WO2024228172A1 - Deflector for rims, e.g. car rims - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an insert (10) on a rim (1), for example a car rim, said insert simultaneously carrying out the functions of an aerodynamic deflector, of protecting the rim, for example during an impact against a curb, and of a stylized customization element.

Description

DEFLECTOR FOR RIMS, FOR EXAMPLE CAR RIMS

CORRESPONDING REQUEST

The present application claims priority from the earlier application PCT/IB2023/054660 filed on May 4, 2023 in the name of SOFTCAR SA, the contents of this earlier application being incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of rims for vehicles, in particular rims for automobiles, and to means used to improve the performance of said vehicles.

STATE OF THE ART

Since the beginning of the automobile, rims have been an integral part of the vehicle's style. On electric cars, to reduce aerodynamic drag, we see the appearance of aerodynamic deflectors that completely cover the rims (e.g. aluminum) to extract air from the inside of the wheel arches to the outside of the vehicle. The function of these deflectors is to reduce aerodynamic drag and therefore increase the autonomy of the vehicle concerned. These deflectors are generally made of injected synthetic materials (such as polymers) and have the shape of a cover disc that completely covers the structural rim, which is made of steel or aluminum.

Some high-end rims include fins like a turbine directly integrated into the aluminum casting. Located towards the center of the rim, they are not very effective in extracting air, and the right and left rims are mirror images because of the orientation of the fins: it is therefore necessary to produce different rims for the left and right sides and, in addition, during assembly, it is You also have to make sure that you mount them on the right side. You cannot therefore cross these rims (for example to take into account tire wear) without also having to change the tire mounted.

Additionally, rims can sometimes be fitted with continuous rim bands to protect them from impacts, for example against kerbs or curbs.

PROBLEMATIC

In the state of the art, a plastic hubcap or "Aero Wheel" covers the structural rim, for example made of cast aluminum alloy. The deflector hood looks like the painted plastic hubcaps fitted 40 years ago to hide "low-end" steel rims and thus simulate the look of aluminum rims. This deflector solution, which is found on many electric vehicles, is not aesthetically pleasing; many users remove this polymer part to show the rim, for example made of aluminum, located behind it, which cancels out the aerodynamic gain and the energy savings achieved by this part. The polymer hubcap is inefficient, fragile, and always the same color. The hubcap adds a high unsprung mass to an electric vehicle, which is contradictory with the greatest possible lightness to consume the minimum amount of energy. It is clipped onto the rim in a non-permanent manner to allow access to wheel removal. This non-permanent clipping poses a problem because a hubcap that is not reassembled properly, or following an impact, can come loose from the rim, and becomes a particularly visible pollution on the roadsides due to its size. In the same way, fragments of the hubcap come loose. This unpleasant pollution is a sign of irresponsible consumption that is unacceptable for an ecological vehicle. When disassembled or reassembled, the hubcaps are dirty, complicated to reassemble and lead to breakage of the clipping systems.

Clipping is always complicated around the tire valve, which requires special attention to position the hubcap and incorrect reassembly will lead to loss of the hubcap. The right and left wheel trims are different so that the fins work to extract air from both sides of the vehicle.

In the case of high-end cast wheels with turbine blade-like fins, as shown above, it is necessary to produce two types of wheels (left and right) to achieve a dynamic effect and this increases the tooling and production costs, while making the assembly operation more complex, compared to the situation where all wheels are identical and can be mounted indifferently on the left or the right.

For exactly the same industrial reasons as aluminum rims, it is expensive to launch different colors in production. Thus the colors of the rims or hubcaps are neutral, generally gray and are thus mounted without any particular agreement with the color of the vehicle body.

In addition, it is very expensive industrially to add different colors on a single rim. On a two-tone or more painted rim, the same rim paint will always be produced identically for the entire life of the vehicle, whatever the body color of the vehicle. For this reason, whether for rims or hubcaps, manufacturers generally choose neutral colors, black or gray regardless of the range of body colors.

For recycling, two-/multi-color or two-/multi-material painted rims are problematic because the colors mix or the recovered material is not pure.

