LU85737A1 - DEVICE FOR INCREASING THE OPERATING SAFETY OF MOTOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Description

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"Device for increasing the operational safety of motor vehicles".

The invention relates to a device for increasing the operational safety of motor vehicles, in particular road vehicles, the wheel rims of which can be equipped with tubeless tires. It also relates to additional devices for interacting with this device.

The possible consequences of a sudden, or even a gradual loss of air in a motor vehicle tire are known. Above all, there is an acute risk of accident due to the vehicle being thrown and then frequently the tire being destroyed by the rim being flattened or the tire being twisted off the tire.

I In any case, the defective wheel must be replaced by the spare wheel before continuing.

There has been no lack of proposals to minimize the consequences of a flat tire. In particular, the aim was to jump off the

To prevent tire from the rim or possibly even to continue driving to the nearest repair shop. For this purpose, special rims were mostly proposed, but also a completely new rim / tire concept. So far, none of these proposals has been successful.

Another disadvantage of the motor vehicles according to the prior art consists in a relatively long response time of the brakes, the possible effects of which, particularly in dangerous situations, can become fatal. Apart from the driver's psychological reaction time, a too long period of time elapses between lifting the foot off the accelerator pedal and finally reacting to the wheel brakes.

35 This period of time can mean a decisive extension of the braking distance in a negative sense.

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-2- * Another negative aspect of the state of the

Technique is, when using a conventional differential, spinning a drive wheel when lifting it off the road or on one-sided slippery road. According to the state of the art, this can only be prevented by an expensive limited slip differential. These limited slip differentials have; depending on the design, the disadvantage of that!

Vehicle becomes unwilling to corner.

i 10 Finally, it must be considered disadvantageous that the state of the art in motor vehicles does not provide a built-in fire-fighting device. The only known way to combat a possible fire is to carry a mobile fire extinguisher, usually in the passenger compartment. As is known, such a fire extinguisher must be serviced at regular intervals in order to be fully operational in an emergency. Apart from this, many 20 drivers will also shy away from opening the bonnet to fight this fire if a fire breaks out in the engine compartment (where a fire practically only occurs).

Another negative aspect of the state of the art relates to the seat belts, which today are installed practically exclusively as so-called automatic belts. Although these automatic belts have the advantage that they automatically adapt to the shape of the wearer and the position of the seats, care must be taken to ensure that the belts are tightened as tightly as possible and that there are no loose parts. As is well known, such a slack has the effect that in the event of a strong deceleration, such as occurs in the event of an emergency braking or an impact, the belt wearer is first thrown into the loose belt j λ, thereby creating a risk of injury j J i \ Q î ------------:

Jr -3- is given by the belts themselves and the safety distance to parts in front of the belt carrier ^ such as the steering wheel is reduced. In order to minimize the consequences of such an incorrectly applied belt-I 5, some automobile manufacturers offer belt tensioners which automatically take action when there is a considerable delay. However, these automatic belt tensioners are not simple in construction and are accordingly expensive.

10 In cold and particularly damp and cold weather, it is well known that motor vehicles often have difficulty starting the engine. However, the prior art does not have any aids assigned to the vehicle in order to relieve and / or support the vehicle battery in such cases.

Another weak point of the prior art must be seen in the often inadequate effect of the mechanical parking brake of the vehicle, in particular, as is known, when it only acts on disc brakes. This can cause the vehicle to move unintentionally, be it that the brake was insufficiently tightened, or that even a correctly tightened brake loosened after more or less long parking time for well-known reasons.

Airbags are known as an alternative to seat belts or to support their effectiveness. According to the state of the art, these are inflated or popped up by a strong vehicle deceleration by ignition 30 of a powder load or the like, for which purpose a device which is not uncomplicated is necessary.

