Protective device for motor vehicle rims

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device comprising a protection crown (110) mounted movably on the external lateral edge (12A) of a rim (10) between a retracted position in which it is contained in an annular groove (111) formed in said edge, and a deployed position in which it projects transversely from the external side of said edge, said device also comprising: - actuating means capable of causing the movement of said crown between its retracted and deployed positions, - a distance sensor installed on said rim and capable of measuring in real time the lateral spacing between said edge and an obstacle, and - a control unit in communication with said actuating means and said distance sensor, and configured, when said lateral spacing becomes lower than a predetermined threshold, to cause the activation of said actuating means, so as to cause the movement of said crown to the deployed position.Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Protective device for a motor vehicle rim Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the wheels of a motor vehicle.

[0002] It relates in particular to a protection device for a motor vehicle rim. Prior art

[0003] Motor vehicles have wheels comprising a rim which may be formed from stamped metal sheets of steel or light alloy, or by casting a light alloy, in particular an aluminum alloy.

[0004] Each rim has a bearing surface centered on the axis of rotation of the wheel and intended to receive a tire.

[0005] This bearing surface has two internal and external lateral edges making it possible to contain the tire in the transverse direction by forming stops for the beads of this tire.

[0006] Each rim also includes a web extending along a mean plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel and the peripheral edge of which is rigidly connected to the bearing surface.

[0007] This veil comprises a central hub having several holes and intended to be coupled by bolting to a hub carrier of a running gear of the motor vehicle.

[0008] In the case of a cast alloy rim, the entire rim is generally formed by a single-piece molding, comprising both the disc and the seat. Generally perforated in order to limit the mass of the rim, the disc thus conventionally comprises a plurality of radial branches connecting the central hub to the seat and contributing to the aesthetics of the vehicle.

[0009] These cast alloy wheels can be painted or varnished, with parts that can be treated differently to achieve the desired aesthetic. Depending on the type of vehicle, the wheels can be given a more luxurious or sportier appearance.

[0010] During parking maneuvers, it is common for the external lateral edge of one of the vehicle's rims to rub against the edge of a sidewalk, causing scratches and scrapes, or even relatively deep notches in the metal.

[0011] Such damage often requires costly repairs, ranging from simple surface restoration of the rim to its replacement. In addition, such damage can also disrupt the balance of the wheels, thus leading to the need to perform additional balancing. This requires vehicle owners to make frequent visits to a tire service center, which causes both inconvenience and additional expense.

[0012] To avoid this problem, a known type of protection consists of providing, on the external lateral side of the tire, a protective rim bead.

[0013] Such beads, however, only offer limited protection against light impacts and scratches, more commonly known as "touches".

[0014] Another known type of protection, presented in particular by document DE 102016113234 A1, comprises a crown bearing on the external lateral edge of the rim and remaining integral with it, thanks to strips which become wedged between the external bead of the tire and the inner face facing the tire of this external lateral edge.

[0015] However, the installation of such a protective crown proves to be relatively complex and time-consuming, requiring numerous manipulations for its attachment to the rim, which limits its use. Once installed, this protective crown partially covers the external lateral edge of the rim, causing it to lose its aesthetic appearance. Presentation of the invention

[0016] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0017] To this end, it proposes a protective device for a motor vehicle rim, comprising a protective crown mounted on the external lateral edge of said rim; characterized in that said protective crown is movable between a retracted position in which it is contained in an annular groove formed in said external lateral rim, and a deployed position where it projects transversely from the external side of said external lateral rim, said device also comprising: - actuating means capable of causing the movement of said protective crown between its retracted and deployed positions, - a distance sensor installed on said rim and capable of measuring in real time the lateral distance between said external lateral edge of the rim and an obstacle, and - a control unit in communication with said actuation means and said distance sensor, said control unit being configured, when said lateral spacing becomes less than a predetermined threshold, to cause the activation of said actuating means, so as to cause the movement of said protective ring into the deployed position

[0018] The protective device for a motor vehicle rim according to the invention allows the aesthetic appearance of the rim to not be distorted while ensuring effective protection of the external lateral edge of this rim as well as the tire.

