Secure wheel valve.

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety valve (1) comprising a valve body (2) having an air passage duct (3) for inflating or deflating a tire mounted on a wheel equipped with the valve (1), the valve (1) comprising a piston (4) mounted to move between a closed position, in which the piston (4) closes the duct (3), and an inflation position, in which the piston (4) allows the passage of air into the duct (3), the valve (1) further comprising blocking means (12) inaccessible from outside the wheel equipped with the valve (1) and having a first configuration, in which they prevent the piston (4) from moving from the closed position to the inflation position, and a second configuration, in which they allow the piston (4) to move from the closed position to the inflation position. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Secure wheel valve.

[0001] The technical field concerns wheel valves, wheels equipped with valves and vehicles comprising at least one such wheel.

[0002] Car manufacturers are obviously very committed to the safety of their vehicle users and strive to offer ever safer vehicles. Vehicle safety obviously primarily concerns the behavior of the vehicle in the event of an accident. More recently, vehicle safety also involves combating acts of vandalism and in particular the intentional deflation of tires. The act of vandalism, consisting of intentionally deflating the tires of a parked vehicle, is an increasingly common practice but also very dangerous. Indeed, intentional deflation can cause safety problems for drivers, passengers and other road users. In particular, intentional deflation is likely to cause accidents by making the vehicle difficult to control, especially at high speed or in difficult weather conditions.Furthermore, intentional deflation can damage the tires by overheating, as well as the rim. Currently, the only measures to prevent the consequences of intentional tire deflation are the use of tire pressure monitoring devices to quickly detect air pressure problems and inform the driver. However, current solutions do not prevent intentional deflation. However, once a vehicle's tires have been deflated, the vehicle is often immobilized, and current solutions only warn the driver of the problem, but in no way prevent such an act of vandalism.

[0003] Thus, there is a need for a solution to prevent intentional deflations.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide a secure valve for preventing the deflation of a wheel equipped with such a secure valve.

[0005] To this end, the present invention relates to a safety valve for a secure wheel and intended to prevent intentional deflation, the valve comprising a valve body having an air passage duct to allow inflation or deflation of a tire mounted on the wheel on which the valve is installed, the valve comprising a piston mounted movably between a closed position, in which the piston closes the duct blocking the air passage, and an inflation position, in in which the piston allows the passage of air into the conduit, the valve further comprising blocking means designed to be inaccessible from outside the wheel equipped with the valve and having, on the one hand, a first configuration in which they prevent the movement of the piston from the closed position to the inflation position and, on the other hand, a second configuration in which they allow the movement of the piston from the closed position to the inflation position.

[0006] The invention also relates to a secure wheel comprising a rim equipped with a valve according to the invention, the valve making it possible to control the pressure of a tire mounted on the rim.

[0007] The invention also relates to a system comprising at least one secure wheel according to the invention and control means designed to control the switching of the locking means of each wheel from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

[0008] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having a system according to the invention.

[0009] Thus, the locking means of the secure valve make it possible to block the movement of the piston, making deflation impossible, since the locking means are not accessible from the outside of a wheel according to the invention. By accessible it is understood here that a person not authorized to use the vehicle cannot manipulate the locking means from the outside of the wheel, when a tire is mounted on the rim. Thus, a malicious person who would try to actuate the piston to deflate the tire would not be able to move the piston which will remain in the closed position. Thus, a wheel according to the invention, equipped with a secure valve according to the invention, makes it possible to prevent intentional deflation as well as all its consequences. Furthermore, on a conventional valve, it happens that the piston is not positioned correctly because of a defect in the return spring, which can cause slow deflation of the tire.The secure valve according to the invention also makes it possible to avoid such a situation, since the piston is locked in the closed position. A secure valve according to the invention therefore constitutes a significant advance in securing the wheels of a vehicle.

[0010] The interior of a wheel should be understood to mean the volume delimited by the tire and the rim of a wheel. The exterior is defined in opposition to the interior.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprise a bolt cooperating, in the first configuration, with a peripheral edge of the piston to block the movement of the piston.

[0012] According to one possibility, the locking means switch from the first configuration to the second configuration by moving the bolt to a position distant from the piston.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the piston comprises a notch designed to accommodate at least part of the bolt when the locking means are in the first configuration.

