ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATOR HUB COVER

Abstract

The invention relates to a hubcap (30) for generating electrical energy, comprising: - an aesthetic part (31) rotationally linked with said wheel hub, - a dynamic part (38) mounted freely to rotate about an axis (39) fixed relative to the aesthetic part (31), said dynamic part (38) comprising an alternator rotor associated with an alternator stator mounted on the axis (39), and - a coupling device (45) mounted between the dynamic part (38) and the aesthetic part (31) capable of selectively assuming: - a coupled state in which the dynamic part (38) is rotationally linked with the aesthetic part (31), and - an uncoupled state in which the dynamic part (38) is free to rotate relative to the aesthetic part (31) such that a rotation of the alternator rotor relative to the alternator stator generates an electric current to recharge a battery. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATING HUB COVER

[0001] The present invention relates to a hubcap that generates electrical energy. The invention finds particularly advantageous application with electric motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, construction equipment, buses, or tractors. However, the invention can also be implemented with hybrid or internal combustion engine vehicles.

[0002] In a manner known per se, an electric motor vehicle comprises a rotating electric machine mounted on a wheel assembly, in particular the front wheel assembly. A speed reducer makes it possible to make the high rotational speed of the rotating electric machine compatible with the rotational speed of the wheels.

[0003] The rotating electric machine is capable of transforming electrical energy from the battery into mechanical energy to provide traction for the vehicle. The rotating electric machine is also capable of operating in a generator mode in which the electric machine transforms, particularly during a regenerative braking phase, the kinetic energy of the motor vehicle into electrical energy to recharge the battery.

[0004] The invention aims in particular to optimize the recovery of kinetic energy by integrating an alternator inside a wheel hub cover of a motor vehicle.

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to an electrically generating hubcap for a vehicle comprising: - an aesthetic part intended to cover at least a central portion of a wheel hub and to be rotationally linked to said wheel hub, - a dynamic part mounted to rotate freely around an axis fixed relative to the aesthetic part, said dynamic part comprising an alternator rotor associated with an alternator stator mounted on the axis, and - a coupling device mounted between the dynamic part and the aesthetic part, capable of selectively taking: - a coupled state in which the dynamic part is rotationally linked to the aesthetic part, and - a decoupled state in which the dynamic part is free to rotate relative to the aesthetic part, so that a rotation of the alternator rotor relative to the alternator stator allows to generate an electric current to recharge a battery.

[0006] The invention thus makes it possible to recover additional electrical energy during particular driving phases of the motor vehicle, in particular braking or deceleration phases but also during driving phases at constant speed.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprises spring electromagnets.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spring electromagnets are carried by the dynamic part.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spring electromagnets are configured such that when said spring electromagnets are not electrically powered, said spring electromagnets bear against a wall of the aesthetic part so that the coupling device is in the coupled state and when said spring electromagnets are electrically powered, the springs of the electromagnets are compressed so that the coupling device is in the uncoupled state.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, a control module is configured to control a current being sent from a battery to the electromagnets in order to ensure a current supply to said electromagnets, so that the current sent by the battery to the electromagnets is sent only for a few milliseconds while the coupling device goes into the uncoupled state and the dynamic part begins to rotate, thereafter the maintenance of the current to the electromagnets being ensured by a part of the electric current generated by the dynamic part and the alternator stator.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, a control module is configured to control the maintenance of the power supply to the electromagnets by a part of an electric current produced by the alternator.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, a control module is configured to switch the coupling device from the coupled state to the uncoupled state when a driver releases an accelerator pedal, or when the driver presses a brake pedal, or when a vehicle speed becomes greater than a threshold speed or periodically during a journey at constant speed.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the aesthetic part includes a decorative motif and / or a logo.

[0014] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a wheel equipped with a hub and a hub cover as previously defined.

[0015] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly as previously defined.

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. These figures are given only to illustrate, but in no way limit, the invention.

[0017] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle equipped with covers hubs generating electrical energy according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] is a rear perspective view of a power-generating hub cover electric according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.3] is a front view of an electrical energy generating hub cover according to the invention.

[0020] [Fig.4a] [Fig.4b] are schematic cross-sectional representations of a hubcap electric power generator according to the invention having respectively a coupling device in the coupled state and in the uncoupled state.

