Wheel protection device comprising a heat shield

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel protection device (100), comprising a tyre sidewall protection device (110) comprising: an annular shield element (112); a crown (114) having an axis (B) and being secured to the shield element and comprising: a connecting portion (114a) for rigidly connecting the crown to the shield element; a portion (114b) for securing to a wheel rim. According to the invention, the protection device further comprises a removable heat shield (120) and a fastening device (122) for removably fastening the heat shield to the tyre sidewall protection device.

Description

Wheel protection device incorporating a heat shield

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tire protection for vehicles, such as military vehicles. 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 them. Furthermore, this type of vehicle is often required to travel through mined areas.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a wheel protection device arranged to mask the infrared signature of the wheel.

[0003] 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.

[0004] Such a protection device is described in particular in document EP 4 210 969.

[0005] Furthermore, in a military context, it is known that some mines have an infrared detector which triggers the explosion of the mine when a heat source passes near the mine.

[0006] Mines of this type can be located on the ground and oriented so that the infrared detector is able to capture infrared radiation emitted at a height of approximately 1 meter considered from the ground.

[0007] A vehicle wheel traditionally consists of a rim, most often made of metal, which supports a tire. When the vehicle moves, the tire and rim heat up, thus creating a source of infrared radiation that can be detected by the mine's infrared detector.

[0008] EP 1 480 001 describes an infrared masking device comprising a ring brush positioned in front of the tire, at a certain axial distance from the sidewall. The masking device further includes a thermal shield coaxial with the brush. This device is intended for use in masking the low-pressure tires of a vehicle carrying a mine-clearing system.

[0009] However, this type of vehicle is not intended to operate on rough terrain that could damage the tires, given that the bristle brush may be damaged and no longer perform its cooling function.

[0010] The present invention aims in particular to provide a road protection device that both protects the tire from mechanical shocks while masking infrared radiation.

[0011] To achieve this, the invention relates to a wheel protection device, comprising:

[0012] a tire sidewall protection device comprising:

[0013] a shield having an annular shape;

[0014] a crown having an axis and being attached to the shield and comprising:

[0015] a connecting part for the solid connection of the crown to the shield;

[0016] a part for securing to a wheel rim.

[0017] Typically, the wheel protection device also includes a heat shield which is removable as well as a fixing device for removably attaching the heat shield to the tire sidewall protection device.

[0018] The shield material is chosen to protect the tire sidewall from impacts. It may also be chosen to block the tire's infrared radiation. Preferably, but not exclusively, the shield is made of a polymer material.

[0019] The thermal shield also serves to block infrared radiation. Preferably, the shield material is also a polymer. For example, it can be made of

[0020] Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), polychloroprene (CR), or chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) are used. The polymer material can advantageously be reinforced with textile or metallic fibers.

[0021] The fastening device allows the heat shield to be mounted and removed from the tire protection device, making it possible to choose the heat shield best suited to the type of wheel on which the wheel protection device is to be mounted. Furthermore, thanks to the invention, different types of heat shields can be used with the tire sidewall protection device.

[0022] This modularity also makes it easy to adapt the properties of the thermal screen to the type of mines present in the field.

[0023] The heat shield can also be easily replaced if damaged.

[0024] The thermal screen can be in the shape of a disc, a polygon, or any other suitable geometric shape.

[0025] Preferably, the heat shield is attached to the shield. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the heat shield could alternatively be attached to the crown.

[0026] Advantageously, the fastening device includes initial fastening elements located on the thermal screen.

[0027] Preferably, the first fixing elements are arranged along a peripheral portion of the thermal screen.

[0028] When the heat shield has a polygonal shape, the first fixing elements can be located at the vertices of the polygon.

[0029] Preferably, the fastening device comprises at least three initial fastening elements.

[0030] Preferably, each of the first fixing elements includes a portion attached to the heat shield and a free portion. The portion attached to the heat shield can be embedded in the material constituting the heat shield.

