GB2550389A - A detachment alert device - Google Patents

A detachment alert device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2550389A
GB2550389A GB1608756.1A GB201608756A GB2550389A GB 2550389 A GB2550389 A GB 2550389A GB 201608756 A GB201608756 A GB 201608756A GB 2550389 A GB2550389 A GB 2550389A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
axle
wheel assembly
retaining member
trigger portion
alarm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1608756.1A
Other versions
GB201608756D0 (en
Inventor
Mangnall Lee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Indespension Ltd
Original Assignee
Indespension Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Indespension Ltd filed Critical Indespension Ltd
Priority to GB1608756.1A priority Critical patent/GB2550389A/en
Publication of GB201608756D0 publication Critical patent/GB201608756D0/en
Publication of GB2550389A publication Critical patent/GB2550389A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B3/00—Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body
    • B60B3/14—Attaching disc body to hub ; Wheel adapters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B23/00—Attaching rim to wheel body
    • B60B23/06—Attaching rim to wheel body by screws, bolts, pins, or clips
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
    • B60K28/10—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle 
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
    • B60R25/1001—Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T7/00—Brake-action initiating means
    • B60T7/12—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2900/00—Purpose of invention
    • B60B2900/30—Increase in
    • B60B2900/331—Safety or security
    • B60B2900/3312—Safety or security during regular use
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2900/00—Purpose of invention
    • B60B2900/30—Increase in
    • B60B2900/331—Safety or security
    • B60B2900/3316—Safety or security by indicating wear, failure or loss
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T17/00—Component parts, details, or accessories of power brake systems not covered by groups B60T8/00, B60T13/00 or B60T15/00, or presenting other characteristic features
    • B60T17/18—Safety devices; Monitoring
    • B60T17/22—Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices

Abstract

A device is provided for alerting a user to a detachment event in which a part of a wheel assembly 12 becomes detached or partly detached or subject to excessive play from an axle 4 of a vehicle. The device comprises: a retaining member 15 engageable with the axle 4 for at least temporarily retaining the wheel assembly 12 on the axle 4 after the detachment event, the retaining member 15 comprising a trigger portion 7 spaced away from the wheel assembly 12 and arranged to contact with a part of the wheel assembly 12 during or after the detachment event; and an alarm means configured to activate an alarm 16 to alert a user to the detachment event when a part of the wheel assembly 12 contacts with the trigger portion 7.