[0019] According to preferred characteristics of said rim protection device according to the invention: - said actuating means are of the electromagnetic type; - said actuating means comprise several solenoids arranged in housings extending in the internal extension of said annular groove, being distributed regularly along its circumference, each said solenoid being magnetically coupled to a corresponding plunger finger rigidly connected to said protective ring from which it projects transversely from the internal edge while being partially housed inside this solenoid; - said solenoids are configured so that their simultaneous electrical supply causes the transverse sliding of said plunger fingers against elastic return means provided in these solenoids, so as to cause the movement of said protective ring into its deployed position, said return means automatically causing the return of said plunger fingers to their initial position as soon as the electrical supply is cut off so as to cause the return of said protective ring to the retracted position; - said actuating means also comprise several electronic control modules installed on said rim and each electrically connected to a respective solenoid, each said electronic control module being further provided with an electrical power source making it possible to supply electrical power to the corresponding solenoid; - the power source of each said electronic control module consists of a rechargeable battery associated with an automatic recharging system operating thanks to the rotary movement of the rim: - said control unit is installed outside said rim, the communication between said control unit and the distance sensor as well as that between said control unit and said actuation means being ensured by means of a real-time wireless communication protocol; - said control unit consists of the on-board computer of said vehicle; - said control unit is installed on said rim, communication between said control unit and the distance sensor as well as that between said control unit and said actuation means being ensured by wired connection.

[0020] The invention also aims, in a second aspect, at a rim for a motor vehicle wheel comprising such a protection device. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a wheel of a motor vehicle comprising a rim protection device according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of the rim protection device according to the invention equipped with a protective crown movable in translation; - [Fig.3] represents a partial perspective sectional view of the rim of the wheel of [Fig.l], in which the protective crown of the protective device occupies its retracted position; and - [Fig.4] is similar to that of [Fig.3] but in which the protective crown of the protective device occupies its deployed position; and - [Fig.5] illustrates a parking maneuver that can cause the rim protection device according to the invention to be triggered. Description of the embodiments

[0022] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a wheel 1 intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle not shown and comprising a rim 10 receiving a tire 20.

[0023] In the remainder of this description and by convention, the terms “external” and "internal" will be used to define the relative position of an element by reference to the median vertical longitudinal plane of the motor vehicle on which it is to be mounted. The element closest to this plane will thus be described as internal as opposed to the other element further from this same plane which will be described as external.

[0024] The rim 10 comprises a main rim body 11 preferably produced by molding in a single piece in a metal alloy, for example based on aluminum, and comprising a bearing surface 12 centered on the transverse axis of rotation A of the wheel 1 and intended to receive the tire 20.

[0025] This bearing surface 12 has two internal and external lateral edges (only the external lateral edge 12A being visible in FIGS. 3 and 4) making it possible to contain the tire 20 in the transverse direction by forming stops for the beads of this tire 20.

[0026] The main rim body 11 also comprises an openwork web 13 extending along a mean plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the wheel 1 and the peripheral edge of which is rigidly connected to the inner face of the bearing surface 12 facing away from the tire 20.

[0027] This veil 13 comprises a central hub 13A having several holes (not visible in the figures) allowing it to be coupled by bolting to a hub carrier of a running gear of the motor vehicle.

[0028] The web 13 also comprises a plurality of radial branches 13B connecting the central hub 13A to the inner face of the bearing surface 12 and the width of which increases progressively between this central hub 13A and this bearing surface 12.

[0029] The rim 10 also includes a hubcap 14 preferably produced by molding in a single piece in a thermoplastic polymer and intended to be fixed by snap-fastening against the external face of the central hub 13A so as to conceal the wheel studs making it possible to ensure the coupling by bolting of this central hub 13A to a hub carrier of a running gear of the motor vehicle.

[0030] [Fig.2] represents a functional diagram of a protection device 100 according to the invention of the external lateral edge 12A of the rim 10.

[0031] This protection device 100 comprises a protection crown 110 mounted to slide in a transverse direction on the external lateral edge 12A of the rim 10, between a retracted position ([Fig.3]) in which this crown 110 is contained in an annular groove 111 formed in the external lateral edge 12A, and a deployed position ([Fig.4]) where it projects transversely from the external side of this external lateral edge 12A so as to create a physical barrier between the latter and an obstacle O such as a pavement (see [Fig.5]).

