Vehicle wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle wheel comprising a wheel rim (12) that has a hub portion (38), a rim base (36) for receiving a tire, a plurality of support portions (40) interposed between the hub portion (38) and the rim base (36), at least one interspace (42) between the support portions (40), and at least one cover element (44) associated with the interspace (42), characterized in that the cover element (44) can be transferred from a first position to a second position by pneumatic actuation.

Claims

1. A vehicle wheel having a wheel rim which has a hub portion, a rim base for receiving a tire, a plurality of support portions arranged between the hub portion and the rim base, at least one interspace arranged between the support portions, and at least one cover element associated with the interspace, wherein the at least one cover element can be transferred from a first position, in which the at least one cover element at least partly covers the interspace, into a second position by pneumatic actuation and wherein an actuating device for pneumatically actuating the at least one cover element is configured to be subjected to a pressure medium from a tire cavity of the vehicle wheel such that the pressure medium actuates the actuating device.

2. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first position, the at least one cover element closes the interspace and in the second position, the at least one cover element at least partly opens the interspace.

3. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressure medium channel extends from the tire cavity to the actuating device of the cover element.

4. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vehicle wheel comprises a compressor arrangement for providing pressurized pressure medium.

5. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the compressor arrangement comprises at least one hub-side compression chamber.

6. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the compressor arrangement comprises a compressor component and the pressure medium can be pressurized by a movement of the compressor component.

7. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle wheel can be mounted on a wheel carrier to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, and the compressor arrangement comprises a gear which is adapted to convert a rotational movement between a wheel carrier side and a wheel hub side into a movement of the compressor component, by cooperation of a wheel-carrier-side gear part with a hub-side gear part.

8. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the compressor arrangement is electrically driven.

9. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the vehicle wheel comprises an energy transmission device, via which electrical energy for operating the compressor arrangement can be transmitted from a wheel-carrier-side energy source to the compressor arrangement.

10. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the vehicle wheel comprises a hub-side energy source for providing electrical energy for operating the compressor arrangement.

11. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hub-side energy source comprises an energy producer by means of which the rotational movement between the wheel carrier side and the wheel hub side can be converted into electrical energy.

12. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover element covers the interspace further in the first position of the cover element than in the second position of the cover element.

13. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover element is biased into one of the first position or the second position.

14. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover element is movable between the first position and the second position by a rotational movement relative to the support portions.

15. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover element is movable between the first position and the second position by a translational movement in the direction of the axis of rotation relative to the support portions.

16. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover element is movable between the first position and the second position by a tilting movement relative to the support portions.

17. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel has a plurality of interspaces, each of which has an associated cover element which can be transferred from a first position into a second position by pneumatic actuation.

18. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel has a coupling device via which the cover element can be coupled with a brake of a vehicle on which the vehicle wheel is arranged, wherein the coupling device is configured to control an actuating device of the cover element in such a manner that the cover element is transferred from the first position into the second position in dependence on the actuation of the brake and/or if a temperature threshold in the region of the brake is exceeded.

19. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover element can be transferred between the first position and the second position via intermediate positions.

20. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover element in the second position is so arranged relative to the support element that the cover element guides air to a brake system during operation of the vehicle wheel by the rotation of the vehicle wheel.

21. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel comprises a dust collecting device which is configured to collect dust particles from air present in an interior of the wheel rim.

22. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 21, wherein the dust collecting device comprises an air filter and/or a magnetic dust collector.

