PROTECTIVE INSERT FOR A WHEEL OF A LAND VEHICLE

Abstract

An insert is fitted to a wheel (RV) of a land vehicle and comprises a rim (JR) inside which a disc (VR) with at least one opening (AV) is fixedly housed. This insert (IP) is fixedly housed in at least part of the opening (AV) with a first external face (FE1) oriented outwards and convex in order to be interposed between an external obstacle and the disc (VR) to protect the latter. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: PROTECTIVE INSERT FOR A WHEEL OF A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to wheeled land vehicles, and more specifically to inserts intended to equip the wheels of such land vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Some land vehicles, for example of the automobile type, include wheels comprising a rim centered on an axis of rotation and on which a tire is mounted, and an added disc, fixedly housed inside the rim by being centered on the axis of rotation and provided with at least one opening.

[0003] During certain vehicle maneuvers, the outer face of a part of a wheel (rim or spoke) and / or part of a tire sidewall may rub against an external obstacle, such as a curb, a low block, or a stone. In this case, the outer face of the wheel part and / or the outer face of the tire sidewall may be damaged, which is unsightly and, more importantly, can weaken the wheel and / or tire (or even necessitate replacement).

[0004] Several solutions have been proposed to limit interactions between a wheel and / or a tire and an external obstacle. For example, it has been suggested to install a protruding bead between the tire sidewall and the rim hook that secures the sidewall, but installing the bead is not easy and its retention is not guaranteed, which can generate noise or even turn the bead into a projectile. It is also possible to use an annular disc partially covering the rim and equipped on one inner face with fastening elements that are fitted between the tire sidewall and the rim hook that secures the sidewall, but installing the fastening elements is difficult.It is also possible to attach protective pieces to the wheel rim using plastic ties, but installing these ties is difficult and, more importantly, they are visible, which is unsightly and can detract from the vehicle's perceived quality. It is also possible to use a tire that comes standard with a rim protector on its outer sidewall, but this proves ineffective at protecting the rim, and this type of tire is difficult to find and generally more expensive.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] In particular, it proposes for this purpose an insert intended to equip a wheel suitable for being part of a land vehicle and comprising a rim inside which is fixedly housed a disc having at least one opening.

[0007] This insert is characterized by the fact that it is suitable for being fixedly housed in at least one part of the (of a) opening by having a first external face intended to be oriented outwards and convex in order to be interposed between an external obstacle and the veil to protect the latter.

[0008] By acting as a spacer, the insert prevents an external obstacle coming into contact with it from damaging the wheel, and therefore this insert can be replaced instead of having to subject the wheel to an abrasive surface treatment to restore its original appearance, which is particularly advantageous because it is very simple to carry out and very inexpensive.

[0009] The insert according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0010] - the first external face can be convex with a radius of curvature including between 400 mm and 600 mm at least in a central area;

[0011] - the first external face can be chamfered on at least part of an edge peripheral device intended to be oriented towards the rim;

[0012] - in the presence of the last option, at least part of the peripheral edge can be suitable for being placed at least partially in front of a second external face of the veil and / or a third external face of the rim;

[0013] - in the presence of a rim comprising a hook suitable for holding a side of a pneumatic and having one end situated in an external plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the wheel, it may be intended to have a convexity along this axis of rotation which extends at least to the external plane;

[0014] - in the presence of the last option, the convexity can be intended to extend along the axis of rotation beyond the external plane over a distance between 2 mm and 10 mm;

[0015] - it can be arranged so as to be clipped or screwed onto the veil;

[0016] - it can be arranged so as to completely conceal the (one) opening.

[0017] The invention also proposes a wheel suitable for equipping a land vehicle and comprising, on the one hand, a rim inside which is fixedly housed a disc having at least one opening, and, on the other hand, at least one insert of the type of that presented above and fixedly housed in at least a part of this opening.

[0018] For example, the veil may include at least four openings and at least two inserts.

[0019] The invention also proposes a land vehicle comprising at least two wheels of the type presented above.