[0014] According to one possibility, the movement of the bolt is controlled by a solenoid actuating a bolt rod integral with the bolt.

[0015] Advantageously, the blocking means are powered by a battery.

[0016] According to one possibility, the control means comprise an accessible command from the driver's seat of the vehicle equipped with the system, actuation of the control causing the locking means to switch.

[0017] The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a partial perspective view of a valve according to the invention the locking means being in the first configuration;

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a view of the locking means, the valve body and the piston of the valve of [Fig.l], the locking means being in the second configuration.

[0020] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0021] A safety valve 1 according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig.l], is intended to equip a wheel rim to form a safety wheel according to the invention, not illustrated. The safety valve 1 is intended to prevent intentional deflation of a tire mounted on the safety wheel according to the invention.

[0022] The valve 1 comprises a valve body 2 having an air passage duct 3 to allow the tire mounted on the secure wheel on which the valve 1 is installed to be inflated or deflated. The valve body 2 has a cylindrical shape and is designed to be located at least partly outside the secure wheel, when the valve 1 is mounted on the wheel. The duct 3 forms a cylindrical orifice passing through the valve body 2. When the valve 1 is mounted on the rim of the secure wheel. The duct 3 allows the passage of air between the outside and the inside of the secure wheel to inflate or deflate the tire fitted to the secure wheel. To ensure a sealed mounting of the valve 1 on the rim, the valve body 2 generally has a valve seal, not shown.

[0023] The valve 1 also comprises a piston 4 mounted to move between a closed position and an inflation position. In the example illustrated in the figures, the piston 4 has a cylindrical shape delimited by a peripheral edge 5. The piston is advantageously arranged in a tubular body 6, illustrated in [Fig. 1] and omitted in [Fig. 2], designed to guide the movement of the piston 4. A piston rod 7 is secured to the piston 4 and extends into the conduit 3 in order to allow the piston 4 to be moved by manipulating it from outside the wheel. For this purpose, a distal end 8 of the rod 7 is located near an outer end of the conduit 3 to be accessible from outside the wheel.

[0024] In the closed position, illustrated in [Fig. 1], the piston closes the duct 3 blocking the passage of air. In the example illustrated in the figures, in the closed position the piston 4 comes to bear on an internal end 9 of the duct 3 arranged inside the wheel, when the valve 1 is mounted on the wheel. In order to ensure a sealed closure of the duct 3, the piston 4 advantageously has a pressure seal 10, illustrated in [Fig. 2], arranged so as to be compressed against the internal end 9 of the duct 3, when the piston 4 is in its closed position.

[0025] In the inflation position, illustrated in [Fig.2], the piston 4 is at a distance from the internal end 9 and therefore allows the passage of air into the conduit 3.

[0026] A return spring 11, illustrated in the figures, makes it possible to maintain the piston 4 in the closed position in the absence of stress on the rod 7.

[0027] The valve 1 further comprises blocking means 12 inaccessible from outside the wheel equipped with the valve 1 and having a first and a second configuration. For example, to be inaccessible, the blocking means 12 are installed in a housing designed to be arranged inside the wheel, when the valve 1 is mounted on the rim. In the first configuration, the blocking means 12 are shaped to prevent the piston 4 from moving from the closed position to the inflation position. In the second configuration, the blocking means 12 are shaped to allow the piston 4 to move from the closed position to the inflation position.

[0028] In the example illustrated in the figures, the locking means 12 comprise a bolt 13 cooperating, in the first configuration, with the peripheral edge 5 of the piston 4 to block its movement. In particular, the peripheral edge 5 comprises a notch 14 into which at least a portion of the bolt 13 is introduced when the locking means 12 are in the first configuration, the notch 14 forming a stop for the bolt 13 which then blocks the piston 4. In an embodiment not illustrated, the notch 14 is replaced by a stop, a groove or a bead capable of blocking the movement of the piston 4 away from the internal end 9 of the conduit 3.

