Wheel separator assembly configured to modify tire cavity resonance

Abstract

A partition assembly is configured to be installed in a tire cavity defined between a wheel and a tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections, the partition assembly comprising at least one air line and a plurality of partitions. Each of the plurality of partitions comprises: a base configured to be installed to the wheel, the base defining an air passage in fluid communication with the at least one air line; and an expandable body connected to the base and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base, the expandable body configured to be filled with air from the at least one air line. Each of the plurality of partitions is configured to receive air from the at least one air line to expand the plurality of partitions from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, in which the plurality of partitions are configured to contact an inner wall of a tire coupled to the wheel to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wheel spacer assembly configured to modify tire cavity resonance. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally introducing the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors and aspects of the description that may not constitute prior art at the time of filing are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0003] Noise generated by the internal combustion engine (ICE) often masks other vehicle noise, such as tire cavity noise. Tire cavity noise occurs when tire vibrations cause the air inside the tire cavity to vibrate and resonate throughout the tire cavity. Hybrid vehicles generate less engine noise than ICE vehicles, while all-electric vehicles generate no engine noise. Therefore, tire noise may be more noticeable to passengers in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. Summary of the invention

[0004] In various features, the present disclosure includes a partition assembly configured to be installed in a tire cavity defined between a wheel and a tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections, the partition assembly comprising at least one air line and a plurality of partitions. Each of the plurality of partitions comprises: a base configured to be installed to the wheel, the base defining an air passage in fluid communication with the at least one air line; and an expandable body connected to the base and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base, the expandable body configured to be filled with air from the at least one air line. Each of the plurality of partitions is configured to receive air from the at least one air line to expand the plurality of partitions from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, in which the plurality of partitions are configured to contact an inner wall of a tire coupled to the wheel to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections.

[0005] In further features, the at least one air line is annular and cooperates with each of the plurality of baffles to deliver air to each of the plurality of baffles.

[0006] In further features, a plurality of baffles are evenly spaced about the at least one air line.

[0007] In further features, at least one air line includes at least one air valve.

[0008] In further features, the base of each of the plurality of baffles includes a pressure relief valve configured to allow air to flow therethrough to establish a consistent pressure across the plurality of sections of the tire cavity.

[0009] In further features, the base of each of the plurality of baffles defines an aperture in fluid communication with the at least one air line and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base.

[0010] In further features, the base includes acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic and the expandable body includes butyl rubber.

[0011] In further features, each of the plurality of partitions further includes a seal extending around a periphery of the expandable body.

[0012] In a further feature, the seal is inflatable and is fluidly connected to at least one air line through a base to receive air from the at least one air line; the seal is configured to contact an inner wall of a tire mounted to a wheel to form an airtight seal with the tire and define a plurality of segments when the seal is inflated with air from the at least one air line.

[0013] In further features, the seal is a nylon fabric reinforced polyurethane expandable seal.

[0014] In further features, the expandable body defines a slot, and the seal is disposed within the slot.

[0015] In various features, the present disclosure also includes a partition assembly configured to be installed in a tire cavity defined between a wheel and a tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections. The partition assembly includes at least one air line and a plurality of partitions. Each of the plurality of partitions includes: a base configured to be installed to a wheel, the base defining an air passage in fluid communication with the at least one air line; a body connected to the base; and a seal extending around a periphery of the body and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base. The seal is inflatable and configured to be filled with air from the at least one air line to inflate the seal from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, wherein the seal is configured to contact an inner wall of a tire coupled to the wheel to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections.

[0016] In further features, the body is an expandable body in fluid communication with at least one air line through the base.

[0017] In further features, the at least one air line is a single air line extending around the wheel and is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of baffles.

[0018] In further features, the plurality of baffles are evenly spaced about the at least one air line, and the plurality of sections of the tire cavity are airtight sections when the seal is in contact with an inner wall of the tire.

[0019] In further features, the divider assembly divides the tire cavity into at least four of the plurality of sections.

[0020] In further features, the seal includes a pair of expandable lips secured to the periphery of the body by mechanical interlocking.

