FR3108560A1 - Reduced resistance to movement by convertible wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

Reduction of resistance to movement by transformable wheel The invention relates to the reduction of resistance to movement of elements or objects (E) equipped with wheels, whether vehicles, systems, devices, equipment. For this, transformable wheels (1) are used in an elongated shape with a reduced width, a length increased by at least 25% and a reduced surface. The reduction in resistance to movement is obtained by reducing aerodynamic and/or hydrodynamic drag, for example for a windsurf board (P). It is also possible to use the convertible wheel (1) as a skate on snowy ground, for example for a sledge. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 8.

Description

Reduced resistance to movement by transformable wheel

FIELD OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The invention relates to reducing the resistance to movement of elements or objects provided with wheels, whether vehicles, systems, devices or equipment.

PRIOR ART

In the majority of cases, elements or objects provided with wheels such as vehicles have conventional wheels which respond to the conventional use of rolling on the ground.

In certain fields, such as that of wheelchairs, transformable wheels are proposed as part of the reduction in compactness for use in storage. In this case the element is no longer functional.

To our knowledge, there is no use of the specificity of convertible wheels for use other than normal use in driving mode and storage use, the element no longer being functional.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The motion resistance reduction system is intended for an item such as a vehicle that already has wheels.

It is also intended for elements such as a windsurf board conventionally not equipped with a wheel to which we will add at least one convertible wheel.

The characteristic of the convertible wheel is that in classic use for rolling on the ground, it is perfectly round.

With reference to this configuration in rolling mode, the transformed configuration has an elongated shape with a reduced width, a length increased by at least 25% and overall a reduced surface area.

The shape of the wheel thus transformed contributes physically to reducing the resistance to movement.

Particularly for a fixed-wheel aircraft, the transformable wheel contributes to the reduction of aerodynamic drag.

For equipment such as a windsurf board to which wheels have been added, making the wheels convertible into an elongated shape helps reduce hydrodynamic drag.

For winter sports equipment such as a toboggan to which wheels have been added for the road, making the wheels convertible allows them to be used as skates to slide on the snow.

Thus in terms of the use of an element having at least one transformable wheel whose configuration transformed into an elongated shape with a reduced width, a length increased by at least 25% and a reduced surface, this wheel contributes physically to a reduction resistance to movement in transformed position.

According to a first variant of use, the wheel contributes to drag reduction.

According to a second variant of use, the wheel is used as a skate.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings.

shows a first example of a convertible wheel in rolling mode.

shows this first example of a transformable wheel in the configuration transformed into an ellipse.

shows a second example of a convertible wheel in rolling mode.

shows this second example of a transformable wheel in a configuration transformed by arrangement of sectors.

shows an Ultra Light Motorized equipped with wheels that can be transformed into rolling mode.

shows a motorized ultralight equipped with transformable wheels in transformed configuration.

shows a windsurf board fitted with wheels that can be transformed into rolling mode.

shows a windsurf board fitted with transformable wheels in a transformed configuration.

shows a sledge fitted with wheels that can be transformed into rolling mode.

shows a sled fitted with convertible wheels in a converted configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The movement resistance reduction system is intended for an element (E) whether it is vehicles, systems, devices, equipment.

It may be an element (E) already provided with wheels such as a vehicle.

It is also intended for elements (E) conventionally not fitted with wheels such as a windsurfing board (P) or a sledge (LU) to which at least one convertible wheel (1) will be added.

The characteristic of the convertible wheel (1) is that in conventional use for rolling on the ground, it is perfectly round.

With reference to this configuration in rolling mode, the transformed configuration has a reduced width, a length increased by at least 25% and overall a reduced surface area which gives an elongated shape.

In fact, the wheel in driving mode is a circle which is part of a square whose side dimension is equal to the diameter of the wheel. In folded mode, the wheel takes on an elongated shape which forms part of a rectangle, the width of which becomes smaller than the diameter of the wheel and the length of which, on the other hand, is greater than the diameter. Indeed this is the consequence that the circumference of the wheel equal to 2 PI multiplied by the radius is globally preserved even distributed over several sectors.

We can consider that it is a gain in compactness insofar as the surface of the wheel in the compact configuration where it is folded is reduced compared to the surface of the normal wheel.

In addition, from a movement resistance point of view, this elongated shape when oriented along the same axis as the movement offers lower drag.

