Rims for vehicle wheels

Abstract

The invention relates to a rim for a vehicle wheel, comprising a rim body (12) having a hub part (14), a rim well (16), a number of supports (20) arranged between the hub part (14) and the rim well (16), at least one gap (22) arranged between the supports (20), and at least one cover element (28) associated with the gap (20). The cover element can be moved from a first position to a second position by an actuation device, the extent of the gap covered by the cover element in the first position being different from the extent of the gap covered by the cover element in the second position. The cover element is deformed when moving from the first position to the second position. The actuation device is formed by a telescopic element (40; 40') which automatically starts to displace the cover element (28) in a direction from the first position towards the second position when a first predetermined temperature is exceeded.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rim for a vehicle wheel according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a rim is known from EP 3 694 727 B1. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern automobiles need to have the lowest possible air resistance to reduce the vehicle's energy consumption, especially when driving at high speeds. The rims of the vehicle wheels also need to contribute to reducing air resistance. To achieve the air flow around the vehicle rims with the lowest possible air resistance, the surface of the outer rim of the vehicle should be as smooth and closed as possible to avoid air disturbances that increase air resistance as much as possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Publication No. 3694727 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, it is also desirable to be able to optimally cool the brakes of the vehicle, which are usually located in the space enclosed by the vehicle rim. For this purpose, it is desirable to have as much air flow as possible through the surface of the rim in order to ensure sufficient air flow to the vehicle brakes both when the vehicle is moving and when the vehicle is stationary. This requirement is the exact opposite of the above-mentioned requirement to keep the rim surface as closed as possible.

[0005] To solve this conflicting objective, the aforementioned patent document 1 proposes according to its preamble a rim for a vehicle wheel, in which openings in the rim surface are closed by one or more cover elements, which can be transformed between a first and a second position by being pneumatically, electrically or magnetically actuated in order to open gaps on the rim surface as required to allow cooling air to flow through these gaps. However, this known solution requires, on the one hand, pneumatic, electric or magnetic actuators to transform the one or more cover elements from the first position to the second position, and, on the other hand, an associated sensor system (temperature sensor, road speed sensor, etc.) and a control logic cooperating with the sensor system to determine when the cover elements should transform from the first position to the second position. This obviously leads to increased complexity and costs.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above mentioned conflicting objectives, which on the one hand retains the advantages of the known solutions and on the other hand is less complicated and at the same time more cost-effective. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Based on the prior art mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention by a rim for a vehicle wheel having the features defined in claim 1. The rim for a vehicle wheel according to the invention is therefore characterized in that the actuating device capable of transferring the cover element from a first position to a second position is formed by a so-called telescopic element, which automatically starts to transfer the cover element in the direction from the first position towards the second position when a first predetermined temperature is exceeded.

[0008] The telescopic element itself is known. Telescopic elements have been used for many years in thermostats to maintain the desired temperature in a cooling and / or heating fluid circuit. The telescopic element is usually composed of a housing and a piston- or plunger-like component surrounded by an expansion material arranged in the housing. The housing of the telescopic element is usually sealed with a membrane or an elastomer insert connected to the piston or plunger in a force-transmitting manner. As an expansion material, for example, oil, wax or hard paraffin is fixed. As a result of the temperature acting from the outside on the telescopic element, the expansion material changes its volume in the sense that it increases when it exceeds a first predefined temperature, thereby displacing the piston- or plunger-like component, which causes the valve control in the thermostat. When the temperature falls below a predefined second temperature, which is higher than the first predefined temperature, the volume of the expansion material decreases again, whereby the piston- or plunger-like component can be returned, usually by a spring force, towards the starting position. Thus, depending on the position of the piston or plunger, the flow of cooling liquid and / or heating liquid can be controlled by the associated valves to keep the temperature within the heating and / or cooling system at a substantially constant level.

