MOTOR VEHICLE WHEEL WITH A SELF-BALANCING SYSTEM INCLUDING A VACUUM PUMP

Abstract

MOTOR VEHICLE WHEEL WITH A SELF-BALANCING SYSTEM COMPRISING A VACUUM PUMP The present invention relates to a dynamic balancing device (4) for a motor vehicle wheel, comprising: - a ring (10) intended to be housed against an inner face of an annular wall of the wheel, receiving a tire, said ring forming at least one channel (11) housing at least one balancing weight (12) adapted to move along said channel; remarkable in that the dynamic balancing device further comprises: - a vacuum pump (14) disposed at a center of the ring; and - radial channels (16, 18) fluidically connecting the vacuum pump and the at least one channel; and said vacuum pump being configured to generate air circulation along at least one channel, selectively, in one direction (a) or an opposite direction (b), so as to move at least one weight. (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE WHEEL WITH A SELF-BALANCING SYSTEM INCLUDING A VACUUM PUMP technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of wheel balancing devices for motor vehicles. Prior art

[0002] Conventionally, motor vehicle wheels incorporate adhesive weights on their peripheral surface to ensure tire balancing. This is a static balancing method requiring specialized equipment and qualified operators. However, static balancing by bonding adhesive weights presents a risk of detachment of these weights and is ineffective on poor road surfaces.

[0003] Indeed, the wheels can become unbalanced in the event of strong vibrations of the motor vehicle caused, for example, when driving on a poor road surface. Such an imbalance can cause uneven tire wear, excessive wear of bearings and suspension and steering components, as well as wear of other vehicle components.

[0004] Published patent document US 3,164,413 A1 discloses a wheel balancing device capable of providing dynamic balancing during the movement of the motor vehicle, said device comprising steel balls embedded in a damping fluid contained in a peripheral tube, the fluid allowing the movement of the balls to be restricted.

[0005] However, the solution proposed by the document has room for improvement, as the movement of the balls in the peripheral tube lacks stability and precision, which can lead to an imbalance of the wheel of the motor vehicle. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a simple, efficient, and economical solution for ensuring self-balancing of the wheels of a motor vehicle in order to protect its components from excessive wear.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a dynamic balancing device for a motor vehicle wheel, comprising: - a ring intended to be housed against an inner face of an annular wall of the wheel, receiving a pneumatic tire, said ring forming at least one channel housing at least one balancing weight capable of moving along said channel; remarkable in that the dynamic balancing device further comprises: - a vacuum pump disposed at a center of the ring; and - radial pipes fluidically connecting the vacuum pump and at least one channel; and said vacuum pump being configured to generate air circulation along at least one channel, selectively, in one direction or opposite direction, so as to move at least one weight.

[0008] According to one embodiment, at least one channel extends over at least one circumferential portion of the ring and includes two circumferential ends, and the radial channels include a specific radial channel fluidically connected to each of said circumferential ends, said dynamic balancing device further comprising airflow control means configured to permit airflow selectively to move at least one weight in at least one channel.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the at least one channel comprises three channels extending over distinct circumferential portions of the ring, each of said three channels housing a specific weight of the at least one weight and comprising two circumferential ends, and the radial channels comprise a specific radial channel fluidically connected to each of the ends of the three channels, said dynamic balancing device further comprising airflow control means configured to permit airflow selectively to move the at least one weight in the at least one channel.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the air circulation control means are arranged at the level of the vacuum pump and / or at the radial pipes.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the air circulation control means comprising at least one solenoid valve for managing air circulation at the radial ducts.

[0012] According to one embodiment, said device further comprising electronic control means capable of detecting an imbalance of the wheel during a rotation around a central axis of said wheel, said electronic control means communicating with the air circulation control means.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the electronic control means include a gyroscopic sensor and a microcontroller configured to electrically control the air circulation control means, and the central vacuum pump.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the microcontroller is connected to the means of air circulation control via radio waves.

[0015] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle wheel comprising a rim receiving a tire, said rim comprising: - a central hub comprising a central axle intended to be confused with an axle of a motor vehicle suspension, in normal mounting position; - an annular wall connected to the central hub by means of a plurality of arms, said hips and the central hub forming an inner part of the rim, adjacent to an inner face of the annular wall; remarkable in that the wheel includes, on the inner part, a dynamic balancing device according to the invention.

[0016] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising four wheels, each of the wheels being provided with a rim fixed to a suspension axle of said motor vehicle, remarkable in that at least one of the wheels is according to the invention.

[0017] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the dynamic balancing device makes it possible to ensure self-balancing of each of the wheels of the motor vehicle instantaneously, and this without requiring the use of special tools.

