FR2814116A1

FR2814116A1 - Reflective elements in transverse segments of vehicle tire indicate change of vehicle speed to drivers of following vehicles by producing signal with speed dependent frequency

Info

Publication number: FR2814116A1
Application number: FR0011922A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Jean Clement Delattre
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-19
Filing date: 2000-09-19
Publication date: 2002-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-19
Also published as: FR2814116B1

Abstract

A device built into a vehicle tire indicates a change of vehicle speed to drivers of following vehicles. The tire has transverse segments including reflective elements that are illuminated by the lights of the following vehicles. The elements provide a signal whose frequency changes with vehicle speed. The segments are made of the same or a compatible rubber as the rest of the tire. An Independent claim is included for the manufacture of a tire including the above device. The segments include reflective micro-beads. The segments are thick enough to include the tread pattern.

Description

Une des conditions essentielles de la sécurité routière est la connaissance que chaque conducteur peut avoir, de façon visuelle : et instantanée, de la modification de la vitesse que le conducteur du véhicule qui le précède peut être amené à imprimer à son propre véhicule, modification de la vitesse qui peut ne pas toujours être provoquée par une action sur le système de freinage qui, dans ce cas, peut être constaté par l'allumage des feux"stop". One of the essential conditions of road safety is the knowledge that each driver can have, visually: and instantaneously, of the change in speed that the driver of the vehicle ahead can be required to print on his own vehicle, change of the speed which may not always be caused by an action on the braking system which, in this case, can be observed by the lighting of the "stop" lights.

Il serait donc utile que toute modification significative de la vitesse d'un véhicule, et particulièrement son ralentissement, puisse être constamment et instantanément constatée par le ou les conducteurs des véhicules qui suivent, alors même que le conducteur du véhicule qui commande ce ralentissement, n'utilise pas son système de freinage. It would therefore be useful if any significant change in the speed of a vehicle, and in particular its deceleration, can be constantly and instantaneously noticed by the driver (s) of the following vehicles, even when the driver of the vehicle controlling this deceleration, n do not use their braking system.

Pour cela, selon la présente invention, au moins un pneu arrière des véhicules routiers comporte un dispositif apparent, placé au moins sur sa bande de roulement et pouvant aussi intéresser au moins le flanc extérieur, ledit dispositif étant constitué de microbilles de verre introduites dans la masse de gomme sous la forme de pastilles ou des bandes contenant elles-mêmes une matière composite luminescente ou fluorescente, ou tout autre matière capable d'attirer l'attention, aussi bien de jour que de nuit, par sa luminosité spontanée ou réfléchie. For this, according to the present invention, at least one rear tire of road vehicles comprises an apparent device, placed at least on its tread and which can also interest at least the outer sidewall, said device consisting of glass microbeads introduced into the mass of gum in the form of pellets or strips themselves containing a luminescent or fluorescent composite material, or any other material capable of attracting attention, both day and night, by its spontaneous or reflected luminosity.

Ledit dispositif est constitué par une matière élastomère identique à la matière constitutive du pneumatique, ou compatible avec celle-ci, de manière à assurer une parfaite cohésion de ce dispositif avec la masse du pneumatique, présentant donc une même plasticité, et un même coefficient d'adhérence sur le sol et de résistance à l'abrasion, à quelque température que soit porté ledit pneumatique, ladite matière élastomère comportant dans sa masse des microbilles de verre constituant l'élément réfléchissant. Said device consists of an elastomeric material identical to, or compatible with, the constituent material of the tire, so as to ensure perfect cohesion of this device with the mass of the tire, therefore having the same plasticity, and the same coefficient d adhesion to the ground and abrasion resistance, at whatever temperature said tire is worn, said elastomeric material comprising in its mass glass microbeads constituting the reflecting element.

Lesdites microbilles de verre peuvent elles-mêmes comporter dans leur masse un produit luminescent, ou fluorescent, comme il a été dit, de façon à accroître leur capacité d'émission lumineuse en toutes circonstances. Said glass microbeads can themselves comprise in their mass a luminescent or fluorescent product, as has been said, so as to increase their light emission capacity in all circumstances.

