Tire sidewall protection device provided with an adapter piece

Abstract

The invention relates to a tire protection device (30) for a wheel, comprising: a shield (32); a ring (34) having a center and integral with the shield and comprising: a connection portion for secure connection of the ring to the shield; a securing portion provided with a plurality of securing elements; The invention is characterized in that the device further comprises an adapter piece (40) for mounting the ring and the shield to a rim of the wheel, the adapter piece having an axis and comprising a fastening portion, a mounting portion, and a central portion, the mounting portion comprising a plurality of mounting elements for mounting the adapter piece to the rim, the fastening portion comprising fasteners arranged to be fastened to the securing elements of the ring securing portion.

Description

Tire sidewall protection device with an adapter piece

[0001] The present invention relates to the protection of a tire on a wheel of a vehicle, such as a mining or military truck, or even an all-terrain vehicle. Since this type of vehicle is designed to operate on rough terrain, the sidewalls of the tires frequently sustain impacts that can damage or puncture the tire, potentially requiring the vehicle to be immobilized for the necessary repairs.

[0002] In addition, maintenance operations are carried out periodically for this type of vehicle, during which the vehicle is generally immobilized.

[0003] The invention relates more particularly to a tire protection device for a wheel, as well as a bearing assembly comprising a wheel and such a protection device.

[0004] To limit the risk of damage to off-road vehicle tires, it is common practice to use tire protection devices. These devices are generally designed to protect the tire sidewalls.

[0005] Such a protection device is described in particular in document EP 4 210 969.

[0006] The known protection system includes:

[0007] a shield having an annular shape and having an external peripheral edge and an internal peripheral portion opposite the external peripheral edge;

[0008] a crown having a center and being attached to the shield and comprising:

[0009] a connecting part for the solid connection of the crown to the shield;

[0010] a fastening part equipped with a plurality of fastening elements for fastening the crown to the wheel rim.

[0011] The aforementioned tire protection device is entirely satisfactory. However, maintaining the shield generally requires working on the wheel rim, which can be a complex and risky operation for the operator, especially when the rim consists of two parts connected to each other and the protection device is attached to the elements that hold the two rim parts together. The operator must ensure that the rim bolts are properly tightened after maintenance, which further complicates the operation.

[0012] The present invention aims in particular to provide a tire protection device of the aforementioned type which facilitates maintenance operations.

[0013] The invention achieves its purpose by means of the aforementioned tire protection device which further comprises an annular-shaped adapter piece for mounting the crown and shield to a wheel rim, the adapter piece having an axis and comprising a fixing part, a mounting part, and a central part located axially between the fixing part and the mounting part, such that the fixing part is axially distant from the mounting part, the mounting part comprising a plurality of mounting elements for mounting the adapter piece to the rim, the mounting part being located radially between the axis of the adapter piece and the fixing part, the fixing part comprising fixing elements arranged to be fixed to the fastening elements of the fastening part of the crown.

[0014] The adapter piece is designed to be attached to the rim on one side and to the sprocket on the other. Since the sprocket is attached to the adapter piece in a removable manner, it is understood that the shield and sprocket can be removed from the wheel during maintenance while leaving the adapter piece mounted on the rim. Thanks to this invention, the operator does not need to access the rim to replace the shield, thus simplifying and making wheel maintenance safer.

[0015] The central part of the adapter piece has an axial length or height, which can be chosen according to factors such as the wheel type. One advantage is the ability to create space inside the adapter piece to accommodate equipment connected to the rim hub, such as a tire inflation system.

[0016] The central part preferably has a cylindrical or truncated conical shape.

[0017] The adapter piece is preferably made of metal.

[0018] The fixation part extends preferentially in a plane coplanar to one face of the crown.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the mounting part comprises a plurality of ear-shaped protrusions distributed around the circumference of the mounting part and being angularly spaced apart from each other, each protrusion projecting radially towards the axis of the adapter piece and comprising at least one of the mounting elements.

[0020] It is also understood that the ear-shaped protrusions are radial outgrowths distributed angularly around the circumference of the inner periphery of the mounting part. Preferably, but not necessarily, the angular distance between two adjacent mounting elements is identical for all mounting elements.

[0021] The outer edge of the shield is designed to rest against the tire sidewall. This not only protects the tire sidewall from lateral impacts but also prevents stones or other objects from becoming lodged between the shield and the tire sidewall.

[0022] The shield preferably has a curved, ring-shaped form. In other words, the shield's cross-section is curved or rounded. This curvature is sized to absorb the variation in tire curvature during all driving phases, regardless of the tire inflation level.

[0023] Preferably, the shield is made of polymer material.

[0024] Preferably, the shield is a composite element comprising, in addition to the polymer material, several layers of woven and / or draped textiles or metal threads. The crown is preferably made of metal.

