Wheel system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a wheel system and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of automobile accessories and safety protection devices.The wheel system comprises a hub, a decorative cover and a thermal response contact assembly; the decorative cover is arranged on the outer side of the hub, is rotationally connected with a rim of the hub and can rotate relative to the hub; the thermal response contact assembly is arranged on the hub or the decorative cover, and when the temperature exceeds a preset temperature threshold value of the thermal response contact assembly, the hub and the decorative cover are in transmission connection through the thermal response contact assembly. The invention provides a wheel system which is simple in structure and high in reliability and does not need extra power supply support, and a brake overheating alarm function is realized through a mechanical method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of automobile accessories and safety protection devices, and in particular to a wheel system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In some special cases, long-term braking causes the brake pads to overheat and produce thermal decay. The direct consequence is a decrease in braking performance, a longer braking distance, or even failure. Currently, most modern cars are equipped with brake overheat alarms to ensure driving safety. However, traditional brake overheat alarms usually rely on electronic sensors and signal lights. This technology not only requires additional power and wiring, increases the complexity of design and maintenance, and is costly, but also has reduced reliability and accuracy in extreme environments. Summary of the invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present invention is to propose a wheel system and a vehicle, aiming to provide a wheel system with a simple and reliable structure, which does not require an additional power supply, electronic sensor or signal light and realizes the brake overheating alarm function by a mechanical method.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wheel system, comprising: Wheel hub; A decorative cover is disposed on the outer side of the wheel hub and is rotatably connected to the wheel rim of the wheel hub so as to be rotatable relative to the wheel hub; and The thermal response contact component is arranged on the wheel hub or the decorative cover. When the temperature exceeds a preset temperature threshold of the thermal response contact component, the wheel hub and the decorative cover are transmission-connected via the thermal response contact component.

[0005] In one embodiment, the thermally responsive contact component includes a temperature-sensitive metal, an elastic member connected to the temperature-sensitive metal, and a permanent magnet connected to the elastic member. The permanent magnet is disposed on the decorative cover. The temperature-sensitive metal and the permanent magnet cooperate with each other to squeeze the elastic member. The magnetism of the temperature-sensitive metal weakens as the temperature rises, and the temperature-sensitive metal contacts the wheel hub under the action of the elastic member.

[0006] In one embodiment, the permanent magnet is disposed on the edge of the decorative cover, and the temperature-sensitive metal contacts the rim of the wheel hub, so that the decorative cover rotates driven by the wheel hub.

[0007] In one embodiment, a mounting seat is provided on the edge of the decorative cover, the permanent magnet is disposed in the mounting seat and defines a mounting ring groove with the inner wall of the mounting seat, the temperature-sensitive metal is movably embedded in the mounting ring groove and sleeved with the permanent magnet; the elastic member is disposed between the permanent magnet and the temperature-sensitive metal.

[0008] In one embodiment, the temperature-sensitive metal includes a mounting cylinder and a contact head connected to one end of the mounting cylinder, the contact head is larger than the mounting cylinder, the mounting cylinder is disposed in the mounting ring groove, and the contact head abuts against the end surface of the mounting seat away from the decorative cover.

[0009] In one embodiment, a radial cross-sectional profile of the contact head is semicircular.

[0010] In one embodiment, the elastic member is a compression spring.

[0011] In one embodiment, the thermally responsive contact assembly includes a contact piece, a thermistor connected to the contact piece, and a mounting piece for mounting the thermistor and the contact piece, wherein the mounting piece is disposed on the decorative cover, and the thermistor can change its spatial volume as the temperature increases, so that the contact piece contacts the rim of the wheel hub.

[0012] In one embodiment, the mass distribution of the decorative cover on the circumference is non-uniform, and the thermally responsive contact component is disposed at a position where the mass distribution of the decorative cover is relatively larger.

[0013] The present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising the wheel system as described above.