Et ce dispositif, formé d'inclusion de masses de gomme contenant des microbilles de verre réfléchissantes, et'constituant des segments, situés à la périphérie de la bande de roulement du pneumatique épousent la forme de pastilles installées en nombre suffisant pour attirer And this device, formed by the inclusion of rubber masses containing reflective glass microbeads, and 'constituting segments, located at the periphery of the tire tread conform to the form of pellets installed in sufficient numbers to attract

l'attention, par leur luminosité, du ou des conducteurs qui suivent le véhicule ainsi équipé. the attention, by their brightness, of the driver or drivers following the vehicle thus equipped.

Ainsi installé à la périphérie du pneumatique selon une périodicité adaptée, un tel dispositif, visible de l'arrière, permettra de déceler une variation, même faible, de la vitesse du véhicule qui en est équipé, grâce à la variation de la fréquence d'apparition des surfaces lumineuses qui se succéderont au cours de la rotation dudit pneumatique. Thus installed at the periphery of the tire at an appropriate frequency, such a device, visible from the rear, will make it possible to detect a variation, even a small one, in the speed of the vehicle which is equipped with it, thanks to the variation in the frequency of appearance of successive light surfaces during the rotation of said tire.

Indépendamment de l'information ainsi donnée aux véhicules qui suivent, de la variation de la vitesse du véhicule qui précède indépendante de toute action sur le frein, un tel dispositif se montre aussi particulièrement utile pour la simple détection durant la nuit, des cycles qui sont trop souvent démunis de tout moyen d'éclairage arrière et même de catadioptres qui peut avoir disparu ou être occulté par défaut d'entretien. Independently of the information thus given to the vehicles which follow, of the variation of the speed of the preceding vehicle independent of any action on the brake, such a device also proves to be particularly useful for the simple detection during the night, of the cycles which are too often deprived of any means of rear lighting and even of retro-reflectors which may have disappeared or be hidden by lack of maintenance.

Ce moyen lumineux de détection, étant intégré au pneumatique de ces engins, ne pourra jamais être inapparent, quel que soit son état d'entretien. This luminous means of detection, being integrated into the tire of these vehicles, can never be inapparent, whatever its state of maintenance.

L'invention est en outre caractérisée par les détails qui ressortiront de la description qui va suivre et pour laquelle : la figure unique représente un pneumatique équipé du dispositif de l'invention, sous la forme particulière de bandes transversales. The invention is further characterized by the details which will emerge from the description which follows and for which: the single figure represents a tire fitted with the device of the invention, in the particular form of transverse bands.

L'invention se trouve donc caractérisée en ce que le moyen de détection de la modification de la vitesse d'un véhicule comporte, Inclus dans la bande de roulement 2 dudit pneumatique 1, et visible à sa surface externe, un ou plusieurs segments transversaux 7 faits de gomme de même nature que la gomme constitutive du pneumatique ou compatible, et garnis dans leur masse d'éléments réfléchissants, luminescents ou fluorescents capables d'émettre une lumière ou de réfléchir la lumière ambiante ou celle émise par les phares du ou des véhicules qui suivent un véhicule équipé, à l'arrière, d'au moins un pneumatique comportant ledit dispositif, de manière que la variation de la vitesse d'un véhicule ainsi équipé, et particulièrement son ralentissement puisse être observée visuellement par le conducteur suivant par la différence de fréquence des segments transversaux 7 détectés par leur brillance. The invention is therefore characterized in that the means for detecting the change in the speed of a vehicle comprises, included in the tread 2 of said tire 1, and visible on its external surface, one or more transverse segments 7 made of rubber of the same kind as the constituent rubber of the tire or compatible, and lined in their mass with reflective, luminescent or fluorescent elements capable of emitting light or of reflecting ambient light or that emitted by the headlights of the vehicle or vehicles following a vehicle fitted, at the rear, with at least one tire comprising said device, so that the variation in speed of a vehicle thus equipped, and in particular its slowing down, can be observed visually by the next driver by the difference in frequency of the transverse segments 7 detected by their brightness.

