Cover element adapted for attachment to a vehicle wheel, vehicle wheel and motor vehicle

Abstract

Cover element adapted for attachment to a vehicle wheel (2) with a wheel hub (20), a wheel rim (22) provided with a rim well (21) for receiving a tire (3), and wheel spokes (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) which connect the wheel hub (20) to the wheel rim (22), wherein the cover element (4) is designed to cover at least one intermediate space (23', 24', 25', 26', 27') between two wheel spokes (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) which are adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, and wherein the cover element (4) has a display element, characterized in that the outer surface of the cover element (4) is at least partially provided with at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) is provided with a display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65') which can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device (7), and wherein the at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) is designed,to display colored displays on the display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65').

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a cover element adapted for attachment to a vehicle wheel. It further relates to a vehicle wheel having at least one such cover element and a vehicle having at least one such vehicle wheel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For aerodynamic reasons, electric vehicles in particular use closed wheels, where the spaces between the spokes are covered or at least partially closed. This typically involves plastic covers that are glued, clipped, or screwed into the metal body of the vehicle wheel. For design reasons, these plastic covers can be painted or dyed in different colors. If a vehicle user wants to change the design of their vehicle's wheels, they must purchase a new set of covers and replace the existing set with the new, differently colored covers. This is complex and significantly limits the flexibility of the color design. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] DE 10 2017 220 829 A1 discloses a vehicle wheel with a flat cover element arranged between two spokes, which is at least partially designed as a display device for displaying tire-specific data. This display device is permanently visible and can be operated electronically via the TPMS system, but does not use bistable display elements such as e-paper.

[0004] EP 2 349 786 B1 discloses an electronic display device for vehicles used to display data such as license plate information. A display with encrypted data transfer and digital authentication is used for the display, but not in conjunction with a wheel or wheel cover element.

[0005] DE 10 2008 017 401 A1 discloses a system for wirelessly transmitting and displaying information on a mobile device with an integrated bistable display element. The application is designed for portable devices such as vehicle keys, but not for vehicle wheels or associated cover elements.

[0006] EP 3 153 328 B1 shows and describes a turbine insert for a vehicle wheel provided with two aerodynamic blades, which can be inserted into an opening in a wheel base body between two adjacent wheel spokes.

[0007] From DE 10 2018 203 805 A1 a vehicle wheel is known in which at least one intermediate space between the wheel spokes is at least partially covered by a cover element which comprises a wing section, wherein the cover element can be mounted on the wheel from an outer side of the wheel.

[0008] DE 10 2011 102 680 A1 discloses a vehicle wheel with a hub cover provided with a display device.

[0009] US 2015 / 0 217 598 A1 discloses a children's vehicle wheel with a rotating illuminated display, but without bistable display behavior. US 2018 / 0 134 208 A1 discloses an LED display system with a wheel generator, but without the use of e-paper technology. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is to improve a generic cover element so that it can be used more flexibly.

[0011] This problem is solved with the features of patent claim 1.

[0012] A cover element according to the invention is adapted for attachment to a vehicle wheel having a wheel hub, a wheel rim provided with a rim well for receiving a tire, and wheel spokes connecting the wheel hub to the wheel rim. The cover element is designed to cover at least one intermediate space between two wheel spokes adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, and the cover element has a display element. It is characterized in that the outer surface of the cover element is provided with at least one e-paper display element having a display device that can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device, and the at least one e-paper display element is designed to display colored displays on the display device. ADVANTAGES

[0013] Equipping the outer surface of the cover element, at least in part, with at least one e-paper display element makes it possible to individually design and modify the design (color and / or graphics) displayed on the display device of the at least one e-paper display element without having to replace or even repaint the cover element. The use of an e-paper display element offers the advantage that electrical energy only needs to be available for the design change. After the design change, the new state remains stable without power.

[0014] Further preferred and advantageous design features of the cover element according to the invention are the subject of subclaims 2 to 6.

[0015] Preferably, the display device of the at least one e-paper display element covers the outer surface of the cover element at least in part. This allows for a large-scale influence on the design.

[0016] It is thus provided that at least one e-paper display element is designed to display color displays on the display device. This variant allows for the creation of not only black and white graphic designs, but also color designs.

