Wheel for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, which has a wheel hub (2) arranged centrally in the wheel (1), a wheel rim (5) arranged radially in the circumferential region (4) of the wheel (1), and a wheel disc (6) arranged in the intermediate region between the wheel hub (2) and the wheel rim (5) According to the invention, it is provided that the wheel disc (6) is divided into at least two movable disc segments (7) separated from one another by a separating gap (8), wherein an actuator (10) integrated in the wheel hub (2) is connected to the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) via connecting elements (11). The angular position of the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) can be changed when the actuator (10) is controlled via the connecting elements (11).

Description

[0001] Wheel for a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a wheel for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] DE 10 2008 007 690 A1 discloses a rim for a motor vehicle wheel with closable ventilation openings. An adjusting device is provided for opening and closing these ventilation openings, wherein the ventilation openings, when open, are designed to allow air to flow through them in the axial direction toward the wheel axis.

[0004] DE 10 2013 114 476 A1 describes a locking system for wheel openings of a vehicle, in which the wheel openings can be selectively closed by means of two pivoting panels.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 204 656 A1 discloses a rim arrangement for a vehicle wheel in which a rotatable cover disc can be rotated into two different positions by means of an actuator on the rim.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a wheel for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned above which can be operated in two different operating states in a simple and process-reliable manner.

[0007] This object is achieved in such a wheel for a motor vehicle with the features of patent claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the further patent claims. According to the invention, the wheel disc of the motor vehicle wheel, which is arranged between the wheel hub and the wheel rim and is made of a dimensionally stable, preferably rigid, temperature-resistant, and wear-free material, is divided into two or more preferably equally sized movable disc segments; that is, the surface of the wheel disc forming a full circle is divided into two or more, preferably equally sized, circular sectors. Due to the stated choice of material for the wheel disc and thus also for the movable disc segments of the wheel disc, these retain their predetermined contour even while the motor vehicle is moving. The respective disc segments or circular sectors of the wheel disc of the motor vehicle wheel are each separated from one another by a separating gap.This separation gap between the disc segments can be filled with a filling layer made of an elastic material, i.e. an elastic connecting layer, so that a completely closed surface of the wheel disc is realized on the basis of two materials with different material properties.

[0009] Alternatively, the gap between the disc segments of the wheel disc can remain, for example, for design reasons to make the wheel spokes visible. In this case, the gap between the disc segments is not filled, and the partially enclosed wheel disc is therefore made of a single, uniform, dimensionally stable material.

[0010] An actuator is integrated into the wheel hub, which is centrally located in the wheel and connected to a vehicle axle. This actuator is connected to all movable disc segments of the wheel disc via connecting elements, particularly in the form of tilting joints or swivel joints. These connecting elements can be actuated by the deflection of the actuator, for example an electromagnetic actuator, and thereby the angular positions of all movable disc segments can be changed simultaneously. In particular, the movable disc segments can be tilted, so that an air gap (annular gap) is formed between the edge area of ​​the disc segments adjacent to the wheel rim and the wheel rim. A convective air flow can reach the rear of the wheel through this air gap (annular gap).Such an air gap (annular gap) is created using the procedure described above, particularly when a critical operating temperature is reached at the brakes or a critical temperature value is reached on the rear of the wheel in certain driving situations. This air gap (annular gap) can also be implemented in different ways depending on the shape of the wheel disc and thus the movable disc segments of the wheel disc.

[0011] For example, the disc segments having a flat (planar) contour can be brought into a convex contour or into a concave contour, whereby an air gap is formed between the edge region of the disc segments adjacent to the wheel rim and the wheel rim.

[0012] Alternatively, the disc segments with a concave contour can be shaped into a flat (planar) contour or a convex contour, which also creates an air gap between the edge region of the disc segments adjacent to the wheel rim and the wheel rim. Alternatively, the disc segments with a convex contour can be shaped into a flat (planar) contour or a concave contour, which also creates an air gap between the edge region of the disc segments adjacent to the wheel rim and the wheel rim.

