Magnetic self-balancing system for wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic balancing system (1) for a motor vehicle wheel, the automatic balancing system (1) comprising a rim (11) comprising an inner flange (112) and a cylindrical bearing surface (111) which extends from the inner flange (112), at least one weight secured to the rim (11), each weight being magnetically coupled to the magnetic rail (12), so as to allow movement of each at least one weight along said magnetic rail (12), a gyroscope (13) secured to the rim (11) and configured to measure an unbalance on the rim (11) during its rotation, each at least one weight being selectively controlled by a control unit in order to be moved along the magnetic rail (12) so as to minimize the unbalance measured by the gyroscope (13). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Magnetic self-balancing system for wheel

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of devices for balancing a motor vehicle wheel. More particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic automatic balancing system.

[0002] In the state of the art, automatic balancing systems are known comprising weights integrated on a wheel formed of a rim and a tire mounted on the rim, the weights being made mobile by means of a hydraulic circuit allowing them to be moved around a periphery of the rim and / or the tire in order to balance the wheel. The movement of the weights is controlled by a gyroscope embedded on the rim and allowing a torque, and in particular an unbalance, to be measured when the wheel is rotated and resulting from a non-uniform and non-symmetrical distribution of a mass of the wheel itself. Thus, in the event of an unbalance being detected by the gyroscope, the hydraulic system moves one of the weights, so as to oppose the imbalance and reduce the effect of the unbalance.

[0003] Many defects and disadvantages associated with these automatic balancing systems are known. Indeed, when driving on degraded roads, or due to the effect of time, such automatic balancing systems can lead to premature wear of the hydraulic system resulting in an oil leak onto the wheel. As a result, the oil leak in turn causes a chemical attack on the parts located near these automatic balancing systems, such as, for example, suspension components or steering components of the running gear, leading to premature wear of these, or even of the tires themselves. In addition, such an oil leak leads to seizure of the weights around the rim and / or the tire, making the automatic balancing system less efficient, or even inoperative.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to propose a new automatic balancing system, in order to respond at least to a large extent to the preceding problems and to lead, in addition, to other advantages.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to reduce the wear of such an automatic balancing system, to make it more robust and more reliable.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to reduce the frequency of intervention to carry out a wheel balancing adjustment.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to reduce vibrations on a running gear and a steering system of a motor vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with an automatic balancing system for a motor vehicle wheel, the automatic balancing system comprising:

[0009] - a rim comprising an inner flange intended to be coupled to a hub of a running gear of the motor vehicle, and a cylindrical bearing which extends from the inner flange, the cylindrical bearing being intended to support a tire mounted around the cylindrical bearing;

[0010] - at least one weight secured to the rim.

[0011] According to the invention, the automatic balancing system further comprises:

[0012] - a magnetic rail secured to the rim, the at least one weight being coupled magnetically to the magnetic rail, so as to allow movement of each at least one weight along said magnetic rail;

[0013] - a gyroscope secured to the rim configured to measure at least one torque on the rim during its rotation;