As a first example, patent FR1904467 describes such a transformable wheel (1) in this case into an ellipse.

Such a transformable wheel (1) into an ellipse is illustrated in FIG. 1 in rolling mode and in FIG. 2 in a transformed configuration in compacting mode.

The circumference (C) is elastic. In rolling mode, the circumference (C) takes the form of a circle (CR) and in the transformed configuration in compaction mode the circumference (C) takes the form of an ellipse (CC).

For its implementation, the transformable wheel (1) into an ellipse has an extendable diameter (D).

This extendable diameter is in this embodiment the combination of two extendable spokes (R1, R2) sliding in a central element. These two extendable spokes (R1, R2) come into abutment against the central element in the rolling configuration. Thus designed, the axle (A) of the wheel is exactly in the middle of the convertible wheel (1) in rolling configuration.

It is advantageous for the wheel that can be converted into an ellipse to include a locking device which, in the rolling configuration, puts in compression, that is to say under tension, an extensible diameter.

It is also advantageous that the convertible wheel (1) into an ellipse comprises a locking device (L) in the compacting configuration which extends an extensible diameter (D).

It is also advantageous for the same device (L) to carry out both the locking in rolling mode and in compacting mode.

In addition, the locking device in the compacting configuration may also comprise means for orienting the wheel (1) with respect to the axis (A) in the transformed configuration in the compacting mode.

This orientation means is particularly important in a transformed configuration to orient the transformable wheel (1) in the axis of movement, whether to reduce drag or to use it as a skate.

As a second example, patent FR1909059 also describes such a transformable wheel (1), in this case based on sectors articulated together.

Such a convertible wheel (1) is illustrated in FIG. 3 in rolling mode and in FIG. 4 in a transformed configuration in compacting mode.

This transformable wheel (1) comprises a set of sectors (S) hinged together in the plane of the wheel (1).

In the rolling configuration, the set of sectors (S) forms the equivalent of the rim of a wheel (1).

The transformable wheel (1) with sectors comprises a set of sectors (S) which in the compact configuration arranges the sectors so as to be compatible with the radii of curvature and countercurvature of the flexible circumference (C).

Figure 3 illustrates a sector convertible wheel in rolling configuration in side view.

It is made up of a set of sectors (S), some of which are mobile sectors (SM) in the traditional way, but also of two fixed sectors (SF), that is to say which retain the same location in compaction configuration than in the rolling configuration.

Figure 4 illustrates a sector transformable wheel (1) in compaction configuration in side view.

In the compacting configuration, all the mobile sectors (SM) flatten and give an elongated shape to the transformable wheel (1).

The two fixed sectors (SF1, SF2) are positioned inside the mobile sectors (SM), which is an advantage.

Indeed, the circumference in the flattened position is reduced by the length of the two fixed sectors, which reduces the length accordingly and represents a gain in compactness.

The wheel (1) comprises a central part (PC) along a diameter and two movable elements (M1) (M2) moving on this central part along two radii.

A set of connection bars (B, BY) with pivots connect the two mobile elements (M1) and (M2) to part of the mobile sectors (SM).

In rolling mode, the moving parts are close together. In compaction mode, they are far apart.

It is possible to automatically transform the transformable sector wheel by using a means for moving the two moving elements (M1) and (M2) closer together or further apart.

It is advantageous in the rolling position that the two mobile elements (M1) and (M2) are then energized and retransmit this voltage to the mobile sectors via the connecting bars (B, BY).

It is advantageous in the compacting position that the two mobile elements (M1) and (M2) are then in extension and retransmit this extension to the mobile sectors by the connection bars (B, BY).

It is advantageous to add a locking and unlocking system similar to that of the transformable wheel (1) in ellipse previously described.

Similarly, this system can use levers or be controlled by a jack to move the two moving elements (M1) and (M2) closer or closer.

In addition, the locking device in the compacting configuration can also comprise means for orienting the wheel relative to the axis in the transformed compacting configuration.

The elongated shape of the wheel (1) thus transformed, whether for example the transformable wheel (1) into an ellipse or the transformable wheel (1) with sectors, contributes physically to reducing the resistance to movement.

In particular for an airplane, the transformable wheel (1) contributes to the reduction of aerodynamic drag.