[0018] The vacuum pump, using the air circulation control means, ensures precise movement of the weight in the circumferential portion of the ring, thus improving the accuracy of the balancing adjustment of the wheel of the invention.

[0019] In addition, the flattened shape of the weights ensures a fluid and responsive movement in the channel, which increases the reliability of the device.

[0020] Wheel balancing by the device of the invention makes it possible to effectively limit the vibrations of the motor vehicle and thus increase the lifespan of its various components. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a motor vehicle wheel comprising a dynamic balancing device according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the dynamic balancing device of [Fig.1]. Detailed description

[0023] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a wheel 2 of a motor vehicle comprising a dynamic balancing device 4 according to the invention.

[0024] The wheel 2 comprises a rim 6 receiving a tire 8 and comprising a central hub 6.1 having a central axle A intended to coincide with an axle of a motor vehicle suspension.

[0025] The rim 6 also includes an annular wall 6.2 connected to the central hub 6.1 by means of a plurality of arms 6.3. The latter two have an inner part 6.4 of the rim 6 adjacent to an inner face 6.5 of the annular wall 6.2.

[0026] Advantageously, the dynamic balancing device 4 is located on the inner part 6.4 of the rim 6. Said device 4 being capable of detecting a problem of imbalance of the wheel 2 and of ensuring its dynamic balancing during the driving of the motor vehicle.

[0027] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the dynamic balancing device 4 of Figure 1. It advantageously comprises a ring 10 intended to be housed against the inner face 6.5 of the annular wall 6.2 of Figure 1.

[0028] The ring 10 forms at least one channel 11 in which at least one balancing weight 12 moves. The ring 10 preferably comprises two rails on which the at least one weight 12 slides, the latter having a flattened rectangular shape and a curved profile following an arc of a circle having the same radius as the ring 10 from its central axis A. This ensures a smooth and concise movement of the at least one weight 12. Advantageously, the latter moves in the at least one channel 11 by means of an air displacement contained within the channel 11.

[0029] In this regard, the balancing device 4 includes a vacuum pump 14 disposed in the center of the ring 10, and radial channels 16, 18 fluidically connecting the vacuum pump 14 and at least one channel 11, and air circulation control means (not shown) configured to generate air circulation along at least one channel 11, selectively, in a direction "a" or an opposite direction "b", so as to move at least one weight 12 according to the balancing requirement of the wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0030] The vacuum pump 14 is capable of creating a vacuum by extracting air from at least one channel 11 by means of radial channels 16 or 18, allowing the weight 12 to move in the direction of air intake. In this respect, the pump 14 may also be capable of returning the extracted air to at least one channel 11 containing the moving weight 12, so as to close the air circulation circuit and thus form an air loop that facilitates the movement of the weight 12 and improves the accuracy of wheel balancing.

[0031] The vacuum pump 14, although illustrated in [Fig.2] in the center of the balancing device 4, can be slightly offset from the central axis A in order to allow the passage of a shaft belonging to the suspension of the motor vehicle ensuring the connection to the wheel.

[0032] Preferably, the air circulation control means comprise at least one air circulation control solenoid valve located at the radial pipes 16, 18, and which may be disposed in the vacuum pump 14, or at the level of said pipes. radial lisations 16, 18.

[0033] The balancing device 4 also includes electronic control means 20 capable of detecting an imbalance of the wheel during a rotation around its central axis A, and preferably include a gyroscopic sensor and a microcontroller configured to electrically control at least one solenoid valve for managing air circulation at the radial pipes 16, 18.

[0034] The gyroscopic sensor and the microcontroller 20 are preferably joined and integrated into a recess provided in the central hub 6.1 of the rim 6 of the [Fig.1].

[0035] Advantageously, the microcontroller communicates with at least one solenoid valve via radio waves, and more preferably via Bluetooth and / or a Wi-Fi network. Thus, under driving conditions, the vacuum pump 14 preferably comprises a rotor mechanically driven by the rotation of the wheel, enabling the pump 14 to draw air from at least one channel 11 at any time. In this configuration, the solenoid valves only allow air to circulate through the radial channels 16, 18 if the gyroscope detects an imbalance. Upon such detection, the microcontroller commands the opening of the corresponding solenoid valve to move the weight 12, along one of two directions a or b, to a precise position along the corresponding channel 11.

[0036] The number of channels 11 in the ring 10 can be between 1 and 5. Indeed, a first embodiment of the invention can, for example, comprise a single channel 11, or two channels 11, each housing a weight 12 moving along said channel 11. In this configuration, the dynamic balancing device 4 can advantageously complete the balance of a statically balanced wheel in which conventional adhesive masses have been previously used.