[0009] By properly dimensioning the telescopic element and by properly selecting and designing the expansion material used, the telescopic element can be manufactured in a large number of variations so as to provide a wide range of desired actuation forces, desired small or large lifting distances and desired control ranges. The temperature range in which such a telescopic element can be used for control purposes is, for example, from -20°C to +130°C, but may deviate significantly from this temperature range if there are special requirements. The first predetermined temperature and the second predetermined temperature are determined by a suitable selection and design of the expansion material and determine the desired control range in °C, for example 60°C to 80°C, 65°C to 80°C, 71°C to 85°C, 75°C to 90°C, 83°C to 95°C, etc. Telescopic elements of the above type are manufactured and sold, for example, by ACS GmbH, 83703 Gmünd, Germany.

[0010] The actuator of the rim according to the invention formed by a telescopic element reliably ensures that the cover element (or cover elements) associated with the actuator are displaced in a direction from a first position towards a second position when a first predetermined temperature is exceeded, without the need for pneumatic, electric or magnetic actuators controlled by a sensor system for detecting temperature and / or other parameters for this purpose.

[0011] Preferably, the or each cover element is designed to have a flat extension which extends mainly radially, but also circumferentially, which ensures on the one hand that such a cover element can be easily deformed and on the other hand that the gap associated with the cover element can be reliably opened and closed.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the rim according to the invention, the or each cover element has a stop which is non-displaceably connected to the rim body of the rim, which stop is preferably provided radially outwardly with respect to the rim body and / or extends in the circumferential direction. In this way, each cover element is firmly fixed to the rim body. A stop arranged radially outwardly with respect to the rim body advantageously allows an actuating device associated with the cover element to be arranged in the radially inner region of the rim. By adding a mass to the radially inner region of the rim, the circumferential forces when the rim rotates are reduced.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the rim according to the invention, the cover element has an actuating part which is arranged to be movable, in particular displaceable, with respect to the rim body of the rim, which is preferably provided on the inside of the rim and / or extends in the circumferential direction, and which is preferably movable or displaceable in the axial and / or radial and / or circumferential direction. The radially inner arrangement of the actuating part with respect to the rim advantageously allows it to be coupled with an actuating device of the associated cover element, which is also arranged radially inner. The actuating part of the cover element is present in addition to the above-mentioned fastening part, preferably such that the cover element comprises, for example, a stop part arranged radially outward and an actuating part arranged further radially inward. The actuating part of the cover element is preferably arranged to be displaceable or pivotable with respect to the rim body, and preferably such a displacement or pivoting can be forcefully guided, i.e. along a predetermined movement path.

[0014] Preferably, the first position of the covering element is a position in which the gap associated with said covering element is covered to a greater extent by the covering element than in the second position. The second position is therefore a more open position than the first position. The first position may be a position in which the gap associated with the covering element is completely covered by the covering element. Such a position may also be referred to as a closed position of the covering element. The second position may be a position in which the covering element is in a maximally open position with respect to the gap associated with it. Such a position may also be referred to as a fully open position of the covering element. Intermediate positions are possible as well.

[0015] Preferably, the or each cover element, when moved from the first position to the second position, bulges axially outwardly or axially inwardly in at least some regions with respect to the rim surface. In the case of a flat extension of the cover element as described above, the bulging outwardly or axially inwardly of the cover element in at least some regions can be used to simply form openings between the cover element and the rim body on two opposite sides (e.g. two circumferentially opposite sides) of the cover element, through which air can flow into a gap of the rim associated with the cover element. However, instead or in addition, the bulging of the cover element in at least some regions can take place on only one side of the cover element, for example in order that the openings created between the cover element and the rim body by the bulging of the cover element are at least temporarily oriented in the direction of travel of the vehicle, thus facilitating the inflow of cooling air towards the gap when the vehicle is moving.

[0016] A rim according to the invention preferably has a plurality of gaps formed in the rim body such that one cover element is associated with each of a plurality of the gaps, preferably one cover element associated with each gap.

