Configurable wheel for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a configurable wheel (4) for a vehicle, comprising a rim (5) having an axis of rotation (H) and one or more openings (5d, 11) for communicating an internal volume (V) of the rim (5) with a space outside and in front of the rim (5) according to the axis of rotation (H), the wheel further comprising one or more blades (12), the one or more blades (12) are coupled to the rim (5) in a movable manner between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the one or more blades (12) close and open the one or more openings (5d, 11), respectively.

Description

Cross - reference to related applications

[0001] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102023000024399, filed on November 17, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to a wheel for a vehicle, particularly for a motor vehicle and even more particularly for a sports motor vehicle. Background art

[0003] Generally, in the field of vehicles and especially in the field of sports or racing vehicles, there is a felt need to minimize energy consumption.

[0004] More specifically, the aerodynamic drag of known vehicles corresponds to an energy loss, which is sometimes necessary or appropriate for various reasons, such as to generate downforce or to convey cooling air over some specific components.

[0005] In particular, the rim of a wheel usually has an opening along the wheel axis, thus allowing an air flow to be conveyed over the brakes or, in the case of integrating an electric motor into the wheel, possibly over the electric motor, for cooling the brakes or the electric motor.

[0006] Obviously, the opening results in the drawback of increasing the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle.

[0007] Therefore, there is a felt particular need to mitigate the latter drawback while still ensuring at least sufficient cooling of the brakes or the electric motor.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to preferably meet at least one of the above - mentioned needs in a simple and reliable manner. Summary of the invention

[0009] The above object is achieved by a wheel for a motor vehicle as defined in claim 1.

[0010] The dependent claims define particular embodiments of the present invention. Description of the drawings

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described by way of non - limiting examples and with reference to the drawings to better understand the present invention, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle including a wheel according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the outer side of the wheel at an enlarged scale;

[0014] Figure 3 Similar to Figure 2 and shows the wheel in different operating configurations;

[0015] Figure 4 is a side view of the wheel as seen from the inner side of the wheel;

[0016] Figure 5 is a cross-section of the wheel according to a horizontal plane, and

[0017] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the inner side of the wheel, additionally magnifying the detailed interior of the wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In Figure 1 , the reference numeral 1 is used to denote the entire vehicle, specifically a motor vehicle, in particular a sports or racing-type motor vehicle.

[0019] The motor vehicle 1 includes a body 2, which in turn includes a frame (not shown) and a body shell 3 carried by the frame and defining the outer surface of the motor vehicle 1.

[0020] In addition, the motor vehicle 1 includes a plurality of wheels 4, of which only two wheels are shown in Figure 1 . The wheels 4 are connected to the body 2 or more precisely to the frame by a suspension (not shown).

[0021] The wheels 4 define the unsprung mass of the motor vehicle 1. The suspension suspends the body 2 or more precisely the frame relative to the wheels 4, so that the body 2 forms part of the sprung mass of the motor vehicle 1.

[0022] Apart from, for example, dimensions, the wheels 4 have similar characteristics relative to each other, so that only one of the wheels 4 will be described more specifically. It should be understood that the features described for one wheel 4 will also apply to the other wheels.

[0023] The wheel 4 includes a rim 5, which in particular has a part 5a having a tubular geometry. The rim 5 or more precisely the part 5a has an axis H about which the rim 5 extends.

[0024] The rim 5 defines an internal volume V, i.e. a volume defined in particular radially inside the part 5a.

[0025] The axis H coincides with the rotational axis of the wheel 4. In fact, the rim 5 rotates about the axis H during the rotation of the wheel 4.

[0026] In addition, the axis H is transverse to the forward direction of the motor vehicle 1. In particular, the axis H is parallel to the pitch axis of the motor vehicle 1.

[0027] The rim 5 also has an outer surface 6 extending around the axis H, thus defining a rotating surface that surrounds the volume V on its inner side. More precisely, the volume V is enclosed or delimited inside the inner surface 6a of the rim 5.

[0028] The outer surface 6 also defines a seat or channel 7 configured to receive the tire 8 of the wheel 4. In the radial direction, the seat 7 is arranged on the opposite side of the volume V with respect to the part 5a of the rim 5 or generally more parts.

[0029] In particular, more specifically according to a typical pattern, the tire 8 is mounted on the rim 5 at the seat 7.

[0030] In other words, the seat 7 allows the mounting of the tire 8.