23. A vehicle having a vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein a position of the cover element between the first position and the second position can be set by a switching unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle having four vehicle wheels according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows an installation position of a compressor arrangements in detail;

(3) FIG. 3 shows an alternative installation position of the compressor arrangements in detail;

(4) FIGS. 4 to 10 show a vehicle wheel according to the invention of a first embodiment;

(5) FIGS. 11 to 17 show a vehicle wheel according to the invention of a further embodiment a further embodiment of the compressor arrangement;

(6) FIGS. 18 to 25 show a vehicle wheel according to the invention of a further embodiment;

(7) FIGS. 26 to 31 show a vehicle wheel according to the invention of a further embodiment;

(8) FIGS. 32 to 40 show a vehicle wheel according to the invention of a further embodiment;

(9) FIGS. 41 to 43 show a compressor arrangement with a radially movable compressor component;

(10) FIG. 44 shows an alternative compressor arrangement with a radially movable compressor component;

(11) FIGS. 45 to 48 show a compressor arrangement with an axially movable compressor component;

(12) FIG. 49 shows a schematic set-up;

(13) FIG. 50 shows a further schematic set-up;

(14) FIG. 51 shows a detailed representation of a pressure medium guide;

(15) FIG. 52 shows a detailed representation of a pressure medium circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(16) In the following figures, corresponding components and elements have the same reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals are shown in all figures.

(17) FIG. 1 shows, in schematic form, a vehicle 1 according to the invention. In the present case, the vehicle has four vehicle wheels 2, which are identified 2a-2d, the present invention not being limited to four-wheeled vehicles 1. The vehicle wheels 2 will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. Each of the vehicle wheels 2 has an associated compressor arrangement 10 shown schematically in FIG. 1.

(18) In the case of a first vehicle wheel 2a, the compressor arrangement 10 is in the form of a mechanically driven compressor arrangement 10 with a radially movable compressor component.

(19) In the case of a further vehicle wheel 2b, the compressor arrangement 10 is in the form of a mechanically driven compressor arrangement 10 with an axially movable compressor component.

(20) In the case of a further vehicle wheel 2c, the compressor arrangement 10 is in the form of an electrically driven compressor arrangement 10. The electrical energy for operating the compressor arrangement 10 is transmitted from the wheel carrier side to the hub side by the main battery 3 of the vehicle via a preferably contactless, preferably inductive transmission device 6, shown symbolically. The transmission device 6 can also be formed by sliding contacts.

(21) In the case of a further vehicle wheel 2d, electrical energy for operating the compressor arrangement 10 is provided directly on the hub side via an energy source. The energy source can be an energy store 7, for example an accumulator, or an energy producer 8, preferably a generator. The energy producer 8 utilizes the rotational relative movement between the wheel carrier side and the hub side to generate power. The combination of an energy store 7 with an energy producer 8 is also advantageous.

(22) FIG. 2 shows, schematically, the installation position of a mechanically driven compressor arrangement 10, as arranged in the above-mentioned wheels 2a and 2b. The compressor arrangement 10 itself is shown only schematically in FIG. 2 by a crosshatched area.

(23) A wheel rim has the reference numeral 12. A brake disc 14, a wheel carrier 16, a wheel hub 18 and a wheel bearing 20 are likewise shown.

(24) A first pressure medium line 22 extends from the compressor arrangement 10 to a tire cavity 24. The tire itself is not shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first pressure medium line 22 extends through the material of the wheel rim 12.

(25) In the region of a wheel hub receiver 26, the wheel rim 12 has a connection 28, shown schematically, for supplying a sealant. The connection 28 is optional.

(26) An axis of rotation has the reference numeral 30 and a radial direction the reference numeral 32. During operation of the vehicle, the hub side, and thus the hub-side components, rotate(s) about the axis of rotation 30 relative to the wheel carrier side, that is to say relative to the wheel-carrier-side components, such as, for example, relative to the wheel carrier or also relative to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

(27) FIG. 3 shows the installation position of an electrically driven compressor arrangement 10, as arranged in the above-mentioned wheels 2c and 2d, in a representation similar to the representation of FIG. 2. The electrically driven compressor arrangement 10 is arranged in the region of the wheel hub receiver 26, preferably in the wheel hub receiver 26.