[0013] The actuator integrated in the wheel hub is wirelessly controlled by a control unit of the motor vehicle using a control signal. A control signal is generated to move (disengage or engage) the actuator and thus also to change the disc segments of the wheel disc in a specific operating state of the motor vehicle, in particular when the brakes of the motor vehicle are in a specific critical operating state. In particular, when a (critical) temperature threshold is reached in the area of ​​the brakes of the motor vehicle, the actuator is controlled accordingly, which changes the angular position of the disc segments so that an air gap (annular gap) of, for example, 20 mm to 50 mm is created between the edge area of ​​the disc segments adjacent to the wheel rim and the wheel rim at the disc edge of the disc segments of the wheel disc.

[0014] To tilt the disc segments of the wheel disc, these disc segments are preferably arranged between the wheel spokes using movable bearing points, such as elastomer joints or ball joints, and are connected to the wheel spokes via fastening elements. When the actuator is deflected, the opening angle of the edge area of ​​the disc segments of the wheel disc can thus assume two different values: when the edge area of ​​the disc segments is closed, and when the edge area of ​​the disc segments is open.

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the two figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0016] Showing:

[0017] Fig. 1 A schematic plan view of the wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0018] Fig. 2 A sectional view of a portion of the wheel of the motor vehicle showing the two different operating states of the wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0019] According to Figure 1, the wheel 1 of a motor vehicle designed, for example, as a fully electric vehicle (BEV), shown in plan view, has a wheel hub 2 located centrally in the wheel 1, which is connected to an axle of the motor vehicle.

[0020] The wheel rim 5 is arranged circumferentially on the peripheral circumferential area 4 of the wheel 1, on which a tire of the motor vehicle (not shown in Figure 1) and thus on the wheel 1 can be mounted.

[0021] Furthermore, between the wheel hub 2 and the wheel rim 5 of the wheel, there is the wheel disc 6, made of a dimensionally stable material, for example a flat one. The wheel disc 6, manufactured for example by means of an injection molding or casting process, consists for example of a plastic such as a thermoplastic or duroplastic, or of a light metal such as aluminum or magnesium. This circular wheel disc 6 is divided, as shown in Figure 1, into four equally sized areas as movable disc segments 7 or circular sectors, each of which thus approximately occupies a quarter circle of the surface of the wheel 1. Due to the division of the wheel disc 6 into the movable disc segments 7, the disc segments 7 also have the same dimensionally stable material properties as the entire wheel disc 6.

[0022] The separation gap 8 between adjacent disc segments 7 is filled, for example, with an elastic connecting layer, i.e., a filler layer 9 made of an elastic material, for example, with an elastomer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or silicone, or with a rubber-like material. This ensures that the wheel 1 is fully covered, despite the segmentation of the wheel disc 6 into several disc segments 7. The wheel disc 6 therefore consists of regions with different material properties, namely the regions of the disc segments 7 with a dimensionally stable material and the regions of the filler layer 9 with an elastic material.

[0023] An electromagnetic actuator 10 with a cover cap 3 is also integrated into the wheel hub 2 (see also Figure 2). This actuator is connected to all four disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 via connecting elements 11 and can specify two different angular positions of the disc segments 7 depending on the respective operating state. These two different operating states or angular positions of the movable disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 are evident from the sectional view in Figure 2, which shows the upper part of the wheel 1.

[0024] The electromagnetic actuator 10 integrated in the wheel hub 2 is connected to the disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 via connecting elements 11 designed, for example, as rotary joints, wherein the movable disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 are in turn connected to the wheel spokes 18 via movable bearing points such as, for example, by means of ball joints 12 via fastening elements designed, for example, as flange elements.

[0025] Furthermore, according to Figure 2, holes 19 for wheel bolts are provided in the wheel spokes 18 and the area of ​​the wheel rim 5 located in the middle of the rim flanges (of the outer flange of the wheel 1) serves as the rim base 20. In one operating state, i.e. in normal driving operation of the motor vehicle designed, for example, as a fully electric vehicle (BEV), the electromagnetic actuator 8 is, for example, in the disengaged position 13 and the disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 thus lie flat, in particular also in their edge region 16, i.e. the disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 form a fully closed cover of the wheel 1. As a result, the drag coefficient (cW value) of the wheel 1 and thus of the motor vehicle is not negatively influenced.

