Wheel for a vehicle including a perforated rim

Abstract

Wheel for a vehicle comprising a perforated rim. Wheel (1) for a vehicle comprising a rim (2) intended to receive a tire (3), the rim comprising a circumferential wall (9) having an outer face (10) facing the tire and an inner face (11) exposed to the air, characterized in that the circumferential wall comprises at least one through opening (12). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Wheel for a vehicle comprising a perforated rim. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a wheel for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to such a wheel equipped with a so-called "airless" tire. The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising such a wheel. Prior art

[0002] A motor vehicle wheel generally comprises a rim fixed to a wheel hub of the vehicle and is fitted with a tire mounted on the rim. The rim generally comprises an inner flange cooperating with an inner sidewall of the tire and an outer flange cooperating with an outer sidewall of the tire. Between the inner and outer flanges, the rim includes a circumferential wall designed to close off a chamber of the tire so as to allow inflation under pressure. The rim also includes a disc or radial spokes equipped with a mounting interface designed to cooperate with the wheel hub. Rims known in the prior art are generally made of metal, for example, steel or aluminum. A rim must be particularly robust in order to withstand the weight of the vehicle and possible impacts, for example, when the wheel strikes a curb, a pothole, or any other type of uneven surface.The rims known from the state of the art are therefore particularly heavy.

[0003] Furthermore, motor vehicles are also equipped with a braking system. A braking system includes brake linings designed to rub against a brake disc or a brake drum. The friction of the brake linings during braking releases brake particles into the atmosphere that are potentially harmful to health. Several epidemiological studies have shown the adverse short- and long-term effects of exposure to particles due to brake wear. Indeed, considering the micrometric or even nanometric size of brake particles, they can penetrate the alveoli and bronchi, which can lead to inflammation, asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, or, in the most serious cases, cancer. Presentation of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle wheel that remedies the above disadvantages and improves upon known prior art wheels.

[0005] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a wheel that is both lightweight and capable of reducing the dispersion of brake particles in the atmosphere. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a wheel for a vehicle, the wheel comprising a rim intended to receive a tire, the rim comprising a circumferential wall comprising an external face turned towards the tire and an internal face in the open air, characterized in that the circumferential wall comprises at least one through opening.

[0007] The wheel can also be equipped with an airless tire fixed to the rim and covering at least one opening.

[0008] The wheel may include a filter strip, in particular a filter strip comprising a shape of revolution, the filter strip being configured to filter brake particles produced during a braking phase of the vehicle, the filter strip extending against the outer face of the circumferential wall, the filter strip covering at least one opening.

[0009] The rim may include a first groove and a second groove, a first edge of the filter strip being inserted into the first groove, a second edge of the filter strip being inserted into the second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge.

[0010] At least one opening may include an oval shape.

[0011] At least one opening may include an elongated shape along an axis of elongation, the axis of elongation forming a non-zero angle, in particular an angle between 1° and 35° inclusive, with a projected axis, the projected axis corresponding to an orthogonal projection of an axis of rotation of the wheel onto the circumferential wall at the level of at least one opening.

[0012] The at least one opening may include an edge connecting the outer face to the inner face of the circumferential wall, the edge being made up of a set of straight lines parallel to the same generatrix axis, the generatrix axis forming a non-zero angle, in particular an angle between 1° and 35° inclusive, with a radial axis of the wheel at the level of the at least one opening.

[0013] The at least one opening may comprise between five and fifteen through openings regularly distributed around a perimeter of the circumferential wall.

[0014] The wheel may include at least one cap fixed to at least one opening.

[0015] The plug may include a barrier intended to counteract an airflow generated by the rotation of the wheel and an accumulation zone configured to collect brake particles produced during a braking phase of the vehicle.

[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel as defined above. Presentation of the figures

[0017] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of part of a wheel of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, the wheel being equipped with an airless tire.

[0019] Figure [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of part of a wheel according to a mode of realization of the invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of part of a wheel according to a mode of the realization of the invention.

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of a wheel according to a mode of implementation of the invention, a rim of the wheel being coated with a filter strip.

[0022] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a through opening provided in the rim of [Fig.4], the through opening being covered by the filter strip.

[0023] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of part of the wheel of Fig. 4.

[0024] Figure 7 is a front view of part of a wheel according to an embodiment of the invention, plugs being fixed to through openings formed in the rim of the wheel.

