rotation thereof. 
         [0016]    In a further embodiment, each of the pair of disc rings further defines a plurality of mounting apertures each sized to receive a fastener to mount the pair of disc rings to the pair of the vehicle wheels. 
         [0017]    In another further embodiment, each of the pair of vehicle wheels further comprises an inner rim sized to receive a vehicle tire. A mounting tab is provided extending radially inward from the inner rim and defining a plurality of receiving apertures sized to receive the fastener to mount the pair of disc rings to the pair of the vehicle wheels. 
         [0018]    In yet another further embodiment, each of the pair of disc rings is spaced apart from a center of the respective vehicle wheel of the pair of vehicle wheels. 
         [0019]    In still another further embodiment, each of the pair of calipers further comprises a first brake pad provided on a first side of the disc ring. A second brake pad is provided on a second side of the disc ring. The first brake pad and the second brake pad selectively contact the pair of disc rings to impede rotation thereof. 
         [0020]    In another further embodiment, each of the pair of disc rings further defines a plurality of vent apertures to cool each of the pair of disc rings while contacting the pair of calipers. 
         [0021]    In yet another further embodiment, each of the pair of calipers further comprises at least one piston mounted within each caliper for actuation thereof so that each caliper contacts the disc ring to impede rotation thereof. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, a vehicle wheel system for a four-wheeled vehicle is provided. A first pair of vehicle wheels is adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle for rotation about a first axis. A first pair of disc rings is individually mounted to the vehicle wheel of each of the first pair of vehicle wheels for rotation with the first pair of vehicle wheels. A first pair of calipers is individually adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle radially inward from the disc rings of the first pair of disc rings to each selectively contact the first pair of disc rings and impede rotation thereof. A second pair of vehicle wheels is adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle for rotation about a second axis. A second pair of disc rings is individually mounted to the vehicle wheel of each of the second pair of vehicle wheels for rotation with the second pair of vehicle wheels. A second pair of calipers is individually adapted to be mounted to the four-wheeled vehicle radially inward the disc rings of the second pair of disc rings to each selectively contact the second pair of disc rings and impede rotation thereof. 
         [0023]    In a further embodiment, each of the first and second pairs of disc rings further define a plurality of mounting apertures each sized to receive a fastener to mount the first pair of disc rings to the first pair of the vehicle wheels and the second pair of disc rings to the second pair of the vehicle wheels. 
         [0024]    In another further embodiment, each of the first and second pairs of vehicle wheels further comprises an inner rim sized to receive a vehicle tire. A mounting tab is provided extending radially inward from the inner rim and defining a plurality of receiving apertures sized to receive the fastener to mount the first pair of disc rings to the first pair of the vehicle wheels and the second pair of disc rings to the second pair of the vehicle wheels. 
         [0025]    In another further embodiment, each of the first and second pairs of disc rings is spaced apart from a center of the respective vehicle wheel of the first and second pairs of vehicle wheels. 
         [0026]    In still another further embodiment, each of the first and second pairs of calipers further comprises a first brake pad provided on a first side of the disc ring. A second brake pad is provided on a second side of the disc ring. The first brake pad and the second brake pad selectively contact the first and second pairs of disc rings to impede rotation thereof. 
         [0027]    In yet another further embodiment, each of the first and second pairs of calipers each further comprise at least one piston mounted within each caliper for actuation thereof so that each caliper contacts the disc ring to impede rotation thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a vehicle wheel system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a vehicle wheel assembly of the vehicle wheel system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is another front perspective view of a vehicle wheel assembly of the vehicle wheel system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an automotive vehicle is illustrated and generally referenced by numeral  10 . The automotive vehicle  10  illustrated has a vehicle compartment with multiple vehicle seats, as known in the prior art, to carry multiple passengers. The vehicle  10  has four tires  12  that are mounted on a wheel system  14 . The wheel system  14  is mounted to a known vehicle suspension. The suspension is mounted to a known chassis of the vehicle  10 . As illustrated the wheel system  14  has four wheel assemblies  16 . In another embodiment, the wheel system  14  has two wheel assemblies  16 . The four tires  12  are each respectively mounted on one of the four wheel assemblies  16 . 
