Tire support rim for track roller coupled with flange

Abstract

To make it possible, in an environment of movement of vehicles guided by rails, to apply a limitation to the heating of a roller and of a corresponding flange and even to the cooling thereof, while allowing easy incorporation in such an assembly.SOLUTION: The invention concerns a tire 2 support rim 1 for an annular track roller implementing a rim. The rim 1 defines a peripheral edge to bear a tire, a medial edge in contact with a medial portion of the roller, and two opposite faces implementing, on the one hand, an open face and, on the other hand, a bearing face positioned against a surface of a flange of the roller. The support rim 1 incorporates a cooling device having at least one air circulation guidepath passing through the thickness of the rim from an orifice 51 of the open face, so that the guidepath has a portion at the medial edge region and a portion positioned radially in the bearing face region between the medial and peripheral edges.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wheel mechanisms with vehicle flanges that rotate against a rail, and more particularly to the field of thermal control systems for such wheels. [Background technology]

[0002] In rail-guided vehicle environments, particularly in the case of monorail vehicles, friction occurs between a pair of wheels with flanges for interacting with a guide rail. These annular wheels rotate axially and are pressed against the guide rail on both sides via the wheel flanges, allowing the vehicle to move along the rail. As a result, due to the rotation of the wheel flanges, several components are in a frictional state in their operating environment and heat up. On the one hand, the peripheral surface of the annulus, which is supported by or mounted on the wheel so as to contact the rail surface, is subject to heating as the vehicle moves. Similarly, various components of the flange rotation mechanism, which contribute to the control of the axial rotation, endure heating in the vehicle's driving and guidance environment. However, such heating of the wheels, especially in the areas of interaction and contact with other components, can result in deformation phenomena, e.g., expansion, of the corresponding surfaces. Such deformations adversely affect the quality of interaction of the components and can also lead to deterioration when the components come into contact with heated areas that are also subject to high stresses. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present invention aims to reduce these disadvantages by proposing a device that makes it possible to limit the heating and even the cooling of the wheel and the corresponding flange, while at the same time allowing easy integration into such an assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention therefore provides a ring support rim for an annular roller comprising at least one outer ring, the outer ring having a circumferentially extending portion in the form of a disk forming a flange, the peripheral end of which flange is adapted to cooperate with a guide rail, the rim comprising a substantially circular ring arrangement, the ring arrangement comprising: -A rim to support the annulus; a central edge for contacting the inner outer surface of the outer ring of the wheel; - two opposing surfaces that provide, on the one hand, an opening surface and, on the other hand, a pressing surface that is adapted to be positioned against the surface of the flange of the roller; Define the The present invention relates to a rim, characterized in that the support rim incorporates a cooling device, which cooling device includes at least one air circulation guideway penetrating the thickness of the rim, which guideway includes at least one hole positioned in the area of ​​the opening surface of the rim and a circulation path arranged so that, on the one hand, at least one first portion is positioned in the area of ​​the middle edge of the device and, on the other hand, at least one second portion is positioned radially from the middle edge towards the periphery of the rim in the area of ​​the pressing surface.

[0005] The invention also relates to an assembly including a roller realizing a flange connected to an annulus bearing rim according to the invention incorporating a cooling device.

[0006] The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description of preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first example of a support rim according to the invention in a three-dimensional view from the side of the bearing surface of the rim; [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first example of a support rim according to the invention in a three-dimensional view from the side of the opening face of the rim; [Figure 3]1 shows a schematic diagram of the assembly of a first example of a support rim according to the invention connected to a flange in a three-dimensional view from the side of the opening face of the rim. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic cross-section of an example of a support rim, taken through the axis of rotation of the associated flange. [Figure 5] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a second example of a support rim according to the invention in a three-dimensional view from the opening face side of the rim. [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a second example of a support rim according to the invention in a three-dimensional view from the side of the bearing surface of the rim; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention relates to a rim 1 supporting an annulus 2 for an annular roller comprising at least one outer ring 31, the outer ring 31 having a circular disk-shaped portion extending around its periphery forming a flange 4, the peripheral end of which is adapted to cooperate with a guide rail, the rim 1 comprising a substantially circular ring arrangement, the ring arrangement comprising: a rim 12 for supporting the annulus 2; a central edge 13 for contacting the inner outer surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel; two opposing surfaces which, on the one hand, provide the opening surface 11 and, on the other hand, the pressing surface 14 which is adapted to be positioned against the surface of the flange 4 of the roller; Define the The present invention relates to a rim, characterized in that the support rim (1) incorporates a cooling device (5) which includes at least one air circulation guideway (52) penetrating the thickness of the rim (1), the guideway (52) comprising at least one hole (51) positioned in the area of ​​the opening face (11) of the rim (1) and a circulation path arranged so that, on the one hand, at least one first portion (521) is positioned in the area of ​​the middle edge (13) of the device (5) and, on the other hand, at least one second portion (522) is positioned radially from the middle edge (13) towards the peripheral edge (12) of the rim (1) in the area of ​​the pressing face (14).