[0031] Furthermore, the wheel 4 includes a hub unit not shown, such as a hub unit of a known type, which has a rotor part and a stator part. The rotor part is fixed relative to the rim 5, for example by bolt fastening (the rim 5 preferably includes a plurality of holes 5b for fastening to the rotor part, regardless of the type of fastening), and the stator part supports the rotor part by means of roller bearings of the hub unit.

[0032] According to an example, the wheel 4 may include an electric motor not shown, for driving the rotor part to rotate relative to the stator part, that is, for driving the rim 5 or the wheel 4 to rotate around the axis H.

[0033] Suitably, the wheel 4 includes a rim cover 10 fixed relative to the rim 5. In particular, the rim cover 10 is made in one piece with the rim 5, that is, fixed to the rim 5 seamlessly. Therefore, the rim cover 10 may be considered as an integral part of the rim 5. However, this is not necessary.

[0034] In fact, according to other examples, in the sense that the rim cover 10 can be separated from the rim 5 without causing any damage to the rim cover 10 or the rim 5, the rim cover 10 can be fastened to the rim 5 in a releasable or detachable manner. Also in these examples, the rim cover 10 can be considered to form part of the rim 5.

[0035] Generally, the rim cover 10 is optional and thus may not exist.

[0036] The rim cover 10 extends transversely or orthogonally to the axis H.

[0037] The rim cover 10 is arranged to cover the rim 5 on the front side (that is, on the outer side of the wheel 4 according to the axis H).

[0038] On the outer side of the wheel 4, the rim 5 has an end 5c that extends in an annular shape around the axis H so as to define an opening 5d of the rim 5 internally according to the axis H or more precisely according to the radial direction.

[0039] The rim cover 10 is located in the front along the axis H (i.e., on the outer side of the wheel 4 along the axis H) and partially covers the latter opening 5d.

[0040] In fact, the rim cover 10 also has a plurality of through openings 11 along the axis H.

[0041] The openings 11 put the outside of the rim 5 into communication with the opening 5d, i.e., with the internal volume V of the rim 5. More precisely, the openings 11 put the volume V into communication with the space outside and in front of the rim 5 along the axis H (i.e., the space adjacent to the outside of the rim 5 along the axis H).

[0042] It can thus be clearly seen that the rim cover 10 does not cover or does not completely enclose the opening 5d along the axis H.

[0043] The openings 11 correspond to respective channels in the rim cover 10. The channels extend along respective directions that are not necessarily straight or parallel to the axis H, but are in any case configured to allow air to pass through the rim cover 10 in a direction consistent with the axis H (i.e., through its thickness).

[0044] The wheel 4 also includes a plurality of partitions or vanes 12 that are coupled to the rim 5 in a manner movable relative to the rim 5 between two configurations with respect to the rim 5, namely a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the vanes 12 are respectively configured or arranged to close and at least partially open the openings 11, in particular so as to respectively prevent air from passing through the rim cover 10 and to allow air to pass through the rim cover 10 in a direction consistent with the axis H.

[0045] Based on the fact that the vanes 12 prevent air from passing through the rim cover 10, it is directly and clearly obvious that the vanes 12 in the closed configuration completely close the openings 11.

[0046] Each vane 12 in the closed configuration covers a corresponding one of the openings 11.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 11 and the corresponding vanes 12 have a trapezoidal shape and / or are radially tapered towards the axis H (i.e., narrower at the radially inner end and wider at the radially outer end). Alternatively or additionally, the openings 11 and the corresponding vanes 12 have a cross-section according to a plane orthogonal to the axis H or according to a plane incident to the axis H, the cross-section having a trapezoidal shape and / or a shape radially tapered towards the axis H (i.e., narrower at the radially inner end and wider at the radially outer end).

[0048] In the closed configuration, the vane 12 is transverse to the axis H. Regardless of this, the vane 12 can be aligned with the axis H or parallel to the axis H or oriented like the axis H in the open configuration.

[0049] If there is no rim cover 10, the vane 12 will be directly configured or arranged to respectively close and at least partially open the opening 5d in the closed and open configurations. In this case, the opening 5d puts the volume V in communication with the external space in front of the rim 5 according to the axis H (i.e., the space externally adjacent to the rim 5 according to the axis H).