         [0034]    In the depicted embodiment, two front wheel assemblies  16  are each mounted toward a front of the vehicle  10 . The wheel assemblies  16  may each be provided on separate vehicle suspensions and can each rotate about an axis, as known in the art. Any suitable mounting of the wheel assemblies  16  is contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Two rear wheel assemblies  16  are each mounted toward a rear of the vehicle  10 . The two wheel assemblies  16  may each be provided on separate vehicle suspensions and can each rotate about an axis, as known in the art. Any suitable mounting of the wheel assemblies  16  is contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , each wheel assembly  16  has a wheel  18  that supports the tire  12 . The wheel  18  rotates about an axis A to rotate the tire  12 , which in turn produces a rolling motion of the vehicle  10 , as known in the art. The axis A generally aligns a center C of the wheel  18 . Additionally, the wheel  18  can be turned to steer the vehicle  10 , as known in the art. 
         [0036]    Although the wheel  18  rotates in a known manner, the rotation of the wheel  18  is controlled by a disc ring  20  and a caliper  22 . The disc ring  20  is mounted directly to the wheel  18 . The caliper  22  is provided radially inward from the disc ring  20 . As discussed further below, the caliper  22  is orientated across the disc ring  20  proximate to the center C of the wheel. 
         [0037]    In prior art wheel assemblies for automotive vehicles, rotors are provided rather than the disc ring  20  disclosed herein. The prior art rotors are mounted to a hub rather than being mounted directly to the wheel. Orienting the rotor on the hub, rather than on the wheel increases time for removal of the rotor because the rotor is separately mounted from the wheel and requires a separate step for removal. The wheel assembly  16  disclosed herein has relatively quicker removal time because removal of the wheel  18  also removes the disc ring  20  that is mounted thereon. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, since prior art rotors are mounted directly to the hub and prior art calipers are mounted radially outward of the rotor, the rotor spans from the hub to the caliper. The disc ring  20  disclosed herein is not mounted to the center C of the wheel  18 . 
         [0039]    Additionally, the disclosed herein has a reduced sized in comparison to the prior art because the caliper  22  is mounted radially inward from the disc ring  20 . Decreasing the size of the caliper  22  would utilize less material than prior art calipers that are radially outward from the rotor. Utilization of less material for production of the caliper  22  decreases use of raw materials and decreases vehicle weight to decrease fuel usage and costs. Thus, the utilization of less material for the caliper  22  is also cost effective, eco-conscience and environmentally friendly. 
         [0040]    The disc ring  20  may be made out a metal material, such as a cast iron or a gray iron. In another embodiment, the disc ring  20  is made out of lighter material than a metal such as a ceramic composite. An example of a ceramic composite includes but is not limited to a carbon fiber reinforced ceramic. Of course, any suitable metal, ceramic or other material for the disc ring  20  is contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the disc ring  20  has mounting apertures  24  to attach the disc ring  20  to the wheel  18 . The mounting apertures  24  are formed through the disc ring  20  to each receive a fastener  26 . The fasteners  26  may be screws, bolts or any suitable fasteners in order to attach the disc ring  20  to the wheel  18 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 4 , the mounting of the disc ring  20  to the wheel  18  is illustrated. The wheel  18  has an inner rim  28  and spokes  29 . Extending from the inner rim  28  is a mounting tab  30 . The mounting tab  30  may span the entire circumference of the inner rim  28  of the while. In another embodiment, multiple separate mounting tabs  30  extend from the inner rim  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting tab  30  is integrally formed with the wheel  18 . In another embodiment, the mounting tab  30  is separately formed from the wheel  18  and mounted thereon in a suitable manner. 
         [0043]    As illustrated, the mounting tab  30  has receiving apertures  32  formed therein. The receiving apertures  32  receive the fasteners  26  that extend through the mounting apertures  24  of the disc ring  20  to connect the disc ring  20  to the wheel  18 . In the depicted embodiment, the receiving apertures  32  do not extend through the mounting tab  30 . In another embodiment, the receiving apertures  32  extend through the mounting tab  32  so that a nut secures the fastener  26  between the wheel  18  and the disc ring  20 . 