This is not for planes with landing gear but for the simplest models with fixed wheel locations. These fixed wheels actually cause an increase in aerodynamic drag during flight.

By way of example, figures 5 and 6 illustrate the application to an Ultra Light Motorized.

In Figure 5, the Ultra Light Motorized is in taxiing mode with the wheels functional. This concerns in particular on the aerodrome the exit of the hangar then the takeoff on the runway.

In figure 6, the Motorized Ultra Light is in flight, the wheels transformable into a transformed configuration in a more aerodynamic elongated shape.

Preferably in this case, the transformation control of the wheels (1) is carried out remotely, for example by jacks and not by levers manipulated by the user.

It should also be noted that the transformed configuration of the wheels (1) of FIG. 6 allows them to be used as skids for take-off and landing, for example on snowy ground or a body of water.

By way of example, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the application to water sports equipment such as a windsurf board (P).

Figure 7 shows a windsurf board equipped with wheels, in this case convertible, in rolling mode for example to transport the windsurf board on the beach to the edge of the water.

For this use, two wheels or even just one allows the transport of the windsurf board (P).

If these wheels were fixed, they would be penalizing in terms of aerodynamic drag in the air but especially in terms of hydrodynamic drag in the water.

Figure 8 illustrates the advantage of being able to accommodate the transformable wheels (1) in a transformed configuration in a much lower height.

By way of example, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the application to winter sports equipment such as a sledge (LU).

Figure 9 shows a sledge (LU) equipped with wheels, in this case convertible (1), in rolling mode for example to transport the sled on the road to the ski slopes and bring it back.

Figure 10 shows a sledge (LU) equipped with transformable wheels (1) in a transformed configuration that can be used as skids for sliding on snow.

Note that the configuration of figure 9 also allows in summer to toboggan on grass.

Thus in terms of the use of an element having at least one transformable wheel whose transformed configuration has a reduced width, a length increased by at least 25% and a reduced surface characterized, this wheel contributes physically to reducing the resistance to movement in transformed position.

According to a first variant of use, the wheel contributes to drag reduction, whether this is aerodynamic drag or hydrodynamic drag or a combination of the two.

According to a second variant of use, the wheel is used as a skate, for example for sliding on snowy ground or a body of water.

In terms of industrial application, the decrease in resistance to movement by transformable wheels applies to different types of vehicles, equipment and devices.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and represented, but a person skilled in the art will know how to make any variant in accordance with his spirit for a range of products in different fields.

Claims (10)

Movement resistance reduction system characterized in that it comprises at least one element or object (E) provided with at least one transformable wheel (1) whose transformed configuration has a reduced width, a length increased by at least 25% and a reduced surface and that this transformable wheel (1) into an elongated shape contributes physically to the reduction of the resistance to movement in the transformed configuration. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transformable wheel (1) contributes to the reduction of the aerodynamic drag in comparison with a fixed wheel due to the fact that the transformable wheel (1) in the transformed configuration has a more aerodynamic elongated shape and that it is oriented along the same axis as the movement. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the convertible wheel (1) contributes to the reduction of the hydrodynamic drag in comparison with a penalizing fixed wheel in terms of hydrodynamic drag in the water because the transformable wheel (1) in transformed configuration has an elongated shape of a much lower height than fixed wheels and that it is oriented along the same axis as the movement. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the convertible wheel (1) contributes to the reduction of friction by having the function of a skid. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the element (E) is a sailboard (P). System according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that the element (E) is an airplane (U). System according to either of Claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the element (E) is winter sports equipment equipped with at least one convertible wheel (1) in rolling mode configuration for rolling on the ground and in a transformed configuration for sliding on snow. Use of an element (E) having at least one transformable wheel (1) whose transformed configuration is an elongated shape with a reduced width, a length increased by at least 25% and a reduced surface, characterized in that that it is a use where the element (E) is in motion, where the transformable wheel (1) is in a transformed configuration, and that this use benefits from the fact that this transformable wheel (1) contributes physically to the decrease in resistance to movement compared to a fixed wheel. Use according to Claim 8, characterized in that the transformable wheel (1) contributes to the reduction of the resistance to movement by reducing drag due to the fact that the transformable wheel (1) in the transformed configuration has a more aerodynamic elongated shape and that it is oriented along the same axis as the movement. Use according to Claim 8, characterized in that the transformable wheel (1) is used as a skate.