Description

A DETACHMENT ALERT DEVICE
Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to device for alerting a user to detachment or partial detachment of a wheel or wheel assembly from a vehicle.
Background to the Invention
All vehicles are vulnerable to unplanned release of a wheel assembly from the vehicle during service. Such a detachment event may involve release of the whole wheel assembly, or of components of the wheel assembly such as a wheel, wheel hub, a brake drum, fasteners or bearings.
Such detachment events can endanger the safety of the driver and the general public, and can potentially cause damage to the surrounding environment, especially if the driver is unaware of the detachment event and continues to drive the impaired vehicle.
An embodiment of the present invention seeks to address the above problem. Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for alerting a user to a detachment event in which a part of a wheel assembly becomes detached from an axle of a vehicle, the device comprising: a retaining member engageable with a part of the vehicle for at least temporarily retaining the wheel assembly on the axle after the detachment event, the retaining member comprising a trigger portion spaced away from the wheel assembly and arranged to contact with a part of the wheel assembly during or after the detachment event; and an alarm means configured to activate an alarm to alert a user to the detachment event when a part of the wheel assembly contacts with the trigger portion.
In this way, the present invention provides a device that can be fitted to a vehicle to immediately alert a user, such as the driver of the vehicle or any other person, when a part of a wheel assembly has become detached (or partly detached, or demonstrates a level of play that would indicate an imminent detachment may occur) from its axle and/or the vehicle. This alert informs the user of the detachment event, which consequently allows the user to take any necessary action to mitigate damage to the vehicle, its occupants and/or a third party. For example, when the device alerts the driver of the vehicle to the detachment event, the driver may opt to slowly decrease the speed of the vehicle and come to a stop to prevent complete detachment of the wheel, which can cause irreparable damage. In addition, since the retaining member is engageable with a part of the vehicle such as the axle, its engagement with a part of the vehicle such as the axle provides an additional resistance to the wheel assembly and/or wheel fully detaching from the axle after a detachment event. This improves safety by temporarily retaining the wheel assembly on the axle and thereby allowing the vehicle driver to safely decelerate and stop the vehicle to prevent a crash or dangerous detachment of the wheel. Furthermore, spacing the trigger portion away from the wheel assembly helps to ensure that false readings of a detachment event are not given.
The retaining member may be engageable with a part of an axle of the vehicle.
The vehicle may be a motor vehicle such as an automobile or a lorry. Alternatively, the vehicle may be non-powered vehicle such as a trailer. Thus, the axle may be driven by a motor or may be non-powered.
The retaining member may further comprise a body. The body may be circular, plate-shaped or disc-shaped. The retaining member may be mountable to the axle. The retaining member may be configured to be mountable to the axle at a position outward of the wheel assembly.
The trigger portion may be attached to or integrally formed with the body of the retaining member. The trigger portion may be protrude or project from the circumference of the body. The trigger portion may protrude or project perpendicularly with respect to the body. The retaining member may be arranged so that the trigger portion projects towards the wheel assembly when the retaining member is mounted or engaged to the axle. The trigger portion may be spaced away from the wheel assembly by an air gap between the trigger portion and/or the retaining member and the wheel assembly.
The alarm means may alert the user to the detachment event by activating a visual alarm. The visual alarm may be a connected warning light, which may be visible on the vehicle’s dashboard. The visual alarm may alternatively be a produced gas such as smoke. In this way, the alarm means produces a noticeable alarm to alert the user to the detachment event, thereby providing an additional level of safety.
The alarm means may alert the user to the detachment event by activating an audible alarm. The audible alarm may be a connected buzzer, siren or alarm, which may be installed in vehicle, in particular in the cabin of the vehicle. In this way, the alarm means produces a noticeable alarm to alert the user to the detachment event, thereby providing an additional level of safety.
The alarm means may comprise an electrical connector. The electrical connector may be formed on or attached to the trigger portion. The alarm means may activate the alarm when the electrical connector contacts with a part of the wheel assembly as the trigger portion contacts with a part of the wheel during or after a detachment event.
The device may further comprise a locking nut for locking the retaining member in its position on the axle when engaged with the axle. The locking nut may be mountable to the axle. The locking nut may be configured to be mountable to the axle at a position outward of the wheel assembly and/or outward of the retaining member.
Detailed Description of the Invention
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a tyre and wheel assembly including a device according to an embodiment of the invention, with the retaining member and trigger portion spaced away from the wheel assembly;
Figure 2 is a magnified view of the circled area of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a magnified view of the circled area of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a tyre and wheel assembly including a device according to an embodiment of the invention, with the retaining member and the trigger portion adjacent and in contact with a part of the wheel assembly;
Figure 5 is a magnified view of the circled area of Figure 4; and
Figure 6 is a magnified view of the circled area of Figure 4;
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a wheel 1 mounted to an elongate axle 4 of a vehicle, with a tyre 11 covering the radially outward surface of the wheel 1.