! To avoid these disadvantages of the prior art, it is the object of the invention to propose a device of the type mentioned at the beginning, with the aid of which it is possible in the event of a puncture whose i jl-1 -4- r can be driven without changing the wheel, in the event of emergency braking Response time of the brakes * is significantly shortened *, the spinning of a drive wheel on slippery roads is prevented, a safe 5 and reliable fire fighting is possible, the effectiveness of the seat belts is improved, in the event of difficulties starting the vehicle, the vehicle battery can be supported, the effect of the parking brake. is improved, and, in the presence of air bags, the banging is carried out by means of a simple device.

Starting from a device of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved by the 15 features stated in the characterizing part of the main claim.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, in which the same parts are provided with the same reference numbers, and are described in more detail below. There 20 show:

Figure 1, essentially an axial section through a rim / tire complex with the inventive devices provided thereon;

FIG. 2 shows an axial section through a rim / tire complex with a device according to the invention provided thereon, and a view, partly in section, of a drum brake associated with the rim / tire complex with a first additional device according to the invention and associated with this drum brake; FIG. 3 shows a section through a double disc brake as the second additional device according to the invention associated with the device;

Figure 3a, a half side view of the object of Figure 3 along the section line Illa-35 Ill-a; t - 1 »» -5-

Figure 4 is a block diagram representation of a passenger car equipped with devices according to the invention.

FIG. 1, an axial section through the rims / 5 tire complex 10 of a motor vehicle wheel 14 equipped with a standard tubeless tire 12, shows a compressed air hose 16 accommodated inside the tire 12 as the core of the device according to the invention. This compressed air 10 hose 16 made of a high-strength, but flexible

Material only partially fills the cavity 18 of the tubeless tire 12, as can be seen, and is inflated with, for example, ten to fifteen bar. It thus represents a compressed air reservoir 15, which can be used in several ways to increase the operational safety of the vehicle equipped with it, it being generally assumed that at least the four rolling wheels are provided with such a compressed air hose 16.

20 The invention provides for the compressed air hose 16 to be glued to the rim 20, if necessary.

This compressed air hose 16 performs a first important safety task in the event of an air 25 loss, for example caused by perforation, of the tubeless tire 12. In this case, a tire wheel attached to the wheel rim 20 is adopted; known pressure control valve 22 is provided, which connects the interior of the compressed air hose 16 through lines 24, 26, 27 with the cavity 18 of the tube-30 loose tire 12. The pressure control valve 22 is constructed and set or adjustable so that, in the event of the pressure drop in the cavity 18 associated with the aforementioned air loss, the latter is initially supplied with compressed air from the compressed air hose 35 16 until the pressure in the latter itself reaches, for example, 1.5 bar has dropped, after which the compressed air connection between the compressed air hose 16 and the cavity 18 is interrupted. During these processes, the tread 28 has gradually lowered to the compressed air hose and can finally be supported on this, which allows a temporary continuation at an appropriate speed. This is possible with the greatest care for the tire 12, since it can be supported on the now relatively soft compressed air hose 16 and not on metal surfaces, as suggested by the prior art.

If the pressure in the cavity 18 drops even further, as is normally the case with perforation, there is therefore no risk of the tire beads jumping off their seat, since they are prevented by the presence of the compressed air hose 16. This is indicated by the arrows 15, 17. This prevention of the tire beads jumping off their seat becomes even more effective if, as noted above 20, the compressed air tube 16 is clamped to the rim well. The normal operating pressure in the compressed air hose 16 is restored after the tire 12 has been repaired by a filler neck 30 on the valve 22, optionally by means of a compressor (not shown) carried in the vehicle.

It should also be noted that the pressure control valve 22 is preferably constructed and set up such that when the combination compressed air hose 16 / tubeless tire 12 is inflated for the first time, or 30 when it is inflated through the connector 30 after a repair, the compressed air hose 16 first receives its predetermined pressure and then the tire 20. Similarly, when deflating through the nozzle 30, the air can first be let out of the tire 12 and then out of the compressed air hose 16, or vice versa. So that these processes take place automatically, the pressure control valve 22 f-1 i * can be a valve block, consisting of a logistically assembled combination of individual valves (not shown).

For safety's sake, an additional line 27 can optionally be provided, which is connected to the connector 30 via the valve 22.