[0014] - a control unit of the at least one weight configured to move selectively moving at least one of the at least one weight along the magnetic rail, based on a measurement made by the gyroscope.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the rim is intended to be mounted coaxially with the central hub of the wheel. The rim is connected to the central hub via the inner flange forming a radially elongated web, relative to an axis of rotation of the wheel. From the inner flange, at an edge distant from the axis of rotation, called the outer edge, relative to a radial direction of the rim, the rim comprises the cylindrical bearing surface which extends mainly in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. The cylindrical bearing surface thus forms an annular surface which extends around the axis of rotation and from the outer edge of the inner flange. The cylindrical bearing surface makes it possible to support and hold in position the tire forming the wheel. In a general and non-limiting manner, the rim is metallic in order to be able to support the weight of the motor vehicle on which the wheel is intended to be mounted.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the weight is a small-sized mass body that allows the mass of the rim to be increased locally, at the location where the weight is positioned. The invention is not limiting on a shape or dimension of the weight. In the context of the present invention, the weight is a body attached and fixed securely to the rim, via a connection that allows it to move on the rim, preferably at the level of the magnetic rail. Thus, the weight comprises means - attached or not - that allow it to be attached securely to the magnetic rail while allowing translation along said magnetic rail. The automatic balancing system comprises one or several weights, all attached to the magnetic rail and capable of moving along said magnetic rail independently of each other.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the magnetic rail is an element attached to the rim in order to allow the movement of the weight(s) around the axis of rotation of the rim. The magnetic rail preferably forms a closed contour around the axis of rotation of the rim. The magnetic rail is configured to provide magnetic coupling with each at least one weight. For this purpose, the magnetic rail may be of the type generating a magnetic field in order to magnetically couple to it weights formed in a magnetic material, or the magnetic rail may be formed from a material comprising a magnetic material, so that the at least one weight, under the effect of a magnetic field, can be magnetically coupled to the magnetic rail.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the gyroscope is of the type of a gyroscopic sensor configured to measure a rotational speed of the rim when it is mounted on the wheel, and / or to measure a change in rotation of said rim or said wheel. Thus, the gyroscope makes it possible to determine a balancing defect of the wheel, so as to then be able to control a movement of a part of the at least one weight in order to reduce, or even cancel, said balancing defect observed by the gyroscope.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the control unit is configured to selectively move all or part of the at least one weight along the magnetic rail depending on the balance defect observed by the gyroscope. The selective movement of each at least one weight along the magnetic rail can be achieved by any means.

[0020] Thus, the invention according to its first aspect makes it possible to reduce the wear of such an automatic balancing system, to make it more robust and more reliable. Consequently, the invention according to its first aspect makes it possible to reduce the frequency of intervention to carry out an adjustment of the balancing of a wheel equipped with such an automatic balancing system.

[0021] The automatic balancing system according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0022] - the gyroscope is secured to the inner flange of the rim. Preferably, the gyroscope is located near the axis of rotation, on the side of a lower bearing surface of the inner flange, intended to collaborate with a hub of the wheel;

[0023] - the magnetic rail is located at an inner edge of the rim, located on the side of the inner flange. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve a alignment between the weights and the inner flange of the rim, thus optimizing the performance of the automatic balancing system according to the invention. In particular, the magnetic rail is located radially at a distance from the axis of rotation of the rim. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to maximize a length of a closed contour formed by the magnetic rail, and thus optimize the placement of the at least one weight around the axis of rotation of the rim;

[0024] - according to a first variant embodiment, the magnetic rail is fixed integrally to the inner flange, by any means, and in particular by gluing, welding or screwing for example. According to a second embodiment, the magnetic rail is formed directly on and from said inner flange. In other words, the magnetic rail is then made of the same material as the inner flange of the rim;

[0025] - according to a first alternative, each at least one weight is magnetic. In other words, each weight is formed from at least one magnetic material. According to a second alternative, each at least one weight comprises a permanent magnet coupled to it. In this second alternative, each weight comprises a first part formed from a non-magnetic material and a second part formed from a magnetic material - for example the permanent magnet. The first part and the second part of each at least one weight are connected to each other and fixed to it by any means, for example by gluing;

[0026] - each at least one weight comprises an actuator configured to generate a force of the at least one weight on the magnetic rail so as to allow its movement. The actuator thus makes it possible to generate and control the movement of the associated weight along the magnetic rail. The actuator can be of any type. Preferably, the actuator is of the magnetic actuator type. By magnetic actuator, it is understood that the actuator is configured to generate a variable magnetic field or to control its intensity, so as to control the movement of the associated weight along the magnetic rail. By way of non-limiting example, the actuator is of the electromagnet type;

[0027] - according to a first variant, the control unit comprises a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a control signal to at least a portion of the at least one weight in order to control its actuator, each at least one weight comprising a receiver configured to receive the control signal. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to facilitate the control of the actuator associated with each at least one weight, and / or to directly control the movement of each at least one weight along the magnetic rail. By way of non-limiting example, the transmitter and the receiver are of the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi type, or any system for transmitting radio or electromagnetic waves over a short distance;

[0028] - alternatively, according to a second variant, the control unit is connected from wired manner to each at least one weight, so as to be able to transmit a control signal to at least a part of the at least one weight in order to control its actuator.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising at least one running gear, a hub of which is coupled in rotation to a rim of a balancing system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, or according to any one of its improvements, the motor vehicle comprising a tire associated with the rim of each at least one running gear.