[0025] Advantageously, the mounting elements of the adapter piece include holes to receive rim fixing devices.

[0026] These fastening elements are for example made up of studs or threaded rods, for example the studs which participate in fixing the parts of rims together in the case of rims made up of several parts, or the studs which allow fixing the rim on its axle.

[0027] It is understood that the openings are made in the protrusions and consist of holes whose axes are parallel to the axis of the adapter piece.

[0028] Preferably, each protrusion has one of the orifices. Even more preferably, each protrusion has one and only one of the orifices.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the mounting part protrudes radially towards the axis of the adapter piece from the central part.

[0030] When mounted on the rim, the central part preferentially encircles all the rim studs.

[0031] Advantageously, the fixing part and the mounting part extend radially on either side of the central part.

[0032] Also, when the mounting part extends radially towards the axis of the central part, the fixing part extends radially outwards from the wall of the central part.

[0033] Preferably, when considered in an axial plane, the central part is perpendicular to the fixing part and the mounting part.

[0034] The fixing part and the mounting part have faces that are parallel, which allows the crown with the shield to be correctly positioned parallel to the outer face of the rim.

[0035] Advantageously, the central part has the shape of a cylinder whose ends extend respectively into the fixing part and the mounting part.

[0036] Advantageously, the central part, the fixing part and the mounting part form a single, monobloc piece.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment, the inner peripheral portion of the shield is located radially outside an outer peripheral edge of the attachment part of the adapter piece.

[0038] This arrangement prevents damage to the shield during the assembly and disassembly operations of the crown to the adapter piece because the material constituting the shield does not come into contact with the adapter piece.

[0039] Advantageously, the outer peripheral edge of the shield extends in a plane that is substantially coplanar to the crown and the attachment part of the adapter piece.

[0040] This arrangement allows the outer peripheral edge of the shield to come against the sidewall of the tire, ensuring contact of the shield against the sidewall.

[0041] Advantageously, the adapter piece has a central opening. This opening allows the operator easy access to the rim, and in particular to the rim bolts during maintenance operations on the rim or on the possible tire inflation device.

[0042] Preferably, the protrusions define the central opening.

[0043] Preferably, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the adapter piece, the area of ​​the central opening is at least 70% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the central portion. This wide opening allows easy access to the rim when the protective device is mounted.

[0044] Preferably, the axial height of the central part is between 3 and 40 cm.

[0045] Advantageously, the connecting part is embedded in the inner peripheral portion of the shield. In other words, the connecting part is sealed within the polymer material constituting the shield. One advantage is that it allows for a screwless connection between the crown and the shield, thereby simplifying manufacturing and increasing the robustness of the protective device according to the invention, as no fasteners, such as screws, are exposed to impacts or liquids.

[0046] To improve the connection between the crown and the shield, the connecting part preferentially includes retaining elements.

[0047] Furthermore, the protective device also includes textile threads which cooperate with the retaining elements while being embedded in the polymer material.

[0048] The cooperation between the retaining elements and the textile threads ensures the hold between the threads and the crown; at the same time, the threads are sealed in the polymer material constituting the shield.

[0049] For example, the retaining elements are holes that pass axially through the crown, arranged around the circumference of the fastening section. The textile threads are inserted into the holes so as to extend on either side of the connecting section. The holes are preferably oblong in shape and are distributed around the circumference of the fastening section.

[0050] This arrangement ensures the rigidity of the connection between the crown and the shield in the direction of the draping, on the one hand, and promotes the shield's hold on the crown, on the other hand.

[0051] Preferably, but not necessarily, the polymer material is an elastomer, preferably styrene-butadiene (SBR). The inventors found that the shield made from this material exhibits very good abrasion resistance and good tear resistance.

[0052] To improve the shield's resistance to tearing, preferably the shield also includes at least one reinforcement, preferably a knit made from metal wires.

[0053] The invention also relates to a bearing assembly comprising:

[0054] a wheel comprising a rim with an inner and an outer rim, the wheel having a tire with at least one sidewall, as well as first and second beads mounted against the inner and outer rims; and

[0055] a protective device according to the invention, the crown being fixed to the adapter piece while the adapter piece is fixed to the rim.

[0056] Preferably, the outer peripheral edge of the shield is in contact with the sidewall of the tire, exerting pressure against said sidewall.

[0057] This support ensures contact between the shield and the tire, thus preventing foreign objects from getting between the shield and the tire, which could damage the tire.

[0058] We understand that the crown is fixed to the rim via the adapter piece which serves as an interface piece.

[0059] Thanks to the invention, to change the damaged shield, the operator simply needs to remove the crown from the adapter piece, while leaving the adapter piece attached to the rim.