[0021] Among the various features, the present disclosure also includes a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly comprising: a wheel having a rim; a tire mounted to the wheel to define a tire cavity between the wheel and the tire; a partition assembly mounted to the wheel within the tire cavity. The partition assembly comprises: an air line extending around the wheel, the air line cooperating with a valve configured to be coupled to an air source for introducing air from the air source into the air line; and a plurality of baffles mounted to the wheel and connected to the air line to receive air from the air line, each of the plurality of baffles being expandable from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration in response to air from the air line flowing into the plurality of baffles, in the inflated configuration, the plurality of baffles contacting an inner wall of the tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of airtight sections.

[0022] In further features, each of the plurality of diaphragms includes an expandable body in fluid communication with the air line to receive air from the air line to expand the expandable body.

[0023] In further features, each of the plurality of diaphragms includes a seal extending around a periphery of the expandable body, the seal being in fluid communication with the air line to receive air from the air line to expand the seal.

[0024] The present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0025] 1. A partition assembly configured to be installed in a tire cavity defined between a wheel and a tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections, the partition assembly comprising:

[0026] at least one air line; and

[0027] A plurality of baffles, each of the plurality of baffles comprising:

[0028] a base configured to be mounted to a wheel, the base defining an air passage in fluid communication with at least one air line; and

[0029] an expandable body connected to the base and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base, the expandable body being configured to be filled with air from at least one air line;

[0030] Each of the plurality of baffles is configured to receive air from at least one air line to expand the plurality of baffles from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to contact an inner wall of a tire coupled to a wheel to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections.

[0031] 2 . The partition assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one air line is annular and cooperates with each of the plurality of partitions to deliver air to each of the plurality of partitions.

[0032] 3. The divider assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of baffles are evenly spaced around the at least one air line.

[0033] 4. The partition assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one air line comprises at least one air valve.

[0034] 5. The divider assembly of claim 1, wherein the base of each of the plurality of baffles includes a pressure relief valve configured to allow air to flow therethrough to establish a consistent pressure across the plurality of sections of the tire cavity.

[0035] 6. The partition assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

[0036] The base of each of the plurality of baffles defines an aperture in fluid communication with the at least one air line and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base.

[0037] 7. The divider assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic and the expandable body comprises butyl rubber.

[0038] 8. The partition assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of baffles further comprises a seal extending around a periphery of the expandable body.

[0039] 9. The partition assembly according to claim 8, wherein:

[0040] The seal is inflatable and in fluid communication with the at least one air line through the base to receive air from the at least one air line; and

[0041] The seal is configured to contact an inner wall of a tire mounted to a wheel when the seal is inflated with air from the at least one air line to form an airtight seal with the tire and define a plurality of segments.

[0042] 10. The partition assembly of claim 8, wherein the seal is a nylon fabric reinforced polyurethane expandable seal.

[0043] 11. The partition assembly of claim 8, wherein the expandable body defines a slot and the seal is disposed within the slot.

[0044] 12. A partition assembly configured to be installed in a tire cavity defined between a wheel and a tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections, the partition assembly comprising:

[0045] at least one air line;

[0046] A plurality of baffles, each of the plurality of baffles comprising:

[0047] a base configured to be mounted to a wheel, the base defining an air passage in fluid communication with at least one air line;

[0048] a body connected to the base; and

[0049] A seal extending around the periphery of the body and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base, the seal being inflatable and configured to be filled with air from at least one air line to inflate the seal from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration in which the seal is configured to contact an inner wall of a tire coupled to a wheel to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of segments.

[0050] 13. The partition assembly of claim 12, wherein the body is an expandable body in fluid communication with the at least one air line through the base.

[0051] 14. The divider assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one air line is a single air line extending around the wheel and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of baffles.

[0052] 15. The partition assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of baffles are evenly spaced around the at least one air line and a plurality of sections of the tire cavity are airtight sections when the seal is in contact with the inner wall of the tire.

[0053] 16. The divider assembly of claim 12, wherein the divider assembly divides the tire cavity into at least four of the plurality of sections.

[0054] 17. The divider assembly of claim 12, wherein the seal comprises a pair of inflatable lips secured to an outer periphery of the body with a mechanical interlock.