The outer faces of the rims and hubcaps are painted on specific industrial paint lines. The hubcaps are only painted on the visible outer face with an automotive primer. The rendering of a non-professional paint on the outer face will not be aesthetic. This greatly limits amateur decoration and customization of hubcaps. High-end aluminum rims are damaged by the slightest impact with the sidewalk, and they will have to be re-turned, then repainted to eliminate the traces of an impact.

Hubcaps in many cases do not protect the aluminum rim from curb impacts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to solve these problems simultaneously and makes it possible to achieve several integrated functions in a single part: according to the invention, the deflector is simultaneously an aerodynamic deflector, a styling element, a customization element, and a protection of the rim edges against curbs.

These functions allow in particular to match the rim by following the different body colours (i.e. the bodywork) to the production of the vehicle or to match the rim following a change in body colour, or to carry out any customisation of the rim with a professional finish without touching the paint of the rim, which is for example made of aluminium.

In embodiments, the invention relates to a part attached to a rim, for example a car rim, said part simultaneously performing the functions of an aerodynamic deflector, protection of the rim, for example from an impact against a curb, and a stylized personalization element.

In embodiments, said part forms a deflector.

In embodiments, the part comprises means for clipping onto said rim in openings arranged to allow said part to be clipped to the periphery of the rim.

In embodiments, the part comprises two symmetrical fins allowing it to be mounted indifferently on the right and left rims of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the part forms a central removable part mechanically and visually protecting the rim nuts.

In embodiments, the shape of the clips and the opening are arranged so as to be irremovable from the rim branch except when intentional pressure on both clips is applied simultaneously.

In some execution modes, the shape of the rim branch allows fingers to pass through on each side to press both clips simultaneously.

In execution modes, the clipping of the part returns an audible click feedback during its assembly to ensure the correct locking of the part on the rim.

In some embodiments, said part protects the rim from friction and curb impacts.

In some embodiments, said part is matched to the body tones of series or aftermarket vehicles.

In execution modes, the user can vary the colors of these parts at any time as desired on his vehicle.

In some execution modes, the part is made of transparent polymer and allows for decorative customization by painting the internal face using the transparency of the part.

In execution modes, the part allows the user to color the internal face himself very easily these parts, benefiting from an ultra-glossy rendering on the face and this independently of the quality of application by using the transparent thickness of the part. In some embodiments, the parts are made of catadioptric elements reflecting light or storing and re-emitting light either by phosphorescence or by fluorescence, for example.

In embodiments, the part is made of transparent polymer and can receive varnish matching the color of the nail polish of the user of the vehicle on the face.

In execution modes, the part can be easily unclipped and transported to accompany the user to the nail salon or to a place suitable for its decoration.

In some embodiments, the piece is made of transparent polymer including fillers of precious stone, glitter, glass, or any other decorative particle.

In some embodiments, the part is made of transparent polymer that can be roughly painted on its inner face, the glossy finish being guaranteed by the thickness of the polymer.

In execution modes, the part is made in a mass-dyed material, transparent or opaque with a large choice of color and a large choice of fillers, glass, fluorescence to personalize the rims.

In embodiments, the arrangement of the clips of the part allowing a passage shape in the branch corresponding to a shape allowing a bottle to be uncapped.

In embodiments, the invention relates to a rim, for example for a vehicle, comprising at least one part as defined in the present application. In embodiments, the invention relates to a vehicle, such as for example a car, said vehicle comprising at least one rim as defined in the present application.

Figure 1 illustrates the principle of the invention on a vehicle rim seen in perspective.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment according to the invention in exploded view, in perspective.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a deflector according to the invention, seen in front and rear perspective.

Figure 4 shows a detail of a rim without a deflector.

Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of a detail of a deflector according to the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates the level differences of a deflector according to the invention for deflecting the air flow.

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the air flow deviations achieved by the invention.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate part of an embodiment of the invention, respectively in the state mounted on a rim (figure 8A) and dismounted (figure 8B).

Figure 9 illustrates the operation of uncapping a beverage bottle (such as beer) on the rim.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a general view of the principle of the invention and parts thereof mounted on a vehicle rim 1 (figure 1) or exploded (figure 2) according to embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention firstly forms an aerodynamic deflector 10 positioned at the most efficient location for extracting air from the wheel arches, i.e. where the rim 1 rotates the fastest, i.e. on the periphery of the rim 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The deflector 10 has a general fin shape allowing air to be extracted from the wheel arch towards the outside of the vehicle. The deflector has two symmetrical fins 11, 12 (see figure 3) allowing it to be mounted (for example by clipping, see figures 1 and 5) indifferently on the right and left wheels 1 of the vehicle.