[0025] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a plug fixed to an opening formed in the rim of the wheel.

[0026] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the stopper fixed to the opening formed in the wheel rim. Detailed description

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a wheel 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The wheel 1 is intended to be fitted to a motor vehicle. The wheel 1 comprises a rim 2 supporting a tire 3, referred to as an "airless" tire, that is, without a tube intended to be inflated with air or any other gas. The tire 3 comprises an outer tread 4 and an inner support band 5. The tread 4 and the support band 5 each have a generally cylindrical shape of revolution and are arranged around the same axis Y1, corresponding to the axis of rotation of the wheel 1. The tread 4 comprises an outer surface intended to come into contact with the ground. The support band 5 extends around the rim. The tire 3 also includes elastic elements 6, in particular elastic strips, for example made of rubber, extending radially or substantially radially between the tread 4 and the support band 5. The elastic elements 6 are capable of deforming under the weight of the vehicle and / or in the event of an impact against the wheel. Tire 3 does not require inflation and is therefore puncture-proof.

[0028] The rim 2 is shown without the tire 3 in [Fig. 2]. The rim 2 comprises an inner rim 7, an outer rim 8, and a circumferential wall 9 extending between the inner rim 7 and the outer rim 8. The term "circumferential" means that this wall extends 360° around the axis of rotation Yl of the wheel. The circumferential wall 9 may, at least in its overall form, comprise a shape of revolution, in particular a cylinder of revolution, centered on the axis of rotation Yl. The circumferential wall 9 comprises an outer face 10 facing the tire 3, in particular the support band 5 of the tire. The circumferential wall 9 also includes an inner face 11, opposite the outer face 10. The inner face 11 is turned towards the axis of rotation YL. The inner face 11 is in the open air, that is to say in contact with the atmosphere at ambient pressure.

[0029] According to the invention, the circumferential wall 9 comprises at least one through-opening 12. By "through-opening," it is understood that the at least one opening 12 leads to the inner face 11 and the outer face 10 of the circumferential wall 9. Air can therefore circulate through the at least one opening 12, at least when no tire is mounted on the rim. When the tire 3 is mounted on the rim, the at least one opening 12 may lead to an inner face of the tire's support band 5 or to an element interposed between the support band 5 and the circumferential wall 9. This is not problematic since the tire 3 does not need to be inflated.

[0030] The presence of at least one opening makes it possible to lighten the wheel 1. Weight reductions of at least 100g, or even at least 200g, can thus be achieved on the total mass of the rim 2. Moreover, it has been surprisingly observed that the presence of at least one opening on the circumferential wall does not significantly weaken the wheel 1. It therefore remains impact-resistant, without having to thicken other walls or other parts of the wheel compared to a wheel without an opening.

[0031] At least one opening can, for example, be formed in the circumferential wall 9 by machining, milling, punching, cutting or stamping, particularly when the wheel is made of steel.

[0032] Advantageously, the at least one opening 12 comprises between five and fifteen through openings regularly distributed around a perimeter of the circumferential wall 9. Such a number of openings 12 is both sufficiently small to maintain a relatively simple manufacturing process and high robustness of the wheel, and sufficiently large to produce a significant weight reduction while maintaining good wheel balance. Preferably, the number of openings 12 can be between eight and twelve. The number of openings depends the vehicle's mass. The lighter the vehicle, the greater the number of openings that can be present.

[0033] By "regularly distributed openings," it is understood that the angles separating the 12 adjacent openings are identical. The angle separating two adjacent openings is therefore equal to 360° divided by the number of openings.

[0034] Advantageously, all the openings 12 have the same shape. In particular, the shape of the openings is advantageously oval. The oval shape is elongated, at least roughly, parallel to the axis of rotation Yl. As we will see in more detail later, it can nevertheless be particularly advantageous to incline the orientation of each opening 12 with respect to the axial direction defined by the axis of rotation YL. The oval shape may include two semi-circular portions at each end. The length L1 of the oval shape may be substantially equal to twice its width L2 and / or between 150% and 300% of the width L2. Such a shape has the advantage of avoiding excessive mechanical stresses in the circumferential wall 9. The difference between the maximum stresses supported by a solid rim and a rim with such openings 12 may thus be less than or equal to 1%.