[0029] The locking means 12 switch from the first configuration, illustrated in [Fig. 1], to the second configuration, illustrated in [Fig. 2], by a movement of the bolt 13 towards a position distant from the piston 4, releasing the piston 4. For example, the movement of the bolt 13 is carried out in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the piston 4. In order to allow the movement of the bolt 13, the tubular body 6 has, for example, a lumen through which the latter passes.

[0030] For example and as illustrated in the figures, the bolt 13 is extended by a bolt rod 15 surrounded by a bolt spring 16 which tends to force the movement of the bolt 13 towards the piston 4. A solenoid 17, shown diagrammatically in [Fig.l], is shaped so as, when powered by an electric current, to counter the bolt spring 16 and attract the bolt 13 towards a position corresponding to the second configuration. Thus, in the absence of power, the action of the solenoid 17 on the bolt rod 15 ceases and the bolt spring 16 pushes the bolt 13 back towards its position corresponding to the first configuration of the locking means 12. The locking means 12 are, for example, powered by a battery, for example a button cell.

[0031] A system according to the invention, not illustrated, comprises, in addition to at least one secure wheel according to the invention, control means, not illustrated, designed to control the switching of the blocking means 12 of each secure wheel from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa. Thus, they comprise, for example, an electronic circuit capable of supplying or depriving power, on command, to the solenoid 17.

[0032] The control means of the system advantageously comprise a control accessible from the driver's seat of the vehicle according to the invention making it possible to actuate the tilting of the locking means 12. Advantageously, the system makes it possible to select the secured wheel(s) for which the tilting must take place. The control is advantageously transmitted remotely by suitable wireless technology.

[0033] Finally, the system according to the invention is coupled to a device for measuring the pressure of the tires of the secured wheels, making it possible to switch the locking means 12 automatically when the vehicle is stationary and the tire pressure of at least one secured wheel is insufficient. Alternatively, an invitation to switch the locking means 12 into the second configuration is displayed on a screen in the driver's cab for the driver's attention.

[0034] Thus, the secure valve 1 makes it possible to block the movement of the piston 4, making deflation impossible, thanks to the blocking means 12, not accessible from the outside of a wheel according to the invention. Thus, a malicious person who attempts to operate the piston rod 7 to deflate the tire will not be able to move the piston 4, which will remain in the closed position. Thus, a wheel according to the invention, equipped with the secure valve 1, makes it possible to prevent intentional deflation and all its consequences.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the safety valve described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be used. be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Safety valve (1) for a secured wheel and intended to prevent intentional deflation, the valve (1) comprising a valve body (2) having an air passage duct (3) to allow inflation or deflation of a tire mounted on the wheel on which the valve (1) is installed, the valve (1) comprising a piston (4) mounted movably between a closed position, in which the piston (4) closes the duct (3) blocking the passage of air, and an inflation position, in which the piston (4) allows the passage of air in the duct (3), the valve (1) further comprising blocking means (12) designed to be inaccessible from outside the wheel equipped with the valve (1) and having, on the one hand, a first configuration in which they prevent the movement of the piston (4) from the closed position to the inflation position and, on the other hand,a second configuration in which they allow the piston (4) to move from the closed position to the inflation position, characterized in that the locking means (12) comprise a bolt (13) cooperating, in the first configuration, with a peripheral edge (5) of the piston (4) to block the movement of the piston (4).,

2. Valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means (12) switch from the first configuration to the second configuration by a movement of the bolt (13) towards a position distant from the piston (4).

3. Valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the piston (4) comprises a notch (14) designed to accommodate at least part of the bolt (13) when the locking means (12) are in the first configuration.

4. Valve (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the movement of the bolt (13) is controlled by a solenoid (17) actuating a bolt rod (15) integral with the bolt (13).

5. Valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blocking means (12) are powered by a battery.

6. A secure wheel comprising a rim equipped with a valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, the valve (1) making it possible to control the pressure of a tire mounted on the rim.

7. System comprising at least one secure wheel according to claim 6 and control means designed to control the tilting of the locking means (12) of each wheel from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

8. System according to claim 7 characterized in that the control means comprise a control accessible from the driver's seat of the vehicle equipped with the system, actuation of the control causing the locking means (12) to tilt.

9. Motor vehicle having a system according to claim 7 or 8.

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