This connection of the line 27 to the socket 30 is automatically established when a defect in the valve 22 causes the pressure in the cavity 18 to rise sharply, which could damage the tire 12.

The valve 22 can further preferably

A set screw 29 for adjusting the pressure in the

Cavity 18 can be provided, in particular, to the newly assembled wheel when the wheel is changed to give correct pressure in the cavity 18.

f J-1 f, a! | -8- j Figure 1 also shows part of a at 32! Section through a further inventive | direction in the form of a new drum brake, i f | whose function is also combined with the compressed air hose i ^ 5 16. This drum brake 34 is shown completely, partly in section, in FIG. 2. In order to simplify the illustration of the interaction of the rim / tire complex 10 (and of the

Compressed air hose 16) with this drum brake 10 34 are both components by 90 ° around a vertical one

Axis 0 shown pivoted to each other.

This drum brake 34 is distinguished by the fact that it can not only be actuated in the usual way by applying at least one wheel brake cylinder 36 with 15 pressure oil, but also (by pressing brake drum-side, that is to say rotative, elements against the normal, fixed shoes 38, 40 This is achieved by brake shoes 42, 44, which are arranged in 20 windows provided for the brake drum 46. These brake shoes 42, 44 can be moved radially and thus pressed against the brake shoes 38, 40, for example by using a membrane 48 , 50, which in turn is also glued to 25 of the brake drum 46. The radial mobility of the shoes 48, 50 is made possible in a manner known per se by bead-shaped bellows 52, 54, 56, 58 of the membranes 48, 50 at the connection points between the shoes 42, 44 and the 30 brake drums 46.

The shoes 42, 44 are pressed pneumatically against the brake shoes 38, 40. For this purpose, the shoes 42, 44 together with suitably shaped, essentially concentric with the shoes 35 boundary walls 64, 66 essentially i i arc-shaped compressed air chambers 60, 62. By! l · -9- ft stair-shaped heels 68, 70, 72, 74 ensures that the shoes 42, 44 are secured against rotation relative to the drum 46 and can be supported radially on the drum 46 in their rest position. When they are not actuated, they 5 are held in this rest position by tension springs 76, 78, 80, 82 between the walls 64, 66 and the shoes 42, 44.

Energy storage for the pneumatic pressing of the shoes 42, 44 against the brake shoes 38, 40 is the 10 compressed air hose 16 assigned to the wheel in question, which via a compressed air line 84, an electromagnetically actuated pneumatic valve 86, and lines 88, 90 with the compressed air chambers 60, 62 in Connection is established.

15 As can be seen from the foregoing, the shoes 42, 44 which can be pressed pneumatically against the brake shoes 38, 40 represent an additional brake to the normal drum brake given by the combination of brake drum 46 / brake shoes 38, 40, 20 which the driver presses down on the brake Brake pedal is actuated while this additional brake is activated by actuating the solenoid valve 86.

If a given vehicle wheel, for example the two front wheels, is to be provided with a disc brake system, an arrangement according to FIG. 3 is provided according to the invention. The "brake disc" 100 consists of two brake 30 plates 102, 104 connected to the vehicle wheel (not shown) in a manner fixed against relative rotation. In the case of fixed caliper brakes, preferably both plates are axially displaceable, in the case of floating caliper brakes it is sufficient if only one of the two plates 102, 104 is displaceable . If the plates are moved apart axially, they 35 contact the brake studs 106, 108 of the brake caliper 110 and are pressed against these studs 106, 108.

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This is again done pneumatically by supplying compressed air from the compressed air hose 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to a sealed pressure chamber 112 between the two plates 102, 104. In order to simplify the sealing problems, the pressure chamber can consist of an elastomeric, hose-like structure 114. The compressed air supply to this compressed hose 114 from the compressed air hose (not shown in FIG. 3) takes place via a compressed air line indicated by arrow 10, a solenoid valve 118 and a line 120.