[0035] Advantageously, the presence of openings 12 not only lightens the rim 2 but also traps brake particles during vehicle braking. Indeed, the rotation of the wheel 1 generates a centrifugal airflow that tends to press the particles against the inner face 11 of the circumferential wall 9. Without a means of retention, these particles are then ejected from the wheel 1 and contaminate the atmosphere. Conversely, when the circumferential wall is equipped with openings 12, the brake particles accumulate in these openings. The brake particles can then be removed during wheel cleaning. Even if the wheel is not cleaned, the aggregation of the particles allows for the formation of larger and heavier particle clusters. Such clusters are less volatile and therefore less harmful to health.

[0036] Advantageously, certain shapes of openings are even more effective at trapping braking particles. To define the advantageous shape of such openings, a projected axis Y2 is first defined. The projected axis Y2 corresponds to an orthogonal projection of the rotation axis Y1 of the wheel onto the circumferential wall 9 at the level of the considered opening 12. For an elongated opening 12, an elongation axis Y3 of the opening 12 is also defined as the axis along which the considered opening extends. The elongation axis Y3 therefore extends along the longest dimension of the opening 12. According to a first advantageous property of the opening, an angle Al formed between the projected axis Y2 and the elongation axis Y3 is non-zero. Preferably, this angle Al can be between 1° and 35° inclusive, or even between 5° and 35° inclusive. Surprisingly, such an orientation of the openings 12 is more effective at trapping particles.

[0037] A second property of the shape of the openings 12, complementary or alternative to the first property, is also of interest for trapping braking particles. According to this second property, an edge 13 connecting the outer face 10 to the inner face 11 of the circumferential wall 9 is beveled, that is, inclined with respect to the faces 10 and 11. In other words, and as shown schematically in [Fig. 3], the shape of the edge 13 can be seen as a set of straight lines parallel to the same generatrix axis XI. The generatrix axis XI forms a non-zero angle A2, in particular an angle between 1° and 35° inclusive, preferably between 5° and 35° inclusive, with a radial axis X2 of the wheel at the opening 12, the radial axis X2 being defined as the axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation Y1 of the wheel, passing through the center of the opening 12 under consideration.

[0038] Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a first improvement of the invention. According to this first improvement, the wheel 1 comprises a filter strip 14 extending against the outer face 10 of the circumferential wall 9. The filter strip, or filter rim 14, is interposed between the circumferential wall 9 and the tire 3. The filter strip 14 has a shape of revolution centered on the axis of rotation Yl. It thus covers the circumferential wall 9 over 360°. In particular, the filter strip 14 covers the openings 12. The filter strip is configured to filter brake particles during a braking phase of the vehicle. The filter strip 14 may, in particular, comprise a mesh structure with a mesh size adapted to trap brake particles. The filter strip 14 may also comprise a honeycomb structure, for example, a foam.

[0039] Advantageously, the filter strip 14 can be combined with a tire 3 whose support band 5 includes at least one air passage opposite each opening 12, so as to allow airflow through the filter strip. Even if the support band 5 did not include such an air passage, the mesh or honeycomb structure of the filter strip could perform a function of aggregating brake particles, and thus limit their volatility. The filter strip 14 can be considered a wear part and is intended to be replaced or washed each time the tire is changed.

[0040] The filter strip 14 comprises a first edge 15 and a second edge 16 opposite the first edge 15. As shown in [Fig. 6], the rim 2 comprises a first groove 17 and a second groove 18. The two grooves 17 and 18 are positioned on either side of the circumferential wall 9 and face each other. The distance separating the two grooves 17, 18 is substantially equal to the width of the filter strip. 14. The two grooves 17 and 18 are substantially U-shaped. These two grooves can be formed by machining the rim 2, i.e., by removing material. The first edge 15 of the filter belt 14 is inserted into the first groove 15, and the second edge 16 of the filter belt is inserted into the second groove 18. This provides a retaining function for the filter belt 14. Alternatively, the filter belt could be bonded and / or have a diameter and elasticity adapted to hold the filter belt 14 against the circumferential wall 9.