(28) FIG. 4 shows in detail a first embodiment of a vehicle wheel according to the invention in a side view as seen from the side of the wheel carrier. The wheel rim 12 of the vehicle wheel 2 is shown without the tire. The wheel rim 12 comprises a rim base 36 located radially on the outside and a hub portion 38 located radially on the inside.

(29) A plurality of spoke-like support portions 40 extend in the radial direction. The spoke-like support portions 40 extend from the hub portion 38 to the rim base 36.

(30) The support portions 40 are each spaced apart from one another via interspaces 42. Each interspace 42 has an associated cover element 44.

(31) In the representation of FIG. 1, the cover elements 44 are shown in a first position. In the present case, the vehicle wheel is so configured that, in this first position, the cover elements 44 cover the interspaces 42 in such a manner that the interspaces 42 are completely closed. This complete covering is, however, not essential.

(32) A dust collecting device 45, shown symbolically, is arranged in the interior of the wheel rim 12. The dust collecting device 45 can collect dust which is found in the air in the interior 47 of the wheel rim 12 magnetically or via an air filter.

(33) The wheel rim comprises an actuating device 46. The actuating device 46 comprises an annular actuating element 48.

(34) The annular actuating element 48 is connected to a plurality of actuators 50 distributed in a circumferential direction, which actuators likewise form part of the actuating device 46. The actuators 50 can be coupled with the brake of the vehicle 1 via a coupling device 51. The actuation of the actuators 50 can thus be coupled to the particular driving condition of the vehicle 1 or also to the operating state of the brake of the vehicle 1. Alternatively or in addition, the coupling device 51 can be capable of being coupled or connected to an operating unit for the driver of the vehicle 1.

(35) Such a coupling device 51 can be combined with each of the embodiments of the vehicle wheel 2 described in this application, but is not essential. The actuators 50 are each connected via pressure medium lines 52 to the tire cavity 24.

(36) FIGS. 4 to 8 show the cover elements 44 in each case in the first position, in which in this embodiment they close the interspaces 42 completely. FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 each show the vehicle wheel 2 cut along line A-A from FIG. 4.

(37) In FIGS. 9 and 10, the vehicle wheel 2 of FIGS. 4 to 8 is shown in a state in which the cover elements 44 are in a second position.

(38) In this second position, the cover elements 44 cover the interspaces 42 less than in the first position. More precisely, the cover elements in the embodiment shown are displaced, as viewed along the axis of rotation 30, from a wheel carrier side 54 of the vehicle wheel 2 towards an outer side 56. FIG. 9 shows a perspective representation similar to the representation of FIG. 5, and FIG. 10 shows a cutaway representation similar to the representation of FIG. 7.

(39) The displacement of the cover elements 44 as just described takes place by pneumatic actuation. This pneumatic actuation takes place via the actuators 50.

(40) The actuators 50 each comprise switching units 58, with which the annular actuating element 48 can be displaced by the application of pressure medium. The pressurized pressure medium comes from the tire cavity 24.

(41) The switching units 58 are so configured that the cover elements 44 can be transferred via the annular actuating element 48 from the first position into the second position and from the second position back into the first position by pneumatic actuation. On switching of the direction of movement of the cover elements 44 on pneumatic actuation can be achieved via the switching units 58.

(42) Actuation of the actuators and thus the pneumatic actuation of the cover elements 44 themselves is also controlled via the switching units 58.

(43) For that purpose, the switching units 58 can be coupled with the brake comprising the brake disc 14, namely in such a manner that, on operation of the brake, they transfer the cover elements 44 into the second position (FIGS. 9 and 10). It is also conceivable that the cover elements 44 are transferred into the second position (FIGS. 9 and 10) by a switching operation of the switching units 58 when a temperature of the brake disc 14 exceeds a specific value.