[0050] Preferably, the opening 5d or the opening 11 puts the volume V in direct communication with the external space in front of the rim 5 (i.e., the space externally adjacent to the rim 5 according to the axis H).

[0051] Directly closing the opening 5d by means of the vane 12 or indirectly closing the opening 5d by closing the opening 11 involves a reduction in the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle 1, since air is prevented from passing through the opening 5d on the outer side of the wheel 4 (based on this, in particular, in the absence of the rim cover 10, it can be concluded that the vane 12 will completely close the opening 5d). On the other hand, the air flow within the rim 5 can be directed towards the wheel 4 or components of the motor vehicle 1 not shown to cool them. Examples of components can include a motor integrated into the wheel 4 for driving the rotation of the wheel 4 or braking devices (such as pads, brake discs, etc.).

[0052] More specifically, one, some or all of the vanes 12 are hinged or pivoted to the rim 5, in particular about respective radial axes R relative to the axis H. The axis R can be straight, but this is not strictly necessary.

[0053] Specifically, each vane 12 includes a pivot 13 which extends, in particular, along a corresponding axis R. The pivot 13 is fixed relative to its vane 12 and has an end 13a which is rotatably supported by the rim 5 inside a corresponding seat obtained on the rim 5. Preferably, the pivot 13 has another end 13b opposite to the end 13a according to the axis R; the end 13b is also rotatably supported by the rim 5 or rather by the rim cover 10 inside a corresponding seat obtained on the rim 5 or rather on the rim cover 10.

[0054] In other words, the vane 12 pivots or rotates about the axis R between the closed and open configurations.

[0055] Furthermore, the wheel 4 includes a mechanism 14 which is configured or drivable to move the vane 12 from the open configuration to the closed configuration and vice versa.

[0056] The mechanism 14 is configured to coordinate the movement of the blade 12. In fact, the blade 12 can be moved from a closed configuration to an open configuration in a coordinated manner by means of the mechanism 14.

[0057] In particular, the wheel 4 includes one or more motors 15 coupled to the mechanism 14 and configured to drive the mechanism 14.

[0058] Preferably, the wheel 4 further includes a control unit configured to control the configuration or arrangement of the blade 12 by means of the motor 15 and the mechanism 14. For example, the control unit is configured to control the motor 15 so that, based on the operating state of the wheel 4 or the motor vehicle 1, for example when a given preset condition occurs, the blade 12 is placed in the open configuration by means of the mechanism 14, in particular for cooling some specific components of the wheel 4 or the motor vehicle 1.

[0059] For example, in fact, the above-mentioned condition may be related to the heating state of these components. In particular, the above-mentioned condition may occur when the temperature of one or more components exceeds a threshold and the duration of a possible time interval is longer than another threshold.

[0060] Therefore, the operating state of the motor vehicle 1 includes the temperature of one or more components.

[0061] The blade 12 is generally (but not necessarily) in the closed configuration, in particular to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle 1.

[0062] Suitably, the control unit is configured to control the motor 15 so that the blade 12 is placed in the closed configuration by means of the mechanism 14 when the condition stops occurring.

[0063] Therefore, the control unit is configured to move the blade 12 between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is configured to control the configuration or arrangement of the blade 12 based on a request or more precisely based on a request signal from the driver of the motor vehicle 1 (e.g., issued through a dedicated control provided in the motor vehicle 1), i.e., to move the blade 12 from the open configuration to the closed configuration and vice versa.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is configured to control the configuration or arrangement of the blade 12 based on a request signal for braking the motor vehicle 1, or more precisely, to move the blade 12 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0066] In fact, the additional aerodynamic drag caused by the open configuration can be controlled for the purpose of braking the motor vehicle 1.

[0067] In particular, the braking request signal can be issued on a voluntary basis by the driver by means of a specifically provided control of the motor vehicle 1 or can also be issued automatically by the control unit, for example, in the case of autonomous or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle 1. In the latter case, more generally, the operating state includes the requested or necessary or appropriate deceleration of the motor vehicle 1. For example, based on the characteristics of the road on which the motor vehicle 1 is traveling and / or based on the dynamic state of the current movement of the motor vehicle 1 (e.g., including position, speed, acceleration), that is, based on the odometer, the deceleration can be requested or necessary or appropriate.

