FR2774335A1 - Safety alarm for insertion in vehicle tyres to indicate under-inflation - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is an annular structure that is installed on a specially shaped wheel rim within the tyre. The structure comprises two flat rings of flexible material separated by a set of radial spokes the full axial width of the rings. The inner ring holds tight against the rim and the outer ring diameter is chosen to push against the tyre surface when the tyre deflates. There are variations in either the thickness of the outer ring or the stiffness of the spokes at regular intervals round the circumference. As a deflated tyre is driven acoustic signals are generated within the wheel. Depending on the location of the variations in stiffness the signals produced are different harmonics of a single revolution of the wheel.

Description

The invention relates to the use of tires fitted with a safety insert and more particularly, the detection of the tire being pressed against the safety insert.

It offers an insert that alerts the driver as soon as the tire is in contact with him after a puncture or in the event of significant pressure loss.

The function of these safety inserts, which are generally mounted on the rim inside the tire, is to take over the load in the event of tire failure.

The placing of the tire on the safety insert is accompanied by a more or less marked deterioration in its performance which may not be perceptible to the driver through the behavior and comfort of the vehicle. In addition, the operating life of these inserts is limited. It is therefore essential for his safety that the driver is warned as soon as a tire is pressed on his safety insert, so that he can comply with the manufacturer's instructions.

Several safety inserts incorporating means to warn the driver of the support have already been proposed.

US Patent 4,262,724 proposes in particular a safety insert intended to be mounted in an assembly comprising a tire and a rim and radially outwardly relative to the rim. This insert has a radially outer surface which defines a radial support for the top of the tire when the tire is deflated, as well as means for generating warning vibratory signals during rolling in support. These means are a variation of the rolling radius under support of the insert between a minimum radius and a maximum radius to create a rolling vibration or one or more bumps.

These solutions pose several problems. To be able to be detected by the driver, the amplitude of the variations must be high and this causes marked discomfort for the passengers of the vehicle, at least at certain speeds. On the other hand, this can greatly degrade the behavior of the tire and rim assembly concerned, particularly during acceleration and braking. This can only prevent instant immobilization of the vehicle in the event of a tire failure. On the other hand, when one wishes to use the vehicle, even at limited speed, over long distances, the warning transmitted by the insert must be compatible with driving safety, not penalizing for the mechanics, while remaining perfectly remarkable , directly or through a suitable detection device, by the driver.

On the other hand, patent application WO 94/03338 proposes a device for detecting the pressing of a tire on a safety insert. This device comprises an accelerometer per wheel, placed on one of the suspension elements of the wheel and measuring the vertical accelerations. The accelerometers are connected to a central processing unit. The analysis is based on the detection of the appearance during the setting in support of a resonance mode characteristic of rolling in support.

The subject of the invention is a safety insert which alerts the driver, directly or indirectly, as soon as the tire is pressed in a very wide range of vehicle speeds while retaining a bearable character for both the driver and the mechanics , in the range of authorized speeds.

In what follows, vehicle is understood to mean an autonomous rolling unit, passenger vehicle, tractor or heavy goods vehicle trailer, caravan, motorcycle, etc.

A first safety insert according to the invention, intended to be mounted in an assembly comprising a tire and a rim of a vehicle and radially outwardly relative to the rim, has a radially outer bearing surface which defines a radial bearing for the top of the tire when said tire is deflated and means for generating warning vibratory signals when rolling in support. This insert is characterized in that the said means are a variation of a characteristic chosen from the group of the external radius and the radial stiffness of the said insert as a function of
The azimuth a which has at least four maxima distributed in at least two times two different values M1 and M2.

In its simplest embodiment, the characteristic M present as a function of the azimuth has two diametrically opposite maxima M1 and two diametrically opposite maxima M2 and arranged at 90 "from the maxima Ml.

Such an insert has the advantage of providing a vibratory warning excitation when rolling in support, distributed mainly over the harmonics 2 and 4 of the wheel turn, while avoiding the frequency of the wheel turn. This makes it easier for the driver to detect these signals directly because the excitation of two harmonics, instead of just one, increases the range of speeds in which vibrations are perceptible. Another advantage is to avoid the always possible confusion with, in particular, the vibrations of the engine speed when the insert mainly provides a single excitation frequency. In addition, when the vehicle is equipped with a detection device for example described in application WO 94/03338, the peaks of the vibrating warning signals are very easily perceptible with very little risk of false alarms.

According to another embodiment, the characteristic M present as a function of the azimuth has two diametrically opposite maxima R1 and three maxima R2 distributed over the circumference and offset relative to the maxima M1.

Such an insert will provide, during rolling on a support, a vibratory warning excitation distributed mainly on harmonics 2 and 3 of the wheel turn, as well as by combination on harmonic 5.