(44) FIGS. 11 to 17 show an alternative embodiment of the vehicle wheel 2 according to the invention. FIGS. 11 to 14 show the cover elements 44 in the first position. In this first position, the interspaces 42 are completely closed by the cover elements 44. In FIGS. 15 to 17, the vehicle wheel 2 of this embodiment is shown with the cover elements 44 in the second position. In this second position, the cover elements 44 are displaced in the axial direction, that is to say in the direction of the axis of rotation 30, towards the wheel carrier side 54 of the vehicle wheel 2. The interspaces 42 are thus each open.

(45) The embodiment of the vehicle wheel 2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 thus differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 10 in that, although the movement of the cover elements 44 on opening, that is to say on transfer from the first position into the second position, likewise takes place along the axis of rotation 30, it takes place in the opposite direction.

(46) FIGS. 18 to 25 show a vehicle wheel 2 of a further embodiment. In FIGS. 18 to 21, the cover elements 44 of the vehicle wheel are in each case shown in the second position. In FIGS. 22 to 25, the cover elements 44 are in each case shown in the first position. In the first position, the cover elements 44 in the present embodiment close the interspaces 42 completely.

(47) In the second position, the cover elements 44 are tilted relative to the support portions 40, whereby the interspaces 42 are opened. The cover elements 44 are so tilted that, on rotation of the vehicle wheel 2 in the direction of rotation indicated by the reference numeral 60, air passes or is guided over the cover elements 44 to the wheel carrier side 54 of the vehicle wheel 2.

(48) In order to be independent of the installation direction, or of the direction of travel of the vehicle, the cover elements 44 open, or tilt, in different directions, which is clearly visible, for example, in FIG. 18. The cover elements 44 arranged diametrically opposite one another open, when viewed in the circumferential direction, in the opposite direction.

(49) FIGS. 26 to 31 show a vehicle wheel 2 of a further embodiment. In FIGS. 26 to 29, the cover elements 44 of the vehicle wheel 2 are in each case shown in the second position. In FIGS. 30 to 31, the cover elements 44 are in each case shown in the first position, in which they close the interspaces 42 completely.

(50) In the second position, the cover elements 44 are tilted relative to the support portions 40, whereby the interspaces 42 are opened. The cover elements 44 are mounted to be tiltable at their radially inner end. This type of tiltable mounting is not essential, however; in the embodiment of FIGS. 18 to 25, for example, the tilt axis runs largely in the radial direction 32. If the cover elements can be transferred from the first position into the second position by tilting, then the tilt axis can, for example, run in the radial direction 32, be arranged radially outwards on the cover element 44 or be arranged radially inwards on the cover element 44.

(51) The actuators 50 can be configured with plungers 62, as shown in FIGS. 26 to 31. The plunger 62 of each lifting actuator 50 can thereby be extendable and retractable in the radial direction 32, and can rest with its radially outer end on a contact portion 64 of the cover elements 44. If the plunger 62 of a cover element 44 in such an arrangement is pneumatically moved radially outwards, that is to say pneumatically actuates the actuating device 46, then the plunger 62 rests on the bevelled contact portion 64 of the cover element 44 and tilts the cover element 44 by its radially outwardly directed movement.

(52) FIGS. 32 to 40 show a vehicle wheel 2 of a further embodiment. In FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 to 36, the cover elements 44 of the vehicle wheel 2 are in each case shown in the first position, in which they completely close the interspaces 42 in the present case. In FIGS. 37 to 40, the cover elements 44 are in each case shown in the second position, in which they do not completely close the interspaces 42.

(53) The cover elements 44 of the embodiment of FIGS. 32 to 40 are movable between the first position and the second position or between the second position and the first position by a rotational movement relative to the support portions 40.

(54) The cover elements 44 can be in the form of a disc-like element 66. Such a disc-like element 66 is shown in FIG. 34. The disc-like element 66 has slot-like openings 68. The slot-like openings 68 serve to permit the rotational movement of the disc-like element 66, or of the cover elements 44, relative to the actuators 50, which are fixedly connected to the wheel rim 12. The actuators 50 are connected via the plungers 62 to link devices 72, which are fixedly connected to the disc-like element 66.