[0068] The motor 15 and the mechanism 14 form a drive assembly or are part of a drive assembly for moving the blade 12 from a closed configuration to an open configuration and vice versa. The control unit is configured to control the drive assembly to move the blade 13 between the open configuration and the closed configuration, that is, from the closed configuration to the open configuration and vice versa.

[0069] Preferably, the mechanism 14 includes a rotor, which specifically includes a crown gear 16 and is even more specifically defined by the crown gear 16.

[0070] In particular, the crown gear 16 is arranged around the axis H.

[0071] The crown gear 16 is suitably arranged radially inside the rim 5, especially behind the rim cover 10 according to the axis H.

[0072] The crown gear 16 is supported by the rim 5 in a rotatable manner relative to the rim 5 around the axis H, for example, by means of a bearing 17 between the crown gear 16 and the rim 5.

[0073] In addition, the mechanism 14 includes one or more pinions 18, which are specifically coupled to the corresponding motors 15 in order to be driven to rotate by the motors 15; the pinions 18 are arranged to mesh with the crown gear 16, that is, they engage with the crown gear 16. In this way, the rotation of the pinions 18, for example, by means of the corresponding motors 15, causes the rotation of the crown gear 16 or more components of the rotor.

[0074] Preferably, each pinion 18 and the crown gear 16 form a helical gear or a hypoid gear.

[0075] Each motor 15 has a stator part 15a fastened to the rim 5 and a rotor part 15b rotatable relative to the stator part 15a, and the rotor part 15b is coupled to a corresponding pinion 18 in order to transmit its rotation to the latter. In this case, the stator part 15a is fixed relative to the corresponding pinion 18.

[0076] Preferably, the stator part 15a and the rotor part 15b are coaxial with each other.

[0077] In particular, the rotor part 15b and the corresponding pinion 18 are coaxial with respect to each other.

[0078] The mechanism 14 further includes a plurality of transmission devices 20, in particular of the articulated type, each of which is configured to transmit the rotation of the crown gear 16 to a corresponding one of the blades 12.

[0079] The transmission devices 20 simultaneously transmit the rotation of the crown gear 16 to the blades 12 in a predetermined manner. More specifically, the transmission devices 20 all have the same transmission ratio, i.e., are configured to transmit the same rotation to all the blades 12 in a manner corresponding to a given rotation of the crown gear 16 (i.e., according to a predetermined and in particular constant functional link).

[0080] Preferably, at least one of the transmission devices 20 or more specifically each of the transmission devices 20 includes or is defined by a crank 21 having an end 21a fixed with respect to the corresponding blade 12 or more precisely with respect to the corresponding pivot 13, and an end 21b coupled to the crown gear 16. More particularly, the end 21b is hinged to the crown gear 16, specifically about an axis R parallel to the axis of the corresponding pivot 13.

[0081] Generally, the presence of the pivot 13 is independent of the presence of the crank 21 and vice versa.

[0082] The transmission device 20 having the illustrated crank 21 represents an advantageous example, but can be replaced by different types of transmission devices, such as those including gears.

[0083] Preferably, the wheel 4 includes an electrical energy storage device for powering the motor 15, such as a battery. For example, the electrical energy storage device can be carried in a fixed position by the stator part of the hub unit.

[0084] Furthermore, preferably, the wheel 4 includes an alternator configured to convert the rotation of the wheel 4 or the rim 5 into electrical power by induction and thus recharge the electrical energy storage device.

[0085] For example, the alternator can include a stator fixed to the stator part of the hub unit and a rotor fixed to the rotor part of the hub unit.

[0086] Alternatively or additionally, the alternator can directly power the motor 15, for example.

[0087] More generally, the wheel 4 can include an induction device or induction equipment for generating power from the rotation of the wheel 4 or the rim. The power is used to recharge the electrical energy storage device or to directly power the motor 15, for example.

[0088] Based on the foregoing, the advantages of the wheel 4 according to the present invention are obvious.

[0089] The vane 12 can be selectively used to reduce or increase the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle 1 through a closed configuration and an open configuration, respectively.

[0090] Therefore, the vane 12 is configured to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle 1 in the closed configuration and / or increase the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle 1 in the open configuration.

[0091] In particular, as can be seen in Figure 3 the vane 12 in the open configuration cooperates with the air outside the rim 5 to increase the aerodynamic drag of the motor vehicle 1 because the vane 12 in the open configuration is exposed to the air outside the rim 5.

[0092] For example, a controlled increase in aerodynamic drag can be advantageously used to assist in braking the motor vehicle 1.