[0037] More preferably, the dynamic balancing device 4 of the present invention comprises three channels 11 in the ring 10, and allows for the complete replacement of conventional static balancing. Indeed, since each of the three channels 11 is distributed at 120° with respect to the central axis A and comprises a weight 12 of identical mass, the wheel maintains constant balance while the vehicle is in motion. Thus, as soon as an imbalance is detected, the circumferential displacement of at least one of the three weights 12, towards a precise position dictated by the microcontroller, will allow the mass balance to return to equilibrium and thus ensure the wheel is balanced.

[0038] The three channels 11 correspond to angular sectors or distinct circumferential portions of the ring 10, and can be separated by partitions 22 so as to close each circumferential portion and allow a sealed and closed air circuit between the vacuum pump 14 and the channel 11, passing through the channels radial lisations 16, 18. This allows the independent movement of each of the three weights 12.

[0039] Each of the three channels 11 comprises two circumferential ends 16.1 and 18.1 connected respectively to the corresponding radial channel 16, 18. For this purpose, the weight 12 is included in the closed and sealed circuit comprising the channel 11 and the two channels 16 and 18, in which one channel 16 or 18 provides the intake of air from the channel 11 and the other the discharge of air towards said channel 11.

[0040] Advantageously, the dynamic balancing device 4 according to the invention makes it possible to ensure the balancing of each wheel of the motor vehicle instantaneously, and this without requiring the use of special tools.

[0041] Wheel balancing by the device of the invention makes it possible to effectively limit the vibrations of the motor vehicle and thus increase the lifespan of its various components: tires, bearings, suspension components, steering components, etc.

Claims

Claims

1. Dynamic balancing device (4) for a motor vehicle wheel (2), comprising: - a ring (10) intended to be housed against an inner face (6.5) of an annular wall (6.2) of the wheel, receiving a tire (8), said ring (10) forming at least one channel (11) housing at least one balancing weight (12) capable of moving along said channel; characterized in that the dynamic balancing device (4) further comprises: - a vacuum pump (14) arranged at a center of the ring (10); and - radial pipes (16, 18) fluidically connecting the vacuum pump (14) and the at least one channel (11); and said vacuum pump (14) being configured to generate an air circulation along the at least one channel (11), selectively, in a direction (a) or an opposite direction (b), so as to move the at least one weight (12).

2. A dynamic balancing device (4) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel (11) extends over at least a circumferential portion of the ring (10) and comprises two circumferential ends, and the radial ducts (16, 18) comprise a specific radial duct (16, 18) fluidly connected to each of said circumferential ends, said dynamic balancing device (4) further comprising airflow control means configured to selectively allow airflow to move the at least one weight (12) in the at least one channel (11).

3. A dynamic balancing device (4) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one channel (11) comprises three channels (11) extending over distinct circumferential portions of the ring (10), each of said three channels (11) housing a specific weight (12) of the at least one weight (12) and comprising two circumferential ends, and the radial ducts (16, 18) comprise a specific radial duct (16, 18) fluidly connected to each of the ends of the three channels (11), said dynamic balancing device (4) further comprising airflow control means configured to selectively allow airflow to move the at least one weight (12) in at least one channel (11).

4. Dynamic balancing device (4) according to one of claims 2 and 3, in which the air circulation control means are arranged at the level of the vacuum pump (14) and / or in line with the radial pipes (16, 18).

5. Dynamic balancing device (4) according to one of claims 2 to 4, in which the air circulation control means comprise at least one solenoid valve for managing the air circulation in line with the radial pipes (16, 18).

6. Dynamic balancing device (4) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said device (4) further comprises electronic control means (20) capable of detecting an unbalance of the wheel (2) during rotation around a central axis (A) of said wheel (2), said electronic control means (20) communicating with the air circulation control means.

7. A dynamic balancing device (4) according to claim 6, wherein the electronic control means (20) comprises a gyroscopic sensor and a microcontroller configured to electrically control the air circulation control means, and the central vacuum pump (14).

8. Dynamic balancing device (4) according to claim 7, wherein the microcontroller is connected to the air circulation control means by radio waves.

9. Motor vehicle wheel (2) comprising a rim (6) receiving a tire (8), said rim (6) comprising: - a central hub (6.1) comprising a central axis (A) intended to be merged with an axis of a motor vehicle suspension, in the normal mounting position; - an annular wall (6.2) connected to the central hub by means of a plurality of branches (6.3), said hips (6.3) and the central hub (6.1) forming an inner part (6.4) of the rim (6), adjacent to an inner face (6.5) of the annular wall (6.2); characterized in that the wheel (2) comprises, at right angles to the inner part (6.4), a dynamic balancing device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle comprising four wheels (2), each of the wheels (2) being provided with a rim (6) fixed to a suspension axle of said motor vehicle, characterized in that at least one of the wheels (2) being according to claim 9.

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