[0031] Advantageously, the fastening device also includes second fastening elements located on the shield.

[0032] It is understood that the first and second fixing elements are arranged to cooperate with each other in order to achieve the removable attachment of the heat shield to the shield.

[0033] The second set of fixing elements are preferably arranged annularly along the circumferential length of the shield.

[0034] Preferably, each of the second elements comprises a part fixed to the shield and another free part intended to cooperate with the free portion of a first fixing element.

[0035] Here again, the part attached to the shield can be embedded in the material constituting the shield.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, considered in a plane containing the axis of the crown, the shield has a general shape of a semi-torus, and the second fixing elements are arranged on an inner portion of the shield.

[0037] It is understood that, viewed in a cross-section through the axis of the shield, the latter presents two thick circular arcs. The inner portion of the shield corresponds to the surface areas of the two circular arcs that are opposite each other, that is to say, oriented towards the axis of the shield.

[0038] The inner portion of the shield exhibits rotational symmetry around the axis of the shield.

[0039] Preferably, considered in a plane containing the axis of the crown, the heat shield is located axially between the crown and an axial vertex of the shield.

[0040] It is understood that the axial vertex of the shield corresponds to one of the vertices of the aforementioned circular arcs.

[0041] This arrangement results in the heat shield being located axially between a plane passing through the axial apex of the shield and the crown. In other words, the heat shield is positioned axially, recessed within an internal volume of the shield, defined between the two arcs of the circle, thereby protecting the heat shield in the event of an axial impact.

[0042] Advantageously, the heat shield has a cross-section at least equal to the cross-section of the rim, thereby masking the heat radiation emanating from the rim and the portion of the wheel located behind it. In other words, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the rim's axis, the surface area of ​​the heat shield is at least equal to the surface area defined by the rim. The surface area of ​​the heat shield can be considered as the area of ​​the polygon, disk, or any other geometric shape adopted by the heat shield. The surface area defined by the rim can, for example, be considered as the area of ​​a disk with a radius equal to the outer radius of the rim.

[0043] Preferably, the heat shield radially covers part of the shield.

[0044] The cross-section of the heat shield is preferably at least equal to the inner diameter of the shield. One advantage is that it masks some of the thermal radiation generated by the shield, particularly from the portion of the shield connected to the corona. The heat emitted by the corona tends to diffuse into the part of the shield that is in the immediate vicinity of the corona's periphery, causing this part of the shield to heat up. The heat shield is designed to mask the thermal radiation emanating from this part of the shield.

[0045] Advantageously, the thermal screen is made of polymer.

[0046] Preferably, the shield is made of a polymer material. For example, it can be made of SBR, NBR, CR, or CSM. The polymer material can advantageously be reinforced with textile or metallic fibers.

[0047] Advantageously, the second set of fasteners extends into the thickness of the shield. The second set of fasteners is then secured by the polymer.

[0048] According to a non-exclusive embodiment, the fastening device is of the toggle type. In a known manner, a toggle type fastening device comprises a loop portion and a core designed to be engaged in the loop so as to be substantially orthogonal to the loop's strands. The core is then secured by the inner wall of the shield, ensuring that the heat shield is held in place.

[0049] One advantage of this type of fixing is its robustness and ease of handling.

[0050] According to an advantageous variant, the fastening device further includes an adapter piece integral with the crown fastening part, the adapter piece further including a wheel rim mounting part.

[0051] This adapter piece makes it easier to maintain the protective device.

[0052] The invention further relates to a bearing assembly comprising:

[0053] a wheel comprising a rim having a rim axle, and a tire mounted on the rim and having at least one sidewall; and

[0054] a wheel protection device according to the invention, the wheel protection device being mounted to the rim and the shield covering the sidewall, the heat shield being arranged axially in front of the rim.

[0055] The crown can be mounted directly to the rim, for example, by attaching it to the rim bolts. Alternatively, the protective device is attached to the rim using the aforementioned adapter. The adapter can be attached directly to the rim, while the crown is mounted to the adapter, so that the crown is axially offset from the rim.