[0021] Identical, similar, or analogous elements retain the same reference from one figure to another.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 comprising a front wheel assembly 11 with front wheels 11.1, 11.2 and a rear wheel assembly 12 with rear wheels 12.1, 12.2. A powertrain 13 includes a rotating electric machine 15 mounted on the front wheel assembly 11. A speed reducer 16 is associated with the rotating electric machine 15. The speed reducer 16 makes the high rotational speed of the rotating electric machine 15 compatible with the rotational speed of the vehicle's wheels. The speed reducer 16 incorporates a speed differential.

[0023] A battery 23 is electrically connected to the rotating electrical machine 15.

[0024] The rotating electric machine 15 is capable of transforming electrical energy from the battery 23 into mechanical energy to provide traction for the vehicle. The rotating electric machine 15 is also capable of operating in a generator mode in which the rotating electric machine 15 transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy to recharge the battery 23, particularly during a regenerative braking phase.

[0025] To this end, an inverter 24 associated with the rotating electrical machine 15 is capable of transforming the DC voltage of the battery 23 into a polyphase voltage applied to the phases of the rotating electrical machine 15 in the case of motor operation. The inverter 24 is also capable of transforming the polyphase voltage generated by the rotating electrical machine 15 into a DC voltage applied to the terminals of the battery 23 in the case of alternator operation. The inverter 24 then functions as a voltage rectifier bridge.

[0026] At least one wheel 11.1, 11.2, 12.1, 12.2, preferably all the wheels of the motor vehicle include a hubcap 30 electric power generator shown in figures 2, 3, 4a and 4b.

[0027] The hubcap 30 includes an aesthetic piece 31 intended to cover at least a central portion of a wheel hub 32 (see Figures 4a and 4b). The aesthetic piece 31 includes at least one disc-shaped portion. The aesthetic piece 31 may include a decorative motif and / or a logo, as shown in [Fig. 3].

[0028] The aesthetic component 31 is intended to be rotationally connected to the wheel hub 32. For this purpose, the aesthetic component 31 includes a fastening device 33 equipped with tabs 35 arranged around a circumference of the aesthetic component 31. The tabs 35 are designed to engage with a radially inner face of the wheel hub 32 by snapping. The disc-shaped portion of the aesthetic component 31, the fastening device 33, and a shaft 39 preferably form a single unit. The various elements may be formed from a single piece of material or attached to each other by fastening.

[0029] The hub cover 30 also includes a dynamic part 38 mounted to rotate freely about the axis 39, which is fixed relative to the aesthetic part 31. The dynamic part 38 includes an alternator rotor 41 associated with an alternator stator 42 mounted on the axis 39. The alternator stator 42 may be arranged around the axis 39 or integrated within an internal volume of the axis 39. The dynamic part 38 preferably includes permanent magnets. The alternator stator 42 is a single-phase or polyphase wound stator.

[0030] A coupling device 45, visible in Figures 2, 4a and 4b, is mounted between the dynamic part 38 and the aesthetic part 31. The coupling device 45 is capable of selectively: - a coupled state in which the dynamic part 38 is rotationally linked to the aesthetic part 31, and - a decoupled state in which the dynamic part 38 is free to rotate relative to the aesthetic part 31, so that a rotation of the alternator rotor 41 relative to the alternator stator 42 allows to generate an electric current to recharge the battery 23.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling device 45 comprises spring electromagnets 46. The spring electromagnets 46 are carried by the dynamic part 38. Alternatively, the electromagnets 46 are carried by the aesthetic part 31.

[0032] The coupling device 45 is controlled by a control module 26 shown in [Fig.1].

[0033] The operation of the hub cover 30 generating electrical energy according to the invention is described below with reference to figures 4a and 4b.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig. 4a], when the electromagnets 46 are not electrically powered, the spring-loaded electromagnets 46 bear radially against a wall of the aesthetic part 31, so that the coupling device 45 is in the coupled state. Therefore, there is no relative movement between the alternator rotor 41 and the alternator stator 42. Consequently, no induced current is produced by the alternator. The wall of the aesthetic part 31 against which the electromagnets 46 bear is a cylindrical face or a portion of a cylindrical face oriented axially with respect to the axis 39. This cylindrical face may belong to the tabs 35 of the fastening device 33.