Selon la figure unique, lors du moulage de l'enveloppe du pneumatique 1, est Introduite, au niveau de la bande de roulement 2, et se développant éventuellement jusque sur l'un ou les deux flancs 3 et 4, According to the single figure, during the molding of the casing of the tire 1, is introduced, at the level of the tread 2, and possibly developing as far as one or both sidewalls 3 and 4,

une certaine quantité de gomme identique à la gomme constituant ladite enveloppe, ou, au moins, compatible avec celle-cl afin d'assurer une parfaite cohésion, ladite gomme adjointe étant chargée des éléments réfléchissant, luminescent ou fluorescent. a certain amount of gum identical to the gum constituting said envelope, or, at least, compatible with it in order to ensure perfect cohesion, said assistant gum being responsible for the reflecting, luminescent or fluorescent elements.

Les éléments réfléchissants ou luminescents introduits dans la masse des bandes de roulement élastomères 2 sont des microbilles de verre. The reflective or luminescent elements introduced into the mass of the elastomeric treads 2 are glass microbeads.

Lesdites microbilles de verre peuvent elles-mêmes comporter dans leur masse un produit luminescent, ou fluorescent, de façon à accroître leur capacité d'émission lumineuse en toutes circonstances. Said glass microbeads can themselves comprise in their mass a luminescent or fluorescent product, so as to increase their light emission capacity in all circumstances.

Les masses de gomme contenant les microbilles de verre réfléchissantes, et constituant les segments 7, situés à la périphérie de la bande de roulement 2 du pneumatique peuvent épouser la forme de segments de tore comportant les microbilles de verres incluses dans leur masse de façon homogène ou sous forme de pastilles chargées desdites microbilles, lesdits segments ou pastilles étant installées en nombre suffisant pour attirer l'attention, par leur luminosité, du ou des conducteurs qui suivent le véhicule ainsi équipé. The rubber masses containing the reflective glass microbeads, and constituting the segments 7, located at the periphery of the tread 2 of the tire can take the form of toroid segments comprising the glass microbeads homogeneously included or in the form of pellets loaded with said microbeads, said segments or pellets being installed in a sufficient number to attract the attention, by their brightness, of the driver or drivers following the vehicle thus equipped.

Les segments transversaux 7 ainsi constitués peuvent n'intéresser que la bande de roulement 2 ou se développer jusque sur l'un ou les deux flancs 3 et 4. The transverse segments 7 thus formed may only interest the tread 2 or develop up to one or both sides 3 and 4.

Si l'élastomère chargé des éléments réfléchissants n'est pas identique à la masse du pneumatique, outre sa compatibilité, il doit présenter un même coefficient de dilatation et un même coefficient d'adhérence au sol, ainsi qu'une même résistance à l'abrasion, à quelle que température que ce soit. If the elastomer loaded with the reflective elements is not identical to the mass of the tire, in addition to its compatibility, it must have the same coefficient of expansion and the same coefficient of grip on the ground, as well as the same resistance to abrasion, at any temperature.

Et les éléments réfléchissant peuvent être formés par l'inclusion dans la gomme des zones intéressées de microbilles de verre, qui peuvent contenir dans leur masse un produit luminescent ou fluorescent. And the reflecting elements can be formed by the inclusion in the gum of the areas concerned with glass microbeads, which can contain in their mass a luminescent or fluorescent product.

Les segments transversaux de gomme 7, Inclus dans la bande de roulement 2 d'un pneumatique 1, visibles à sa surface externe, et contenant dans leur masse des microbilles de verre réfléchissantes, sont placés à la périphérie dudit pneumatique sur des zones équidistantes, et en nombre dépendant, en fonction de l'expérience, de la plage de vitesses de rotation auxquelles ledit pneumatique peut être entraîné. The transverse rubber segments 7, included in the tread 2 of a tire 1, visible on its external surface, and containing in their mass reflective glass microbeads, are placed at the periphery of said tire on equidistant zones, and in number depending, depending on experience, on the range of rotational speeds at which said tire can be driven.