[0017] If the rim according to the invention has several cover elements, in some embodiments of the rim according to the invention a separate telescopic element is associated with each cover element as an actuating element. To actuate each cover element, the piston or plunger of the telescopic element is preferably connected in a force transmitting manner to the actuating part of the associated cover element.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the rim according to the invention, several or all of the cover elements cooperate as actuators with a single telescopic element, preferably arranged in the hub part of the rim body, where the mass associated with the single actuator generates few circumferential forces when the rim rotates, which favors a smooth running of the rim.

[0019] If only a single telescopic element is arranged in the hub part of the rim body, the actuating part of the cover element cooperating with this telescopic element preferably comprises an extension, which is articulated to the respective actuating part and extends into the hub part of the rim body. Via such an extension, an actuating device in the form of a single telescopic element can actuate the or each cover element. According to a preferred embodiment, all these extensions are articulated to an actuating plate, which is displaceably arranged in the hub part of the rim body. A piston or plunger of the single telescopic element can then act substantially axially on this actuating plate, which extends at least substantially perpendicular to the axial direction along which the piston or plunger of the telescopic element moves, in order to move the cover element from the first position to the second position. This axial direction can be an axial direction with respect to the rim, in particular the central axis of the rim.

[0020] Regardless of whether the rim according to the invention has one or several actuation devices, the or each cover element is preferably formed from or consists of at least one elastically reversibly deformable material. In this way, a spring force is built up in the deformed cover element during the transition from the first position to the second position, which ensures that the or each cover element automatically returns in the direction from the second position towards the first position when the temperature falls below the already mentioned predetermined second temperature. The or each cover element of such an embodiment makes it possible to omit a separate return spring or springs, thus resulting in a further simplification of the construction of the rim according to the invention. In the case of cover element materials that do not build up an elastic restoring force, one or more return spring elements can also be used if desired or necessary.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the rim according to the invention is characterized in that, when the cover element or elements assume a position in which the gap associated with the respective cover element is completely covered, the cover element or elements extend at least substantially flush with the support which defines the respective gap with which the respective cover element is associated, in other words, the respective cover element then extends substantially flush with the surface of the rim body located on the exterior side of the vehicle.

[0022] The invention also relates to a vehicle wheel equipped with a rim according to the invention and to a vehicle having a vehicle wheel or several vehicle wheels equipped with a rim according to the invention.

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the rim according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a rim for a vehicle wheel according to the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 2]2 is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken along line BB in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] Detail X of FIG. 2 is shown in an enlarged view. [Figure 4] The field of view in FIG. 3 is shown with the cover elements in an open position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with a slight modification. [Figure 6] 1 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of a first exemplary embodiment with a cover element in an open position. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a perspective partial cross-sectional view of a cover element assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a rim for a vehicle wheel according to the invention in plan view; [Figure 9] 4 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 3 for a second exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] 5 shows a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 for a second exemplary embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 shows a perspective partial cross-sectional view of a detail of the second exemplary embodiment with the cover element in a closed, inactivated state. [Figure 12] 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 with the cover element in an open, operative position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A first exemplary embodiment of a rim 10 for a vehicle wheel according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to figures 1 to 7. The rim 10 can for example be a so-called passenger car alloy rim. Passenger car alloy rims are manufactured in a generally known manner from a light metal alloy, for example by a casting process, and therefore will not be described in more detail here.

[0026] The rim 10 comprises a rim body 12, which can be produced, for example, by casting from the light metal alloy already mentioned, which comprises a hub part 14 arranged at the centre of the rim 10 and a rim well 16 arranged annularly radially outwards, for holding a tyre (not shown here). The hub part 14, arranged coaxially with a central axis M, serves in particular to fasten the rim 10 to a vehicle (not shown) and for this purpose has a number of bolt holes 18 (five in this example) extending parallel to the central axis M, each bolt hole 18 serving to receive a bolt (not shown) by means of which the rim 10 can be bolted to the axle or wheel suspension of the vehicle.