The wheel 1 comprises awheel assembly 12 for securing the wheel 1 to the axle 4. The wheel assembly 12 comprises a brake drum 2, a bearing assembly 5, a retaining hub nut 6 and a circlip 18. The brake drum 2 is fastened to the wheel 1 by a set of wheel studs and nuts 3. The bearing assembly 5 mounts the brake drum 2 to the axle 4, thereby indirectly mounting the wheel 1 to the axle 4. The retaining hub nut 6 secures the bearing assembly on the axle 4.
The bearing assembly 5 comprises a radially outer portion (with respect to the wheel 1) attached to the brake drum 2 and a radially inner portion (with respect to the wheel 1) attached to the axle 4. In between the radially inner portion and the radially outer portion are a plurality of spherical bearings that allow the radially outer portion to turn relative to the radially inner portion, thus allowing the wheel 1 to turn relative to the axle 4.
The retaining hub nut 6 comprises a body attached to the axle 4 and a flange attached to the radially inner portion of the bearing assembly 5. The retaining hub nut 6 is positioned on the axle 4 outward of the bearing assembly 5. Thus, the flange blocks the bearing assembly 5 from escaping off of the axle 4, which secures the bearing assembly and thus the wheel 1 to the axle 4.
The circlip 18 is a substantially C-shaped fastener that is installed into the brake drum 2 and is positioned on the axle 4 inward of the bearing assembly 5 to secure the bearing assembly 5, which is pressed into the brake drum 2. A device 13 is attached to a part of the vehicle, in this embodiment the axle 4, and spaced away from the wheel assembly 12 comprising the bearing assembly 5,the retaining hub nut 6, the brake drum 2 and the circlip 18, by an air gap 14. The device 13 is thus not in contact with the bearing assembly 5, the retaining hub nut 6, the brake drum 2 or the circlip 18. The device 13 comprises a retaining member 15, a locking nut 8 and an alarm means 16.
The retaining member 15 comprises a circular plate-like body 17 protruding radially from the axle 4 and a flange acting as a trigger portion 7 extending axially towards the retaining hub nut 6. The retaining member 15 is positioned on the axle 4 outward of the bearing assembly 5 and the retaining hub nut 6.
The locking nut 8 comprises a body attached to the axle 4 and a flange near to the body 17 of the retaining member 15. The locking nut 8 is positioned on the axle 4 outward of the retaining member 15.
The alarm means 16 comprises an electrical connector 9 that acts as a positive terminal. The axle 4 acts as a negative terminal since it is formed from a conductive metal. The alarm means 16 further comprises non-conducting sheets 10 that envelop the portion of the body 17 of the retaining member 15 adjacent the axle 4, which thus insulates the electrical connector 9 from the axle 4. The electrical connector 9 is connected to an audible buzzer or siren in the cabin of the vehicle and a visual warning light on the vehicle’s dashboard.
In normal use, the retaining hub nut 6 secures the wheel assembly 12 on the axle 4, which thus secures the wheel 1 to the vehicle. However, during a detachment event when a part of the wheel assembly 12, i.e. the brake drum 2, the bearing assembly 5, the retaining hub nut 6 or the circlip 18, fails or ruptures, the wheel assembly 12 and the brake drum 2 may escape axially along the axle 4 towards the device 13 as the wheel 1 begins to detach from the axle 4. The wheel assembly 12 thus moves along the axle 4, closing the air gap 14, until a part of it contacts with a part of the retention member 15. This position of the wheel assembly 12 with respect to the device 13 and the axle 4 is shown in Figures 4 to 6.
Specifically, the brake drum 2 has translated axially towards the retention member 15 such that the brake drum 2 is in contact with a front facing surface of the trigger portion 7. Since the brake drum 2 is conductive, the contact between the part of the wheel assembly 12 and the trigger portion 7 completes the circuit of the alarm means 16 between the positive terminal provided by the electrical connector 9 and the negative terminal provided by the conductive axle 4. The current will flow from the positive electrical connector 9 through the retaining member 15, through the brake drum 2, through the outer portion of the bearing assembly 5, through the bearing rollers (one or more of which are will be at any time in contact between inner and outer portions of the bearing assembly 5) through the inner portion of the bearing assembly 5 and to the axle 4 to complete a circuit between the electrical connector 9 and the axle 4. The completed circuit activates the alarm means 16 in order to alert the driver of the vehicle to the detachment event to prompt them to stop the vehicle. In particular, when the air gap 14 is breached and the circuit is completed, the alarm means sounds the buzzer in the cabin and displays the warning light on the dashboard.
In addition, the retaining member 15 temporarily delays detachment of the wheel 1 from the axle 4 for a limited period of time since it is secured outwardly on the axle 4 relative to the wheel assembly 12. Thus, the wheel assembly 12 is temporarily retained on the axle 4 by the retaining member 15 after failure. The locking nut 8 also delays detachment of the wheel 1 from the axle 4 for a limited period of time since it is secured outwardly on the axle 4 relative to the wheel assembly 12 and the retaining member 15. Thus, the wheel assembly 12 is temporarily retained on the axle 4 by the locking nut 8 acting on the retaining member 15 after failure.
Although the wheel assembly 12 is held on the axle 4 by the retaining member 15 and the locking nut 8 of the device 13, friction will ultimately cause the retaining member 15 and the locking nut 8 to fail, leading to the wheel assembly 12 escaping the axle 4 and the wheel 1 thus becoming detached from the wheel 1.
Accordingly, the device 13 temporarily secures the wheel assembly 12 and thus the wheel 1 to the axle 4 after a detachment event and provides an early warning system for the driver so that they are alerted to the detachment event.
The above embodiment is described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
For example, although in the above embodiment, the wheel assembly comprises a brake drum, on an unbraked wheel the wheel assembly would instead comprise a simple wheel hub.
In some embodiments, the alarm means further comprises or is connected to a communication unit, which is to alert a remote device or system of the detachment event over any suitable wired or wireless link.
In another embodiment the retaining member 15 may be larger in respect to the wheel bore and enable the retention of the wheel 1 should there be failure of the wheel nut, wheel stud or wheel bolt 3 attaching the wheel 1 to the brake drum 2.