[0017] In a preferred development of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments of the invention, the control device is equipped with or connected to a selection or input device by means of which a user can select or adjust the colors and / or patterns to be displayed on the display device of the e-paper display element. The control device is configured to subsequently generate corresponding display signals and transmit them to the e-paper display element. This variant allows for a particularly flexible and customizable design of the vehicle wheel.

[0018] It is advantageous if the control device is designed to variably adjust the color displayed by the e-paper display element. This embodiment of the invention allows the user to display any desired color and / or color gradient.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, which can also be combined with other embodiments of the invention, the outer surface of the cover element is provided, at least in some areas, with at least one solar element for generating a supply current for the at least one e-paper display element. This variant makes the cover element electrically independent of the vehicle's on-board power supply.

[0020] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, which can also be combined with other embodiments of the invention, at least one receiving coil of an inductive power transmission device is provided, via which a supply current for the at least one e-paper display element can be wirelessly transmitted from an external power source, preferably from a vehicle's on-board electrical system. The receiving coil is preferably provided on the inner surface of the cover element facing away from the outer surface (facing the vehicle).

[0021] The invention is also directed to a vehicle wheel with a wheel hub, a wheel rim provided with a rim well for receiving a tire, and wheel spokes that connect the wheel hub to the wheel rim, and with at least one cover element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element covers at least one intermediate space between two wheel spokes adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, wherein the cover element has a display element. It is provided that the outer surface of the cover element is provided, at least in regions, with at least one e-paper display element with a display device that can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device, and wherein the at least one e-paper display element is designed to display colored displays on the display device.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle with at least one such vehicle wheel.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and further advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] It shows: Fig. 1 is a side view of the front left part of a motor vehicle equipped with a vehicle wheel designed according to the invention; Fig. 2 a side view of the vehicle wheel Fig. 1 with partially sectioned cover element and Fig. 3 a schematic cross-section through an e-paper display element. PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Fig. 1 shows the front left side of a motor vehicle 1 with a vehicle body 10 having a front left wheel cutout 14 in a front left fender 12. A left front vehicle wheel 2 is accommodated in the wheel cutout 14, which is rotatably and steerably mounted on a structure of the motor vehicle 1 in a conventional manner.

[0026] The vehicle wheel 2 provided with a tire 3 is shown in detail in Fig. 2 shown.

[0027] The vehicle wheel 2 has a wheel hub 20, a wheel rim 22, and wheel spokes 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, which extend radially between the wheel hub 20 and the wheel rim 22 and connect them to one another. The wheel rim 22 is provided on its radially outer side in a conventional manner with a rim base 21, in which the tire 3 with its tire beads 30 is received.

[0028] An open space 23', 24', 25', 26', 27' is formed between each two adjacent wheel spokes 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. A cover element 4 is placed from the vehicle exterior onto the metallic base body 2' of the vehicle wheel 2, which comprises the wheel hub 20, the wheel rim 22, and the wheel spokes 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. The cover element 4 covers the wheel hub 20 and a radially inner region of the wheel spokes 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 with a central circular disk 40 and has wing sections 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 extending radially outward from the circular disk 40, each of which covers one of the spaces 23', 24', 25', 26', 27' between two wheel spokes 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction. The cover element 4 thus forms, together with the surfaces of the wheel spokes 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 facing the outside of the vehicle, a closed wheel disk surface 5 radially inside the wheel rim 22.However, the invention is not limited to such a closed wheel disc, but the respective intermediate spaces 23', 24', 25', 26', 27' can also be only partially closed by the cover element 4 in order to allow air to flow between the outer side of the wheel and the inner side of the wheel, for example for cooling brakes or wheel hub motors.

[0029] The outer surface of the cover element 4 facing away from the vehicle is provided with at least one e-paper display element 6 in the area of the central circular disc 40 and the radial wings 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. This e-paper display element 6 can also be provided only partially, for example as a central display element 60 only in the central circular disc 40, or corresponding e-paper display elements 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 can be provided on the outer surface of each radial wing 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. Each of the e-paper display elements 6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 is provided with a display device 6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65' facing the outside of the vehicle, which in conjunction with Fig. 3 is explained in more detail.

[0030] As in Fig. 2, the cover element 4 can be provided—as shown here in the center of the cover element 4—with at least one solar element 8, which supplies an electrical supply current for the e-paper display element 6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65. Of course, the electrical current supplied by the solar element 8 can be temporarily stored in a storage battery (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, at least one receiving coil 9 of an inductive current transmission device (not shown in detail) can be provided on the inner surface facing away from the outer surface of the cover element 4. In this way, a supply current supplied by the vehicle's on-board electrical system for the e-paper display element 4 can be wirelessly transmitted to the receiving coil 9 and thus to the display element 6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 by means of a transmitting coil (not shown).