[0027] Extending between the radially inwardly disposed hub portion 14 and the radially outwardly disposed rim well 16 are a number of (here five) supports 20, also sometimes referred to as arms or spokes. In this example, the hub portion 14, supports 20 and rim well 16 are integrally formed with one another by casting the rim body 12, but this is not necessary. Alternatively, the rim body 12 may be made up of multiple parts that are manufactured separately from one another and then joined together, depending on the material used for the rim body 12 and the method of manufacture of the rim body 12.

[0028] Two supports 20 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction U of the rim 10 respectively define a gap 22 between them, which gap 22 forms a through opening between the upper side 24 of the rim and an internal space 26 of the rim 10 enclosed by the rim well 16. When the rim 10 is mounted on the axle or wheel suspension of a vehicle (not shown), the internal space 26 of the rim is usually provided with a vehicle brake (not shown), often a so-called disk brake, capable of slowing down the vehicle and firmly connected to the axle or wheel suspension of the vehicle. Due to the frictional heat generated by the friction between the rotating components of the brake (e.g. drum or disk) and the fixed friction linings of the brake (brake pads) during the braking operation, such vehicle brakes can become very hot during operation and therefore must be cooled in order to ensure the braking function. The gap 22 of the rim body 12 allows air exchange between the internal space 26 of the rim 10 and the surrounding atmosphere, so that cool air can flow to the brake and hot air can flow away from the brake. However, during driving operation, the gap 22 creates air turbulence and increases air resistance, resulting in increased fuel consumption for the vehicle.

[0029] In order to at least temporarily eliminate the effects of increased aerodynamic drag in the gaps 22 and still allow sufficient cooling of the vehicle brakes, cover elements 28 associated with the gaps 22 are provided. In the embodiment shown, one cover element 28 is associated with each gap 22. Each cover element has a substantially wedge-shaped (pie-shaped) configuration when viewed from above and serves to cover the associated gap 22 from the outside. Each cover element 28 is a flat element that extends mainly in the radial and circumferential directions U and whose thickness is much smaller than its radial and circumferential extension. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each cover element 28 extends from the hub part 14 approximately to the peripheral edge 30 of the rim body 12. Each cover element 28 comprises an opening 32 in the region of the hub part 14, which here has a circular shape and allows access to the bolt holes 18 arranged below or to the bolts arranged in the bolt holes 18. Near its radially outer end, one of the cover elements 28 further comprises a through-opening 34, which is also circular, allowing access to a tire valve 36 provided below, via which air can be supplied to or removed from the vehicle wheel when the tire is mounted. Near the radially inner end of each support 20 and between the two bolt holes 18 in the circumferential direction, so-called poly control holes 38 are further formed in the rim body 12, which are used by some car manufacturers when adjusting the wheel alignment of the vehicle wheels. However, within the scope of the present invention, these poly control holes 38 have no function.

[0030] As can be seen well from figures 3 and 4, each cover element 28 can take a first position, which can be for example a closed position as shown in figure 3, and can be transferred from the first position to a second position, which can be for example an open position as shown in figure 4. The cover elements 28 are transferred from the first position to the second position by deforming the cover elements 28 with an actuator, which is formed by a so-called telescopic element 40 which automatically starts to displace the cover elements 28 in a direction from the first position towards the second position when a first predetermined temperature is exceeded. In the first embodiment illustrated according to figures 1 to 7, the telescopic element 40 is accommodated in a central recess 41 of the hub part 14, which extends axially through the hub part 14 of the rim body 12, here coaxially with the central axis M.

[0031] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each cover element 28 is deformed by radially (radially outwardly) displacing the area of ​​its radially inner end, such that the central portion of the cover element 28 with respect to the radial extension range bulges substantially axially upwards, i.e. away from the upper side 24 of the rim. Thus, as soon as the cover element 28 is displaced from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the second position, the bulging of the cover element 28 forms openings 42 between the respective support 20 and the cover element 28 on both sides of the cover element 28, through which air can flow in and out of the gap 22 located below the cover element 28. The second position of the cover element 28 can be the position illustrated in FIG. 4, in which the cover element 28 assumes the most open position possible, but can also be any position between the positions illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (in such intermediate positions the openings 42 are correspondingly smaller).

