Protective device for a wheel rim of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake

Abstract

This protective device (1) for a rim (2) of a motor vehicle wheel equipped with a drum brake (3) comprises a first fastening part (4) integral with a second cleaning part (5) forming a scraper (6) configured to remove foreign substances that may accumulate on an inner surface (7) of the rim (2). The first fastening part (4) includes a plate (8) intended to be fixed between a backing plate (3a) of the drum brake (3) and an axle head bracket (9) supporting the rim (2). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for protecting a wheel rim of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for protecting a wheel rim of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a protective device. Previous techniques

[0002] Some motor vehicles have wheels equipped with drum brakes. Mechatronic actuators for such drum brakes are generally located near the wheel rims.

[0003] Depending on the driving conditions, snow, ice, or mud may accumulate inside the rim. In addition to the added unwanted weight, this accumulation can, during driving, come into contact with the mechatronic actuator of the drum brake and may disrupt its operation, or even cause damage.

[0004] To date, there is no solution to protect such mechatronic actuators against the effects of such accumulations. Description of the invention

[0005] In light of the foregoing, the invention aims to provide a protective device for the rim of a motor vehicle wheel equipped with a drum brake. The protective device of the invention makes it possible to protect the drum brake from the harmful effects caused by an accumulation of foreign substances on the rim.

[0006] The invention relates to a device for protecting the rim of a wheel of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake. The device comprises a first fastening part integral with a second cleaning part forming a scraper configured to remove foreign substances that may accumulate on the inner surface of the rim. The first fastening part comprises a plate intended to be fixed between a drum brake backing plate and an axle bracket supporting the rim. Such a protective device performs continuous cleaning of the inside of the rim while the vehicle is in motion, thereby protecting the drum brake, and in particular a mechatronic actuator of the drum brake, against the harmful effects that may be caused by the accumulation of foreign substances inside the rim.

[0007] Advantageously, the scraper comprises two arms, each extending at least substantially radially from the inner surface of the rim, on either side and on the other hand, there is a mechatronic drum brake actuator. This configuration protects the mechatronic drum brake actuator regardless of the wheel's direction of rotation during vehicle movement.

[0008] Preferably, each arm comprises an associated rigid plate having a sharp edge disposed at a first predetermined minimum distance from the inner surface of the rim, each sharp edge being disposed relative to the inner surface of the rim at a first predetermined maximum distance and less than a second minimum distance between the rim and the mechatronic actuator. Such a configuration provides efficient protection for the mechatronic actuator.

[0009] For example, the sharp edges and rigid plates are inclined relative to a wheel rotation axis so as to evacuate the removed foreign substances towards an inner side of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward. Such a configuration facilitates the evacuation of foreign substances from the rim.

[0010] According to one feature, the plate of the first mounting part is provided with a plurality of through holes intended to accommodate means for fastening the axle head bracket and the drum brake plate. This configuration promotes correct and reliable positioning of the protective device.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the protection device is a single piece.

[0012] According to one embodiment, each rigid plate is fitted, screwed, riveted or welded to the arm to which it is attached.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the second cleaning part is fixed to the first fixing part by screws, rivets, crimping, fitting or welding.

[0014] Advantageously, the second cleaning section is provided with at least one protective plate extending laterally between the two arms and arranged at least partially perpendicular to the rigid plates associated with the arms. Such a configuration improves the protection of the mechatronic actuator against splashes of foreign substances.

[0015] According to another aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a rim protection device for a wheel of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake as defined above and a drum brake plate and an axle head bracket supporting the rim.

[0016] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one wheel rim equipped with a drum brake, the vehicle being equipped with at least one rim protection device as defined above. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] is a rear perspective view of a protective device for a rim of a motor vehicle wheel equipped with a drum brake according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along axis II - II of [Fig.1] without the rim;

[0020] [Fig.3] is a perspective front view of a protective device according to another method of embodiment of the invention; and

[0021] [Fig.4] is an exploded view of an assembly of a rigid plate and an arm of the protective device of the [Fig.3]. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0022] As shown in [Fig. 1], a rim protection device 1 for a wheel 2 of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake 3 according to the invention comprises a first fastening part 4 integral with a second cleaning part 5. In the example of [Fig. 1], the rim 2 is the left rear rim of the vehicle. Of course, the rim protection device 1 can be placed on any other rim of the vehicle.

[0023] The second cleaning part 5 forms a scraper 6 configured to remove foreign substances likely to accumulate on an inner surface 7 of the rim 2.

[0024] The first fixing part 4 includes a plate 8, particularly visible on the [Fig.2], intended to be fixed in sandwich between a plate 3a of the drum brake 3 and a yoke 9 of the axle head supporting the rim 2.

[0025] It should be noted that identical or similar elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0026] The scraper 6 comprises two arms 6a, 6b each extending at least substantially radially with respect to the inner surface 7 of the rim 2, on either side of a mechatronic actuator 3b of the drum brake 3.

[0027] Each arm 6a, 6b comprises an associated rigid plate 10a, 10b having a sharp edge 1la, 11b positioned at a first minimum distance Dlmin from the inner surface 7 of the rim 2. In other words, the minimum distance between each sharp edge 1la, 11b and the inner surface 7 of the rim 2 is equal to the first minimum distance Dlmin. The first minimum distance Dlmin has a predetermined value to prevent friction between the edges 1la, 11b and the inner surface 7 of the rim 2.