(55) The actuators 50 can be connected to a compressor arrangement 10. Such a connection between the actuators 50 and a compressor arrangement is shown symbolically in FIGS. 35, 36, 39 and 40. Pressure medium can be applied to the actuators via the compressor arrangement 10. The cover elements 44 can thus be pneumatically actuated.

(56) The compressor arrangement is preferably arranged on the hub side. It is, however, also conceivable to connect the actuators 50 via corresponding pressure medium lines having rotary feedthroughs to a vehicle-side compressor device for supplying pressure medium.

(57) FIGS. 41 to 43 show in detail a first embodiment of a mechanical compressor arrangement 10. The compressor arrangement 10 comprises a first housing part 112 and a second housing part 114.

(58) In FIG. 42, the compressor arrangement 10 of FIG. 41 is shown cut along line G-G. The compressor arrangement 10 in the present case comprises a total of four hub-side compression chambers 116, of which only two have a reference numeral.

(59) Each of the compression chambers 116 has an associated hub-side compressor component 118, of which likewise only two have a reference numeral. The compressor arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of gears 120, wherein a gear 120 is associated with each of the compression chambers 116. The gears 120 are in the present case each in the form of a cam gear 122.

(60) The gears 120 each have a hub-side gear part 124. The hub-side gear parts 124 are each formed by plunger outputs 125. The compressor components 118 are formed in one piece with the plunger outputs 125 or hub-side gear parts 124. The hub-side gear parts 124 of the gears 120 can each cooperate with a wheel-carrier-side gear part 126 of the compressor arrangement 10.

(61) As can be seen in FIG. 42, the compressor arrangement 10 has only a single wheel-carrier-side gear part 126, which is able to cooperate with each of the hub-side gear parts 124. The wheel-carrier-side gear part 126 is in the form of a disc cam 128 with an outer cam contour 130.

(62) In FIG. 42, the compressor arrangement 10 is shown in a freewheel operating state FL. In the freewheel operating state FL, the hub-side gear parts 124 do not cooperate with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126.

(63) In the freewheel operating state FL, the hub-side gear parts 124, as shown in FIG. 42, are advantageously in a position in which they cannot come into contact with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126, independently of the orientation thereof. This is achieved by coupling devices 136, which are associated with each of the hub-side gear parts 124. The coupling devices 136 each comprise a coupling element 138. In the freewheel operating state shown in FIG. 2, the coupling elements 138 are each in a blocking position 140. In the blocking position 140 of the coupling element 138, the hub-side gear parts 124 are each prevented from cooperating with, and in the present case also coming into contact with, the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126.

(64) In the blocking position 140, a blocking portion 142 of each of the coupling elements 138 rests on a stop portion 144 of each of the hub-side gear parts 124. The stop portion 144 is in the present case formed on the compressor component 118 formed in one piece with the hub-side gear part 124.

(65) In the present case, the coupling elements 138 are in the form of pins and each comprise, in addition to the blocking portion 142, also a release portion 146 and a transition portion 148.

(66) The blocking portion 142 is cylindrical with a first diameter, and the release portion 146 is cylindrical with a second diameter. The transition portion 148 from the blocking portion 142 to the release portion 146 has a frustoconical shape.

(67) The release portion 146 is arranged offset in the direction of the radial direction 134 relative to the blocking portion 142. If one of the coupling elements 138 moves from the release position into the blocking position 140, then it pushes its associated hub-side gear part 124 into the position in which it cannot come into contact with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126.

(68) The coupling elements 138 are each biased into the blocking position via springs 149. The coupling elements 138 can each be transferred into the release position by the application of pressure medium via a pressure medium channel 156.

(69) As soon as the application of pressure medium via the pressure medium channel 156 is interrupted, the coupling elements 138 move back into the blocking position, since they are spring-biased.