[0032] So that each cover element 28 can be deformed as explained above, the cover elements 28, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, consist of an elastically reversibly deformable material (for example a suitable plastic material, a suitable metal or a suitable alloy) and are fixed in the region of their radially outer end relative to the rim body 12. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, this fixing is effected by means of stops 44 which form the radially outer part of the cover element 28 and are radially supported on the rim body 12, for example by means of tabs 46. For this purpose, the rim body 12 can be provided in the region of the circumferential edge 30 with grooves 48 (see FIG. 6), into which tabs 46 connected to the stops 44 engage. Alternatively, a retaining means 50 may be provided which is supported on the peripheral edge 30 and the tabs 46 are radially supported on the retaining means 50, for example by positive engagement between the tabs 46 and radially inwardly directed projections 52 formed on the retaining means 50, or by fastening the tabs 46 to the retaining means 50, for example by screws, rivets or adhesive (see FIG. 12, where fastening elements in the form of screws or rivets are not shown).

[0033] Furthermore, each cover element 28 is mounted in the region of its radially inner end so that it is held on the one hand in the rim body 12 and, on the other hand, radially displaceable. For this purpose, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each cover element 28 has a radially inner arranged actuating part 54 which is provided with an elongated hole 56 (see FIG. 5 ) through which extends a screw 58 for fastening the actuating part 54 to the rim body 12. The screw 58 has a screw head whose diameter is greater than the width of the elongated hole 56, such that radial guidance of the actuating part 54 is achieved by the interaction of the elongated hole 56 with the screw 58. The actuating part 54 of each cover element 28 can thus be radially displaced within a range defined by the length (i.e. radial extent) of the elongated hole 56.

[0034] The aforementioned telescopic element 40 serves to bring about such a displacement. Such telescopic element 40 has a housing 60 for containing an expansion material 62, the volume of which varies depending on the ambient temperature. When a first temperature, which is predetermined (depending on the choice and the form of the expansion material 62), is exceeded, the volume of the expansion material 62 increases. When the temperature falls below a second predetermined temperature, which is higher than the first predetermined temperature, the volume of the expansion material 62 decreases again. A piston or plunger 64, guided in a sealed manner against the inside of the housing 60, projects with one end into the housing 60 and is pushed out of the housing 60 when the volume of the expansion material 62 increases. The temperature-dependent automatic movement of this plunger 64 is used to actuate the cover element 28. The telescopic element 40 is shown only as an example, and the structure of the telescopic element 40 does not need to be described in more detail here, since telescopic elements are already known in the field of liquid thermostats and have been commercially available for a long time.

[0035] In a first exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the telescopic element 40 is placed in a central recess 41 in the hub part 40 of the rim body 12, and the movement of its plunger 64 is used to actuate all the cover elements 28 simultaneously. In this exemplary embodiment, the housing 60 of the telescopic element 40 is accommodated in a bracket 66 that is attached to the rim body 12 from the interior space 26 of the rim and serves as a holder for the telescopic element 40. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the housing 60 is formed by a portion 68 (see Figure 3) with an enlarged outer diameter so that the plunger 64 can be axially supported against the bracket 66 when it is pushed out of the housing 60.

[0036] In order that the upward movement of the plunger 64 can be transmitted to the cover element 28, each actuating part 64 is articulated to an extension 70 which extends from the actuating part 64 in a curved manner downwards (i.e. in the direction towards the telescopic element 40) into the recess 41. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, all extensions 70 are further articulated at their other end to an actuating plate 72 which is arranged in the recess 41 so as to be axially displaceable and here extends perpendicularly to the central axis M. To actuate the cover element 28, the free end 74 of the plunger 64 is in contact with the lower surface of the actuating plate 72 facing the plunger and pushes the actuating plate 72 axially outwards, i.e. towards the upper side 24 of the rim. The extension 70, which is articulated to the actuating plate 72 on the one hand and to the associated actuating part 54 on the other hand, is thus pushed radially outwards, which results in the bulging of each cover element 28 as already described.