[0035] As illustrated in [Fig.4b], when a driver releases an accelerator pedal, or when the driver presses a brake pedal, or when a vehicle speed becomes greater than a threshold speed, the control module 26 is configured to switch the coupling device 45 from the coupled state to the uncoupled state. For this purpose, the control module 26 controls a current being sent from the battery 23 to the electromagnets 46 in order to supply current to said electromagnets 46, so that the current sent by the battery to the electromagnets 46 is sent only for a few milliseconds while the coupling device 45 goes into the uncoupled state and the dynamic part 38 begins to rotate, thereafter the maintenance of the current of the electromagnets 46 is ensured by a part of the electric current generated by the dynamic part 38 and the alternator stator 42 as explained below.

[0036] When said electromagnets 46 are electrically powered, the springs of the electromagnets 46 are compressed, so that the dynamic part 38 is decoupled from the aesthetic part 31. By inertia, the dynamic part 38 will begin to rotate around the axis 39 which is fixed (in rotation and translation) with the aesthetic part 31. The dynamic part 38 rotates at a speed greater than the speed of rotation of the aesthetic part 31 which is rotationally linked with the wheel hub 32.

[0037] The rotation of the alternator rotor 41 relative to the alternator stator 42 allows induced currents to be generated in the alternator stator 42 and thus electrical energy which can be transferred to the vehicle's battery 23.

[0038] The control module 26 is configured to control the maintenance of the power supply to the electromagnets 46 by a part of an electric current produced by the alternator.

[0039] As soon as the rotation of the dynamic part 38 stops naturally, the electromagnets 46 are no longer powered, and the coupling device 45 returns to the coupled state in which the dynamic part 38 is linked in rotation with the aesthetic part 31.

[0040] It should be noted that the generation of electrical energy can also occur outside of deceleration phases (release of the accelerator pedal or application of the brake pedal). Indeed, during a journey at a constant speed (long straight road or motorway), the control unit 26 can periodically control the coupling and decoupling of the dynamic part 38 with the aesthetic part 31.

[0041] Alternatively, the coupling device 45 can take the form of a dog clutch device controlled by the control unit 26.

Claims

Demands

1. A hub cover (30) generating electrical energy for a vehicle, characterized in that said hub cover (30) comprises: - an aesthetic part (31) intended to cover at least a central portion of a wheel hub (32) and to be rotationally linked with said wheel hub (32), - a dynamic part (38) mounted freely to rotate about an axis (39) fixed relative to the aesthetic part (31), said dynamic part (38) comprising an alternator rotor (41) associated with an alternator stator (42) mounted on the axis (39), and - a coupling device (45) mounted between the dynamic part (38) and the aesthetic part (31) capable of selectively assuming: - a coupled state in which the dynamic part (38) is rotationally linked with the aesthetic part (31), and - an uncoupled state in which the dynamic part (38) is free to rotate relative to the aesthetic part (31).so that a rotation of the alternator rotor (41) relative to the alternator stator (42) makes it possible to generate an electric current to recharge a battery (23).

2. Hubcap according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device (45) comprises spring electromagnets (46).

3. Hub cover according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring electromagnets (46) are carried by the dynamic part (38).

4. Hubcap according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the spring electromagnets (46) are configured such that when said spring electromagnets (46) are not electrically powered, said spring electromagnets (46) bear against a wall of the aesthetic part (31) so that the coupling device (45) is in the coupled state and when said spring electromagnets (46) are electrically powered, the springs of the electromagnets (46) are compressed so that the coupling device (45) is in the uncoupled state.

5. Hubcap according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a control module (26) is configured to control the sending of current from a battery (23) to electromagnets (46) to ensure a current supply to said electromagnets (46), so that the current sent by the battery (23) to the electromagnets (46) is sent only for a few milliseconds while the coupling device (45) goes to the uncoupled state and the dynamic part (38) begins to rotate, thereafter the maintenance of the current of the electromagnets (46) being ensured by a part of the electric current generated by the dynamic part (38) and the alternator stator (42).

6. Hubcap according to claim 5, characterized in that the control module (26) is configured to control a maintenance of the power supply of the electromagnets (46) by a part of an electric current produced by the alternator.

7. Hubcap according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the control module (26) is configured to switch the coupling device (45) from the coupled state to the uncoupled state when a driver releases an accelerator pedal, or when the driver presses a brake pedal, or when a vehicle speed becomes greater than a threshold speed or periodically during a journey at constant speed.

8. Hubcap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the aesthetic part (31) includes a decorative pattern and / or a logo.

9. Assembly comprising a wheel equipped with a hub (32) and a hub cover (30) defined according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle comprising an assembly defined according to claim 9.

Images