Le but étant que la fréquence des surfaces lumineuses observées par le conducteur du véhicule suiveur soit telle que ce dernier puisse apprécier la différence de vitesse, même faible, de rotation de la roue du The goal being that the frequency of the light surfaces observed by the driver of the following vehicle is such that the latter can appreciate the difference in speed, even small, of rotation of the wheel of the

véhicule qui le précède par une appréciation visuelle et Immédiate de la différence de l'intensité lumineuse apparente due à la différence de fréquence des éclairs (relatifs) ainsi perçus. vehicle preceding it by a visual and Immediate assessment of the difference in apparent light intensity due to the difference in frequency of the (relative) lightnings thus perceived.

C'est ainsi que pour une vitesse de rotation élevée, pour les voitures de tourisme par exemple, une seule zone de la périphérie ainsi réflectorisée pourrait suffire. Thus for a high rotational speed, for passenger cars for example, a single zone of the periphery thus reflected could suffice.

Pour des véhicules lents, véhicules agricoles ou de chantier par exemple, plusieurs zones de la périphérie seront nécessaires, pour que la différence de fréquence d'apparition de chacune d'elles soit appréciable. For slow vehicles, agricultural or construction vehicles for example, several zones of the periphery will be necessary, so that the difference in frequency of appearance of each of them is appreciable.

Pour les pneus des cycles pour lesquels c'est la signalisation de la présence du cycle qui est recherchée plutôt que ses variations de vitesse, une ou deux zones réflectorisées pourront être suffisantes. For tires for cycles for which signaling for the presence of the cycle is sought rather than its speed variations, one or two reflective zones may be sufficient.

Mais il est évident qu'un véhicule de tourisme par exemple ou même de transport (camions, cars, etc...) peuvent circuler à des vitesses très différentes, qui peuvent être rapides, mais aussi lentes et même très lentes, selon les conditions de la circulation. Or le ralentissement de ces véhicules doit pouvoir être détecté à quelque vitesse qu'il se trouve au moment de cette situation. La périodicité de ces zones de détection doit donc tenir compte de ces deux facteurs extrêmes, l'expérience permettant d'en déterminer la valeur en tenant compte de la persistance rétinienne de l'observateur. But it is obvious that a passenger vehicle for example or even a transport vehicle (trucks, coaches, etc.) can travel at very different speeds, which can be fast, but also slow and even very slow, depending on the conditions. Traffic. However, the slowdown of these vehicles must be able to be detected at whatever speed it is at the time of this situation. The periodicity of these detection zones must therefore take these two extreme factors into account, experience making it possible to determine their value by taking into account the retinal persistence of the observer.

Pour faciliter l'observation des différences de vitesse de rotation d'un même pneumatique sur une plage suffisamment étendue de vitesses du véhicule qui est muni du dispositif objet de l'invention, Il est prévu que les microbilles dont les masses de gomme conformes à l'invention sont chargées, quelle que soit leur forme (pastilles ou bande), et quel que soit leur mode d'émission lumineuse (réflexion, luminescence, fluorescence, ou autre) apparaissent de couleur différente et complémentaire, si on considère de telles masses formant les segments 7, l'une étant jaune, par exemple, l'autre étant bleue, qui se succèdent au cours de la rotation du pneumatique. To facilitate the observation of the differences in rotational speed of the same tire over a sufficiently wide range of speeds of the vehicle which is provided with the device which is the subject of the invention, provision is made for microbeads with gum masses in accordance with invention are charged, whatever their form (pellets or strip), and whatever their mode of light emission (reflection, luminescence, fluorescence, or other) appear of different and complementary color, if we consider such masses forming the segments 7, one being yellow, for example, the other being blue, which follow one another during the rotation of the tire.

Compte tenu de la persistance rétinienne de l'observateur, pour une certaine vitesse élevée, l'apparence lumineuse globale sera la combinaison de ces deux couleurs, donc, en la circonstance, verte. Given the retinal persistence of the observer, for a certain high speed, the overall luminous appearance will be the combination of these two colors, therefore, in the circumstances, green.