[0037] During such actuation, a cover 76 covering a central region of the hub part 14 of the upper side 24 of the rim, in particular the recess 41, serves as an axial counter-bearing for the extension 70 and the radially inner end of the actuation part 54. Below the cover 76, in the hub part 14 between the bracket 66 and the cover 76, there is a counter-ring 78 through which one or more screws 80 can extend and engage in associated threaded holes formed on the inside of the cover 76. By tightening the screws 80, a unit is formed comprising the cover 76 and the counter-ring 78, which is clamped and fixed with a peripheral flange 82 of the rim body 12 which projects radially into the recess 41 between the cover 76 and the counter-ring 78, and is thereby fastened to the rim body 12.

[0038] 1 to 3, 5 and 7 show the cover elements 28 in a non-activated state, in which each cover element 28 rests substantially flat on the upper side 24 of the rim, thereby closing or covering the gap 22 located below the cover element 28. Due to the small thickness of each cover element 28, in this state the cover element 28 extends substantially flush with the support part 20 and the upper side 24 of the rim, and turbulence that increases air resistance as air flows around the upper side 24 of the rim is largely avoided. In this state, the extension 70 extends at a downward angle from the plane of the actuating part 54 into the recess 41 of the hub part 14, i.e. downward in a direction towards the telescopic element 40. In this state, the actuating plate 72 is relatively close to the telescopic element 40 in the axial direction, i.e. in this state the actuating plate 72 is relatively deep in the central recess 41.

[0039] 4 and 6 show the cover elements 28 in their maximally actuated state, i.e. in their maximally open position. As can be seen from Figs. 4 and 6, in this state, the plunger 64 has risen so far that the actuating plate 72 is positioned against the inside of the cover 76 facing it, so that the extensions 70 and the actuating parts 54 connected to them are displaced radially outward as far as possible in this embodiment. In this way, the axial outward bulge of each cover element 28 is maximized (based on the embodiment shown) and the openings 42 are as large as possible in this embodiment.

[0040] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each cover element 28 or at least the bulging area of ​​each cover element 28 is made of a material that is reversibly elastically deformable, so that during the transition of the cover element 28 from the closed or relatively closed position to the relatively open position, a spring force is built up in each cover element 28, which spring force acts in a restoring direction, i.e. in a direction to close the associated cover element 28. Starting from the state shown in Figs. 4 and 6, when the ambient temperature of the telescopic element 40 falls below a second predetermined temperature, the volume of the expansive material 62 decreases, and the lifting force acting on the plunger 64 decreases or disappears completely (after falling below the first predetermined temperature). The spring force built up in each cover element 28 acts on the actuating plate 72 via the actuating portion 54 and the extension portion 70, so that the actuating plate 72 is displaced again axially inwards, i.e. downwards, in the recess 41, forcing the plunger 64 into the housing 60. This return movement is performed until an equilibrium is established between the restoring spring force and the lifting force provided by the telescopic element 40. When the telescopic element 40 no longer provides a lifting force (which is the case when the temperature falls below the first predetermined temperature), the cover element 28 is moved by the restoring spring force stored therein back to the closed position shown in Figures 1 to 3, 5 and 7.