To stiffen and prevent the plates 102, 104 from tilting, they are axially guided to one another by means of sleeve / bolt systems 122! 15 (see also FIG. 3a). In the idle state of the plates 1 102, 104, which can be brought about by axial tension springs arranged between them I (not shown), the bolts of the sleeve / bolt systems 122 rest on the base of the sleeves.

20 As can be seen from these explanations for FIGS. 3 and 3a, the plates 102, 104 which can be pneumatically pressed against the brake studs 106, 108 represent an additional brake to the 25 disk brake given by the combination "brake disk" 100 / brake studs 106, 108, which are from Driver is actuated by depressing the brake pedal, this additional brake being activated by actuating the solenoid valve 118.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a vehicle skeleton, schematically represented, consisting of the components of interest in connection with the invention, as well as a general wiring diagram for the actuation and control of the devices according to the invention (except for the device described in FIG. 35 in connection with FIG. Tire puncture protection ", which works autonomously fully-j-! -11- automatically). The central unit of the control is a minicomputer 130, which the him. supplied electrical signals processed to electrical command signals to the various components 5 or additional devices.

A first task of the computer 130 is to use | to stop the autonomous auxiliary brake described above and assigned to each wheel on the shortest possible braking distance. To the braking delay of

To minimize the driver's side, the emergency braking process is preferably triggered by means of a push button provided on the steering wheel or in the vicinity of the steering wheel, a "thumb brake" 132, or alternatively by a push switch 134 or the like. The computer now actuates the additional brakes on the four wheels by means of corresponding signals to the valves 86 (FIG. 2) or 118 (FIG. 3), as a result of which the pressure spaces 60, 62 (FIG. 2) or 112 (FIG. 3) are connected to the 20 associated compressed air hoses 16 and respond to the additional brakes. The signal is transmitted from the computer 130 through electrical lines 136, 138 to the rear wheels 140, 142 and through electrical lines 144, 146 to the 25 front wheels 148, 150. The connection to the rotating wheels 140, 142, 148, 150 is done with the aid of known electrical rotary feeders (not shown). To increase the braking effect by interrupting the flow of power from the engine to the drive wheels, the clutch 152 of the vehicle can be disengaged electromagnetically or pneumatically by a line 154. The braking effect itself can advantageously by a per se. known anti-lock braking system (not shown), which is combined with the computer 130 | becomes.

I j___ j -12- I The invention also provides for the presence of the wheel's own, autonomous additional brakes * | to provide a locking differential effect! to exploit without the need for a complex locking differential. For this purpose, the drive wheels, here the wheels 140, 142, are assigned contactless speed sensors 156, 158, which are connected to the computer 130 by lines 160 and 162, respectively. If impermissibly high speed differences occur between the wheels 140 and 10 142, the computer brakes the wheel that is rotating too quickly by actuating the additional brake assigned to this wheel. The time, duration and intensity of such a wheel deceleration can advantageously be optimized 15 in that the computer 130 is supplied with information about the steering wheel position by an encoder system 183, since the permissible speed deviations are largely a function of the radius of a curve being driven.

20 According to the invention, the compressed air available in the compressed air hose 164 of the spare wheel 166 is fed to other advantageous uses if required. For this purpose, a compressed air supply line 168 goes out of the compressed air hose 164 of the spare wheel 166 via the multi-way valve 22, which is continuously pressurized with this compressed air hose 164.

A first use is for an abnormally strong deceleration, such as 30 when the vehicle hits an obstacle, with inflatable seat belts (not shown)! Apply compressed air from the spare wheel.

I For this purpose, these seat belts are connected to a compressed air connection 169, which is connected via a | 35 line 170 with the supply line 168 in | Connection is established. Connecting the inflatable! Seat belts on the compressed air connection 169 can, for example, take place automatically with the locking process when the seat belts are put on, that is to say that the compressed air connection 169 and the locking mechanism are combined with one another (not shown in FIG. 5). In the event of an impact, the seat belts are pressurized with compressed air by actuating the pushbutton 134.

The invention also advantageously provides for the belts to be automatically vented and released after the car has come to a standstill. This makes the fear of many drivers helplessly tied to the vehicle after an accident becomes irrelevant.