A l'extrême Inverse pour des vitesses dé rotation tentes, c'est une alternance plus ou moins rapide de jaune et de bleu qui sera observée et appréciée. In the extreme opposite for tent rotation speeds, it is a more or less rapid alternation of yellow and blue which will be observed and appreciated.

Pour des vitesses intermédiaires, c'est une teinte gris-vert qui sera observée par la vue simultanée de la zone noire de la gomme normale, le gris-vert devenant de plus en plus vert en fonction de l'élévation de la vitesse de rotation, et inversement. For intermediate speeds, it is a gray-green hue which will be observed by the simultaneous view of the black area of normal eraser, the gray-green becoming more and more green according to the increase in the speed of rotation. , and vice versa.

Toute autre combinaison de couleurs est évidemment possible. Any other color combination is obviously possible.

Pour la fabrication d'un tel pneumatique, il peut être procédé par la fabrication de bandes d'élastomère conformes aux caractéristiques de l'invention, tant du point de vue de la qualité de la gomme, que de la charge en éléments réfléchissant, préalablement moulée pour comporter les sculptures Identiques à celles du pneumatique correspondant. For the manufacture of such a tire, it can be carried out by the manufacture of elastomer strips conforming to the characteristics of the invention, both from the point of view of the quality of the rubber, and of the load of reflective elements, beforehand. molded to have the same tread pattern as the corresponding tire.

La masse de gomme, chargée des microbilles responsables de la luminosité permettant ladite détection, est préalablement fabriquée sous forme de bande d'une épaisseur suffisante pour comporter, en creux, les sculptures identiques à celles que portera le pneumatique dans lequel la dite masse sera intégrée. The mass of gum, responsible for the microbeads responsible for the luminosity allowing said detection, is previously manufactured in the form of a strip of sufficient thickness to include, in hollow, the tread identical to that which will be carried by the tire in which said mass will be integrated. .

Ladite masse de gomme contenant les microbilles, de quelque forme qu'elle se présente (pastilles ou bande) possède une épaisseur supérieure à la profondeur desdites sculptures de façon que leur rôle d'information persiste jusqu'à l'usure normale de ce dernier. Said mass of gum containing the microbeads, whatever form it takes (pellets or strip) has a thickness greater than the depth of said sculptures so that their role as information persists until normal wear of the latter.

Les masses de gomme ainsi préalablement fabriquées, sont introduites, selon la périodicité adéquate, à la périphérie interne du moule dans lequel sera coulé le pneumatique correspondant, et y sont retenues par leur imbrication dans les sculptures mâles correspondantes dudit moule. The gum masses thus produced beforehand are introduced, at the appropriate frequency, at the internal periphery of the mold in which the corresponding tire will be cast, and are retained there by their nesting in the corresponding male sculptures of said mold.

Lors de la coulée de la gomme de l'ensemble du pneumatique, les éléments réflectorisés ainsi mis en place se trouveront prisonniers de ladite gomme, de façon définitive grâce à la compatibilité des deux produits, qui assure leur parfaite cohésion. When the rubber of the entire tire is poured, the reflectorized elements thus placed will be trapped in said rubber, definitively thanks to the compatibility of the two products, which ensures their perfect cohesion.

Et le démoulage, après vulcanisation, s'effectuera normalement, le pneumatique se trouvant alors définitivement garni, aux emplacements prévus, des éléments réflectorisés conformes à l'invention. And the release, after vulcanization, will be carried out normally, the tire then being permanently lined, at the locations provided, with reflectorized elements in accordance with the invention.

Un tel procédé permettant la mise en place d'un moyen de détection de toute modification de la vitesse d'un véhicule est aussi bien applicable aux méthodes de rechapage de tous types de pneumatiques que pour la fabrication des pneumatiques neufs. Such a method allowing the installation of a means of detecting any change in the speed of a vehicle is equally applicable to retreading methods for all types of tires as for the manufacture of new tires.