[0014] In the technical solution of the present invention, the brake is arranged in the wheel hub, and the decorative cover is rotatably connected to the wheel hub. Under normal conditions, the rotation of the wheel hub will not affect the decorative cover, and the wheel hub and the decorative cover rotate relatively. The decorative cover is used to beautify and protect the wheel hub. The decorative cover can cover the bolt holes of the wheel hub to prevent dust and dirt from entering the inside of the wheel. The decorative cover also helps to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce the drag coefficient. When the temperature of the brake is too high, the thermal response contact component responds. When the temperature exceeds the preset temperature threshold, the thermal response contact component will change and can contact the decorative cover and the wheel hub. The friction force causes the suspended decorative cover to start rotating and rotate synchronously. The abnormal rotation of the decorative cover and the friction process generate abnormal sounds for people to perceive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a wheel system provided by the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1Schematic diagram of the structure in the middle section; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment when the thermal response contact component is arranged on the decorative cover and is not triggered; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment when the thermal response contact component is triggered; Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a middle hub.

[0017] Description of Figure Numbers: 100, wheel hub; 110, wheel rim; 120, wheel rim; 200, decorative cover; 210, mounting seat; 211, mounting ring groove; 300. Thermally responsive contact assembly; 310, temperature-sensitive metal; 311, contact head; 312, mounting cylinder; 320, elastic member; 330. Permanent magnet; 400. Bearings.

[0018] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components in a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0021] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features limited to "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, if "and / or" or "and / or" appears in the full text, its meaning includes three parallel solutions. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes solution A, solution B, or solutions that satisfy both A and B. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0022] Brakes are key components for mechanical motion control. The working principle of brakes is based on the principle of dynamic and static balance in physics, and resistance is generated through friction or other means to reduce or eliminate kinetic energy. In the automotive field, brakes are particularly important because they are directly related to driving safety. Mechanical brakes are the most common type, which rely on mechanical force acting on friction materials to generate braking force. The working principle of brakes is based on the principle of dynamic and static balance in physics, and resistance is generated through friction or other means to reduce or eliminate kinetic energy. In the automotive field, brakes can be divided into two categories: drum brakes and disc brakes according to different designs. The rotating element of a drum brake is the brake drum, while the end face of a disc brake is the working surface. Friction generates heat, and overheating of the brake will lead to thermal decay on the one hand (high temperature causes the friction coefficient of the brake disc to decrease and the brake fluid to evaporate, thereby reducing the braking performance or even failure), and on the other hand, it will cause the brake pads to wear more easily, reducing their service life and affecting driving safety.

[0023] The main problem that the present invention aims to solve is that when the temperature of the wheel brake is too high, the decorative cover and the wheel hub can change from relative rotation to synchronous rotation through the reaction of the thermal response contact component, and the abnormal rotation and abnormal noise generated by friction can be used to remind people to pay attention to the overheating of the brake system, thereby preventing possible safety hazards.

[0024] See also Figures 1 to 5In one embodiment of the present invention, the wheel system includes a wheel hub 100, a decorative cover 200 disposed on the wheel hub 100, and a brake disposed in the wheel hub 100. The decorative cover 200 is disposed on the outer side of the wheel hub 100 and is rotatably connected to the wheel rim 120 of the wheel hub 100, and can rotate relative to the wheel hub 100. When the wheel moves normally, the wheel hub 100 and the decorative cover 200 rotate relative to each other. When the temperature exceeds the preset temperature threshold of the thermal response contact component 300, the wheel hub 100 and the decorative cover 200 are connected by transmission through the thermal response contact component 300. When the temperature of the brake is too high, the thermal response contact component 300 will change, contact and connect the decorative cover 200 and the wheel hub 100, and the decorative cover 200, which was originally suspended (relatively rotating), will start to rotate synchronously with the wheel hub 100 through friction. By making the decorative cover 200 rotate synchronously with the wheel hub 100 and produce abnormal noise when the brake is overheated, the driver or relevant personnel can be reminded of the overheating of the brake system and take timely measures to prevent possible safety hazards. The thermal response contact assembly 300 provides a simple and effective mechanism to respond to the high temperature of the brake, improving the overall reliability of the wheel system. The decorative cover 200 not only has the function of aesthetics and protecting the wheel hub 100, but also covers the bolt holes of the wheel hub 100 to prevent dust and dirt from entering the interior of the wheel, while also helping to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce the drag coefficient. When the brake is overheated, it can also serve as an overheating reminder device.