[0041] Figures 7, 8, and 9 illustrate a second improvement of the invention. According to this second improvement, the wheel 1 comprises at least one plug 19 fixed to at least one opening 12. The plug 19 is configured to close at least one opening 12. Preferably, each opening 12 receives a plug 19. All the plugs 19 may have an identical shape. Each plug 19 may comprise an outer portion 20 extending from the outer side of the circumferential wall 9 and an inner portion 21 extending from the outer side of the circumferential wall 9. Between its outer portion 20 and its inner portion 21, the plug may comprise a narrow portion 22 conforming to the edges 13 of an opening. At least the external part 20 or the internal part 21 is formed in a deformable material for the placement of the stopper 19 in an opening 12. The external part 20 and the internal part 21 form means for holding the stopper 19 in position.The cap 19 can be made of a material resistant to the high temperatures that may occur during heavy braking. The dimensions of the cap 19 can be chosen so that the cap is at a minimum distance from a brake disc.

[0042] The plugs 19 may be plastic elements. In particular, the plugs may be monolithic elements obtained by molding. The plugs may advantageously include at least one portion exposed to braking particles in the form of a foam. A foam comprises a multitude of cells potentially adapted to trap braking particles.

[0043] Advantageously, each plug 19 comprises a barrier 23 designed to withstand an airflow F generated by the rotation of the wheel, and an accumulation zone 24 configured to collect brake particles. As with the previous embodiments, the plug 19 is capable of performing a brake particle aggregation function to limit their volatility.

[0044] As illustrated in [Fig. 7], the barrier 23 extends substantially perpendicularly to the airflow F generated by the rotation of the wheel and potentially laden with brake particles. The barrier 23 extends radially while the accumulation zone 24 extends parallel to the circumferential wall 9, opposite the opening 12. The barrier 23 is located downstream of the accumulation zone of each plug following the direction of propagation of the airflow F. The particles are therefore destined to hit the barrier 23 and then accumulate in the accumulation zone 24.

[0045] The accumulation zone 24 can hermetically seal the opening 12, or conversely, form a filter that blocks brake particles and allows air to pass through. As a side note, assuming that the plugs 19 form a hermetic seal for the openings 12, the rim 2 equipped with these plugs could also be fitted with an inflatable tire since the plugs would prevent air leakage. Generally speaking, a rim whose circumferential wall has openings could be fitted with an inflatable tire provided that an airtight inner tube or some other means of preventing pressurized air leakage into the tire is used.

[0046] Finally, thanks to the invention, we have a perforated wheel, which is therefore lighter. Furthermore, this wheel helps to limit the dispersion of braking particles into the atmosphere. The invention just described can also be adapted to a wheel for a motorcycle, for a truck, and more generally to any vehicle equipped with wheels.

Claims

Demands

1. Wheel (1) for a vehicle comprising a rim (2) intended to receive a tire (3), the rim comprising a circumferential wall (9) comprising an external face (10) facing the tire and an internal face (11) in the open air, characterized in that the circumferential wall comprises at least one through opening (12).

2. Wheel (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is further equipped with an airless tire (3) fixed to the rim (2) and covering at least one opening (12).

3. Wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a filter strip (14), in particular a filter strip comprising a shape of revolution, the filter strip being configured to filter brake particles produced during a braking phase of the vehicle, the filter strip extending against the outer face (10) of the circumferential wall (9), the filter strip covering at least one opening (12).

4. Wheel (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rim comprises a first groove (17) and a second groove (18), a first edge (15) of the filter strip (14) being inserted into the first groove, a second edge (16) of the filter strip being inserted into the second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge.

5. Wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (12) comprises an oval shape.

6. Wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - at least one opening (12) comprises an elongated shape along an elongation axis (Y3), the elongation axis (Y3) forming a non-zero angle (Al), in particular an angle between 1° and 35° inclusive, with a projected axis (Y2), the projected axis corresponding to an orthogonal projection of a rotation axis (Yl) of the wheel onto the circumferential wall (9) at the level of at least one opening (12), and / or in that - at least one opening (12) comprises an edge (13) connecting the outer face (10) to the inner face (11) of the circumferential wall (9), the edge being made up of a set of straight lines parallel to the same generator axis (XI), the generator axis forming a non-zero angle (A2), in particular an angle between 1° and 35° inclusive, with a radial axis (X2) of the wheel at the level of at least one opening.

7. Wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (12) comprises between five and fifteen through openings regularly distributed around a perimeter of the circumferential wall (9).

8. Wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one plug (19) fixed to at least one opening (12).

9. Wheel (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cap includes a barrier (23) intended to face an airflow (F) generated by the rotation of the wheel and an accumulation zone (24) configured to accumulate brake particles produced during a braking phase of the vehicle.

10. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, comprising a wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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