Rim for vehicles

Abstract

A rim (1) for vehicles (A), comprising at least one temperature sensor (2) functionally associated with at least one data transceiving module (3) which is configured to be coupled to at least one device (4) for receiving and displaying the data of a type chosen from a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, smart glasses, and combinations thereof.

Description

[0001] RIM FOR VEHICLES

[0002] The present invention relates to a rim intended to support a respective tire for vehicles of various types. In particular, the rims of reference for the present are rims made of composite materials, although it is not excluded that the technical solutions that will be described hereinafter might also be validly applied to rims made of metal alloys, metal, ceramic materials, other types of materials, and combinations thereof.

[0003] In some types of vehicles (in particular high-performance vehicles, usually identified as sports vehicles) it often happens that, as a result of braking intended for a sudden and important deceleration of the vehicle, the brake disc undergoes a sharp rise in its temperature, overheating all the components close to it.

[0004] This can also occur on special vehicles (for example, vehicles having a very high mass) or on vehicles intended for a special service (vehicles for transporting heavy goods that have to follow a long downhill route in which it is necessary to keep the brakes in action almost constantly).

[0005] Obviously, the rim is the component that is most subject to the flow of heat (thermal energy) emitted by the brake disc, since it faces it and is proximate thereto, and for that reason it can overheat.

[0006] Some types of rims can suffer structural damage as a result of excessive overheating: among these, those most at risk are rims made of composite material (generally indicated for high-performance, sports-type vehicles), since the resin that constitutes the matrix of the composite can even soften, leading to structural failure of part of the rim.

[0007] Similar problems (of varying degrees of severity) can, however, also occur with rims of a different type.

[0008] It is not possible to prevent the brake disc from overheating and for this reason it is extremely complicated to effectively protect the rims from any damage caused by overheating.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above by providing a vehicle rim protected against overheating caused by thermal energy emitted by the brake disc.

[0010] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a vehicle rim that can avert damage due to its overheating.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle rim that is particularly safe even when installed on high-performance vehicles.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle rim that has low costs and is relatively simple to provide in practice and of assured application.

[0013] This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparen t hereinafter are achieved by a vehicle rim, characterized in that it comprises at least one temperature sensor functionally associated with at least one module for transceiving data which is configured to be coupled to at least one device for receiving and displaying said data of a type chosen from a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, smart glasses, and combinations thereof.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the vehicle rim, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic axonometric view of a possible embodiment of a wheel rim according to the invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a vehicle provided with a kit comprising the rim according to the invention.

[0017] With reference to the above figures, a rim for vehicles A is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

[0018] The rim 1 according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one temperature sensor 2 functionally associated with a data transceiving module 3 (however, the possibility of adopting a plurality of distinct modules 3 is not excluded) which can be coupled to at least one device 4 for receiving and displaying data sent by the module 3.

[0019] The device 4 for receiving and displaying will be of a type chosen from a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer (potentially also the onboard computer of the vehicle A), smart glasses, and combinations thereof.

[0020] In particular, the device 4 will be suitable to run a software application in charge of receiving data (for example via any technology of a known type, such as for example radio frequency, Bluetooth® technology, any Wi-Fi protocol, NFC® technology and the like) and to process said data, in order to be able to represent on the display component of the device 4 (for example the screen 5 of a smartphone) information related to the temperature detected by the at least one sensor 2 and to generate a danger signal in predefined operating conditions.

[0021] More precisely, if the at least one sensor 2 detects that a first upper limit temperature has been reached (even instantaneously), the device 4 will indicate on the display component (for example, the screen 5) a warning signal that will require the driver B of the vehicle A to continue for a predefined time (for example, until the detection of predefined temperatures) at a constant (even low) speed while avoiding braking, in order to take advantage of natural ventilation to cool the brake disc and the surfaces of the rim 1 itself.

[0022] It is not excluded that the rim 1 or the brake disc may, in the future, be equipped with forced cooling elements: in such a case, upon reaching the first upper limit temperature, the device 4, in addition to reporting the dangerous situation to the driver B, will automatically activate the forced cooling elements or will signal the driver B to activate them.

[0023] Moreover, the software application executable by the device 4 may be configured to detect that a second limit temperature, generally lower than the first limit temperature, is maintained for a time interval longer than a predefined threshold.

[0024] In this case, it should be considered that the persistence of a high temperature, although lower than the first upper limit temperature, could still cause damage, precisely because of the excessive duration of this potentially negative condition for the rim 1.

