JP3983145B2 - Tire / wheel assembly and run-flat support - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tire / wheel assembly and a run-flat support, and more particularly to a tire / wheel assembly and a run-flat support that have excellent durability while being reduced in weight.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many technologies have been proposed in response to market demands that enable emergency traveling of several hundred km even when a pneumatic tire is punctured while the vehicle is traveling. Among these many proposals, the technique proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is a technique in which a core is mounted on a rim inside a hollow portion of a rim-assembled pneumatic tire and a tire punctured by the core is used. By supporting it, run flat running is possible.
[0003]
The run-flat core has an annular shell having an open leg structure with the outer peripheral side serving as a support surface and the inner peripheral side being opened, and is supported on the rim via both leg portions. . This run-flat core has the advantage that it can be used without causing any disruption to the market because it can be used as it is without any special modifications to the existing wheel / rim. Yes.
[0004]
In order to support the weight of the vehicle in place of the punctured tire, the run-flat core needs to have rigidity and durability commensurate with it. However, if the rigidity and durability are satisfied, the weight becomes very large, and the problem that the running performance deteriorates due to the increase in the weight is inevitable.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-297226 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-519279 A Publication [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a tire / wheel assembly and a run-flat support body that are excellent in durability while being reduced in weight.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A tire / wheel assembly according to the present invention that achieves the above object is a run-flat support body comprising an annular shell having a support surface on the outer peripheral side and a bifurcated inner peripheral side in a hollow portion of a pneumatic tire. the in the insertion tire / wheel assembly, the corrugated area of more than 50% of the length of the section height of the annular shell from the inner diameter side end portion of at least the side surface of the support surface及beauty side surface of the annular shell It is formed.
[0008]
Also, run-flat assembly of the present invention consists of an annular shell the inner peripheral side and open leg bifurcated with the outer peripheral side to the supporting surface, an inner diameter of at least the side surface of the support surface及beauty side surface of the annular shell A region having a length of 50% or more of the cross-sectional height of the annular shell is formed in the corrugated plate from the side end portion .
[0009]
Waves of more than 50% of the length of the region of at least the section height of the annular shell from the inner diameter side end portion of the side surface of the thus supporting surface及beauty side surface of the annular shell, which is a main component of the run-flat support Since it is formed into a plate, it can increase the shell stiffness. Therefore, even if the shell is reduced in thickness and weight, the rigidity of the annular shell can be maintained at the conventional level, and the durability of the run-flat support body can be maintained.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, the run-flat support is formed as an annular body that is inserted into the cavity of the pneumatic tire. The run-flat support body is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion so that the outer diameter maintains a constant distance from the inner surface of the hollow portion of the pneumatic tire, and the inner diameter is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the bead portion of the pneumatic tire. Dimension is formed. The run-flat support body is assembled to a wheel together with the pneumatic tire while being inserted inside the pneumatic tire, thereby forming a tire / wheel assembly. When this tire / wheel assembly is mounted on a vehicle and the pneumatic tire is punctured while traveling, the punctured and crushed tire is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the run-flat support body, enabling run-flat traveling. Become.
[0011]
The run-flat support body is configured with an annular shell as a main part. The annular shell forms a continuous support surface to support a tire that is punctured on the outer peripheral side (outer diameter side), and the inner peripheral side (inner diameter side) has a bifurcated shape with the left and right side surfaces as leg portions. ing. The support surface on the outer peripheral side is formed so that the shape in a cross section orthogonal to the circumferential direction becomes a convex curved surface on the outer diameter side. The convex curved surface may be single, or two or more may be arranged. When the support surface is formed so that two or more convex curved surfaces are arranged, the contact portions of the support surface with respect to the tire inner wall surface are dispersed to two or more, so that local wear on the tire inner wall surface is reduced and run flat durability is improved. be able to.
[0012]
It is preferable to attach an elastic ring to the ends of the bifurcated both side surfaces of the annular shell, and to support the run-flat support body on the rim via the elastic ring. When using an elastic ring, the elastic ring should be composed of rubber or elastic resin, thereby reducing the impact and vibration that the annular shell receives from the punctured tire, and providing a stable support for the annular shell by preventing slippage against the rim seat To do.
[0013]
In the present invention, the annular shell has a support surface and / or a side surface formed of corrugated plates. Since the rigidity of the annular shell increases due to the corrugated plate, the thickness required to maintain the same rigidity as the conventional annular shell can be reduced, resulting in a lighter annular shell. can do.