[0056] Advantageously, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the rim axis, the heat shield has a cross-section at least equal to the rim's cross-section. In other words, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the rim axis, the surface area of ​​the heat shield is at least equal to the surface area defined by the rim. The surface area of ​​the heat shield can be considered as the surface area of ​​the polygon, disk, or any other geometric shape adopted by the heat shield. The surface area defined by the rim can be considered as the surface area of ​​the disk with a diameter equal to the rim's inner or outer diameter, specifically the first or second portion of the rim.

[0057] Also, the heat shield masks the thermal radiation emanating axially from the rim. Description of the drawings

[0058] 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:

[0059] Laillustre, en perspective, un exemple d’ensemble de roulant selon la invention compris une roue équipé d’une dispositif de protection selon la invention;

[0060] This is a front view of the bearing assembly;

[0061] This is a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly along a plane passing through the wheel axis;

[0062] This is a cross-sectional view of the protective device taken along a plane passing through the axis of the shield; and

[0063] This is a front view of the bearing assembly without the heat shield. Detailed description

[0064] Using figures 1 to 3, we will describe a bearing assembly 10 according to the invention which, in this example, is intended to equip an all-terrain vehicle, such as a military vehicle.

[0065] The bearing assembly 10 comprises a wheel 12 including a rim 14, more clearly visible in the image, having a rim axle A, and a tire 16 mounted on the rim. The tire 16 comprises a first sidewall 16a and a second sidewall 16b opposite the first sidewall 16a.

[0066] The bearing assembly 10 also includes a wheel protection device 100 mounted on the rim 14 and illustrated in the figure. In this non-limiting example, the rim is in two parts. It comprises a first part 14a and a second part 14b which are fastened to each other by means of fasteners 15, in this example bolts. In this example, the wheel protection device 100 is attached to the second rim part 14b by means of the fasteners 15.

[0067] According to the invention, the wheel protection device 100 comprises a tire sidewall protection device 110 which includes a shield 112 having an annular shape, as well as a crown 114 having an axle Bet being integral with the shield 112. When the wheel protection device 100 is mounted on the rim 14, it is observed that the axles A and B are coincident.

[0068] The crown includes a connecting part 114a for the fixed connection of the crown 114 to the shield 112, and a securing part 114b for securing the crown to the rim 14. The securing part 114b is provided with holes 114c into which the fixing elements 15 of the rim 14 engage.

[0069] According to the invention, the protective device further comprises a removable heat shield 120. The wheel protection device also includes a fastening device 122 for removably attaching the heat shield 120 to the tire sidewall protection device 110.

[0070] The 120a heat shield is designed to mask the thermal radiation emanating from the wheel, and more specifically from the rim 14. As explained above, the thermal radiation results in particular from the heating of the rim or the braking system, or even the tire.

[0071] In this example, the thermal screen is made of polymer, for example an SBR reinforced with textile and metallic fibers.

[0072] Similarly, the shield preferably contains a polymer material.

[0073] As illustrated in this non-limiting example, the thermal screen 120 is mounted to the shield 112.

[0074] In this example, the heat shield has a polygonal shape with curved sides.

[0075] As can be seen in figures 1, 2 and 4, the fastening device 122 includes first fastening elements 124 which are located on the thermal screen.

[0076] In this example, the first fixing elements 124 are arranged along a peripheral portion 125 of the heat shield. More precisely, in this example, the first fixing elements 124 are arranged at the vertices of the polygon forming the heat shield.

[0077] The fastening device 122 further includes second fastening elements 130 located on the shield 112. As illustrated in this example, the first fastening elements 124 are Brandenburg-type fasteners formed of a loop 124a connected to a core 124b, while the second fastening elements 130 consist of through holes formed in the thickness of the shield and adapted to receive and retain the aforementioned Brandenburg-type fastener. In Figure 1, the bearing assembly 10 according to the invention is shown without the heat shield 120, in order to better represent the second fastening elements 130.