[0032] Centered on the axis of rotation A of the wheel 1, this protective crown 110 is advantageously made of a thermoplastic polymer with high resistance to abrasion.

[0033] The protection device 100 also comprises actuating means 120 capable of causing the movement of this protection ring 110 between its retracted and deployed positions.

[0034] Advantageously of the electromagnetic type, the actuating means 120 comprise in this case several solenoids 121 (see figures 3 and 4) arranged in cylindrical housings extending transversely in the internal extension of the annular groove 111, being distributed regularly along its circumference.

[0035] Each solenoid 121 is magnetically coupled to a corresponding plunger finger 112 rigidly connected to the protective ring 110 from which it projects transversely from the internal edge while being partially housed inside this solenoid 121.

[0036] The solenoids 121 are configured so that their simultaneous electrical supply causes the plunger fingers 112 to slide transversely against elastic return means (not visible) provided in these solenoids 121, so as to cause the protection ring 110 to move into its deployed position, the return means automatically causing these plunger fingers 112 to return to their initial position as soon as the electrical supply is cut off so as to cause the protective crown 110 to return to the retracted position.

[0037] These plunger fingers 112 are advantageously molded from a single piece of plastic material with this protective crown 110 and then covered with a ferromagnetic coating.

[0038] As illustrated by figures 3 and 4, the actuating means 120 also comprise several electronic control modules 122 installed on said rim 10 and each electrically connected to a respective solenoid 121 by an electric cable 123.

[0039] Each electronic control module 122 is further provided with an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the corresponding solenoid 121.

[0040] This electrical power source is preferably constituted by a rechargeable battery associated with an automatic recharging system operating thanks to the rotary movement of the wheel 1.

[0041] Alternatively, each electrical power source may consist of one or more electric batteries.

[0042] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the actuating means may be of different types and for example comprise several motor-reducers each capable of rotating a worm screw associated with a nut secured to the protective ring 110 so that the latter moves transversely in one direction or the other during operation of said motors.

[0043] Referring again to [Fig.2], the protection device 100 according to the invention also comprises: - a distance sensor 130 installed on the rim 10 and capable of measuring in real time the lateral spacing el between the external lateral edge 12A of this rim 10 and an obstacle O such as a sidewalk (see [Fig.5]); and - a control unit 140 in communication with the actuation means 120 and the distance sensor 130.

[0044] Powered electrically in an autonomous manner, for example via one or more batteries, and advantageously integrated into the hubcap 14 at the level of the axis of rotation A of the wheel 1 (see [Fig.l]), the distance sensor 130 is advantageously constituted by an ultrasonic sensor comprising an ultrasonic transmitter coupled to an ultrasonic receiver. The transmitter is capable of sending an ultrasonic wave which is reflected by a surface of a user or an object and detected by the receiver. Measuring the delay separating the emission of this wave from the reception of its echo makes it possible to determine the distance between the sensor and this surface.

[0045] Such an ultrasonic distance sensor has the main advantages of having low energy consumption (of the order of 0.1 W), while offering excellent measurement quality independent of the brightness level of the different objects present in its detection cone.

[0046] Alternatively, the distance sensor used may be of the infrared type and comprise an infrared transmitter coupled to an infrared receiver. This type of sensor, however, has the disadvantage of providing a measurement quality dependent on the ambient brightness.

[0047] Other types of distance sensors can also be considered, for example lidar or stereoscopic camera type, but the latter will not be favored for obvious reasons of cost and / or energy consumption.

[0048] Preferably installed outside the rim 10, the control unit 140 comprises a computer provided with one or more interconnected microprocessors, as well as a memory module comprising non-volatile and non-volatile memory.

[0049] It is for example constituted by the vehicle's on-board computer commonly referred to by the acronym "BSI" (for "Intelligent Servitude Box") or "VSM" (for "Vehicle Supervisor Module" in English) in common terminology.

[0050] This control unit 140 is configured, when the lateral spacing el between the external lateral edge 12A of the rim 10 and an obstacle O becomes less than a predetermined threshold, to cause the activation of the actuating means 120 so as to cause the movement of the protective crown 110 into the deployed position.