[0030] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a system automatic balancing according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] illustrates a front view of the automatic balancing system of [Fig.l];

[0034] [Fig.3] illustrates a sectional view of the automatic balancing system of [Fig.l].

[0035] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0036] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other, if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0037] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0038] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention relates to an automatic balancing system 1 for a motor vehicle wheel, the automatic balancing system 1 comprising:

[0039] - a rim 11 comprising an inner flange 112 intended to be coupled to a hub of a running gear of the motor vehicle, and a cylindrical bearing surface 111 which extends from the inner flange 112, the cylindrical bearing surface 111 being intended to support a tire 14 mounted around the cylindrical bearing surface 111;

[0040] - at least one weight 15 secured to the rim 11;

[0041] - a magnetic rail 12 secured to the rim 11, the at least one weight 15 being magnetically coupled to the magnetic rail 12 so as to be able to be movable in translation along said magnetic rail 12;

[0042] - a gyroscope 13 secured to the rim 11 configured to measure at least one torque on rim 11 during its rotation;

[0043] - a control unit - not visible in the FIGURES - of the at least one weight 15 configured to selectively move at least one of the at least one weight 15 along the magnetic rail 12 based on a measurement made by the gyroscope 13.

[0044] The rim 11 is preferably formed from a metallic material. The rim 11 supports, at a peripheral periphery delimited by its cylindrical bearing surface 111, the tire 14. The combination of the rim 11 and the tire 14 forms a wheel for the motor vehicle. The rim 11 is configured to be able to be coupled in rotation to a hub of the motor vehicle by means of the inner flange 112. The inner flange 112 forms a radially elongated web, relative to an axis of rotation 01 of the wheel. The inner flange 112 extends mainly perpendicular to the axis of rotation 01.

[0045] The cylindrical bearing surface 111 extends from an outer edge of the inner flange 112, in a direction predominantly parallel to the axis of rotation 01. The cylindrical bearing surface thus forms an annular surface which extends around the axis of rotation 01 and makes it possible to support and maintain in position the tire 14 forming the wheel.

[0046] The rim 11 advantageously comprises the magnetic rail 12, in order to couple each at least one weight 15, with the aim of making possible a translation of each at least one weight 15, independently of any other weights 15 present on the magnetic rail 12, around the axis of rotation 01. The magnetic rail 12 thus forms both a support rail and a guide rail for the weight(s) 15 mounted on the rim 11 for the purpose of balancing it.

[0047] For this purpose, the magnetic rail 12 extends circumferentially around the axis of rotation 01, starting from the rim 11. The magnetic rail 12 thus forms a closed contour - preferably circular - around the axis of rotation 01.

[0048] The magnetic rail 12 is preferably attached to the rim 11, and fixed to it by any means, preferably by welding or by gluing.

[0049] The magnetic rail 12 is preferably located on the inner flange 112 of the rim 11, between the lower edge - on the side of the axis of rotation 01 - and the outer edge - on the side of the cylindrical bearing surface 111. Advantageously, the magnetic rail 12 is proximal to the axis of rotation 01, and distal to the cylindrical bearing surface 111.

[0050] Each weight 15 is thus coupled to the magnetic rail 12, so as to be translatable along said magnetic rail 12. Advantageously, each weight 15 is magnetically coupled to the guide rail. For this purpose, either the weight 15 is formed of a magnetic material, or the weight 15 comprises a magnetic part, added or made of its own material. For example, the weight 15 may be formed or be associated with - that is to say fixed integrally to - a permanent magnet.

[0051] In contrast, the magnetic rail 12 is also sensitive to such a magnetic effect. According to an alternative embodiment, the magnetic rail 12 is configured to generate a configurable and controllable magnetic field in order to be able to selectively control a movement of each weight 15 along said magnetic rail 12. Alternatively, according to another alternative embodiment, the magnetic rail 12 is formed or comprises a magnetic element - for example a permanent magnet - so as to allow magnetic coupling with the associated weight(s) 15.