Once mounted (e.g. clipped), each deflector 10 will extract air from the wheel arches and deflect the air flow towards the outside of the vehicle as illustrated and explained in Figures 7A and 7B. The faster the vehicle travels, the more the deflector 10 will extract air and thus reduce aerodynamic drag, which ultimately increases the range of the electric vehicle. The shape shown in the figures of the rim 1 and the deflector 10 is not exhaustive and many different styles of scoops can be made with the invention performing this function of extracting air from the wheel arches and deflecting the flow.

The attachment of the deflector 10 to the rim 1 is achieved by an adapted design or construction of the rim 1, for example with the means described below as a non-limiting embodiment: according to one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5: a branch 2 of the rim 1 can favorably comprise an opening 3 (FIG. 4), and the deflector 10 can comprise two flexible clips 13, 14 (see FIG. 3) inserted into the opening 3 (see FIG. 5). The openings 3 of the rims 1 are favorably of a generally triangular shape allowing the deflector 10 to be clipped onto at least two faces of the triangle, see FIG. 5. Thanks to the invention, multiple shapes of deflectors 10 and rims 1, and branches 2 of the rim can be envisaged. The fixing can be by lateral clipping, by screwing, by gluing or any other fixing means. Preferably, but not exclusively, the attachment is reversible, i.e. the deflector 10 can be attached and detached easily with a mechanical action. Unclipping can only be done by pressing simultaneously on both sides of the clips by passing the fingers behind the branch 2 of the rim. The shape of the branch 2 is arranged in such a way as to allow the fingers to be passed behind. Without this manual action on both sides simultaneously, the clip cannot be removed from the rim, even in the event of an impact.

Favorably, the clipping imprint 3 (called opening 3) of the rim on each branch 2 corresponds to the passage of the capsule of the neck of a bottle 30 (for example a beer bottle 30). This arrangement 3 allows it to be uncapped. This new function is illustrated in figure 9.

In addition, the present invention makes it possible, on the one hand, to enhance the style of the structural casting (i.e. a single single-color rim) by removable colored parts, and, on the other hand, to add geometric shapes that are difficult or even impossible to produce in a casting.

Thanks to the invention, touches of color and customization are made possible without modifying the paint of the rim or its construction which can be standardized.

Preferably, the rim 1 is adapted to receive deflectors, for example by means of the openings 3 in which the clips 13, 14 are inserted. In other embodiments, the rims 1 are standard and the deflectors 10 are adapted by appropriate means for their mounting on said standard rim and/or the fixing means (for example gluing) allow said mounting of any deflectors on a standard rim.

The deflector 10 enhances the style of the rim (for example aluminum) with an additional part, favorably made of polymer which gives a touch of color to the aluminum rim. The part thus added enhances the style of the rim by favorably matching it with that of the vehicle body, its color or with a graphic of the vehicle. It also allows the sale of accessories after the acquisition of a vehicle and to offer colored variants very quickly, without the need to disassemble or change the rim. Thus fixed, according to the embodiment illustrated in figures 1, 5, 6 and 7B, the deflector 10 is firmly pressed by the clips 13, 14 against the rim 1 and locked in position in all axes and cannot detach from the rim without very particular external action. The deflector 10 can be unclipped instantly by manually pressing simultaneously on the two clips 13, 14 by passing over the inner face of the branch of the rim 1, as illustrated in figure 6.

When clipping, the geometry of the invention makes it possible to emit an audible click, guaranteeing the user that the deflector 10 is in place and locked with a slight pressure of the clips 13, 14 on the rim 1. Without external manual intervention, the clipping of the deflector 10 and the deflector itself cannot be dismantled.

The deflector 10 can be favorably made by injecting transparent polymer resin. It can be mounted transparently on the rim 1 (so as not to change its appearance) or it can also be painted on its internal face, which once mounted on the rim 1, gives the deflector 10 a deep shiny appearance, like a transparent varnish of the thickness of the transparent part. Thus mounted against the rim 1, the paint and the edge of the aluminum rim are protected from scratches and impacts, from the spraying of cleaning products, from ultraviolet rays, by the thickness of polymer.