[0093] Therefore, the control unit is configured to brake the motor vehicle 1 in response to a braking request signal that controls the movement of the vane 12 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0094] In addition, the vane 12 can generally be kept in the closed configuration so that the aerodynamic drag is generally minimized, except in cases where the open configuration is more useful or appropriate, such as when it is suitable for cooling a specific component of the wheel 4 or for braking the motor vehicle 1.

[0095] In addition, the mechanism 14 is particularly simple, reliable and effective.

[0096] The operation of the motor 15 of the drive assembly formed by the motor 15 and the mechanism 14 or generally more components can be powered by the rotation of the wheel 4, so the wheel 4 is efficient from an energy perspective.

[0097] Finally, it is obvious that the wheel 4 according to the present invention can be modified and varied, which in any case do not depart from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0098] In particular, each detail included in the drawings is independent of the other details, and in particular is considered to solve a specific technical problem separately with respect to the other details.

[0099] In particular, the details mentioned include each arrangement of the various shown components relative to the other components.

[0100] More particularly, the shown shapes and dimensions are merely exemplary and have no inextricable connection with the arrangement of the components.

Claims

1. A wheel (4) for a vehicle (1), the wheel (4) comprising a rim (5), the rim (5) having a rotation axis (H) and one or more openings (5d, 11), the one or more openings being used to connect an inner volume (V) of the rim (5) with a space outside the rim (5) and in front of the rim (5) according to the rotation axis (H), characterized in that The invention comprises one or more blades (12) which are coupled to the rim (5) in a manner movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the one or more blades (12) respectively close and at least partially open the one or more openings (5d, 11).

2. The wheel (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that The one or more openings (5d, 11) allow the internal volume (V) to communicate directly with the external space.

3. The wheel (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that It also comprises a rim cover (10) fixed relative to the rim (5) or forming part of the rim (5), wherein the rim (5) has an end (5c) according to the rotation axis (H), the end (5c) is annular and defines a first opening (5d) inside, the first opening (5d) is covered by the rim cover (10) at the front and partially according to the axis (H), and the rim cover (10) has one or more second through openings (11) defined by the one or more openings (5d, 11).

4. The wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that The second through-opening (11) and the blade (12) have corresponding shapes or cross-sections according to an orthogonal plane or a corresponding plane incident on the rotation axis (H), and the shapes or cross-sections have a shape that tapers radially toward the rotation axis (H).

5. The wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that The one or more blades (12) are pivotally connected to the rim (5) about respective radial axes (R) relative to the rotation axis (H), whereby the one or more blades (12) are rotatable about respective radial axes (R) between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

6. The wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that A mechanism (14) is included which is actuatable to move the one or more blades (12) from the closed configuration to the open configuration, or vice versa, in a coordinated manner.

7. The wheel according to claim 6, characterized in that The mechanism (14) comprises a rotor (16) and one or more transmission devices (20), wherein the rotor (16) is supported by the rim (5) in a manner rotatable relative to the rim (5) around the rotation axis (H), and the one or more transmission devices (20) are respectively configured to transmit the rotation of the rotor (16) to the one or more blades (12) in a predetermined manner.

8. The wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that The mechanism (14) comprises at least one pinion (18), and the rotor (16) comprises a crown gear arranged about the rotation axis (H) so as to mesh with the pinion (18), so that rotation of the pinion (18), for example by means of a motor (15), causes rotation of the rotor (16).

9. The wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that At least one of the one or more blades (12) and at least one of the transmission means (20) respectively include a pivot (13) and a crank (21), wherein the crank (21) has a first end (21a) fixed relative to the pivot (13) and a second end (21b) coupled or hinged to the rotor (16).

10. The wheel according to claim 6, characterized in that The invention comprises a drive assembly and a control unit, the drive assembly further comprising the mechanism (14) and at least one motor (15) arranged to drive the mechanism (14), the control unit being configured to control the drive assembly so as to move the one or more blades between the closed configuration and the open configuration based on an operating state of the vehicle (1) or the wheel (4) or based on a request from a driver of the vehicle (1).

11. The wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that The operating conditions include the temperature of one or more components of the vehicle (1) or the wheel (4).

12. The wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that The operating state comprises a requested deceleration of the vehicle (1), or wherein the driver's request is a request for braking the vehicle (1).

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