(70) The hub-side gear parts 124, or the compressor components 118, are thereby pushed radially outwards, namely into a position in which they lift off from the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126 located radially inwards. The compressor arrangement 10 is then in the freewheel position FL. This pushing of the hub-side gear part 124 radially outwards is made possible by the conically extending transition portion 148, and the transfer from the release position to the blocking position takes place smoothly and gradually.

(71) Since the hub-side gear parts 124 are likewise biased, in the present case via springs, the springs 149 for biasing the coupling elements 138 must be stronger than the springs for biasing the hub-side gear parts 124. This biasing, in conjunction with the conical transition portion 148, allows the hub-side gear parts 124 to be pushed into the lifted position (FIG. 42).

(72) FIG. 44 shows a further embodiment of a mechanical compressor arrangement 10.

(73) Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 41 to 43 the compressor components 118 are configured to perform an oscillating translational movement in the radial direction. The representation is a sectional representation similar to FIGS. 42 and 43.

(74) The hub-side gear parts 124 are thereby in the form of roller plungers 400. At their end facing the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126 they each have a self-lubricating roller 410.

(75) Flutter valves 440 are arranged at each of the compressor components 18. Double seals 450 are also arranged at the compressor components 118, each of which delimits a lubricant reservoir 460 of the compressor component 118 and at the same time seals the compression chamber 116 with respect to the compressor component 118.

(76) The compressor arrangement 10 also comprises a region 420 which serves to receive, for example, a control device, a filter, a coupling valve or a relief valve. The components just mentioned will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 48 and 49. In addition, an energy source 430 can also be arranged there, which can be in the form of, for example, an accumulator or also a pressure reservoir.

(77) A hub-side part 470 of the compressor arrangement 10 is largely annular in shape and in the present case comprises all the parts of the compressor arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 44 apart from the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126.

(78) FIGS. 45 to 47 show a further possible form of the mechanical compressor arrangement 10. In FIG. 46, the compressor arrangement 10 is shown cut along line H-H.

(79) The compressor arrangement comprises a first hub-side housing part 230 and a second hub-side housing part 232.

(80) Hub-side gear parts have the reference numeral 234. Two of the hub-side gear parts 234 of the compressor arrangement 10 can be seen in FIG. 3.

(81) Connected to the hub-side gear parts 234 is an annular piston 236, which constitutes a compressor component 238. The compressor component 238 in the form of the annular piston 236 delimits a first compression chamber 240 and a second compression chamber 242.

(82) In the working operating state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hub-side gear elements 234 are in engagement with a wheel-carrier-side gear part 244, in such a manner that they are able to cooperate therewith. The hub-side gear elements 234 form together with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244 a cam gear 245, wherein the hub-side gear element 234 forms a plunger output.

(83) The hub-side gear parts 234 each have a first actuatable contact element 246 and a second fixed contact element 248.

(84) The contact elements 246, 248 of the hub-side gear parts 234 are in contact with a cylindrical barrel cam 250 of the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244, whereby the hub-side gear part 234 cooperates with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244.

(85) As already mentioned above, the first contact elements 246 are actuatable. This can clearly be seen in FIG. 47. The first contact elements, together with a pressure chamber 252 associated therewith, represent a coupling device 254.

(86) By actuating the coupling device 254, the hub-side gear parts 234 can be brought into cooperation with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244. By interrupting the actuation of the coupling device 254, cooperation of the hub-side gear parts 234 with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244 can be prevented.

(87) In each of FIGS. 46 and 47, the coupling device 254 is shown in the actuated or coupled state. The compressor arrangement 10 is thus in a working operating state.

(88) In FIG. 48, the coupling device 254 is shown in an unactuated or uncoupled state. The compressor arrangement 10 is thus in a freewheel operating state.

(89) In this freewheel operating state, the first actuatable contact elements 246 are not in contact with the cylindrical barrel cam 250 of the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244. The hub-side gear parts 234 are thus prevented from cooperating with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244.