[0025] Combination Figure 5 In this embodiment, the decorative cover 200 is rotatably connected to the wheel hub 100 through a bearing 400, the bearing 400 is installed in the middle of the wheel rim 120 of the wheel hub 100, and the center of the decorative cover 200 is fixed to the wheel rim 120 by bolts; in other embodiments, the two can also be nested to form a rotating shaft structure.

[0026] In one embodiment, the thermal response contact component 300 is disposed on the wheel hub 100; the thermal response contact component 300 can be disposed on the wheel hub 100, so that when the temperature rises, it contacts the decorative cover 200, and the decorative cover 200 rotates with the wheel through friction, and in order to make the abnormal movement more obvious, the decorative cover 200 can be arranged to have uneven mass in the rotation direction to produce eccentric movement; refer to Figure 2 In other embodiments, the thermal response contact component 300 is disposed on the decorative cover 200. When the temperature rises, the thermal response contact component 300 contacts the wheel hub 100, so that the decorative cover 200 rotates with the wheel. Because the thermal response contact component 300 is disposed on the decorative cover 200, there is no need to modify the wheel hub 100, which can reduce the cost of assembly and processing and improve production efficiency.

[0027] It should be noted that the thermally responsive contact assembly 300 is a assembly consisting of a temperature-sensitive metal 310, an elastic member 320 connected to the temperature-sensitive metal 310, and a permanent magnet 330 connected to the elastic member 320; and a contact member, a thermistor connected to the contact member, and a mounting member for mounting the thermistor and the contact member. Thermal response indicates that the function of the thermally responsive contact assembly 300 is to respond to changes in temperature; contact indicates that the thermally responsive contact assembly 300 will generate contact when the temperature rises, so that the wheel hub 100 and the decorative cover 200 are transmitted.

[0028] In order to more accurately control the response of the thermal response contact assembly 300 when the temperature of the brake is too high, and ensure that the decorative cover 200 and the wheel hub 100 can achieve synchronous rotation at an appropriate time, while maintaining the stability and non-interference of this mechanism at low temperatures. In one embodiment, the thermal response contact assembly 300 includes a temperature-sensitive metal 310, an elastic member 320 connected to the temperature-sensitive metal 310, and a permanent magnet 330 connected to the elastic member 320. The permanent magnet 330 is arranged on the decorative cover 200. The temperature-sensitive metal 310 and the permanent magnet are magnetically attracted to each other to squeeze the elastic member 320. When the temperature exceeds the preset temperature threshold, the temperature-sensitive metal 310 loses its magnetism and contacts the wheel hub 100 under the action of the elastic member 320.

[0029] Reference Figure 3 In a low temperature state, the temperature-sensitive metal 310 maintains magnetism and attracts the permanent magnet 330 provided on the decorative cover 200. However, due to the squeezing effect of the elastic member 320, a certain gap is maintained between them and they do not directly contact the wheel hub 100. Therefore, the decorative cover 200 and the wheel hub 100 can rotate relative to each other. In a low temperature state, due to the magnetic attraction of the temperature-sensitive metal 310 and the permanent magnet 330 and the squeezing effect of the elastic member 320, the thermal response contact assembly 300 remains stable and will not trigger the synchronous rotation mechanism by mistake. Figure 4 , the magnetism of the temperature-sensitive metal 310 weakens as the temperature rises, and it contacts the wheel hub 100 under the action of the elastic member 320, that is, the elastic force of the elastic member 320 is greater than the magnetic attraction between the temperature-sensitive metal 310 and the permanent magnet 330. At this time, under the action of the elastic member 320, the temperature-sensitive metal 310 moves toward the wheel hub 100 and contacts it, and the decorative cover 200 and the wheel hub 100 start to rotate synchronously through friction. When the thermal response contact component 300 is arranged on the decorative cover 200, a temperature-sensitive metal 310 with a lower Curie point, such as 40°-100°, can be used. When the heat generated by the friction of the brake is transferred to the rim 110, the temperature of the brake has reached a relatively high level.

[0030] The design of the thermal response contact assembly 300 is relatively simple, easy to maintain and replace, and reduces maintenance costs. Moreover, the solution not only solves the problem of brake overheating, but also can further expand functions as needed, such as adjusting the magnetic variation range of the temperature-sensitive metal 310 to adapt to the temperature requirements of different models or different use environments.