[0009] The rim 1 according to the invention is therefore configured to incorporate an air circulation guideway 52, within which the movement of air provides a means of recovery and evacuation of heat dissipated from the heated surface towards the interior of the rim 1. The guideway 52 is therefore arranged to provide an air flow within the thickness of the rim 1, so that it moves as close as possible to the parts of the rim 1 that are in contact or may come into contact with the heated parts of the rim 1, i.e. the heated parts of the wheels and / or annulus 2. The air flow moving inside the circulation guideway 52 therefore circulates via a first part 521 in the area of ​​the central edge 13 of the rim 1, so as to be as close as possible to the outer surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel, which is positioned near the wheel's axis of rotation, and which can withstand considerable heating in the environment of that axis of rotation. Likewise, the moving airflow circulates in the area of ​​the second portion 522 positioned radially from the middle edge 13 towards the peripheral edge 12 of the rim 1 in the region of the pressing surface 14, allowing the recovery of heat in the surrounding area that supports the heated annulus 2 under the influence of its friction against the surface of the rail and its rotation, near the flange 4 and the outer or peripheral part of the rim 1. It should likewise be noted that the circulation of the airflow along at least a part of its path in the radial direction allows heat exchange, and therefore cooling, to take place in the area of ​​various parts of the rim 1 that come into contact with the heating of the outer surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel, positioned near the axis of rotation of the wheel and / or near the part of the wheel that realizes the flange 4.

[0010] According to an example of a different configuration, at least a portion of the guideway 52 is made in the form of an open cross section, so as to be bounded by at least a portion of the inner outer surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel and / or a portion of the surface 41 of the flange 4 of the wheel. According to this different configuration, the guideway 52 made in the rim 1 has an arrangement such that its bounding can be obtained by cooperation with at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the wheel, i.e., with at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel positioned near the wheel's rotation axis and / or near the portion of the wheel that realizes the flange 4. Such a guideway 52 therefore allows for an easy construction of the rim 1 incorporating the guideway 52. ​​In fact, the rim 1 can be made by casting, and the entire construction of the guideway 52 does not require drilling through holes in the rim 1. The bounding of the guideway 52 is achieved by positioning and assembling the rim 1 in the area of ​​the outer surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel and / or the surface of the flange 4 of the wheel. It should likewise be noted that such a configuration of the guideways 52 allows for the circulation of airflow within the rim 1, optimizing the heat exchange, and therefore the cooling, by carrying it out as close as possible to the various heated surfaces and components, especially in the area of ​​the wheel. In fact, the airflow circulating inside the rim 1 moves in direct contact with one or more heated surfaces and components. Since the guideways 52 are created by the geometric cooperation of the central edge 13 and the pressing surface 14, on the one hand, and the outer surface of the wheel, on the other hand, in the area of ​​the guideways 52 for heat exchange, the moving airflow comes into direct contact with the surfaces of the heated components, without the presence of any thickness of the rim 1, thereby optimizing the quality of the heat exchange.