According to a third embodiment, the characteristic M present as a function of the azimuth has two diametrically opposite maxima M1 and four maxima M2 arranged 90 "from each other and offset by 45" from the maxima M1.

This insert will provide, during rolling on a support, a vibratory warning excitation distributed according to harmonics 2, 4, but also 8. This has the advantage of easier detection at low speed.

Preferably, between each maxima M1 and M2, there is a minimum of unique value M3, this increases the concentration of energy actually included in the mainly excited harmonics.

The warning means may also include, in combination with the first variation, a variation as a function of the azimuth a of the second characteristic of the group of the outer radius and of the radial stiffness of said insert.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the means are a combination of a variation of the external radius and a variation of the radial stiffness of the insert as a function of the azimuth a, so that the insert under load has a radius crushed as a function of the azimuth a comprising at least four maxima.

The variations in radial stiffness as a function of the azimuth a can be between 10 and 1000%, and the variations in external radius between 0.1 and 7 mm.

Such an insert may comprise a substantially cylindrical base intended to fit around the rim, a substantially cylindrical crown intended to come into contact with the tire in the event of a loss of pressure, and walls connecting substantially radially the base and the crown. I1 can be made of flexible elastomeric material and have arcuate walls. The variations in radial stiffness are then easily obtained by varying the thickness of the walls and the variations in external radius preferably by varying the lengths of the walls.

In a particular embodiment, the variations in radial rigidity and / or outside radius of the insert only apply axially on a part of the insert intended to be placed towards the interior of the vehicle. This has the advantage of creating, when rolling in support, warning torques, therefore signals oriented both radially and transversely, which can facilitate their detection. Another advantage is that such inserts mainly transmit warning vibratory signals only when driving in a straight line while in turns, the tires having a large camber angle, it is the uniform, inactive part of the insert which mainly supports the load. The risks of disturbing the behavior of the vehicle are thus reduced.

Finally, the variations in radial rigidity and / or in the external radius of the insert can have an additional axial evolution as a function of the azimuth a. Such an evolution has the advantage of creating a vibration complementary to the previous ones, one component of which is oriented in the axial direction.

Several embodiments of the invention are now described with the aid of the appended drawing in which: - Figure 1 shows, in meridian section, a tire and rim assembly fitted with a
security insert; - Figure 2a shows a partial side view of an insert of elastomeric material and the
Figure 2b a section of the same insert; - Figure 3 shows, in meridian section, an insert diagram with a variation of radius
outside; - Figure 4 shows, in meridian section, a diagram of a second insert with a
variation of radial stiffness - Figure 5 shows, in meridian section, a diagram of a third insert with a
combination of variations in radial stiffness and outside radius.

FIG. 1 shows a wheel rim 1 fitted with an annular safety insert 2 resting on the surface 6 of the rim 1. The particular geometry of this wheel rim 1 is notably described in French patent application no. 2,713,558. It has two seats of beads of different diameters and is particularly suitable for the easy installation of this safety insert 2. This assembly allows rolling despite a significant drop in pressure in the tire 3. In the case of '' such a rolling, the inside of the deformed tire rubs on the outside surface of the insert causing overheating which limits the available radius of action: it is therefore important that the driver is informed as soon as a tire is pressed on its insert 2.

To this end, a safety insert according to the invention is advantageously used as an insert, comprising means for generating vibration signals for harmonic warning of the turn of the wheel (that is to say of the frequency of rotation of the tire).

The insert shown in Figure 2 is made of flexible elastomeric material. It comprises a base 10, of generally annular shape and reinforced by a ply (not shown) oriented longitudinally substantially at 0, a vertex 12, substantially annular, with on its radially outer wall longitudinal grooves 13 and arcuate walls 16.

Between the walls 16 are recesses 17 which, as shown in FIG. 2b, pass through the insert 2 completely axially. The base may include a stop 15 to be disposed on the outside near the bead of the tire.

Such an insert 2 can very easily have its radial stiffness modified by local enlargement of the walls 16. Its external radius can also be modified by local increase in the thickness of the base 10 or of the top 12 and preferably by radial elongation of the walls 16, which only slightly increases the weight of the insert. Depending on the use of the insert, in cooperation or not with a detection device, and the type of vehicle fitted, the amplitude of the variations in external radius and radial stiffness can vary very greatly: between 0.1 and 7 mm for the outside radius and preferably between 1 and 3 mm, and from 10 to 1000% for the radial stiffness.