[0031] The permanent magnet 330 is arranged at the edge of the decorative cover 200, and the temperature-sensitive metal 310 is in contact with the rim 110 of the wheel hub 100, so that the decorative cover 200 is driven by the wheel hub 100 to rotate. Placing the thermal response contact component 300 at the edge of the decorative cover 200 can be more directly exposed to the heat generated by the brake, thereby improving the efficiency of the thermal response. When the brake is overheated, the thermal response contact component 300 can reach the preset temperature threshold faster and respond. The complexity of installing additional thermal response components on the wheel hub 100 is reduced, thereby simplifying the overall structure of the wheel system. In addition, since the thermal response component is directly integrated on the decorative cover 200, the manufacturing and installation costs may be reduced.

[0032] In addition, since the thermal response contact assembly 300 is installed at the edge of the decorative cover 200, the abnormal rotation and friction noise caused by the eccentricity of the decorative cover 200 may be more easily noticed by the driver or relevant personnel. This abnormal noise provides an intuitive overheating reminder method, which helps to timely discover and deal with the overheating problem of the brake.

[0033] In a further solution, multiple thermal response contact components 300 can be arranged circumferentially on the decorative cover 200, for example, two, three, or even more can be arranged along the circumference of the same radius; or multiple can be arranged at different radii; based on the multiple arrangements at different radii, multiple or unequal quantities can be arranged in staggered positions, etc., so as to improve the rotational response and noise to alert the user.

[0034] Reference Figures 2 to 4 Specifically, a mounting seat 210 is provided at the edge of the decorative cover 200, and a permanent magnet 330 is provided in the mounting seat 210, and defines a mounting ring groove 211 with the inner wall of the mounting seat 210, and the temperature-sensitive metal 310 is movably embedded in the mounting ring groove 211, and the permanent magnet 330 is sleeved; the elastic member 320 is provided between the permanent magnet 330 and the temperature-sensitive metal 310. The permanent magnet 330 is firmly installed in the mounting seat 210, and the mounting ring groove 211 is formed together with the inner wall of the mounting seat 210, providing a stable installation environment for the temperature-sensitive metal 310, and the temperature-sensitive metal 310 is movably embedded in the mounting ring groove 211, and the mounting ring groove 211 can also play a guiding role, so that the temperature-sensitive metal 310 can move freely within a certain range without losing stability.

[0035] The temperature-sensitive metal 310 includes a mounting cylinder 312 and a contact head 311 connected to one end of the mounting cylinder 312. The axial projection area of ​​the contact head 311 in the mounting cylinder 312 is larger than that of the mounting cylinder 312. The mounting cylinder 312 is arranged in the mounting ring groove 211, and the contact head 311 abuts against the upper end surface of the mounting seat 210. The installation and maintenance of the temperature-sensitive metal 310 are more convenient. The mounting cylinder 312 can be easily placed in the mounting ring groove 211, and the contact head 311 abuts against the upper end surface of the mounting seat 210. This simple installation method can save time and cost, and reduce the error rate during the installation process. At the same time, due to the close contact between the contact head 311 and the mounting seat 210, the trouble and complexity in the maintenance process are also reduced.

[0036] Specifically, the radial cross-sectional profile of the contact head 311 is semicircular. On the one hand, the semicircular design of the contact head 311 increases the contact area, thereby improving the sensitivity of temperature sensing. This allows the contact head 311 to capture changes in ambient temperature more quickly and respond accordingly. On the other hand, it can also increase the contact area with the wheel hub 100, and the semicircular contact head 311 also avoids damage to the wheel hub 100.

[0037] It should be noted that the radial direction means that the cross section is parallel to the axial direction.

[0038] Specifically, in the above solution, the elastic member 320 is configured as a compression spring; in other embodiments, the elastic member 320 can also be configured as other elastic materials, such as springs, rubber, etc.

[0039] In other embodiments, the thermally responsive contact assembly 300 includes a contact piece, a thermistor connected to the contact piece, and a mounting piece for mounting the thermistor and the contact piece. The mounting piece is disposed on the decorative cover 200. The thermistor can change its own spatial volume as the temperature increases, so that when the preset temperature threshold is exceeded, the contact piece contacts the rim 110 of the wheel hub 100.