[0031] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the e-paper display element 6 is provided with a display device 6' with a transparent or translucent upper display window 66, behind which are located a plurality of display spheres 67 configured as microcapsules. The display window 66 simultaneously forms a first planar (upper) electrode 66'. A second planar (lower) electrode 66" is provided on the rear side of the e-paper display element 6 behind the display spheres 67. Each of the display spheres 67 has a transparent housing wall 67', which encloses an interior space 67" of the display sphere 67. The interior space 67" contains a plurality of first pigments 68 of a first color (here white) and a plurality of second pigments 68' of a second color (here black), which are surrounded by a transparent fluid 69, wherein the black pigments 68' are typically positively charged and the white pigments 68 are negatively charged.

[0032] When a positive or negative electric field is activated by applying a voltage to the electrodes 66', 66", the black pigments 68' and the white pigments 68 move to the respective opposite electrodes 66', 66". The quantity of pigment particles that migrates to the upper (transparent) electrode 66' becomes visible to the observer as a black or white dot in the display window 66.

[0033] This example in Fig. The simple e-paper display element 6 shown in Figure 3 is only capable of displaying black and white images. With a plurality of different display spheres containing colored pigments instead of the white pigments 68, colors can also be displayed.

[0034] The display device 6' of the display element 6 can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device 7. For this purpose, the display device 6' is effectively connected to the control device 7 for signal transmission. Fig. In Figure 3, this connection is represented by electrical signal lines 70, 71, which applies when the control device 7 is provided on the display element 6. Alternatively, this connection can also be wireless.

[0035] The control device 7 is equipped with a selection or input device 73 or is preferably connected wirelessly. Using the selection and input device 73, a user can select or set the colors and / or patterns to be displayed on the respective display device 6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65'. The control device 7 then generates corresponding display signals and transmits them to the respective display device 6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65'. The display device 6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65' displays the selected color and / or graphic pattern.

Claims

[1] Cover element adapted for attachment to a vehicle wheel (2) with a wheel hub (20), a wheel rim (22) provided with a rim base (21) for receiving a tire (3), and wheel spokes (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) connecting the wheel hub (20) to the wheel rim (22), wherein the cover element (4) is designed to cover at least one intermediate space (23', 24', 25', 26', 27') between two wheel spokes (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, and wherein the cover element (4) has a display element, characterized bythat the outer surface of the cover element (4) is provided at least in regions with at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) with a display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65') which can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device (7), and wherein the at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) is designed to display colored displays on the display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65'). [2] Cover element according to claim 1, characterized by that the display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65') of the at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) covers the outer surface at least in regions. [3] Cover element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the control device (7) is equipped with or connected to a selection or input device (73) by means of which a user can select or set colors and / or patterns to be displayed on the display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65') of the e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65), and that the control device (7) is designed to then generate corresponding display signals and to transmit them to the display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65'). [4] Cover element according to claim 3, characterized by that the control device (7) is designed to variably adjust the color displayed by the e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65). [5] Cover element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the outer surface of the cover element (4) is provided at least in regions with at least one solar element (8) for generating a supply current for the at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65). [6] Cover element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that, preferably on the inner surface of the cover element (4) facing away from the outer surface, at least one receiving coil (9) of an inductive current transmission device is provided, via which a supply current for the at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) can be transmitted wirelessly from an external power source, preferably from a vehicle's on-board electrical system. [7] Vehicle wheel with a wheel hub (20), a wheel rim (22) provided with a rim base (21) for receiving a tire (3), and wheel spokes (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) connecting the wheel hub (20) to the wheel rim (22), and with at least one cover element (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (4) covers at least one intermediate space (23', 24', 25', 26', 27') between two wheel spokes (23, 24, 25, 26, 27) adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, wherein the cover element (4) has a display element, characterized bythat the outer surface of the cover element (4) is provided at least in regions with at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) with a display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65') which can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device (7), and wherein the at least one e-paper display element (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) is designed to display colored displays on the display device (6', 60', 61', 62', 63', 64', 65'). [8] Motor vehicle with at least one vehicle wheel (2) according to claim 7.

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