[0055] 18. A wheel assembly comprising:

[0056] Wheel including rim;

[0057] a tire mounted to the wheel to define a tire cavity between the wheel and the tire;

[0058] A spacer assembly mounted to a wheel within a tire cavity, the spacer assembly comprising:

[0059] an air line extending around the wheel, the air line cooperating with a valve configured to couple with an air source for introducing air from the air source into the air line; and

[0060] A plurality of baffles are mounted to the wheel and connected to the air line to receive air from the air line, each of the plurality of baffles being expandable from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration in response to air from the air line flowing into the plurality of baffles, wherein the plurality of baffles contact an inner wall of the tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of airtight sections.

[0061] 19. The wheel assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of diaphragms includes an expandable body in fluid communication with the air line to receive air from the air line to inflate the expandable body.

[0062] 20. The wheel assembly of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of diaphragms includes a seal extending around a periphery of the expandable body, the seal being in fluid communication with the air line to receive air from the air line for inflating the seal.

[0063] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings.The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheel assembly including a spacer assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0066] Figure 2 Is separated from the wheel and tire of the wheel assembly Figure 1 A perspective view of a partition assembly;

[0067] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of one of a plurality of partitions of a partition assembly;

[0068] Figure 4A is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 1 , including a seal of the diaphragm in a deflated configuration;

[0069] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A cross-sectional view of the seal in an inflated configuration;

[0070] Figure 5Ashowing one of the plurality of baffles in a deflated configuration; and

[0071] Figure 5B One of the plurality of baffles is shown in an inflated configuration.

[0072] Among the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Figure 1 A wheel assembly 10 according to the present disclosure is shown. The wheel assembly 10 generally includes a wheel 12 having a rim 14. Mounted to the wheel 12 is a tire 20. A tire cavity 22 is defined between the wheel 12 and the tire 20. A wheel air valve 24 is in fluid configuration with the tire cavity 22. The wheel air valve 24 is configured to cooperate with any suitable air source to fill the tire cavity 22 with air from the air source.

[0074] The wheel assembly 10 is configured to be mounted to any suitable vehicle, such as any suitable passenger car, utility vehicle, recreational vehicle, public transportation vehicle, military vehicle, construction vehicle, trailer, aircraft, etc. The wheel assembly 10 may also be configured for any suitable non-vehicle application. Exemplary non-vehicle applications include, but are not limited to, manufacturing equipment, military equipment, construction equipment, etc.

[0075] The wheel assembly 10 also includes a spacer assembly 50 (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). The partition assembly 50 is located between the inner wall 26 of the wheel 12 and the tire 20 (see Figure 5A and 5B The spacer assembly 50 is mounted to the wheel 12 as described herein.

[0076] The partition assembly 50 generally includes a plurality of partitions 60 and an air line 62. The air line 62 includes an air valve 64 configured to cooperate with any suitable air source to supply air into the air line 62. Each of the partitions 60 is in fluid communication with the air line 62 to receive air from the air line 62. The air line 62 may be annular as shown so as to extend around the wheel 12. The air line 62 may be a continuous air line that extends completely around the wheel 12 and is in fluid communication with each partition 60. Alternatively, the air line 62 may include a plurality of air lines connecting adjacent partitions 60 together.

[0077] Any suitable number of baffles 60 may be included. Figure 1 and Figure 2In the example of FIG. 5 , the partition assembly 50 includes eight partitions 60 that are evenly spaced around the partition assembly 50. Any other suitable number of partitions 60 may be included. The partitions 60 define the tire cavity 22 into a plurality of sections. The number of sections defined depends on the number of partitions 60 included. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , eight baffles 60 divide the tire cavity 22 into eight sections 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 24F, 24G, 24H, which are airtight when the baffles 60 are inflated as described herein. Any other suitable number of baffles 60 may be included to divide the tire cavity 22 into any other suitable number of sections. For example, four baffles 60 may be included to divide the tire cavity 22 into four sections.

[0078] Special References Figure 3 , each of the plurality of baffles 60 includes a base 70 and an expandable body 72. At the periphery of the expandable body 72 is a seal 74. The base 70 can be made of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. The expandable body 72 can be made of any suitable expandable material, such as butyl rubber. The seal 74 can be made of any suitable material, such as a nylon fabric reinforced polyurethane expandable seal.