[0014]
The portion of the annular shell that is corrugated may be the entire support surface and side surfaces, or may be only a specific part. In particular, since the side surface of the annular shell is an important part that governs the load supporting ability of the run-flat support body, it is preferable to preferentially form this side surface with a corrugated sheet. More specifically, a region corresponding to a length of 50% or more of the cross-sectional height of the annular shell from the inner diameter side end of the side surface is preferably corrugated.
[0015]
As the shape of the corrugated plate that increases the load supporting ability, it is preferable that the wavelength is 5 to 20 mm and the wave height is 1 to 10 mm. If the wavelength is larger than 20 mm or the wave height is larger than 10 mm, the effect of increasing the rigidity is lowered. The same applies when the wavelength is smaller than 5 mm or the wave height is smaller than 1 mm. The thickness of the shell is preferably 0.5 to 3.0 mm, although it depends on the type of shell material.
[0016]
In addition, the wave train direction of the corrugated plate is preferably orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the annular shell when only the load supporting capability is increased. However, in order to satisfy even cushioning properties such as shock absorbing ability, it is preferable to incline obliquely with respect to the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the shell. That is, if the direction of the wave train of the corrugated plate is inclined obliquely, the load supporting ability in the radial direction and the shock absorbing ability can be balanced, and the ride comfort during run-flat running can be improved.
[0017]
From the viewpoint of balancing the load supporting ability and the shock absorbing ability in the radial direction as described above, when the wave train direction of the corrugated sheet is inclined, the inclination angle θ with respect to the direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the annular shell is 20 degrees. It should be ~ 50 degrees. When the inclination angle θ is smaller than 20 degrees, the impact buffering capacity is lowered, and when the inclination angle θ is larger than 50 degrees, the load supporting ability is lowered.
[0018]
When the wave train direction of the corrugated plate is tilted, the entire length of the wave train is not necessarily set to the same tilt angle θ, and may be bent and changed in the middle. Such a change in the inclination angle θ is preferably performed within a range of 20 degrees to 50 degrees. However, if the range is within 40% of the total length (periphery length) of the wave train and the inclination angle is in the range of more than 50 degrees and not more than 70 degrees, the balance effect between the load supporting ability and the shock absorbing ability is achieved. Will not break down.
[0019]
The corrugated plate may be formed only with wavelengths having the same size, but preferably it is formed from a combination of at least two wavelengths having different sizes. In this way, when two or more types of wavelengths having different lengths are combined, vibration noise at the time of run-flat traveling can be dispersed and the comfortability can be improved. As a method of arranging different wavelengths, a method such as a regular frequency dispersion can be used. Such a combination in which different wavelengths are mixed is particularly effective when applied to the support surface of the annular shell that is in contact with the tire inner surface during run-flat running.
[0020]
The annular shell is made of a rigid material. As the constituent material, metal, resin or the like is used. Among these, steel, aluminum, etc. can be illustrated as a metal. Further, the resin may be either a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, and ABS. Examples of the thermosetting resin include an epoxy resin and an unsaturated polyester resin. The resin may be used alone, or may be used as a fiber reinforced resin by blending reinforcing fibers.
[0021]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a meridian cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a tire / wheel assembly (wheel) of the present invention.
[0023]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a wheel rim, 2 is a pneumatic tire, and 3 is a run-flat support. The rim 1, the pneumatic tire 2, and the run-flat support 3 are formed in an annular shape coaxially with a rotation axis of a wheel (not shown) as a center.
[0024]
The run-flat support 3 is composed of an annular shell 4 formed of a rigid material such as metal or resin, and an elastic ring 5 formed of an elastic material such as hard rubber or elastic resin. The annular shell 4 has an outer peripheral side as a support surface, and is separated when the pneumatic tire 2 is normal, but supports a collapsed tire when punctured. Further, the inner peripheral side of the annular shell 4 is bifurcated on both side surfaces as leg portions 6 and 6, and elastic rings 5 and 5 are attached to the inner peripheral end portions thereof.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2, the annular shell 4 is formed of a corrugated plate 7 entirely on the outer peripheral support surface and both side surfaces. Of course, the entire corrugated plate 7 is not necessarily required. For example, only the corrugated plate 7 may be a side surface important for load support. The corrugated plate 7 is formed so that a large number of wave trains 7 a are arranged in parallel, and the extending direction of the wave train 7 a is orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the annular shell 4. If the annular shell 4 is formed of the corrugated plate 7 as described above, the rigidity of the shell is increased, and the thickness can be reduced (weight reduction) as long as the same level of durability as the conventional one is maintained.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 3, the wave train 7 a is a circular arc whose cross-sectional shape is a semicircular shape, and the wave train 7 a is alternately connected in opposite directions to form a wave plate 7. The wave plate 7 preferably has a wavelength λ of 5 to 20 mm and a wave height h of 1 to 10 mm. Moreover, as thickness, 0.5-3.0 mm is applied preferably.