The deflector 10 when it is favorably made of a transparent polymer can be favorably painted in the body color of the vehicle on the inner face 12. It can also be painted to match the nail polish of the user on or in another color of choice (fashion, color according to the graphic charter of a company, colors of a sports club, etc.). In these cases, the operating mode according to the execution modes is to unclip the deflector 10 from the rim 1, to transport the very light parts to the workshop where they will be decorated, to apply a varnish or paint only on the inner face (or on the entire part), to let dry and to reclip on the rim 1. According to one execution mode, working on the inner face of the deflector 10 makes it possible to apply the varnish or paint very roughly and quickly, because whatever the quality of the color application on face 12, only face 11 of the deflector is visible through several millimeters of polymer.

The invention allows the user to color the internal face 12 very easily, benefiting from an ultra-glossy finish on the face 11 thanks to the transparent thickness of the part which acts like a varnish of several mm.

The perceived glossy quality is independent of the quality of application on the internal face of the deflector 10. The invention allows the use of a spray paint can, a spray gun, a roller, or even a brush and does not require any particular professionalism since the drips or excess paint will not be visible on side 10. This thickness of polymer gives a particularly high-quality and aesthetic deep glossy appearance to the rim for a modest manufacturing cost.

This method opens the way to multiple customizations in production, in after-sales service, or by the user who can express his talent at any time during the life of the vehicle.

According to embodiments, the invention further comprises a central nut cover 20 in a single piece which forms a cover which has a function of protecting the threads of the wheel fixing studs (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). It can also have an aesthetic function, for example in harmony with the deflectors 10 (see FIG. 1). It can favorably be injected transparent and painted or decorated on its rear face in the same way as the deflectors 10. It is clipped into a central hole of the rim 1 (as illustrated in FIG. 8A), and the shape of the clips 21 allows it to be perfectly pressed against the rim. Disassembly is done for example by lifting one of the fins 22 with a wire or a thin polymer blade slid between the rim 1 and the polymer part 20.

The invention allows the deflectors 10 and the cover 20 to be mounted and dismounted at home and, thanks to the lightness of these parts, to easily transport them to a workshop, for example, to paint or exchange them. They can also be transported in a nail salon favorably at the same time as you get your nails done, without having to remove the rims. Of course, this is just a non-limiting example and this principle applies in other circumstances (exhibitions, tuning, advertising media, etc.) This ease of transport simplifies all possible customizations of the deflectors 10 and the cover 20.

In embodiments, the deflector 10 protrudes a few millimeters from the peripheral edge of the rim, but remains inside the overall tire as illustrated in Figure 3. This edge is the first to touch the sidewalk and thus protects the material of the rims 1 from friction and impacts against sidewalks or curbs, which damage the rims 1 during impacts occurring during maneuvers in town.

The deflector 10 forms a protective wall which will be the first in contact in the event of a curb impact. Then, the deflector can possibly be changed and recycled but it will have protected the rim 1 from costly repairs.

The elongated shape of the deflector 10 preferably forms a portion of approximately 70% of the circumference of the rim 1. After an impact, the deflector 10 will possibly be damaged or destroyed and will have to be replaced, which represents a low cost compared to that of repairing a damaged rim 1. Being located a few millimeters outside the rim 1, the deflector 10 protects the edge of the rim from friction, thus preserving the paint from scratches and the abrasion of the aluminum of the rim. The invention makes it possible to protect the rim 1, for example aluminum, from sidewalk impacts. Favorably, the deflector 10 will be made of an “impact-resistant” polymer, polycarbonate or co-polyester. When recycling the rim 1, the deflectors 10 will be dismantled to avoid mixing materials and the material of the rim 1 can be recovered pure and recycled more easily.