[0011] According to an example of another alternative configuration that can be combined with the previously mentioned alternative configurations, the taxiway 52 comprises, on the one hand, a hole 51 positioned in the region of the opening face 11 of the rim 1, and, on the other hand, a second hole 53 positioned at a distance from the axis of rotation of the rim 1 that differs from the distance separating the hole 51, positioned in the region of the opening face 11 of the rim 1, from the axis of rotation of the rim 1. This specific mutual arrangement of the holes 51, 53 of the taxiway 52 achieves a radial offset between the first hole 51 and the second hole 53 in the plane of rotation of the rim 1. This offset of the two holes 51, 53 allows, during axial rotation of the rim 1 with the wheel, to generate a greater centrifugal force in the region of the hole furthest from the axis of rotation of the rim 1, so that the air inside the taxiway 52 is naturally expelled in the region of the taxiway 52 furthest from the axis of rotation of the rim 1, and, on the other hand, is sucked in due to a pressure difference in the region of the hole of the taxiway 52 closest to the axis of rotation of the rim 1. This arrangement therefore makes it possible to achieve air circulation inside the taxiway 52 without the need to incorporate a motor for moving air inside the taxiway 52. ​​In one configuration example, the first hole 51 of the taxiway 52, which leads to the area of ​​the opening face 11 of the rim 1, is positioned closer to the axis of rotation of the rim 1 than the second hole 53. The airflow inside the taxiway 52 of the cooling device 5 therefore moves from the first hole 51 to the second hole 53 of the taxiway 52. ​​This configuration therefore makes it possible to manipulate the circulation of the airflow so that the coolest air circulates preferentially in the area of ​​the first portion 521 of the taxiway 52, i.e., near and / or against the portion of the surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel closest to the rotation mechanism 3, before circulating in the area of ​​the second portion 522 of the taxiway, i.e., near and / or against the surface 41 of the wheel flange 4.

[0012] According to another example of a different configuration, which can be combined with the previous one, the guideway 52 in the region of the second section 522 of the guideway has at least one cross section that is larger than that in the region of the first section 521 of the guideway. The difference in cross section between the different sections of the guideway 52 allows the speed of the airflow within the loop to be adjusted. In fact, the airflow moves at a higher speed in the region of the section of the guideway 52 with a smaller cross section than in the region of the section of the guideway 52 with a smaller cross section. Therefore, in the region of the first section 521 of the guideway 52 located in the region of the outer wheel 31 surface closest to the rotating mechanism 3, the airflow has a higher circulation speed. The temperature difference between the moving airflow and the heated surface is thus maintained at a constant interval, and the continuous airflow allows for optimized heat exchange in the region of the heated wheel surface. On the other hand, the cross section in the region of the second section 522 of the guideway 52 has a larger dimensioning, so as to perform heat exchange in a larger volumetric region within the rim 1. In fact, the second portion 522 is arranged so as to be disposed in a substantially radial direction in the area of ​​the surface 41 of the wheel flange 4. Preferably, the second portion 522 is configured so that a portion of the surface of the guideway 52 is also positioned within the thickness of the rim 1, in a terminal area located near the opening face 11 of the rim 1 and near at least a portion of the circumferential edge 12 of the rim 1. This arrangement therefore also enables heat recovery in at least a portion of the area of ​​the flange 4 and heat exchange with the circumferential edge 12 of the rim 1, which is in contact with the heated annulus 2. Similarly, the airflow moving in the area of ​​the second portion 522 of the guideway 52 can exchange heat in a portion of the guideway 52 located near the opening face 11 of the rim 1. The opening face 11 is in contact with the exterior of the rim 1 and naturally represents one of the coolest surfaces of the rim 1 during vehicle operation. Heat release in the area of ​​the outer surface of the rim 1, which is realized by the opening face 11 of the rim 1, is thus facilitated.

[0013] According to an example of a specific variant of the aforementioned configuration, at least a portion of the second portion 522 of the circuit path of the taxiway 52 has a cross section such that at least one width of the second portion 522 exceeds the thickness of the rim 1. According to this variant, if the second portion 522 of the taxiway 52 is realized by a complementary interaction between the rim 1 on the one hand and a portion of the surface 41 of the flange 4 of the wheel on the other hand, the rim 1 that presses against the flange 4 has a reduced thickness along several cross sections of its structure. This reduced thickness is seen in particular in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and therefore of the flange 4 of said wheel, and a large part of the height of the rim 1 is realized by the volume corresponding to the taxiway 52 that directly interacts with the surface 41 of the flange 4 of the wheel.