(90) In order to transfer the compressor arrangement 10 from the freewheel operating state shown in FIG. 48 into the working operating state, pressure medium is applied to the pressure chambers 252.

(91) The first, actuatable contact elements 246 are in the form of pistons and, as a result of the application of pressure medium, move in the direction of the cylindrical barrel disc 250 and come into contact therewith. This state is shown in FIGS. 46 and 47.

(92) The first, actuatable contact elements 246 are biased via pressure springs 256 in such a manner that they transfer the compressor arrangement 10 into a freewheel operating state when pressure medium is not applied to the pressure chambers 252. The coupling device 254 is thus biased into an unactuated position.

(93) When the vehicle is moving, a rotational relative movement of the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244 relative to the hub-side gear part 234 about the rotational axis 229 takes place.

(94) This is illustrated by the bent arrow with reference numeral 260 in FIG. 47.

(95) In the working operating state of the compressor arrangement 10, the annular piston 236, or the compressor component 238 formed thereby, is moved up and down along the axis of rotation 229 by the cooperation of the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244 with the hub-carrier-side gear parts 234, which is indicated by the double-headed arrows with reference numeral 262. As a result of the oscillating translational movement of the annular piston 236, pressure medium is fed from the annular compression chambers 240 and 242 with each up and down movement.

(96) The control of the compressor arrangement 10 is explained schematically with reference to FIG. 49.

(97) The inlets 266 of the pressure chambers 252 are each connected to the tire cavity 24 via a portion 268 of a pressure medium line 222 via a valve 270, which forms a coupling valve. The coupling valve 270 is so configured that it opens when the pressure in the tire falls below a pressure threshold value.

(98) Pressure medium from the tire cavity 24 is then applied to the pressure chambers 252. The first actuatable contact elements 246 are then moved against the biasing of the springs 256 in the direction of the cylindrical barrel cam 250 and come into contact therewith.

(99) The oscillating translational movement of the compressor component 238, or of the annular piston 236, is thus generated by the rotational relative movement between the wheel-carrier-side gear part 244 and the hub-side gear part 234 and the cooperation of the two gear parts. The oscillating translational movement of the compressor component 238 alternately reduces the volumes of the compression chambers 240 and 242, whereby pressure medium is conveyed from those chambers to the tire cavity 24.

(100) The pressure chambers 240 and 242 are connected to the tire cavity 24 via a check valve 272. The check valve 272 opens towards the tire cavity 24.

(101) If the pressure of the pressure medium in the tire cavity 24 reaches a desired value or exceeds it, then the coupling valve 270 closes and air is removed from the line portion 268 between the coupling valve 270 and the pressure chambers 252 via a relief valve 274. The actuatable contact elements 246, because of their biasing, thus move away from the cylindrical barrel cam 250 into the position shown in FIG. 48.

(102) A connection of the compressor arrangement 10 with further components will be explained hereinbelow (FIG. 49), and a general control of the compressor arrangement 10 will also be described (FIG. 50). These descriptions can be combined with any types of designs for the compressor arrangement 10.

(103) As shown in FIG. 49, the compressor arrangement 10 can generally be connected to a filter 1200 and a control device 1210. The filter 1200 is preferably so arranged that it is fluidically arranged before the pressure medium inlets, or air inlets, of the compressor arrangement 10.

(104) Via a measuring connection 1220, the control device 1210 is able to detect if the filter 1200 is blocked. If the control device 1210 detects that the filter 1200 is blocked, the filter can be cleaned by applying pressure medium, or air, thereto in the reverse flow direction. In the usual operating mode of the compressor arrangement 10, air is conveyed via the filter 1200 in the direction of the compressor arrangement 10 and, from there, to the tire cavity 24. In a cleaning operation, either pressure medium, or air, is let out of the tire cavity 24 and conveyed in the reverse flow direction through the filter 1200, or the compressor arrangement 10 starts to operate and conveys pressure medium, instead of to the tire cavity 24, in the reverse flow direction to the filter 1200. For this purpose, the compressor arrangement 10 draws in pressure medium via an additional inlet 1230, which has a further air filter 1240 which can be cleaned in the same way.