[0079] The base 70 of each of the plurality of spacers 60 is mounted to the wheel 12 in any suitable manner. For example, the base 70 may be secured to the wheel 12 with a suitable adhesive. The base 70 defines a hole 80 that is connected to the air line 62 and is in fluid communication with the air line 62.

[0080] The base 70 defines one or more passages in fluid communication with the aperture 80 to receive the air flow from the air line 62. In the example shown, the base 70 defines a first air passage 82 extending from the aperture 80 to the expandable body 72. The base 70 also defines a second air passage 84 extending from the aperture 80 to the seal 74.

[0081] The partition 60 is configured so that air from the air line 62 flows into the partition 60 through the hole 80. The air flows from the hole 80 through the first air channel 82 into the air chamber 76 defined by the expandable body 72. The air flow enters the air chamber 76 to expand the expandable body 72 from the deflated structure to the inflated structure. The air also flows from the hole 80 through the second air channel 84 into the seal 74. The air flow enters the seal 74 to expand the seal from the deflated structure to the inflated structure, as explained herein. Although the partition 60 is shown as including both the first air channel 82 and the second air channel 84, in some applications, the partition 60 may include only the first air channel 82 to inflate only the air chamber 76 without including the second air channel 84. In other applications, the partition 60 may include only the second air channel 84 to inflate only the seal 74 without including the first air channel 82.

[0082] The base 70 of each diaphragm 60 may also include a pressure relief valve 86. The pressure relief valve 86 ensures that the air pressure is consistent across all of the segments 24A-24H of the tire cavity 22. For example, in the event of a tire puncture, the pressure relief valve 86 allows air to flow between the segments 24A-24H to maintain consistent tire pressure across all of the segments.

[0083] refer to Figure 4A and 4B , the seal 74 will now be described in greater detail. The seal 74 of each diaphragm 60 includes a pair of lips 90 that are configured to be filled with air. Figure 4A A pair of lips 90 are shown in a deflated configuration. Figure 4B The pair of lips 90 are shown in an inflated configuration as a result of air from the air line 62 having been introduced into the pair of lips 90. The lips 90 are mounted to the expandable body 72 in any suitable manner, such as with any suitable mechanical interlock. Figure 4A and 4B In the example of , the lip 90 is connected to the protrusion 92, which can be generally T-shaped as shown. The protrusion 92 is placed in a slot 94 defined at the periphery of the expandable body 72. The slot 94 is configured not to expand so as to maintain the interlock between a pair of lips 90 and the slot 94.

[0084] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the wheel assembly 10 showing one of the plurality of baffles 60 within the tire cavity 22 . Figure 5A The spacers 60 are shown in a deflated configuration, wherein the expandable body 72 and the seal 74 are deflated. Before the tire 20 is attached to the wheel 12, and before the tire 20 is inflated, the plurality of spacers 60 are typically in a deflated configuration. Figure 5AThe tire 20 is inflated by pumping air into the tire cavity 22 through the wheel valve 24. After the tire 20 is inflated, the plurality of diaphragms 60 are inflated.

[0085] The plurality of diaphragms 60 are inflated by pumping air into the air line 62 through the air valve 64. Air flows from the air valve 64 into the base 70 of each diaphragm 60. At each base 70, air flows from the hole 80 through the first air passage 82 into the air chamber 76 of the expandable body 72 to expand the expandable body 72. The air also flows through the second air passage 84 into the pair of lips 90 of the seal 74 to expand the pair of lips 90 to Figure 4B Air is added to the air chamber 76 of the expandable body 72 and to the pair of lips 90 of the seal 74 so that the plurality of baffles 60 are moved from Figure 5A The deflated structure expands to Figure 5B Inflatable structure. Figure 5B In the inflated configuration, the plurality of baffles 60 abut the inner wall 26 of the tire 20 to provide an airtight seal between each of the plurality of baffles 60 (particularly the inflated seal 74 thereof) and the inner wall 26 of the tire 20, thereby defining the sections 24A-24H of the tire cavity 22.