[0014] According to another example of a different configuration, which can be combined with the previous one, the guideway 52 includes at least one second hole 53 positioned in the area of ​​the peripheral edge 12 of the rim 1. Positioning the second hole 53 of the guideway 52 at the peripheral edge of the rim 1 allows optimal air evacuation by centrifugal force. This arrangement also allows heat exchange to occur in the area of ​​a portion of the rim 1 that supports the annulus 2. On the other hand, when the rim 1 is connected to the annulus 2, the annulus 2 may have a height lower than the height of the peripheral edge 12 of the rim 1 so as not to block the hole 53 of the guideway 52 at the peripheral edge of the rim 1. The hole 53 is positioned at the end of the peripheral edge 12 of the rim 1, near the opening surface 11 or the pressing surface 14 of the rim 1. Alternatively, the annulus 2 may also include a through-hole 531 arranged to be positioned in the extension of the second hole 53 of the guideway 52 integrated in the rim 1. The through-holes 531 of the annulus 2 thus likewise contribute to optimizing the heat exchange with the annulus 2, limiting heating within the annulus and even allowing cooling. According to an example corresponding to a different specific configuration, the through-holes 531 are realized by hollowing out the area of ​​the surface of the annulus 2 intended to be pressed against the flange 4, the through-holes 531 therefore being created by the cooperation of the surface 41 of the flange 4 and the annulus 2. As a complementary example, the annulus 2 can likewise be made of a substantially porous material in the area of ​​a portion of its surface positioned in the area of ​​the second holes 53 of the guideways 52 integrated in the rim 1. The porosity of the annulus 2 thus allows a permeability that allows the movement of airflow through the annulus 2, such that a cooling flow can circulate inside the guideways 52 of the rim 1.

[0015] According to an example of another variant, which can be combined with one or other of the variants described above, the taxiway 52 comprises a second hole 53 and / or at least one additional hole positioned in the area of ​​the face 14 of the rim 1 that is pressed against the surface 41 of the flange 4. The hole of the taxiway 52 positioned in the area of ​​the surface 41 of the flange 4 is arranged to face the hole that the surface 41 of the flange 4 comprises and that corresponds to the end of the taxiway that is arranged through the thickness of the flange 4 of the wheel. The air current circulating in the taxiway 52 of the rim 1 also passes through the thickness of the flange 4 before or after its movement inside the taxiway 52, contributing to the cooling of the flange 4 of the wheel.

[0016] It should be noted that in the context of creating the cooling device 5, the guideway 52 may include one or more intakes and one or more exhausts. In fact, the guideway 52 may have branches of air circulation in the region of each of its ends.

[0017] According to another example of a different configuration, which can be combined with the previous one, the opening surface 11 includes at least one relief 6 realizing a radially oriented winglet 61. The opening surface 11 of the rim 1 thus has an arrangement capable of generating turbulence in the area of ​​the surface of the rim 1 in the environment of the rim's rotation using the rollers. The at least one winglet 61 realized by the surface relief is radially oriented on the opening surface 11 of the rim 1, and allows the winglet to optimize the stirring and blowing of the air present in the area of ​​the surface of the rim 1. The air movement in the area of ​​the surface 11 of the rim 1 facilitates the suction of cool air in the area of ​​the first hole 51 of the taxiway 52, which also contributes to the resupply of air in the area of ​​the opening surface 11 of the rim 1. On the other hand, the at least one winglet 61 on the surface 11 of the rim 1 can be arranged to direct the airflow on the opening surface 11 of the rim 1 towards the first hole 51 of the taxiway 52. According to one embodiment, the winglet 61 may have a protruding relief 6 combined with one or more reliefs 6 made in the form of cutouts 62 located on both sides of the protruding relief. Such an arrangement allows optimizing the stirring surface of the winglet 61 without the need to increase the thickness of the rim 1. The winglet 61 can thus effectively stir the air on the surface of the rim 1 without exceeding its height. According to an example corresponding to a specific different configuration, the relief 6 formed in the area of ​​the surface of the opening face 11 of the rim 1 is arranged so as to be positioned near one of the faces of the taxiway 52 within the thickness of the rim 1, by at least partially conforming to the shape of a portion of the surface of the taxiway 52. ​​Similarly, in a cross-sectional plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the rim 1 with the rollers, the relief 6 realizing the winglet 61 in the area of ​​the surface 11 of the rim 1 at least partially conforms to the shape of the taxiway 52 realized by the rim 1. If the rim 1 comprises a cooling device 5 made in the form of a plurality of respective guideways 52, each guideway 52 can be connected to a respective winglet 61 which realizes a protrusion in the area of ​​the opening face 11 of the rim 1, the opening face 11 of the rim 1 having at least one recess 62 between the winglets.According to an example corresponding to another variant of construction, specific and combinable with the previous variant, the opening surface 11 of the rim 1 comprises a plurality of radially arranged winglets 61, which make it possible to realize the opening surface 11 of the rim 1 supporting a turbulence mechanism that makes it possible to effectively resupply the air in contact with the rim 1, so that the heat that appears in the various parts and surface areas of the flange 4 of the wheel interacting with the rail, on the one hand, and the annulus 2, on the other hand, can be effectively evacuated as soon as they start to rotate in their operating environment.