[0025] In such a case, the application will signal, via the display component (for example the screen 5), to the driver B the need to adopt a driving style that will allow rapid cooling of the brake disc (and thus of the rim 1): for example, the driver B will have to drive the vehicle A at a constant and not particularly high speed for a certain interval of time, thus resorting as little as possible to the use of the brake. By virtue of the natural ventilation due to the air flow that strikes the rim 1 and the brake disc under such conditions, the respective temperatures will decrease.

[0026] With reference to an embodiment of unquestionable interest in application and in practice, it is specified that the temperature sensors 2 may conveniently be a plurality, distributed over the surface of the rim 1.

[0027] In particular, said temperature sensors 2 may advantageously be distributed on the surface of the rim 1 that faces and is proximate to the brake disc of the vehicle A on which the rim 1 is installed, so as to detect the temperature at the regions most subjected to the heating induced by the overheating of the brake disc.

[0028] The rim 1 according to the invention may conveniently be made of composite material, therefore constituted by a polymeric resin matrix and by a reinforcement constituted by a material chosen from carbon fibers, aramid fibers, glass fibers, boron fibers, metal fibers, ceramic fibers, reinforcing fillers, and combinations thereof.

[0029] In this case, the first upper limit temperature may be a temperature that is lower, by a certain predefined safety temperature gap, than the glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix of the composite. With respect to the glass transition temperature (usually denoted by "tg"), one must always stay below it, preferably by at least 2%, even more preferably by at least 5% and even more preferably by at least 10%. The second limit temperature may in turn be lower than the glass transition temperature even by more than 10% (depending on the assessments of the manufacturer of the rim 1 , said manufacturer may choose a second limit temperature equal to even 85% or 80% or 75% or 70% or even lower, with respect to the glass transition temperature), while the exposure time limit (above which the software application will provide for the display of an alert message for the driver B so that he / she adopts a driving style that involves minimal brake use until a predefined reduction in the temperatures detected by the at least one sensor 2 occurs) may be limited to a few seconds (for example, 10 seconds or 20 seconds) or be longer (for example, one minute or several minutes).

[0030] Moreover, it is specified that the at least one data transceiving module 3 may favorably comprise a microprocessor, a battery storage unit assigned to supplying power to the module 4 and, optionally, also the at least one sensor 2, as well as a data transceiving unit operating in radio frequency (for example, according to Bluetooth® technology, according to any Wi-Fi protocol, according to NFC® technology, and the like).

[0031] The present invention also extends its protection to a kit for monitoring rims 1 for vehicles A comprising: at least one temperature sensor 2, at least one data transceiving module 3 to which the at least one temperature sensor 2 is connected, at least one data receiving and displaying device 4 of a type chosen from a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, smart glasses, and combinations thereof.

[0032] The device 4 will be provided with a software application configured to receive data and process and display them, and will be capable of running it.

[0033] Any device 4 capable of executing the software application will be suitable to belong to the kit according to the invention: it is specified that, considering that the rim 1 and the kit according to the invention are components designed for the aftermarket (thus suitable to be installed on vehicles A after their purchase from the dealer), the embodiment in which the device 4 is of the type of a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, laptop computer, smart glasses and the like is definitely the one of greatest interest.

[0034] However, it cannot be ruled out that some on-board computers of vehicles A may support and execute the software application defined in the kit according to the invention.

[0035] The sensors 2 of the kit according to the invention may usefully be a plurality, distributed on the surface of the rim 1, preferably distributed on the surface of the rim 1 that faces and is proximate to a brake disc of the vehicle A on which said rim 1 is installed or on the opposite surface (i.e., facing outward). In this way, the sensors 2 will be able to detect the temperature in the regions of rim 1 that are most subject to possible overheating determined by the thermal energy emitted by the brake disc (in the first case) or will be able to detect the temperature of the rim 1 (in the second case) without the measurement being affected by the radiation generated by the brake disc (which would not allow to detect the exact temperature of the rim 1).

[0036] The software application will positively be able to be configured to signal the reaching of a first upper limit temperature, at which it will cause the display component of the device 4 (for example, a display screen 5) to show an alarm signal for the user B, who will be induced to circulate at predefined (preferably constant) speeds to promote cooling of the brake disc and of the rim 1 by natural ventilation.

[0037] Moreover, the software application will be efficiently configured to signal the reaching of a time limit interval of permanence below a second limit temperature, lower than the first upper limit temperature, at which it will cause the display component of the device 4 (for example, a display screen 5) to show an alarm signal for the user B, who will be induced to circulate at predefined speeds (preferably constant, with fewer restrictions and constraints than in the previously shown case) to promote cooling of the brake disk and of the rim 1 by natural ventilation.