[0026] In the other operating state, i.e. during strong braking of the motor vehicle, for example a fully electric vehicle (BEV), or if the brake discs of the motor vehicle become very hot during driving, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is moved into the engaged position 14. The travel path 15 of the electromagnetic actuator 10 between the disengaged position 13 and the engaged position 14 is, for example, approximately 40 mm. When the electromagnetic actuator 10 moves into the engaged position 14, the disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 are also tilted by a specific angle of, for example, 10° via the connecting elements 11, so that an air gap 17 (annular gap) is formed between the edge region 16 of the disc segments 7 adjacent to the wheel rim 5 and the wheel rim 5.For example, this creates an air gap 17 (annular gap) of approximately 30 mm between the edge region 16 of the disc segments 7 adjacent to the wheel rim 5 and the wheel rim 5, which allows an air flow and thus a convective flow to reach the rear of the wheel, which ensures effective cooling of the brake discs of the motor vehicle located there.

[0027] The control of the electromagnetic actuator 10 and thus the adjustment (tilting) of the disc segments 7 of the wheel disc 6 is carried out via a control unit of the motor vehicle, which wirelessly supplies the electromagnetic actuator 10 with corresponding control signals.

[0028] In particular, if a predetermined threshold value for the operating temperature of the motor vehicle's brakes or a predetermined threshold value for the temperature on the back of wheel 1 is reached during driving of the motor vehicle, the control signal for engaging the electromagnetic actuator 10 is output, thereby forming the air gap 17 (annular gap). If a further threshold value for the operating temperature of the motor vehicle's brakes or a further threshold value for the temperature on the back of wheel 1 is again undershot, the control signal for disengaging the electromagnetic actuator 10 into the disengaged position 13 is output, thereby closing the air gap 17 (annular gap) again, so that a fully closed cover of the wheel 1 with the disc segments 7 and the filler layers 9 is formed, which in turn positively influences the drag coefficient (Cd value).

Claims

Claims: Wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel hub (2) arranged centrally in the wheel (1), a wheel rim (5) arranged radially in the circumferential region (4) of the wheel (1), and a wheel disc (6) arranged in the intermediate region between the wheel hub (2) and the wheel rim (5), characterized in that the wheel disc (6) is divided into at least two movable disc segments (7) separated from each other by a separating gap (8), that an actuator (10) integrated in the wheel hub (2) is connected to the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) via connecting elements (11), and that the angular position of the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) can be changed when the actuator (10) is actuated via the connecting elements (11).Wheel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) can be tilted when the actuator (10) is actuated via the connecting elements (11), thereby creating an air gap (17) between the edge region (16) of the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) adjacent to the wheel rim (5) and the wheel rim (5). Wheel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting elements (11) between the actuator (10) and the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) are designed as tilting joints or pivot joints. Wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the separating gap (8) between the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) is filled with a filler layer (9) made of an elastic material. Wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) are made of a dimensionally stable material. Wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) have a planar contour and, when the actuator (10) is actuated via the connecting elements (11), can be changed into a convex or a concave contour, in which an air gap (17) is formed between the edge region (16) of the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) adjacent to the wheel rim (5) and the wheel rim (5).Wheel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) have a concave contour and, when the actuator (10) is actuated via the connecting elements (11), can be changed into a planar contour or a convex contour in which an air gap (17) is formed between the edge region (16) of the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) adjacent to the wheel rim (5) and the wheel rim (5). Wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) have a convex contour and, when the actuator (10) is actuated via the connecting elements (11), can be changed to a planar contour or a concave contour in which an air gap (17) is formed between the edge region (16) of the movable disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) adjacent to the wheel rim (5) and the wheel rim (5). Wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuator (10) can be wirelessly actuated via a control unit of the motor vehicle by means of a control signal. Wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the disc segments (7) of the wheel disc (6) are connected to the wheel spokes (18) by means of elastomer joints or ball joints.

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