[0078] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that, viewed in a plane P containing the axis B of the crown, the shield has a general semi-torus shape comprising two arched portions 112a and 112b. Furthermore, it can be seen that the shield 112 covers the first flank 16a, with the heat shield 120 positioned axially in front of the rim 14. The arched portions 112a and 112b at least partially cover the first flank 16a.

[0079] It is also observed that the second fixing elements 130 are located on an inner portion 113 of the shield 112. This inner portion 113 has an annular shape which is directed towards the axis B. It is also observed that, considered in the plane P containing the axis of the ring, the heat shield 120 is located axially between the ring 114 and an axial vertex 115 of the shield 112. This arrangement allows the shield to protect the heat shield 120 against impacts.

[0080] The axial distance between the crown 114 and the thermal screen 120 is referenced h on the detail view of the.

[0081] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, we observe that the thermal screen 120 has a cross-section S1 which, in this example, is larger than the cross-section S2 of the ring. The ring has an outer radius R, so its cross-section corresponds to the surface area of ​​a disk of radius R. The cross-section S1 corresponds approximately to the surface area of ​​the polygon constituting the thermal screen 120.

[0082] Considered in a plane Q perpendicular to the axis A of the rim, the cross-section of the heat shield 120 is at least equal to, and preferably greater than, the cross-section S3 of the rim. The cross-section of the rim corresponds substantially to the surface of the disc of diameter D illustrated in.

[0083] Using figures 4 and 5, we understand that the thermal screen 120 radially covers a part of the shield 120, and more precisely a part of the inner portion 113 of the shield, thanks to which the thermal screen can also mask the infrared radiation emanating from this part of the shield.

[0084] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the heat shield could have a shape other than a polygon. Alternatively, the heat shield could be attached to the crown instead of being mounted on the shield.

Claims

Wheel protection device (100), comprising: a tire sidewall protection device (110) including: a shield (112) having an annular shape; a ring (114) having an axis (B) and being integral with the shield and including: a connecting part (114a) for the integral connection of the ring to the shield; a fastening part (114b) to a wheel rim; characterized in that it further comprises a heat shield (120) which is removable as well as a fastening device (122) for removably attaching the heat shield to the tire sidewall protection device. Wheel protection device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device (122) comprises first fastening elements (124) located on the heat shield. Wheel protection device according to claim 2, wherein the first fixing elements (124) are arranged along a peripheral portion (125) of the heat shield. Wheel protection device according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the fastening device (122) further comprises second fastening elements (130) located on the shield. Wheel protection device according to claim 4, in which, considered in a plane (P) containing the axis (B) of the crown, the shield has a general shape of a half-torus, and in which the second fixing elements (130) are arranged on an inner portion (113) of the shield (112). Wheel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, considered in a plane (P) containing the axis of the crown, the heat shield (120) is located axially between the crown (114) and an axial vertex (115) of the shield (112). Wheel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat shield (120) has a cross-section that is at least equal to the cross-section of the crown. Wheel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat shield (120) radially covers a portion of the shield (112). Wheel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat shield (120) is made of polymer. Wheel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shield comprises a polymer material. Wheel protection device according to claims 4 and 10, wherein the second fixing elements (130) extend into the thickness (e) of the shield (112). Wheel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device (122) is of the Brandenburg type. A rolling assembly (10) comprising: a wheel (12) including a rim (14) having a rim axle, and a tire (16) mounted on the rim and having at least one sidewall; and a wheel protection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the wheel protection device being mounted to the rim (14) and the shield (112) covering the sidewall (16a), the heat shield (120) being arranged axially in front of the rim (14). Assembly according to claim 13, in which, considered in a plane (Q) perpendicular to the rim axis (A), the heat shield (120) has a section at least equal to the cross-section of the rim.

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