FIG. 3 presents a diagram of insert 20 according to the invention which has a variation of external radius between three values R1, R2 and R3 such as R1>R2> R3 with a progressive variation of this radius between the maxima and the minima. The two zones of external radii R1 are 1800 from one another and the two zones of radii R2 also; the four minima of radii R3 are each between two maxima R1 and R2. I1 results therefrom, during a rolling bearing, a variation of this stiffness as a function of a with two fundamental harmonics, the first of frequency 2, due to the first two stiffness maxima K1 and the second of frequency 4 due to the presence of the maximum stiffness K1 and
K2 and the four stiffness minima K3. In this example, the difference Rî - R3 is equal to 5 mm and the difference R2 - R1 is equal to 3 mm.

FIG. 4 presents a diagram of insert 30 according to the invention which has a variation in radial stiffness between three values K1, K2 and K3 such as K1> K2> K3 with a progressive variation of this stiffness between the maxima and the minima. As before, the two stiffness zones K1 are 1800 from one another and the two stiffness zones K2 also; the four minima of stiffness K3 are each between two maxima K1 and K2.

This results, during a rolling bearing, a variation of this stiffness as a function of a with two fundamental harmonics, the first of frequency 2, due to the first two stiffness maxima K1 and the second of frequency 4 due to the presence of the maximum stiffnesses K1 and K2 and of the four stiffness minima K3.

FIG. 5 presents a diagram of insert 40 according to the invention which presents a combination of a variation of external radius and a variation of radial stiffness. Each characteristic has two maxima (respectively R1, K2) and two minima (respectively R2, K1), angularly offset by 90 "with respect to each other. The radial stiffness maxima are sufficiently localized to provide the whole of the insert 40 a variation of the crushed radius in support comprising four maxima.

Consequently, this insert also provides a harmonic excitation concentrated on harmonics 2 and 4 but has the advantage of having a variable weighting as a function of the speed. The Applicant has in fact found that the radial variations in stiffness were more perceptible at low speed and that the variations in external radius were themselves more perceptible at high speed.
It is easy, without departing from the scope of this invention, to define inserts similar to those which have just been described, adapted to concentrate the energies of their warning signals on higher harmonic frequencies.

Claims (16)

 CLAIMS 1. Safety insert intended to be mounted in an assembly comprising a tire and a rim of a vehicle and radially outwardly relative to the rim, said insert having a radially outer bearing surface which defines a radial bearing for the top of the tire when said tire is deflated and means for generating warning vibratory signals during a rolling bearing, characterized in that said means are a variation of a characteristic chosen from the group of outside radius and radial stiffness of said insert as a function of the azimuth a which has at least four maxima distributed in at least twice two different values M1 and M2. 2. Safety insert according to claim 1, in which the characteristic M present as a function of the azimuth has two diametrically opposed maxima M1 and two diametrically opposed maxima M2 and disposed at 90 "from the maxima M1. 3. Safety insert according to claim 1, in which the characteristic M present as a function of the azimuth has two diametrically opposite maxima M1 and three maxima M2 distributed over the circumference and offset relative to the maxima M1. 4. Safety insert according to claim 1, in which the characteristic M present as a function of the azimuth has two diametrically opposed maxima M1 and four maxima M2 arranged 90 "from each other and offset by 45" from the maxima M1 . 5. Safety insert according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which between each maximum M1 and M2 is a minimum value of single value M3. 6. Safety insert according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said means comprise, in combination with the first variation, a variation as a function of the azimuth of the second characteristic of the group of the outer radius and of the radial stiffness said insert. 7. Safety insert intended to be mounted in an assembly comprising a tire and a rim of a vehicle and radially outwardly relative to the rim, said insert having a radially outer bearing surface which defines a radial bearing for the top of the tire when said tire is deflated and means for generating warning vibratory signals during a rolling bearing, characterized in that said means are a combination of a variation of the outside radius and a variation of the radial stiffness of said insert in function of the azimuth a, so that the insert under load has a radius crushed as a function of the azimuth a comprising at least four maxima. 8. Safety insert according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the variation in radial stiffness as a function of the azimuth a is between 10 and 1000%. 9. Safety insert according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the variation in external radius as a function of the azimuth a is between 0.1 and 7 mm. 10. Safety insert according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a substantially cylindrical base intended to fit around the rim, a substantially cylindrical crown intended to come into contact with the tire in the event of pressure loss, and walls substantially radially connecting the base and the top. 11. Safety insert according to claim 10, made of flexible elastomeric material, with arcuate walls. 12. Safety insert according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the radial variations in stiffness are obtained by varying the thickness of the walls. 13. Safety insert according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the radial stiffness variations are obtained by varying the shape of the walls. 14. Safety insert according to one of claims 8 to 11, in which the variations in external radius are preferably obtained by varying the length of the walls. 15. Safety insert according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the variations in radial rigidity and / or outside radius of the insert only apply axially on a part of the insert intended to be placed towards inside the vehicle. 16. Safety insert according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the variations in radial stiffness and / or outside radius of the insert have a complementary axial evolution as a function of the azimuth a.