Claims

1) means for detecting the modification of the speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle, characterized in that it includes, included in the tread of said tire (1), and visible on its external surface, one or more transverse segments (7) made of rubber of the same kind as the constituent rubber of the tire or compatible, and lined in their mass with reflective, luminescent or fluorescent elements capable of emitting light or of reflecting ambient light or that emitted by the headlights of the vehicle or vehicles which follow a vehicle equipped, at the rear, with at least one tire comprising said device, so that the variation of the speed of a vehicle thus equipped, and in particular its deceleration, can be visually observed by the next conductor by the difference in frequency of the transverse segments (7) detected by their brightness.

2 ') means for detecting the modification of the speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflective, luminescent elements introduced into the mass of the elastomer tread (2) are glass microbeads.

3 ') means for detecting the modification of the speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that said glass microbeads can themselves comprise in their mass a luminescent or fluorescent product, so as to increase their light emission capacity in all circumstances.

4 *) means for detecting the change in speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the transverse rubber segment (s) (7), included in the tread (2) of a tire (1), visible on its external surface, and containing in their mass reflective glass microbeads, are placed at the periphery of said tire on equidistant zones, and in dependent number, depending on experience, of the range of rotational speeds at which said tire can be driven.

5 ') Means for detecting the change in the speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to the

Claim 2, characterized in that the mass or masses of rubber containing reflective glass microbeads, and constituting segments (7), situated at the periphery of the tread (2) of the tire conform to the form of pellets installed in number sufficient to attract the attention, by their brightness, of the driver or drivers following the vehicle thus equipped 6) Means for detecting the change in speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the mass or masses of rubber containing glass microbeads, located at the periphery of the tire tread, take the form of a strip forming a segment (7) occupying the entire width of the tread (2 ).

7) Means for detecting the modification of the speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to claims 3 and 4 characterized in that the pellets or the strip of rubber, comprising in their mass reflective glass microbeads, placed on the tread (2) of the tire, also develop on at least one of its sidewalls, in the manner of a torus segment.

8) means for detecting the modification of the speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the glass microbeads introduced into the mass of gum of the pellets or segments in the form of bands (7) themselves contain a luminescent or fluorescent composite material, or any other material capable of attracting attention, both day and night, by its spontaneous or reflected luminosity.

2 to 8, characterized in that the microbeads with which the gum masses are loaded, whatever their shape (pellets or strip), and whatever their mode of light emission (reflection, luminescence, fluorescence, or other) appear of different and complementary color, if one considers such masses forming the segments (7) which follow one another during the rotation of the tire.

9) means for detecting the modification of the speed of a road vehicle, associated with the tire of said vehicle according to any one of claims

100) A method of manufacturing road tires comprising the device according to any one of the preceding claims,

allowing visual detection of the modification of the speed of the vehicle fitted therewith, characterized in that the mass of rubber, charged with the microbeads responsible for the luminosity allowing said detection, is previously manufactured of a thickness sufficient to include, in hollow, the tread identical to that which the tire in which said mass will be integrated will carry.

110) A method of manufacturing road tires comprising the device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mass of gum containing the microbeads, whatever form it takes (pellets or strip) has a thickness greater than the depth of the tread formed by the tire with which it will be associated, so that their role as information persists until normal wear of the latter.

12) A method of manufacturing road tires according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the rubber masses thus previously manufactured, are introduced, according to the appropriate periodicity, at the internal periphery of the mold in which will be poured the corresponding tire, and are retained there by their nesting in the corresponding male sculptures of said mold.

130) A method of manufacturing road tires according to claim 10, characterized in that the masses of rubber being thus placed, the mass of the tire is cast, making said masses definitively pnsonniere of the tire thus produced and which, after demolding, will comprise at its periphery, the segments capable, under the effect of ambient lighting or of the lighting of the headlights of the vehicle or vehicles which follow the vehicle equipped with such tires, making it possible to visually observe the modifications made in the speed of movement of the latter, and in particular its deceleration, even when its braking system is not actuated.

140) A method of manufacturing road tires according to claim 10, characterized in that such a method allowing the establishment of a means of detecting any change in the speed of a vehicle is also applicable to the methods for retreading all types of tires than for the manufacture of new tires.