[0027]
The cross-sectional shape of the wave train 7a is not limited to the semicircle in FIG. 3, and may be, for example, a trapezoid as shown in FIG. 4 (A) or a triangle as shown in FIG. 4 (B). Also good.
[0028]
The extending direction (arrangement direction) of the wave train 7a is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the shell as described above. 5 (A) to 5 (D) show an embodiment in the case where the direction of the wave train of the annular shell corrugated plate is changed, and are developed views. C in the figure represents the center line in the width direction of the annular shell.
[0029]
5A, the entire direction of the wave train 7a of the corrugated plate 7 is inclined at an inclination angle θ with respect to a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the shell. As the wave train 7a is inclined in this way, an impact buffering capacity is added, and the load supporting capacity is appropriately balanced.
[0030]
In the annular shell 4 of FIG. 5B, the direction of the wave train 7a is inclined only by the support surface at the central portion in the width direction, and the side surfaces on both sides are orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the shell. According to the annular shell 4, the load support capacity on both sides can be increased as compared with the case of FIG. 5A while maintaining the shock buffering capacity of the center support surface equivalent to that of FIG. 5A. .
[0031]
The annular shell 4 in FIG. 5C is obtained by inclining the wave train 7a in the inner peripheral side region on both sides in the annular shell 4 in FIG. 5B. Thus, since the wave train 7a of a part of the side surface is inclined, the shock absorbing capacity can be improved as compared with the annular shell 4 of FIG.
[0032]
In the annular shell 4 of FIG. 5 (D), the wave train 7a of only the support surface at the center in the width direction is inclined, like the annular shell 4 of FIG. 5 (B). However, the difference is that the inclination is formed in a V-shape that is line-symmetric with respect to the center line C in the width direction. However, the effect of balancing the load supporting ability and the shock absorbing ability is the same as in the case of the annular shell 4 in FIG.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described above, the run-flat support the annular shell support surface from the inner diameter side end portion of at least the side surface of及beauty side surface of the section height 50% or more of the length of the annular shell Since the area is formed in the corrugated plate, the shell rigidity can be increased. As a result, even if the shell is thinned and lightened, the rigidity of the annular shell can be maintained at the conventional level, and the support for the run flat can be maintained. It becomes possible to maintain the durability of the body.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a meridian cross-sectional view showing a main part of a tire / wheel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a run-flat support body in the tire / wheel assembly of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a corrugated sheet forming an annular shell of the present invention.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing other examples of corrugated sheets forming the annular shell of the present invention, respectively.
FIGS. 5A to 5D are development views showing main parts when the annular shell of the present invention is flattened.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 (Wheel) rim 2 Pneumatic tire 3 Run-flat support 4 Annular shell 5 Elastic ring 6 Leg (side)
7 Wave plate 7a Wave train

Claims (10)

In a tire / wheel assembly in which a run-flat support body composed of an annular shell having an outer peripheral side as a supporting surface and an inner peripheral side opened in a forked shape is inserted into a hollow portion of a pneumatic tire, the annular shell is supported. Men及beauty side surface of at least the side surface inner diameter side end portion and the annular shell of the section height 50% or more length field tire / wheel assembly which is formed in the corrugated plate of the from the. The tire / wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wave plate has a wavelength of 5 to 20 mm and a wave height of 1 to 10 mm. The tire / wheel assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a direction of a wave train of the corrugated plate is inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the annular shell. The tire / wheel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , comprising a combination of at least two types of corrugated plates having different wavelengths. The tire / according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein an elastic ring is attached to an inner diameter side end portion of the side surface of the annular shell, and the run-flat support body is supported on the rim via the elastic ring. Wheel assembly. The inner peripheral side becomes the an annular shell which is open leg bifurcated, section height of the annular shell from the inner diameter side end portion of at least the side surface of the support surface及beauty side surface of the annular shell with the outer peripheral side to the supporting surface A run-flat support having a corrugated plate with a region of 50% or more length . The run-flat support according to claim 6 , wherein the wave plate has a wavelength of 5 to 20 mm and a wave height of 1 to 10 mm. The run-flat support body according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein a direction of a wave train of the corrugated plate is inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the annular shell. The run-flat support body according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , comprising a combination of at least two kinds of corrugated plates having different wavelengths. The run-flat support body according to any one of claims 6 to 9 , wherein an elastic ring is attached to an inner diameter side end portion of a side surface of the annular shell.

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