[0060] The invention makes it possible to secure the maintenance operation since the shield and crown can be changed without unscrewing the fixing parts.

[0061] The adapter piece also allows the crown with the shield to be mounted on tires with different dimensions, including different widths.

[0062] Preferably, rim fastening components include bolts.

[0063] Preferably, the number of mounting elements is strictly less than the number of fasteners, preferably less than or equal to half the number of fasteners. Description of the drawings

[0064] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] Laillustre, en perspective, un embodiment d’un ensemble de roulant selon la invention compris d’une dispositif de protection de tyre selon la invention;

[0066] This is a front view of the bearing assembly;

[0067] The view in perspective of the tire protection device of the;

[0068] Axial cross-section view of the tire protection device;

[0069] This is a perspective view of the shield with the crown of the protective device;

[0070] This is a perspective on the adaptation part of the protection device; and

[0071] This is a side view of the adapter piece; and

[0072] This is a front view of the adapter piece. Detailed description

[0073] Figure 1 shows, in perspective view, an example of a bearing assembly 100 according to the invention. This bearing assembly comprises a wheel 10 including a rim 12 and a tire 14 mounted on the rim 12. In a manner known per se, the tire 14 comprises an outer sidewall 16 as well as first and second beads mounted against the inner and outer edges of the rim, in a manner known.

[0074] The bearing assembly 100 also includes a protection device 30 according to the invention, which will be described in more detail below.

[0075] The illustration shows the bearing assembly in front view along axis A of the wheel.

[0076] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a tire protection device 30 according to the invention.

[0077] The protective device 30 comprises a shield 32, in this example made of polymer, which has an annular shape. The shield 32 has an outer peripheral edge 32a and an inner peripheral portion 32b which is opposite the outer peripheral edge.

[0078] The protective device 30 further comprises a ring 34, in this example metallic, which is integral with the shield 32. Referring to the figure illustrating the protective device in axial section, it can be seen that the ring has a connecting portion 34a for the integral connection of the ring to the shield, and a fastening portion 34b. This fastening portion is provided with a plurality of fastening elements 35, visible in the figure. As can be seen in the figure, the shield 32 has a semi-torus-shaped axial cross-section. In this example, the inner peripheral portion 32b of the shield is integral with the connecting portion 34a of the ring.

[0079] An example of a method of attachment is described in document EP 4 210 969.

[0080] According to the invention, the protective device 30 further comprises an adapter piece 40, more clearly visible in Figure 1, which is annular in shape and allows the crown 34 to be mounted to the rim 12 of the wheel 10. The adapter piece has an axle. This includes a fixing portion 42, a mounting portion 44, and a central portion 46 which is located axially between the fixing portion and the mounting portion, such that the fixing portion is axially distant from the mounting portion. In Figure 1, the axial distance between the fixing portion 42 and the mounting portion 44 is referenced as H.

[0081] Figures 6 and 8 show that the mounting portion 44 comprises a plurality of mounting elements 45 for mounting the adapter piece 40 to the rim. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the mounting portion 44 is located radially between the axis C of the adapter piece 40 and the fastening portion 42; furthermore, the fastening portion 42 comprises fastening elements 43 which are arranged to be fixed to the fastening elements 35 of the fastening portion 34b of the rim 34. The mounting portion 44 of the adapter piece 40 comprises a plurality of ear-shaped protrusions 48 which are distributed around the circumference of the mounting portion and are angularly spaced apart. Furthermore, each protrusion 48 projects radially towards the axis C of the adapter piece and includes at least one of the mounting elements 45.In this example, the mounting elements 45 include holes 45a for receiving rim fasteners. In this example, the fasteners are bolts. More specifically, in this example, each protrusion 48 has one of the holes 45a.

[0082] Furthermore, it can be seen that the mounting part 44 protrudes radially towards the axis C of the adapter piece from the central part 46. More precisely, the mounting part protrudes radially towards the axis C of the adapter piece from a first end 46a of the central part 46. With reference to figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that the fixing part 42 extends radially outwards from the central part 46 from a second end 46b of the central part 46, opposite the first end 46a.

[0083] Also, the fixing part 42 and the mounting part 44 extend radially on either side of the central part 46.

[0084] In this example, the mounting portion 42 has ten holes distributed angularly along its length. The mounting portion is in the shape of a flat ring. It has an annular face 42a containing the holes 43, the annular face 42a extending in a plane substantially parallel to the plane containing the protrusions.

[0085] In other words, the axes of the holes 45 of the mounting part 44 are, in this example, coaxial with the axes of the holes 43 of the fixing part 42.

[0086] Furthermore, considered in an axial plane R, containing the axis C, the central part 46 is perpendicular to the fixing part 42 and to the mounting part 44. Also, in this example, the central part 46 has the shape of a cylinder whose ends 46b, 46a extend respectively through the fixing parts 42 and mounting part 44.