[0040] Specifically, in one embodiment, the thermally sensitive member is configured as an airbag filled with a high-heat expansion gas, and the airbag becomes larger through the expansion of the gas, while the mounting member can play a guiding role to limit the expansion direction of the airbag and push the contact member to move toward the wheel hub 100 to generate contact.

[0041] In another embodiment, the thermosensitive element is configured as a bimetallic strip laminated from two metals with different thermal expansion coefficients. One end of the bimetallic strip is fixed to the decorative cover 200 , and the other end is designed to bend when the temperature rises and contact the rim 110 of the hub 100 .

[0042] Similarly, in order to increase the sound of the decorative cover 200 and facilitate user perception, the decorative cover is designed to have uneven mass on the circumference, that is, eccentric motion occurs during the rotation process with the center as the center. Under normal conditions, the decorative cover 200 and the wheel hub 100 rotate relative to each other (suspension) and do not reflect the uneven weight. However, when the friction transmission causes the decorative cover 200 and the wheel hub 100 to rotate, the decorative cover 200 causes the wheel to shake due to the uneven weight for the driver to perceive, and the friction process also produces abnormal noise for people to perceive.

[0043] The present invention also proposes a vehicle, which includes a body and a wheel system. The specific structure of the wheel system refers to the above-mentioned embodiments. Since the body of the vehicle adopts all the technical solutions of all the above-mentioned embodiments, it at least has all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here one by one.

[0044] The above description is only an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wheel system, characterized in that: include: Wheel hub; A decorative cover is disposed on the outer side of the wheel hub and is rotatably connected to the wheel rim of the wheel hub so as to be rotatable relative to the wheel hub; and The thermal response contact component is arranged on the wheel hub or the decorative cover. When the temperature exceeds a preset temperature threshold of the thermal response contact component, the wheel hub and the decorative cover are transmission-connected via the thermal response contact component.

2. The wheel system according to claim 1, characterized in that The thermal response contact component includes a temperature-sensitive metal, an elastic part connected to the temperature-sensitive metal, and a permanent magnet connected to the elastic part. The permanent magnet is arranged on the decorative cover. The temperature-sensitive metal and the permanent magnet cooperate with each other to squeeze the elastic part. The magnetism of the temperature-sensitive metal weakens as the temperature rises, and the temperature-sensitive metal contacts the wheel hub under the action of the elastic part.

3. The wheel system according to claim 2, characterized in that The permanent magnet is arranged on the edge of the decorative cover, and the temperature-sensitive metal contacts the rim of the wheel hub, so that the decorative cover rotates under the drive of the wheel hub.

4. The wheel system according to claim 2, characterized in that A mounting seat is provided at the edge of the decorative cover, the permanent magnet is arranged in the mounting seat and defines a mounting ring groove with the inner wall of the mounting seat, the temperature-sensitive metal is movably embedded in the mounting ring groove and sleeved with the permanent magnet; the elastic member is arranged between the permanent magnet and the temperature-sensitive metal.

5. The wheel system according to claim 4, characterized in that The temperature-sensitive metal comprises a mounting cylinder and a contact head connected to one end of the mounting cylinder, the contact head is larger than the mounting cylinder, the mounting cylinder is arranged in the mounting ring groove, and the contact head abuts against the end surface of the mounting seat away from the decorative cover.

6. The wheel system according to claim 5, characterized in that The radial cross-sectional profile of the contact head is semicircular.

7. The wheel system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic member is a compression spring.

8. The wheel system according to claim 1, characterized in that The thermal response contact assembly includes a contact piece, a thermosensitive piece connected to the contact piece, and a mounting piece for mounting the thermosensitive piece and the contact piece. The mounting piece is arranged on the decorative cover. The thermosensitive piece can change its own spatial volume as the temperature increases, so that the contact piece contacts the wheel rim of the wheel hub.

9. The wheel system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mass distribution of the decorative cover on the circumference is non-uniform, and the thermal response contact component is arranged at a position where the mass distribution of the decorative cover is relatively larger.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising a wheel system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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