[0020] For example, this land vehicle may include four wheels, and may be of the automobile type. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0022] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a front view from the external side, an example of an embodiment of a wheel equipped with a tire and comprising five examples of embodiments of inserts according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a plane along the line II-II of [Fig. 1], part of the wheel and tire of [Fig. 1], and

[0024] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a plane along the line III-III of the [Fig.l], another part of the wheel and tire of the [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] The invention aims in particular to provide an IP (protective) insert intended to equip an RV wheel, suitable for receiving a PN tire and for being part of a land vehicle, to protect at least this RV wheel.

[0026] In what follows, the land vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of wheeled land vehicle. It relates in fact to any land vehicle comprising at least two wheels.

[0027] Furthermore, in the preceding and following, "inner face" means a face of an element that is intended to be oriented towards the vehicle, and "outer face" means a face of the same element that is intended to be oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and therefore opposite to the inner face.

[0028] In figures 1 to 3 the direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (terrestrial), which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0029] Figures 1 to 3 schematically illustrate at least partially an example of an RV wheel intended to equip a land vehicle and comprising a JR rim, a VR disc and five IP (protective) inserts according to the invention.

[0030] The JR rim is generally cylindrical in shape, centered on an AR rotation axis and suitable for receiving a PN tire.

[0031] Furthermore, the rim JV includes an external rim designed to retain an outer sidewall of the tire PN and which has a hook CJ. It will be noted, as shown in [Fig. 2], that the rim JV also includes an internal rim opposite the external rim, designed to retain the inner sidewall of the tire PN and having a hook CJ'.

[0032] The VR disc is attached and fixedly housed inside the JV rim, centered on the AR axis of rotation. For example, the VR disc can be fixedly attached to the JV rim by welding, and is intended to be attached to a hub, such as a vehicle steering knuckle.

[0033] Furthermore, the VR disc comprises at least one AV perforation. It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the VR disc comprises ten AV perforations, five of which are completely masked by five IP inserts according to the invention. However, the number of AV perforations in a VR disc can be any value greater than or equal to one. Similarly, the number of AV perforations in an RV wheel can be any value greater than or equal to one (this latter number is, however, less than or equal to the number of AV perforations in the VR disc).

[0034] Each IP insert according to the invention is adapted to be fixedly housed in at least a portion of the AV opening, having a first external face FE1 intended to be oriented towards the outside (of the vehicle) and convex. This convexity of the first external face FE1 advantageously allows the IP insert to be interposed between an external obstacle and the VR screen in order to protect (at least) the latter (VR).

[0035] In other words, each IP insert acts as a spacer that prevents an external obstacle from damaging the VR disc upon contact. Therefore, it is the IP insert that is damaged instead of the VR disc, thus avoiding the need to subject the RV wheel to an abrasive surface treatment to restore its original appearance. Indeed, simply replacing one or more IP inserts is enough to make the RV wheel look brand new again.

[0036] For example, and as illustrated in Figure 1, each IP insert can be arranged to be screwed onto the VR screen. For this purpose, at least one fixing screw (VF) can be used. This screw passes through a dedicated through hole defined in the IP insert and is screwed into a hole (optionally threaded) defined in a dedicated tab (not shown) of the VR screen, which extends into an opening (AV). It should be noted that in the example illustrated in Figure 1, each IP insert is fixed to the VR screen by means of two fixing screws (VF) screwed into two holes (optionally threaded) defined in two dedicated tabs (not shown) of the VR screen. However, only one fixing screw (VF) could be used.

[0037] In one embodiment, each IP insert can be arranged so as to be clipped onto the VR curtain. In this case, it (IP) can, for example, comprise at least two clipping tabs which clip onto the VR curtain at an edge which delimits an AV opening.

[0038] Screwing, like clipping, allows for a fixed, permanent, very simple and very quick fastening of an IP insert in an AV opening of a VR veil.

[0039] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], each IP insert can be arranged to completely conceal the AV opening. However, in an alternative embodiment, each IP insert could conceal only a portion of the associated AV opening. It is also conceivable that within the same RV wheel, there is at least one IP insert completely concealing one associated AV opening and at least one IP insert partially concealing another associated AV opening.