[0018] According to an example of another variant of construction that can be combined with the variants described above, the opening face 11 of the rim 1 includes at least one relief 6 that realizes a hollow 62 in the thickness of the rim 1 near the periphery 12. This particular configuration, especially when combined with the presence of a protruding relief 6 that contributes to the realization of at least one winglet 61, allows for the positioning of a means on the surface 11 of the rim 1 that can contribute to the generation of turbulence and movement of air in the area of ​​the part of the rim 1 that has the longest path and therefore the greatest movement speed. Likewise, the relief 6 realized by the at least one hollow 61 can be positioned in the most peripheral area of ​​the opening face 11 of the rim 1 to maximize the generation of turbulence on the surface of the rim 1. The relief 6 likewise increases the heat exchange surface of the rim 1 and therefore the cooling effect.

[0019] According to an example of another variant, which can be combined with the previous variants, the cooling device 5 comprises a plurality of guideways 52 arranged radially in an annular arrangement on the rim 1. The particular arrangement of the various guideways 52 forming the cooling device 5 allows heat exchange and heat evacuation in the area of ​​the surface of the outer ring 31 of the wheel closest to the rotating mechanism 3, on the one hand, and in the area of ​​the surface 41 of the flange 4 of the wheel connected to the rim 1, on the other hand, but also in the area of ​​the entire annular structure of the annulus 2 surrounding the rim 1. On the other hand, the radial distribution of the guideways 52 of the cooling device 5 can likewise be linked to the arrangement of a plurality of winglets 61 arranged radially on the opening face 11 of the rim 1.

[0020] The invention also relates to an assembly including a roller bearing a flange 4 connected to a rim 1 bearing an annulus 2 according to the invention. The rim 1 bearing the annulus 2 incorporates a cooling device 5 as detailed above.

[0021] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings: modifications remain possible, particularly in terms of the configuration of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A rim (1) for supporting an annulus (2) for an annular roller, comprising at least one outer ring (31), the outer ring (31) having a circular disk-shaped portion extending around its periphery forming a flange (4), the peripheral end of which is adapted to cooperate with a guide rail, the rim (1) comprising a substantially circular ring arrangement, the ring arrangement comprising: - a rim (12) for supporting the annulus (2); a central edge (13) for contacting the inner outer surface of the outer ring (31) of said annular roller; - two opposing surfaces which constitute, on the one hand, an opening surface (11) and, on the other hand, a pressing surface (14) adapted to be positioned against the surface of the flange (4) of the annular roller; a rim defining the A rim (1) incorporating a cooling device (5), characterized in that the cooling device comprises at least one air circulation guideway (52) through the thickness of the rim (1), the guideway (52) comprising at least one hole (51) positioned in the region of the opening face (11) of the rim (1) and a circulation path arranged such that, on the one hand, at least one first portion (521) is positioned in the region of the middle edge (13) of the cooling device (5) and, on the other hand, at least one second portion (522) is positioned radially from the middle edge (13) towards the circumferential edge (12) in the region of the pressing face (14).

2. 2. A rim (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the guideway (52) is made in the form of an open cross section so as to be bounded by at least a part of the inner outer surface of the outer ring (31) of the annular roller and / or by a part of the surface (41) of the flange (4) of the annular roller.

3. 3. A rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guideway (52) comprises a second hole (53) positioned at a distance from the axis of rotation of the rim (1) different from the distance separating, on the one hand, the hole (51) positioned in the region of the opening face (11) of the rim (1) and, on the other hand, the axis of rotation of the rim (1).

4. A rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guideway (52) in the region of the second part (522) of the circulation path has at least one cross section which is larger than in the region of the first part (521) of the circulation path.

5. A rim (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a part of the second part (522) of the circulation path of the guideway (52) has a cross section, and the width of at least one of the cross sections is at least greater than the thickness of the rim (1).

6. A rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guideway (52) comprises at least one second hole (53) positioned in the region of the circumferential edge (12) of the rim (1).

7. A rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guideway (52) comprises a second hole (53) and / or at least one additional hole positioned in the area of ​​the face (14) of the rim (1) that is pressed against the surface (41) of the flange (4).

8. A rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening face (11) comprises at least one relief (6) realizing a radially oriented winglet (61).

9. A rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening surface (11) comprises at least one relief realising a cut-out in the thickness of the rim (1) near the periphery.

10. A rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cooling device (5) comprises a plurality of guideways (52) arranged radially in an annular arrangement of the rim (1).

11. Assembly including a roller realizing a flange (4) connected to a rim (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

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