[0038] Moreover, the sampling frequency (with which the sensors 2 will take temperature readings) will be different from the communication frequency (so as to avoid interference phenomena or, in any case, phenomena suitable to impair proper operation). Moreover, the sampling frequency will also vary usefully according to the AT / At (i.e., the rate at which the temperature varies in the unit time, in order to identify sudden heating ramps that could lead to severe conditions for the rim 1): if the sensors 2 detect temperatures rising too abruptly, the receiving and display device 4 will issue an alert message, warning the user of the need to cool down (for example, by natural ventilation by proceeding at a constant speed and minimizing use of the brake).

[0039] It is noted that the at least one sensor 2 and the at least one module 3 will be able to effectively be coupled to at least one surface of the respective rim 1 by means of resins, adhesive substances and the like.

[0040] Preferably, if the rim 1 is made of a composite material, the resins, adhesive substances and the like will be of a type that is compatible with and can be stably coupled to the resin that constitutes the matrix of the composite material.

[0041] Such resins and adhesive substances may be in paste or adhesive tape form or liquid or viscous.

[0042] Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems described above by providing a rim 1 for vehicles A that is protected against overheating caused by the thermal energy emitted by the brake disc: such protection is ensured by the warning given to the driver whenever a thermal anomaly condition occurs (for example, detection of temperatures above a first upper limit temperature or detection of temperatures above a second limit temperature for an excessively prolonged time).

[0043] Conveniently, the rim 1 according to the invention can avoid damage due to its overheating by virtue of the indications given to the device 4 that is available to the driver B of the vehicle A.

[0044] Favorably, the rim 1 according to the invention is particularly safe even when installed on high-performance vehicles (in which brake caliper overheating may occur more frequently).

[0045] Validly, the rim 1 according to the invention is relatively simple to provide in practice and low in cost: the rim 1 and the kit according to the invention are thus innovations of assured application.

[0046] The rim according to the invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the appended claims e concept; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0047] In the embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other embodiments.

[0048] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0049] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000016791 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0050] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A rim for vehicles (A), characterized in that it comprises at least one temperature sensor (2) functionally associated with at least one module (3) for transceiving data which is configured to be coupled to at least one device (4) for receiving and displaying said data of a type chosen from a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, smart glasses, and combinations thereof.

2. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one temperature sensor (2) is a plurality of temperature sensors, distributed on the surface of said rim (1).

3. The vehicle rim according to the claim 2, characterized in that said temperature sensors (2) are distributed on a surface of said rim (1) selected from the one that faces and is proximate to a brake disc of the vehicle (A) on which the rim (1) is installed and the opposite one.

4. The vehicle rim according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a composite material, therefore constituted by a polymeric resin matrix and by a reinforcement constituted by a material chosen from carbon fibers, aramid fibers, glass fibers, boron fibers, metal fibers, ceramic fibers, reinforcing fillers, and combinations thereof.

5. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, characterized in that said data transceiving module (3) comprises a microprocessor, a battery storage unit intended to power the module (3) and, optionally, also the at least one sensor (2), and a data transceiver unit operating in radiofrequency.

6. A kit for monitoring rims (1) for vehicles (A), characterized in that it comprises:- at least one temperature sensor (2);- at least one data transceiving module (3), to which the at least one temperature sensor (2) is connected;- at least one device (4) for receiving and displaying said data of a type chosen from a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, smart glasses,and combinations thereof, said device (4) being provided with a software application configured to receive said data and to process and display them.

7. The vehicle rim monitoring kit according to the claim 6, characterized in that said sensors (2) are a plurality, distributed on the surface of said rim (1), preferably distributed on a surface of said rim (1) selected from the one that faces and is proximate to a brake disc of the vehicle (A) on which the rim (1) is installed and the opposite one.

8. The vehicle rim monitoring kit according to at least one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said software application is configured to signal the reaching of a first upper limit temperature, at which it causes an alarm signal for the driver (B) to be shown on the display component of the device (4).

9. The vehicle rim monitoring kit according to at least one of claims 6, 7 and 8, characterized in that said software application is configured to signal the reaching of a limit time interval of permanence at a second limit temperature, lower than the first upper limit temperature, at which it causes the showing, on the display component of the device (4), of an alarm signal for the driver (B).

10. The vehicle rim monitoring kit according to at least one of claims 6, 7, 8 and 9, characterized in that said at least one sensor (2) and said at least one module (3) are coupled to at least one surface of the respective rim (1) by means of resins, adhesive substances and the like, preferably said rim (1) being made of composite material and said resins, adhesive substances and the like being compatible with and stably associable with the resin that constitutes the matrix of said composite material.

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