A second use of the compressed air available in the compressed air hose 164 of the spare wheel is to use this compressed air to fight a fire that has broken out, which is possible even when the vehicle is still rolling.

In the event of fire and smoke development in the passenger compartment I 20, for example, a signal sent to the computer 130 (pressurizes the passenger compartment with compressed air from a line 171 so that smoke is emitted from the passenger compartment. A manually or by the computer 130 is activated fourth) Directional control valve 184 in line 170 optionally or simultaneously supplies the belt connection 169 and the smoke evacuation line 171 with compressed air from line 168. If a fire occurs in the engine compartment 178, the engine cooling system, symbolized in FIG. 4 by 30 the radiator 172, is routed via the line 168 is pressurized by opening a solenoid valve 174, whereby fire fighting by spray water from a line 176 begins.

When the vehicle is at a standstill, a very effective fire-fighting can be carried out by using a spray gun with an extinguishing agent pot via a pressure hose line on the pressure hose of the spare wheel or one that is still accessible, i.e. removed from the source of the fire Rades, * is connected. Due to the high pressure available, a strong extinguishing effect can be expected.

For the aforementioned support of the vehicle battery in the event of starting difficulties, the invention provides a compressed air motor 179, which is preferably made in one piece with the starter 10 (not shown) and by a valve 173 via a

Line 177 is connected to the supply line 168.

To support the vehicle parking brake, the invention also provides for an optional command to the? Computer 130 to turn on all or part of the auxiliary brakes.

I Finally there is the possibility to If necessary, existing airbags instead of the | 20 Ignition of a powder load or the like, by means of! an expensive device according to the prior art, with the aid of the in line 168 to | Available air to pop up.

| Finally, it should be mentioned that possibly 25 used compressed air from the compressed air hoses 16 \ and 164 can be replaced with the aid of a small compressor (not shown) i carried in the vehicle or installed in the vehicle, or in the simplest case at a petrol station.

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YES

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Claims (24)