[0041] In an embodiment of the rim 10 according to the invention, a restoring spring force accumulates in the cover element 28 when it is opened, so that the cover element 28 is not only automatically opened (by the telescopic element 40 in response to a first predetermined temperature) but also automatically restored or closed (by the restoring spring force in response to a second predetermined temperature). In an embodiment in which a cover element 28 is used that does not accumulate a spring force when it is deformed, one or more separate return spring elements can additionally be used (not shown) to return the open cover element 28 in a direction towards the closed position.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a cover element assembly 90 separated from the rim body 12, which consists of the cover element 28 with the actuating part 54 and the associated extension 70, the actuating plate 72 connected thereto, the telescopic element 40 with the plunger 64, the bracket 66, the cover 76 and the counter ring 78 including the screw 80. In its structure, this cover element assembly 90 corresponds to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. The cover element 28 together with the extension 70 and the actuating plate 72 can be realized by a one-piece part, which is manufactured, for example, by a plastic injection molding process. In such a case, the articulation between the actuating plate 72 and the extension 70 on the one hand and between the extension 70 and the actuating part 54 on the other hand can be formed by a so-called foil hinge. Such a one-piece form can also be made from sheet metal. Alternatively, and in particular, the cover element 28 (optionally with the associated extension 70) can be in the form of a separate component, the actuation plate 72 can be in the form of a separate component (with the required extension 70, if desired), and the cover element 28, the extension 70 and the actuation plate 72 can each be in the form of separate components. It is only important that the axial upward movement of the plunger 64 of the telescopic element 40 is translated into a radial displacement of the actuation portion 54 of the cover element 28. The cover element assembly 90 as described above can also be subsequently attached to a rim body 12 provided for this purpose.

[0043] 8 to 12 show a second exemplary embodiment of a vehicle wheel rim 10 according to the invention, which differs from the first exemplary embodiment in particular in the absence of a telescopic element 40, which is located in the center of the recess 41 and which can actuate all the cover elements 28 together in the above-mentioned manner. Instead, in the second exemplary embodiment, each cover element 28 is actuated by its own associated telescopic element 40'. Thus, in this second exemplary embodiment, the bracket 66, the actuating plate 72 and the extension 70, the cover 76 and the counter ring 78, as well as the screw 80 are absent. Instead, a telescopic element 40' is located below the actuating portion 54' of each cover element 28, and the housing 60' of the telescopic element 40' is pivotally connected at its end remote from the plunger 64' to an inner retaining ring 84, which serves as a radially inner mounting for the cover elements 28. The inner retaining ring 84 can be constructed in a single piece or in multiple parts and can be made of a plastic material, a metal or any other suitable material. For example, each cover element 28 may be associated with its own part of the inner retaining ring 84, such that each cover element 28 as a separate assembly may be inserted into and removed from the rim body 12. The radially outer retaining means 50 may here be of one-piece form or may consist of a plurality of elements of the retaining means 50 in the circumferential direction U, depending on the manner in which the tabs 46 of the cover elements 28 are locked into the retaining means 50.

[0044] To facilitate connection to the rim body 12, the inner retaining ring 84 and / or the annular retaining means 50 can be clipped into a recess in the rim body 12 formed by the gap 22. For this purpose, as shown in Figure 11, the inner retaining ring 84 and / or the annular retaining means 50 can be provided with a latching projection 94 or 96 axially inwardly, which latches behind an edge of the recess in the rim body 12 formed by the gap 22.

[0045] In the second exemplary embodiment, the telescopic element 40' extends radially, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, and, due to its above-mentioned attachment to the inner retaining ring 84 of the housing 60', is pivotable about an axis T arranged tangentially to the circumferential direction U. To force-transmittably connect the telescopic element 40' to the cover element 28, the free end of the plunger 64' is pivotally connected in the manner of a connecting rod to an actuation lug 86 fixedly attached to the inside of the cover element 28 and extending axially inwards. A pin 88 extending at a right angle to the actuation lug 86 is attached to the actuation lug 86 and engages in an eye 92 at the free end of the plunger 64' to articulate the plunger 64' to the cover element 28.