(105) Advantageously, the control device 1210 can serve to measure and/or display the pressure, temperature and/or moisture of the pressure medium in the tire cavity 24, these functions being independent of the further functions of the control device 1210.

(106) FIG. 50 shows an example of a variant of the control of the coupling device 1136. Actuation of the coupling device 1136 can, however, also take place electrically, electromagnetically or electromechanically. For this purpose, electrical energy from the main battery 3 of the vehicle 1, or from a generator provided there or another energy source, can be guided via sliding contacts to the hub side.

(107) However, it is also conceivable to arrange a generator on the hub side, which generator obtains electrical energy from the rotational relative movement between the hub side and the wheel carrier side. It is also conceivable to arrange accumulators on the hub side, in particular in the spokes of the wheel rim 12.

(108) The compressor arrangement 10, in particular the coupling device 1136 thereof, is connected to the tire cavity 24 via a coupling pressure medium line 1300. A coupling valve 1310 is arranged in the coupling pressure medium line 1300. In addition, a relief valve 1320 is provided in the coupling pressure medium line 1300. The compression chambers 1116 of the compressor arrangement 10 are connected to the tire cavity 24 via a pressure medium line 1330 provided for conveying.

(109) At the coupling valve 1310, the pressure medium of the tire cavity 24 is below the pressure prevailing in the tire. If the pressure falls below a tire pressure threshold value, the coupling valve 1310 opens, whereby the coupling device 1136 is actuated by means of pressure medium from the tire cavity 24 and the hub-side gear part 124, 234 is brought into cooperation with the wheel-carrier-side gear part 126, 244.

(110) If the vehicle 1 is moving, a rotational relative movement thus takes place between the hub side and the wheel carrier side, and pressure medium is thus conveyed from the compression chambers 1116 to the tire cavity 24 via the pressure medium line 1330 provided for conveying.

(111) The coupling pressure medium line 1300 and the pressure medium line 1330 provided for conveying can also be formed together as a single line.

(112) If a tire pressure desired value, which is preferably above the tire pressure threshold value, is exceeded, the coupling valve 1310 closes, whereby the application of pressure medium to the coupling device 1136 is interrupted. Preferably, air is removed from the coupling device 1136 via the coupling valve 1310 or the relief valve 1320 when the tire pressure desired value is exceeded. It is thus ensured that the compressor arrangement 10 stops operating immediately as soon as a pressure medium desired value in the tire cavity 24 is reached.

(113) This mode of operation of the coupling device 1136 can be combined with all the embodiments and individual aspects of these embodiments of the compressor arrangement 10 of this application.

(114) FIG. 51 shows a possibility for providing pressure medium for actuating the cover element 44. The tire cavity can be filled with pressure medium via a valve 80. From the valve 80, a branch 82 leads to the actuator 50. A further branch 84 leads to the tire cavity 24. If a pressure medium source is connected to the valve 80, then the tire cavity 24 can be filled with pressure medium via the further branch 84. The pressure medium is present in the branch 82 with the pressure prevailing in the tire cavity and is switchable via the switching units 58.

(115) The valve 80 can also comprise a control unit 86, with which the pressure medium can be so switched that cover elements 44 either open or close.

(116) As shown in FIG. 52, the actuating device 46 of a vehicle wheel 2 according to the invention can have two types of actuators 50a, 50b. The actuators 50a of the first type lead to opening of the cover elements 44 when pressure medium is applied, and the actuators 50b of the second type lead to closing of the cover element 44 when pressure medium is applied.

(117) The provision of actuators 50 of different types (50a, 50b) in that manner can be combined with all the types of vehicle wheels described in this application. For this purpose, a central switching unit, for example, can apply pressure medium to different pressure medium lines according to which type of actuator is to be controlled.