Claims (21)

1. A device for alerting a user to a detachment event in which a part of a wheel assembly becomes detached from an axle of a vehicle, the device comprising: a retaining member engageable with a part of the vehicle for at least temporarily retaining the wheel assembly on the axle after the detachment event, the retaining member comprising a trigger portion spaced away from the wheel assembly and arranged to contact with a part of the wheel assembly during or after the detachment event; and an alarm means configured to activate an alarm to alert a user to the detachment event when a part of the wheel assembly contacts with the trigger portion.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member is engageable with an axle of a vehicle.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein retaining member further comprises a body.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the body is circular, plate-shaped or discshaped.
5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the retaining member is configured to be mountable to the axle at a position outward of the wheel assembly.
6. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the trigger portion is attached to or integrally formed with the body of the retaining member.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the trigger portion projects from the circumference of the body.
8. A device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the trigger portion projects perpendicularly with respect to the body.
9. A device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the retaining member is arranged so that the trigger portion projects towards the wheel assembly when the retaining member is mounted or engaged to the axle.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the trigger portion is spaced away from the wheel assembly by an air gap between the trigger portion and/or the retaining member and the wheel assembly.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm means alerts the user to the detachment event by activating a visual alarm.
12. A device according claim 11, wherein the visual alarm is a connected warning light.
13. A device according to claim 11, wherein the visual alarm is a produced gas.
14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm means alerts the user to the detachment event by activating an audible alarm.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the audible alarm is a connected buzzer, siren or alarm,
16. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm means comprises an electrical connector.
17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the electrical connector is formed on or attached to the trigger portion.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the alarm means activates the alarm when the electrical connector contacts with a part of the wheel assembly as the trigger portion contacts with a part of the wheel during or after a detachment event.
19. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a locking nut for locking the retaining member in its position on the axle when engaged with the axle.
20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the locking nut is configured to be mountable to the axle at a position outward of the wheel assembly and/or outward of the retaining member.
21. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB1608756.1A 2016-05-18 2016-05-18 A detachment alert device Withdrawn GB2550389A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1608756.1A GB2550389A (en) 2016-05-18 2016-05-18 A detachment alert device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1608756.1A GB2550389A (en) 2016-05-18 2016-05-18 A detachment alert device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201608756D0 GB201608756D0 (en) 2016-06-29
GB2550389A true GB2550389A (en) 2017-11-22

Family

ID=56320611

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1608756.1A Withdrawn GB2550389A (en) 2016-05-18 2016-05-18 A detachment alert device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2550389A (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US597612A (en) * 1898-01-18 Island
CA2209158A1 (en) * 1997-08-01 1999-02-01 Bob Mullen Wheel disconnect alarm
US6320277B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-11-20 Roger Croteau Tire alert system
GB2474530A (en) * 2010-03-30 2011-04-20 Wheely Safe Ltd Wheel loss detection

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US597612A (en) * 1898-01-18 Island
CA2209158A1 (en) * 1997-08-01 1999-02-01 Bob Mullen Wheel disconnect alarm
US6320277B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-11-20 Roger Croteau Tire alert system
GB2474530A (en) * 2010-03-30 2011-04-20 Wheely Safe Ltd Wheel loss detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201608756D0 (en) 2016-06-29

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)