[0046] The function of the telescopic element 40' is essentially as described above in relation to the first exemplary embodiment. The increase in the volume of the expanding material 62 caused by exceeding the first predetermined temperature causes the plunger 64' to be pushed out of the housing 60'. However, unlike the first exemplary embodiment, the movement of the plunger 64' is not performed axially (as in the first exemplary embodiment) but substantially radially. The movement of the plunger 64' is transmitted via the pin 88 and the actuating lug 86 to the associated cover element 28, such that the actuating part 54' of the cover element 28, which is mounted so as to be radially displaceable, like the actuating part 54 of the first exemplary embodiment, is thus radially displaced, resulting in the cover element 28 expanding. Such an expanded actuated state of the cover element according to the second exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 12. As in the first exemplary embodiment, when the cover element 28 is appropriately configured, a spring force is built up as the cover element 28 is moved from the closed position to the open position, which spring force ensures that the cover element 28 returns as soon as the temperature falls below the second predetermined temperature, as in the first exemplary embodiment. Other features of the cover element 28 of the second exemplary embodiment and the advantages obtained thereby correspond to those of the first exemplary embodiment.

Claims

1. a rim body (12) including a hub portion (14), a rim well (16) for holding a tire, a plurality of support portions (20) disposed between the hub portion (14) and the rim well (16), and at least one gap (22) disposed between the support portions (20); at least one cover element (28) associated with one gap (22), the cover element (28) configured to be moved from a first position to a second position by an actuator, the extent of coverage of the gap (22) by the cover element (28) in the first position being different from the extent of coverage of the gap (22) by the cover element (28) in the second position, the cover element (28) being adapted to deform as it is moved from the first position to the second position; Including, the actuating device is formed by an elastic element (40) that automatically starts to displace the cover element (28) from the first position towards the second position when a predetermined first temperature is exceeded, the rim body (12) having a plurality of gaps (22), with one cover element (28) associated with each of a plurality or all of the gaps (22); A rim (10) for a vehicle wheel, characterized in that several or all of said cover elements (28) are adapted to cooperate with a single telescopic element (40) as said actuating device.

2. 2. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the expansion element (40) comprises a housing (60; 60') and a piston or plunger (64; 64') surrounded by an expansion material (62) contained in the housing (60; 60'), the volume of the expansion material (62) changing depending on temperature.

3. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (28) has a locking portion (44) non-displaceably connected to the rim body (12) of the rim (10).

4. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (28) has an actuating portion (54; 54') that is movable or displaceable relative to the rim body (12) of the rim (10).

5. 2. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein said first position is a position where said gap (22) is covered to a greater extent by said cover element (28) than said second position.

6. 2. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein said second position is a position where said gap (22) is covered to a smaller extent by said cover element (28) than at said first position.

7. 2. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (28) bulges axially outward or axially inward relative to the rim in at least a portion of the area when transitioning from the first position to the second position.

8. 2. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the single telescopic element (40) is disposed within the hub portion (14) of the rim body (12).

9. 9. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 8, wherein each of the actuating portions (54) of a plurality or all of the cover elements (28) has an extension (70) articulated to the respective actuating portion (54) and extending into the hub portion (14) of the rim body (12).

10. 10. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 9, wherein all of the extensions (70) are articulatedly connected to an actuating plate (72) which is displaceably arranged in a recess (41) in the hub portion (14) of the rim body (12) so that a piston or plunger (64) of the single telescopic element (40) acts on the actuating plate (72) at least substantially in the axial direction to move the cover element (28) from the first position to the second position.

11. 2. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the or each cover element (28) is made of an elastically reversibly deformable material that accumulates a spring force when transitioning from the first position to the second position, such that the spring force ensures that the or each cover element (28) returns from the second position towards the first position when the temperature falls below a predetermined second temperature.

12. 2. A rim for a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein when the cover element or elements (28) are in a position in which the gap (22) associated with each of the cover elements (28) is completely covered, the cover element or elements (28) extend at least substantially flush with the support (22) that defines the respective gap (22) with which each of the cover elements is associated.

13. A vehicle wheel comprising a rim according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A vehicle comprising at least one vehicle wheel according to claim 13.

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