1. Help with which the compressed air in the compressed air hose can be supplied to means for increasing the operational safety. 1. Device for increasing the operational safety of motor vehicles, in particular road vehicles, the wheel rims of which can be equipped with tubeless tires 5, characterized by a compressed air tube (16) made of high-strength flexible material, which inside an otherwise tubeless tire (12) on the wheel rim ( 20) is arranged seated, but only partially fills the cavity (18) within the tire (12), and which with a pressure! is inflated, which is a multiple of the inside of the cavity (18) prevails, and through! a known pneumatic multi-way valve (22) attached to the outside of the] wheel rim (20), with 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that first means for increasing operational safety consist of a first line (24) which connects the inside of the compressed air hose (16) to the multi-way valve (22) and one second line (26), which connects the multi-way valve (22) to the cavity (18), and that known control means are provided on the valve 25 (22), which means automatically in the event of a pressure drop in the cavity (18) through the lines mentioned (24, 26), with compressed air from the setpoint pressure prevailing in the cavity (18) until the pressure in the compressed air hose (16) itself has dropped to a predetermined minimum value. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that second means for increasing operational safety are first pneumatically actuated additional brake means when the vehicle wheel, which the tire (12) and the compressed air hose (16) zuge ·. are equipped with a drum brake system t --- m -16-, and that said second means are second pneumatically actuated additional brake means if. said vehicle wheel is equipped with a disc brake system, that the compressed air hose 5 (16) is connected to the first and / or second additional braking means by pneumatic lines (84, 88, 90, 116, 120) and that an electromagnetically actuated pneumatic multi-way valve (86 , 118) is provided between the line (84, 116) on the one hand and the 10 lines (88, 90, 120) on the other hand, which can be actuated by manually or automatically activated actuating means arranged outside the rotating wheels. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first pneumatically actuated additional braking means consist of brake shoes (42, 44) rotating with the vehicle wheels, which brake shoes (38, 40) through windows in the drum (46) of the drum brake system. can apply to the latter 20 radially, and from pneumatic pressure chambers (60, 62) which are connected to the lines (88, 90. and serve to press the brake shoes (42, 44) against the brake shoes (38, 40), if that Valve (86) is actuated. 5 bolt system (122) are secured against tilting. 5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second pneumatically actuated additional braking means consist of axially displaceable plates (102, 104) which rotate with the vehicle wheels and which form the "brake disc" (100) of a disc brake system and when the valve is actuated (118) are pressed pneumatically against the brake studs (106, 108.) on the brake caliper (110) of the disc brake system. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the pneumatic pressing of the plates (102, 104) with the aid of a compressed air bellows (112) occurs - 11-1 i «I r ----! · -17 - follows, which is connected to the line (120). ' 7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the plates (102, 104) by a sleeve / 8. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the manually or automatically activated actuating means consist of a mini-computer (130) which, upon receipt of control signals 10, selectively or collectively actuates the additional braking means by actuating the electromagnetic solenoid valves (86, 118) and, if appropriate also releases the clutch (152) of the vehicle drive train electromagnetically or pneumatically. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized 15 by a driver-operated electrical switch (132). , when the mini computer (130) is actuated, the additional braking means are actuated collectively. 10. The device according to claim 8 »characterized 20 by a push switch (134), upon activation of which the mini-computer actuates the additional braking means collectively. 11. The device according to one of claims 3 to 6 and 8, characterized in that the mini-computer 25 (130) is combined with an anti-lock braking system known per se. 12. Device according to claims 1 and 8, characterized in that third means for increasing operational safety are assigned to the drive wheels of the vehicle, contactless speed sensors (156, 158), the signals from the computer (130) into selective brake signals for the vehicle drive wheels (140, 142) are reshaped if a certain speed difference threshold between these wheels! 35 is reached. : - '• -18- 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the computer (130) for generating the selective brake signals additional information about the steering wheel position are transmitted. . 5 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a compressed air line (168) is provided which is connected to the compressed air hose (164) of the vehicle spare wheel (166) and is constantly under pressure. 15. Device according to claims 8 and 14, characterized in that fourth means for increasing operational safety consist of a compressed air connection (171) to the compressed air line (168), this compressed air connection (171) via a pneumatic 15-way multi-way valve (184) »which can be operated manually or via the computer (130), is supplied with compressed air from the line (168) for smoke evacuation from the vehicle passenger compartment. 16. The device according to claims 8 and 15, 20, characterized in that fifth means for increasing operational safety consist of connecting at least one of the water cooling system (172) of the vehicle engine to the compressed air line (168), via a valve (174), on the water cooling system (172) connected to the 25 spray water nozzle (176) directed into the engine compartment (178) »and an actuating switch for emitting a signal to the computer (130) for opening the valve (174) to generate a spray of water from the Nozzle (176) in the engine compartment (178). 17. The device according to claims 8, 10 and 14, characterized in that sixth means for increasing operational safety consist of a compressed air connection (169) connected to the line (168) via the multi-way valve (184) in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, to which inflatable special seat belts are connected and that when a strong vehicle deceleration occurs the J-1 ft f-19 shock switch (134) causes the compressed air connection via the computer (130) to pressurize the special seat belts with compressed air. 18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the compressed air connection (169) is combined with a latching mechanism for the special seat belts, and that when the vehicle has come to a standstill after a considerable delay, the seat belts due to appropriate programming of the computer (130 ) are vented and released. 19. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by an additional line (27) which is connected via the directional valve (22) to the outside 15 and is used to evacuate excess air from the cavity (18). 20. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by an adjusting screw (29) on the valve (22), by means of which the pressure in the cavity (18) can be adjusted. 21. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized by a pneumatic motor (179) which is connected via a directional valve (173) to the compressed air line (168) and is used to support the start in the event of starting difficulties 25 of the vehicle engine. 22. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the second means also serve as a parking brake. 23. Device according to claims 8 and 14, characterized in that airbags which may be present are popped up using the compressed air available in the compressed air line (168). 24. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressed air hose (16) is glued to the bed of the wheel rim (20).