[0086] When the wheel assembly 10 travels along a road surface, the air in the tire cavity 22 has been excited by the interaction between the tire 20 and the road surface, and noise may be generated in the tire cavity 22. Tire cavity resonance (e.g., resonance between 150 Hz and 400 Hz) may play a role in reducing / amplifying the noise felt by the occupants. The partition assembly 50 of the present disclosure is configured to increase the resonant frequency of the tire cavity 22 to a higher range, which avoids noise amplification caused by the interaction between the tire and the road. More specifically, the partition 60 divides the tire cavity 22 into smaller sections 24A-24H, which moves the natural frequency of the tire cavity 22 to a higher range to avoid resonance with tire vibrations caused by the interaction between the tire and the road. When the partition 60 is inflated with air from the air line 62, the sections 24A-24H are defined by the partition 60, which inflates the air chamber 76 and the seal 74. Once inflated, the diaphragm 60 expands into contact with the inner wall 26 of the tire 20 and forms an airtight seal to form the segments 24A-24H, which increases the overall resonant frequency of the tire cavity 22 to a level where any sound generated by the interaction between the wheel assembly 10 and the road surface is not amplified. As a result, occupants of a vehicle including the wheel assembly 10 will generally experience a quieter passenger cabin.

[0087] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, although the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited, because after studying the drawings, the specification and the appended claims, other modifications will become apparent. It should be understood that one or more steps in the method can be performed in different orders (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, although each embodiment is described as having certain features above, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented in any other embodiment and / or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the replacement of one or more embodiments with each other is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] Various terms are used, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on," "above," "below," and "disposed," to describe the spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.). Unless explicitly described as "direct," when a relationship between a first element and a second element is described in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which there are no other intermediate elements between the first element and the second element, but can also be an indirect relationship in which there are one or more intermediate elements (spatially or functionally) between the first element and the second element. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be interpreted to mean a logical (A or B or C) using a non-exclusive logical "or", and should not be interpreted to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0089] In the drawings, the direction of the arrows (as indicated by the arrows) generally indicates the flow of information (such as data or instructions) of interest to the diagram. For example, when component A and component B exchange various information, but the information sent from component A to component B is relevant to the diagram, the arrow may point from component A to component B. This unidirectional arrow does not mean that no other information is sent from component B to component A. In addition, for information sent from component A to component B, component B may send a request for the information or a confirmation of receipt of the information to component A.

Claims

1. A partition assembly configured to be installed in a tire cavity defined between a wheel and a tire to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections, the partition assembly comprising: at least one air line; and A plurality of baffles, each of the plurality of baffles comprising: a base configured to be mounted to a wheel, the base defining an air passage in fluid communication with at least one air line; and an expandable body connected to the base and in fluid communication with an air passage of the base, the expandable body being configured to be filled with air from at least one air line; Each of the plurality of baffles is configured to receive air from at least one air line to expand the plurality of baffles from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, wherein the plurality of baffles are configured to contact an inner wall of a tire coupled to a wheel to divide the tire cavity into a plurality of sections. 2 . The partition assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one air line is annular and cooperates with each of the plurality of partitions to deliver air to each of the plurality of partitions.

3. The divider assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of baffles are evenly spaced around the at least one air line.

4. The partition assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one air line comprises at least one air valve.

5. The divider assembly of claim 1, wherein the base of each of the plurality of baffles includes a pressure relief valve configured to allow air to flow therethrough to establish a consistent pressure across the plurality of sections of the tire cavity.

6. The partition assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The base of each of the plurality of baffles defines an aperture in fluid communication with the at least one air line and in fluid communication with the air passage of the base.

7. The divider assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic and the expandable body comprises butyl rubber.

8. The partition assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of baffles further comprises a seal extending around a periphery of the expandable body.

9. The partition assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The seal is inflatable and in fluid communication with the at least one air line through the base to receive air from the at least one air line; and The seal is configured to contact an inner wall of a tire mounted to a wheel when the seal is inflated with air from the at least one air line to form an airtight seal with the tire and define a plurality of segments.

10. The partition assembly of claim 8, wherein the seal is a nylon fabric reinforced polyurethane expandable seal.

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