[0087] This adapter piece is preferably made of metal. It is also rigid.

[0088] According to the advantageous aspect of the invention, the inner peripheral portion 32b of the shield 32 is located radially outside an outer peripheral edge 42b of the mounting portion 42 of the adapter piece. Thanks to this arrangement, the shield does not come into contact with the mounting portion during assembly and disassembly of the shield on the adapter piece, thus preventing damage to the shield's polymer at its junction with the connecting portion.

[0089] Still in this example, the outer peripheral edge 32a of the shield 32 extends in a plane P, visible in, which is substantially coplanar to the crown and to the fixing part of the adapter piece.

[0090] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the adapter piece has a central opening K. As can be seen in the figure, the protrusions 48 delimit the central opening K. With reference to the figure, it can be seen that the central opening K allows access to the central part of the rim 12, and in particular to the bolts 13. As can be seen in this figure, the mounting part 44 is fixed to some of the rim bolts 13.

[0091] Furthermore, considered in a plane Q perpendicular to the axis of the adapter piece, the surface area of ​​the central opening K is at least equal to 70% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the central part. The cross-section of the central part, in this example, is in the form of a disk of radius D, visible in [reference].

[0092] Rim 12 consists of a first rim part including the inner rim and a second rim part including the outer rim, the first and second rim parts being fixed to each other by fastening elements, and in which the mounting elements of the adapter part are mounted to at least some of the fastening elements.

[0093] The number of mounting elements 45 is strictly less than the number of fasteners, preferably less than or equal to half the number of fasteners.

Claims

Tire protection device (30) for a wheel (10) (14), comprising: a shield (32) having an annular shape and having an external peripheral edge (32a) and an internal peripheral portion (32b) opposite the external peripheral edge; a crown (34) having a center (B) and being integral with the shield and comprising: a connecting part (34a) for the integral connection of the crown to the shield; a fastening part (34b) provided with a plurality of fastening elements (35);characterized in that it further comprises an annular-shaped adapter piece (40) for mounting the crown (34) and the shield (32) to a rim (12) of the wheel (10), the adapter piece having an axis (C) and comprising a fixing part (42), a mounting part (44), and a central part (46) located axially between the fixing part and the mounting part (44), such that the fixing part is axially distant from the mounting part, the mounting part comprising a plurality of mounting elements (45) for mounting the adapter piece to the rim, the mounting part being located radially between the axis (C) of the adapter piece (40) and the fixing part (42), the fixing part comprising fixing elements (43) arranged to be fixed to the fastening elements (35) of the fastening part (34b) of the crown (34). Protective device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting part comprises a plurality of ear-shaped protrusions (48) distributed around the circumference of the mounting part and being angularly spaced apart from each other, each protrusion (48) projecting radially towards the axis (C) of the adapter piece and comprising at least one of the mounting elements (45). Protective device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting elements (45) of the adapter piece include orifices (45a) for receiving rim fixing elements. Protective device according to claims 2 and 3, in which each protrusion (48) has one of the orifices (45a). Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting part (44) projects radially towards the axis (C) of the adapter piece from the central part (46). Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing part (42) and the mounting part (44) extend radially on either side of the central part (46). Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, viewed in an axial plane, the central part (46) is perpendicular to the fixing part (42) and to the mounting part (44). Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the central part (46) has the shape of a cylinder whose ends (46b, 46a) extend respectively into the fixing parts (42) and mounting parts (44). Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner peripheral portion (32b) of the shield (32) is located radially outside an outer peripheral edge (42b) of the fixing part (42) of the adapter piece. Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter piece (46) is metallic. Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer peripheral edge (32a) of the shield extends in a plane (P) which is substantially coplanar to the crown and the fixing part of the adapter piece. Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter piece (40) has a central opening (K). Protective device according to claims 2 and 12, in which the protrusions (48) delimit the central opening (K). Protective device according to claim 12 or 13, in which, considered in a plane (Q) perpendicular to the axis (C) of the adapter piece, the surface area of ​​the central opening (K) is at least equal to 70% of the surface area of ​​the cross-section of the central part. Bearing assembly (100) comprising: a wheel (10) including a rim (12) having an inner rim and an outer rim, the wheel including a tire (14) having at least one sidewall (16), as well as first and second beads mounted against the inner and outer rims of the rim; and a protective device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, the ring being fixed to the adapter piece, and the adapter piece being fixed to the rim. Bearing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the rim (12) consists of a first rim part including the inner rim, and a second rim part including the outer rim, the first and second rim parts being fixed to each other by fastening members, and wherein the mounting elements of the adapter part are mounted to at least some of the fastening members.

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