[0051] This control unit 140 is furthermore configured so that these actuating means 120 remain activated as long as this lateral spacing el remains below this predetermined threshold, so that the protective ring 110 automatically returns to its retracted position only when this lateral spacing el reaches or exceeds this threshold again.

[0052] Due to the problem of the rotation of the wheel 1, the communication between the control unit 140 and the distance sensor 130 as well as that between this control unit 140 and the actuation means 120 are advantageously ensured by means of a real-time wireless communication protocol, based for example on a Wifi type communication system (for example according to the IEEE 802.1 In or IEEE 802.1 lac standard), or even on a Bluetooth type communication system (for example according to the Bluetooth v5 standard).

[0053] Advantageously, the control unit 140 can also be configured to generate on one of the screens of the vehicle and when the lateral spacing between the main body of the rim 11 and an obstacle O becomes less than said predetermined threshold, a warning message informing the driver of the deployment of the protective crown 110 of the rim 10 in question.

[0054] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the control unit 140 can be installed directly on the rim 10 by being integrated for example into one of the control modules 122. In such a case, the entire protection device 100 is then integrated into the rim 10, which makes it easier to install this device after-sales on the vehicle (communication between the control unit 140 and the distance sensor 130 as well as that between this control unit 150 and the actuation means 120 then being ensured by wired connection).

[0055] Many other variants are also possible, and it will be recalled in this regard that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but also encompasses all the variants of execution within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. Protective device (100) for a rim (10) of a motor vehicle, comprising a protective crown (110) mounted on the external lateral edge (12A) of said rim (10); characterized in that said protective crown (110) is movable between a retracted position in which it is contained in an annular groove (111) formed in said external lateral edge (12A), and a deployed position where it projects transversely from the external side of said external lateral edge (12A), said device (100) also comprising: - actuating means (120) capable of causing the movement of said protective crown (110) between its retracted and deployed positions, - a distance sensor (130) installed on said rim (10) and capable of measuring in real time the lateral spacing (el) between said external lateral edge (12A) of the rim (10) and an obstacle (O),and - a control unit (140) in communication with said actuating means (120) and said distance sensor (130), said control unit (140) being configured, when said lateral spacing (el) becomes less than a predetermined threshold, to cause the activation of said actuating means (120), so as to cause the movement of said protective ring (110) into the deployed position.,

2. Protective device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuating means (120) are of the electromagnetic type.

3. Protective device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said actuating means (120) comprise several solenoids (121) arranged in housings extending in the internal extension of said annular groove (111), being distributed regularly along its circumference, each said solenoid (121) being magnetically coupled to a corresponding plunger finger (112) rigidly connected to said protective ring (110) from which it projects transversely from the internal edge while being housed partially inside this solenoid (121).

4. Protection device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said solenoids (121) are configured so that their power supply- simultaneous electrical supply causes the transverse sliding of said plunger fingers (112) against elastic return means provided in these solenoids (121), so as to cause the movement of said protective ring (110) into its deployed position, said return means automatically causing the return of said plunger fingers (112) to their initial position as soon as the electrical supply is cut off so as to cause the return of said protective ring (110) to the retracted position.

5. Protective device (100) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said actuating means (120) also comprise several electronic control modules (122) installed on said rim (10) and each electrically connected to a respective solenoid (121), each said electronic control module (122) being further provided with an electrical power source making it possible to ensure the electrical power supply of the corresponding solenoid (121).

6. Protective device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the power source of each said electronic control module (122) consists of a rechargeable battery associated with an automatic recharging system operating thanks to the rotary movement of the rim (10).

7. Protective device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said control unit (140) is installed outside said rim (10), the communication between said control unit (140) and the distance sensor (130) as well as that between said control unit (140) and said actuating means (120) being ensured by means of a real-time wireless communication protocol.

8. Protection device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said control unit (140) is constituted by the on-board computer of said vehicle.

9. Protective device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said control unit (140) is installed on said rim (10), the communication between said control unit (140) and the distance sensor (130) as well as that between said control unit (140) and said actuating means (120) being ensured by wired connection.

10. Rim (10) for a motor vehicle wheel (1), characterized in that it comprises a protection device (100) according to claim 9.

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