Mold and method for casting a vehicle wheel
US6401797B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB22D15/005
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A mold for casting a vehicle wheel includes a plurality of mold members that cooperate to define a mold cavity. The mold cavity includes an annular rim cavity for casting a wheel rim and a disc cavity for casting a wheel disc. The mold members define a central axis and have a passageway for introducing molten metal into the rim cavity. The rim cavity has a radial width that changes in a circumferential direction between a maximum width portion of the rim cavity located proximally relative to the passageway, and a minimum width portion of the rim cavity located distally relative to the passageway. In a method for casting a vehicle wheel, a mold as described above is provided. Molten metal is introduced through the passageway into the rim cavity to fill the mold cavity and form a wheel casting. The wheel casting is allowed to cool sufficiently to solidify the metal. The changing width of the rim cavity causes a thermal gradient in the molten metal such that solidification proceeds in a circumferential direction from the minimum width portion of the rim cavity to the maximum width portion of the rim cavity. The solidified wheel casting is removed from the mold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.