[0040] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 3, the first outer face FE1 of each IP insert can be convex, with a radius of curvature of at least 400 mm to 600 mm in a central zone ZC. As an illustrative example, this radius of curvature can be approximately 500 mm. However, other values ​​for this radius of curvature can be used. For example, this radius of curvature can be chosen during the development or testing phase of a vehicle similar to the vehicle to be fitted with RV wheel(s) with IP insert(s).

[0041] This bulge with radius of curvature (optional) is intended to facilitate (and if possible guarantee) a progressive clearance from an external obstacle (such as a sidewalk).

[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 to 3, the first external face FE1 can be chamfered on at least part of a peripheral edge BP which is intended to be oriented towards the rim JR. This option is intended to facilitate progressive approach to an external obstacle (such as a curb).

[0043] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 3, the entire peripheral edge BP of each insert IP is chamfered. This allows for progressive multidirectional contact. However, this is not mandatory.

[0044] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3, at least part of the peripheral edge BP can be positioned at least partially in front of the second outer face FE2 of the VR disc and / or the third outer face FE3 of the JR rim. This makes it possible to locally cover this second outer face FE2 and / or this third outer face FE3 and thus maintain the fixed position of the IP insert relative to the VR disc, while preventing local airflow through the AV perforation (which could generate noise).

[0045] It should also be noted that, when the rim JR includes an external hook CJ designed to hold an outer sidewall of a tire PN and having one end located in an external plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation AR of the wheel RV, each insert IP can, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], be designed to have a convexity along the axis of rotation AR that extends at least to this external plane. In other words, the extension (or depth of convexity) of the first external face FE1 along the transverse direction Y (and therefore the axis of rotation AR) can extend at least to the transverse level where the end of the external hook CJ is located, so as to also protect the rim JR.

[0046] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], the convexity can be designed to extend along the axis of rotation AR beyond the aforementioned external plane for a distance of between 2 mm and 10 mm. This also protects the outer sidewall of the tire PN in the vicinity of the external hook CJ.

[0047] By way of illustration, this distance along the transverse Y direction can be approximately 6 mm. However, other values ​​for this distance may be used. For example, this distance may be chosen during the development or testing phase of a vehicle similar to the vehicle to be fitted with RV wheel(s) with IP insert(s).

[0048] It should be noted that IP inserts can, for example, be made by molding a plastic material or by a 3D printer. In addition, it is possible to personalize the shapes and / or colors and / or appearance (of the first external faces FE1) of the IP inserts, to satisfy the greatest number of land vehicle users.

Claims

Demands

1. Insert (IP) for a wheel (RV) suitable for equipping a land vehicle and comprising a rim (JR) inside which is fixedly housed a disc (VR) having at least one opening (AV), characterized in that it is suitable for being fixedly housed in at least a part of said opening (AV) having a first external face (FE1) intended to be oriented outwards and convex in order to interpose itself between an external obstacle and said disc (VR) to protect the latter (VR).

2. Insert according to claim 1, characterized in that said first external face (FE1) is convex having a radius of curvature between 400 mm and 600 mm at least in a central zone (ZC).

3. Insert according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first external face (FE1) is chamfered on at least part of a peripheral edge (BP) intended to be oriented towards said rim (JR).

4. Insert according to claim 3, characterized in that said part at least of the peripheral edge (BP) is suitable to be placed at least in part in front of a second external face (FE2) of said web (VR) and / or a third external face (FE3) of said rim (JR).

5. Insert according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the presence of a rim (JR) comprising a hook (CJ) adapted to hold a sidewall of a tire (PN) and having an end situated in an external plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said wheel (RV), said insert (IP) is intended to have a convexity along said axis of rotation extending at least to said external plane.

6. Insert according to claim 5, characterized in that said convexity is intended to extend along said axis of rotation beyond said external plane over a distance between 2 mm and 10 mm.

7. Insert according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is arranged so as to be clipped or screwed onto said veil (VR).

8. A wheel (RV) suitable for equipping a land vehicle and comprising a rim (JR) inside which is fixedly housed a disc (VR) having at least one opening (AV), characterized in that it further comprises at least one insert (IP) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, fixedly housed in at least a part of said opening (AV).

9. Wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that said disc (VR) comprises at least four cutouts (AV) and at least two inserts (IP).

10. Land vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least two wheels (RV) according to claim 8 or 9.

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