         [0044]    Still referring to  FIG. 4 , the wheel  18  is shown mounted along the axis A. The wheel  18  has a hub  31  that is mounted to an axle  33  of the vehicle  10 . The axle  33  is connected to the steering armature  35  that the axle  33  is adapted to transmit both rotation and pivoting motion in order to increase wheel  18  rotation to increase vehicle speed and move alignment of the wheel  18  for vehicle steering, as known in the art. Any suitable axle  33  and steering armature  35  are contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0045]    As illustrated, the axle  33  has an axle flange  37  that mounts the wheel  18  to the axle  33 . The axle flange  37  may have a wheel pilot, as known in the art. The axle flange  37  illustrated has studs  39  that are received by openings formed in the wheel hub  31 . Lugs nuts  41  fasten the wheel  18  to the axle flange  37 , as known in the art. Of course, any suitable mounting between the wheel  18  and the axle flange  37  is contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0046]    The wheel  18  can be removed from the axle flange  37  in any known manner. When removing the wheel  18  from the axle flange  37 , the disc ring  20  is also removed. Since the disc ring  20  is attached to the wheel  18  work could performed on the disc ring  20  away from a wheel well of the vehicle  10  in a comfortable area such as on a workbench. Additionally, with the wheel  18  and the disc ring  20  removed, the caliper  22  is exposed for easy access in order for inspection and/or to change break pads  34 ,  36 . 
         [0047]    In the depicted embodiment, the caliper  22  is provided radially inward from the disc ring  20  because the caliper is oriented between the disc ring  20  and the center C of the wheel  18 , which is along the axis A 1 . In at least one embodiment, the caliper  22  is fixed relative to the disc ring  20  so that the caliper  22  is a fixed caliper. The caliper  22  may be supported by to the steering armature  35 . In at least one embodiment, the caliper  22  is a floating caliper as known in the art. Any suitable caliper  22  that is provided radially inward from the disc ring  20  is contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0048]    As illustrated, the caliper  22  has a first brake pad  34  and a second brake pad  36 . The first brake pad  34  and the second brake pad  36  are provided on opposing sides of the disc ring  20 . The brake pads  34 ,  36  have increased sizes relative to the prior art to increase efficiency of the smaller sized caliper  22 . The caliper  22  is moved by a piston  38  having an input  40  to actuate the piston  38 , as known in the art. The input  40  may be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetical. Any suitable input  40  is contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0049]    In the depicted embodiment, the piston  38  is provided inboard relative to the vehicle  10 . In another embodiment, the piston  38  is provided outboard relative to the vehicle  10 . In yet another embodiment, pistons  28  are provided both inboard and outboard relative to the vehicle  10 . Although a single piston  38  is illustrated, the invention contemplates alternate embodiments wherein multiple pistons  38  are provided inboard relative to the vehicle  10  and/or outboard relative to the vehicle  10 . In at least one embodiment, six pistons  38  are provided so that the caliper  22  has six pots as known in the art. 
         [0050]    The piston  38  moves the caliper  22  towards the disc ring  20 , as indicated by the arrows proximate the caliper  22 , which is known in the art. Upon actuation, the brake pads  34 ,  36  contact the disc ring  20  and cause friction between the brake pads  34 ,  36  and the disc ring  20  in order to slow or stop rotation of the disc ring  20 , which correspondingly slows or stops rotation of the wheel  18 . 
         [0051]    The disc ring  20  may be ventilated by having a vent aperture  42 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , the disc ring  22  may have multiple vent apertures  42 . The vent apertures  42  help to dissipate heat generated by the friction caused when the caliper  22  contacts the disc ring  20 . Additionally, the vent apertures  42  reduce water residue that may build up after the vehicle  10  passes through a puddle so that braking performance is not altered. 
         [0052]    While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.