The deflector 10 and the cover 20 can be made of a transparent material loaded with reflective particles such as aluminum flakes, precious stones, or diamond-like glass, mother-of-pearl particles, marble, interference pigment, thermochrome pigment or any other filler included in the polymer allowing an aesthetic effect on the rim 1. The deflector 10 and the cover 20 can be favorably injected transparent and tinted with a pigment. The polymer can be loaded with fluorescent or phosphorescent particles, excited by the lights of the ambient lighting or the headlights of other vehicles allowing the rims 1 equipped with the deflectors 10 (and the cover 20) to be visible even in complete darkness during the duration of the emission of the photons. The invention allows additional safety: that of being visible in the evening or at night. The deflector 10 (and the cover 20) can be made tinted in the mass, opaque with a large choice of color and be painted on the surface, with a paint taking up the pigments and effect described above. The painting is carried out when the deflector 10 (or the cover 20) is removed from the rim 1 which simplifies this operation.

Once fixed on the rim, the deflector 10 is locked in a non-removable manner, centered in all axes by the shape 3 and cannot be detached from the housing 3 of the rim 1. The deflector 10 can be unclipped instantly by manually pressing simultaneously on both sides of the clips 13 and 14 by passing the fingers behind the branch 2.

Embodiments have been described to provide a general understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the systems and methods described in this application. Several of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described above. The systems and methods specifically described in this application and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments and the scope of the present invention is not defined solely by the claims. Features illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. A number of problems with conventional methods and systems are noted herein and the methods and systems described herein may solve one or more of these problems. Additionally, while this invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, the alternatives, Modifications, equivalents and variations which are within the spirit and scope of the present invention are also covered by the present application.

Claims

1. Attached part (10,20) on a rim (1), for example a car rim, said part simultaneously performing the functions of aerodynamic deflector, protection of the rim, for example from an impact against a curb, and stylized personalization element. 2 Part (10) according to the preceding claim, said part forming a deflector (10). 3. Part (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising clipping means (13, 14) on said rim (1) in openings (3) arranged to allow said part (10) to be clipped to the periphery of the rim (1). 4. Part (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two symmetrical fins (11, 12) allowing it to be mounted indifferently on the right and left rims (1) of the vehicle. 5. Part (20) according to one of the preceding claims, forming a central removable part (20) mechanically and visually protecting the nuts of the rim (1). 6. Part (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shape of the clips (13) and (14) and the opening (3) are arranged so as not to be removable from the rim branch (2) except when voluntary pressure on the two clips (13) and (14) is applied simultaneously. 7. Part (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shape of the branch (2) of the rim (1) allows fingers to pass on each side to simultaneously press on the two clips (13) and (14). 8. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the clipping of the part (10,20) returns an audible click feedback during its assembly making it possible to guarantee the correct locking of the part (10,20) on the rim (1). 9. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part protecting the rim (1) from friction and curb impacts. 10. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part being matched to the body tones of the vehicles in series or after-sales. 11. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, or the user can vary the colors of these parts at any time at his will on his vehicle. 12. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part made of transparent polymer allows, by painting the internal face (12), decorative personalization using the transparency of the part. 13. Part (10,20) according to the preceding claim, allows the user to color the internal face (12) of these parts himself very easily, benefiting from an ultra-glossy rendering on the face (11) and this independently of the quality of application by using the transparent thickness of the part. 14. Transparent part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said parts being made of catadioptric elements reflecting light or storing and re-emitting light either by phosphorescence or by fluorescence. 15. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part being made of transparent polymer and capable of receiving varnish matching the color of the nail polish of the user of the vehicle on the face (12). 16. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part being able to be easily unclipped and transported to accompany the user to a nail salon or to a place suitable for its decoration. 17. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part being made of transparent polymer including fillers of precious stone, glitter, glass, or any other decorative particle. 18. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part being made of transparent polymer which can be roughly painted on its inner face, the glossy finish being guaranteed by the thickness of polymer. 19. Part (10,20) according to one of the preceding claims, said part being able to be made from a mass-dyed material, transparent or opaque with a large choice of color and a large choice of fillers, glass, fluorescence to personalize the rims (1). 20. Arrangement of the clips (13, 14) of the part (10) allowing a passage shape (3) in the branch (2) corresponding to a shape allowing a bottle to be uncapped. 21. Rim (1), for example for a vehicle, comprising at least one part (10,20) as defined in one of the preceding claims. 22. Vehicle, such as for example a car, said vehicle comprising at least one rim (1) as defined in the preceding claim.