[0052] The gyroscope 13 is a gyroscopic sensor configured to measure an unbalance effect of the rim 11 when, equipped with a tire 14 and rotating about its axis of rotation 01, it has a non-symmetrical distribution of its mass about the axis of rotation 01. The gyroscope 13 is fixed integrally to the rim 11, preferably close to the axis of rotation 01. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in the FIGURE, the gyroscope 13 is integral with the inner flange 112 of the rim 11. Preferably, the gyroscope 13 is located close to the axis of rotation 01, on the side of a lower bearing surface 113 of the inner flange 112, intended to collaborate with the hub of the wheel.

[0053] The automatic balancing system 1 according to the invention thus operates in the following manner: when the gyroscope 13 detects an unbalance effect on the wheel during its rotation, the control unit sends a control signal to at least one of the weight(s) 15 equipping the magnetic rail 12. Alternatively, the control signal can also be sent to the magnetic rail 12. Generally speaking, the control signal is sent to an actuator selectively controlling each weight 15 mounted on the rim 11 and coupled to the magnetic rail 12.

[0054] The actuator is configured to generate a relative displacement of the weight 15 associated along the magnetic rail 12. The actuator is controlled by the gyroscope 13, via the control unit. The communication between the gyroscope 13, the control unit and the corresponding actuator can be of the wired or wireless type.

[0055] Reception of the control signal by the actuator leads to a movement of the corresponding weight 15 along the magnetic rail 12, so as to reduce a amplitude of the unbalance measured by the gyroscope 13. A control loop makes it possible to determine the amplitude of such a displacement, and its direction along the magnetic rail 12, so as to minimize, or even cancel, the unbalance effect measured by the gyroscope 13.

[0056] In summary, the invention relates to an automatic balancing system 1 for a motor vehicle wheel, the automatic balancing system 1 comprising a rim 11 comprising an inner flange 112 and a cylindrical bearing surface 111 which extends from the inner flange 112, at least one weight 15 secured to the rim 11, each weight 15 being magnetically coupled to the magnetic rail 12, so as to allow movement of each at least one weight 15 along said magnetic rail 12, a gyroscope 13 secured to the rim 11 and configured to measure an unbalance on the rim 11 during its rotation, each at least one weight 15 being selectively controlled by a control unit in order to be moved along the magnetic rail 12 so as to minimize the unbalance measured by the gyroscope 13.

[0057] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Automatic balancing system (1) for a motor vehicle wheel, the automatic balancing system (1) comprising: - a rim (11) comprising an inner flange (112) intended to be coupled to a hub of a running gear of the motor vehicle, and a cylindrical bearing surface (111) which extends from the inner flange (112), the cylindrical bearing surface (111) being intended to support a tire (14) mounted around the cylindrical bearing surface (111); - at least one weight (15) secured to the rim (11); - a magnetic rail (12) secured to the rim (11), the at least one weight (15) being magnetically coupled to the magnetic rail (12), so as to allow movement of each at least one weight (15) along said magnetic rail (12); - a gyroscope (13) secured to the rim (11) configured to measure at least one torque on the rim (11) during its rotation;and - a control unit of the at least one weight (15) configured to selectively move at least one of the at least one weight (15) along the magnetic rail (12) according to a measurement carried out by the gyroscope (13), characterized in that each at least one weight (15) comprises a permanent magnet coupled to it.;

2. Automatic balancing system (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the magnetic rail (12) is located at an inner edge (114) of the rim (11), located on the side of the flange.

3. Automatic balancing system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each at least one weight (15) comprises an actuator configured to generate a force of the at least one weight (15) on the magnetic rail (12) so as to allow its movement.

4. Automatic balancing system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuator is of the magnetic actuator type.

5. Automatic balancing system (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the control unit comprises a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a control signal to at least a portion of the at least one weight (15) in order to control its actuator, each at least one weight (15) comprising a receiver configured to receive the control signal.

6. Automatic balancing system (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, in which the control unit is wired to each at least one weight (15) so as to be able to transmit a control signal to at least a part of the at least one weight (15) in order to control its actuator.

7. Motor vehicle comprising at least one running gear, a hub of which is rotationally coupled to a rim (11) of an automatic balancing system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the motor vehicle comprising a tire (14) associated with the rim (11) of each at least one running gear.

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