[0028] Each sharp edge lia, 11b is also arranged at a first maximum distance Dlmax from the inner surface 7 of the rim 2. In other words, the maximum distance The distance between each sharp edge 11b and the inner surface 7 of the rim 2 is equal to the first maximum distance Dlmax. The first maximum distance Dlmax has a predetermined value less than a second minimum distance D2min between the rim 2 and the mechatronic actuator 3b of the drum brake 3.

[0029] Preferably, the sharp edges 11a, 11b and the rigid plates 10a, 10b are inclined with respect to a rotation axis R of the wheel so as to evacuate the removed foreign substances towards an inner side of the vehicle during vehicle movement. Vehicle movement is understood to mean forward movement of the vehicle. For example, the direction of rotation of the rim 2 during vehicle movement is represented in [Fig. 1] by arrow F. Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the sharp edges 11a, 11b and the rigid plates 10a, 10b are parallel to the rotation axis R.

[0030] Preferably, the plate 8 of the first fastening part is provided with a plurality of through holes 13 for accommodating fastening means for the axle head bracket 9 and the drum brake plate 3a. The fastening means are, for example, screws or bolts. In the example shown in [Fig. 1], there are four through holes 13. Alternatively, a different number of holes 13 may be used. For example, a good fastening can be achieved with three to five through holes.

[0031] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the second cleaning part 5 is attached to the first fixing part 4 by screws, in this case two screws. Alternatively, the second cleaning part 5 can be attached to the first fixing part 4 by rivets, welding, crimping, or press-fitting.

[0032] As particularly visible on [Fig.1], the second cleaning part 5 is provided with at least one protective plate 15 extending laterally between the two arms 6a, 6b and arranged at least in part substantially perpendicular to the rigid plates 10a, 10b associated with the arms 6a, 6b.

[0033] In another embodiment, illustrated in [Fig.3], the protection device 1 is a single piece.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the rigid plates 10a, 10b associated with the arms 6a, 6b are attached and fixed to the arms by press-fitting, by interlocking, by screws or rivets, or by welding. For example, each arm 6a, 6b may be provided with a hollow shape intended to receive, by interlocking, the same complementary male shape provided on the associated rigid plate 10a, 10b in order to form an assembly ([Fig. 4]).

[0035] In the detailed description of the invention, the terms used should not be considered as limiting the invention to the embodiments described, but should to be interpreted to include all equivalents whose prediction is within the reach of a person skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching that has just been disclosed to them.

[0036] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. The various features, variants, and / or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that a person skilled in the art may consider within the framework described.

Claims

Demands

1. A protective device (1) for a rim (2) of a wheel of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake (3), characterized in that it comprises a first fastening part (4) integral with a second cleaning part (5) forming a scraper (6) configured to remove foreign substances likely to accumulate on an inner surface (7) of the rim (2), the first fastening part (4) comprising a plate (8) intended to be fixed between a plate (3a) of the drum brake (3) and a yoke (9) of the axle head supporting the rim (2), the scraper (6) comprising two arms (6a, 6b) each extending at least substantially radially with respect to the inner surface (7) of the rim (2), on either side of a mechatronic actuator (3b) of the drum brake (3).

2. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein each arm (6a, 6b) comprises an associated rigid plate (10a, 10b) having a sharp edge (lia, 11b) disposed at a first predetermined minimum distance (Dlmin) from the inner surface (7) of the rim (2), each sharp edge (lia, 11b) being disposed relative to the inner surface (7) of the rim (2) at a first predetermined maximum distance (Dlmax) and less than a second minimum distance (D2min) between the rim (2) and the mechatronic actuator (3b).

3. Protective device according to claim 2, wherein the sharp edges (11a, 11b) and the rigid plates (10a, 10b) are inclined with respect to an axis of rotation (R) of the wheel so as to evacuate the foreign substances removed towards an inner side of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving forward.

4. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plate (8) of the first fixing part (4) is provided with a plurality of through holes (13) intended to house fixing means for the axle head yoke (9) and the drum brake plate (3a) (3).

5. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective device is monobloc.

6. A protective device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, depending on claim 2, wherein each plate rigid (10a, 10b) is fitted, screwed, riveted or welded to the arm (6a, 6b) to which it is associated.

7. A protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second cleaning part (5) is fixed to the first fixing part (4) by screws, rivets, crimping, fitting or welding.

8. Protective device according to claim 7 dependent on claim 2, wherein the second cleaning part (5) is provided with at least one protective plate (15) extending laterally between the two arms (6a, 6b) and disposed at least in part substantially perpendicular to the rigid plates (10a, 10b) associated with the arms (6a, 6b).

9. Assembly comprising a protective device (1) for a rim (2) of a wheel of a motor vehicle equipped with a drum brake (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a plate (3a) of the drum brake (3) and an axle head bracket (9) supporting the rim (2).

10. Motor vehicle comprising at least one wheel rim (2) equipped with a drum brake (3), said vehicle being equipped with at least one rim protection device (1) for rim (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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