Abstract
The invention is directed to a heat shield structure (8) for a wheel (1) which comprises a base structure (11) that is at least partially made from a composite material. The heat shield structure (8) is arranged on the base structure (11) and is at least partially covering the base structure (11).
Claims
1. A wheel (1), the wheel (1) comprising: a base structure (11) at least partially made from a composite material, and a heat shield structure (8) arranged on the base structure (11) and at least partially covering the base structure (11), the heat shield structure (8) comprising at least one high thermal conductive layer (12), wherein the heat shield structure (8) is arranged in a hub region (4) of the wheel and/or on other parts of the wheel center (2) and/or a centripetal surface on a rim (5) of the wheel, wherein the heat shield structure (8) comprises a mesh that is at least partially embedded in the base structure (11).
2. The wheel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heat shield structure (8) comprises at least one heat reflecting layer (9).
3. The wheel (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one heat reflecting layer (9) is made from a metal or a ceramic material.
4. The wheel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wheel is used for a motor vehicle or an aircraft.
5. The wheel (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one low thermal conductive layer (10) made from at least one of a continuum plastic, a porous plastic, a fiber reinforced plastic, a continuum ceramic material, a fiber reinforced ceramic material, and a porous ceramic material.
6. A heat shield structure (8) for a wheel (1), the wheel (1) comprising: a base structure (11) at least partially made from a composite material, wherein the heat shield structure (8) is arranged on the base structure (11) and at least partially covers the base structure (11), wherein the heat shield structure (8) comprises at least one high thermal conductive layer (12).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered as limiting to the invention described in the appended claims.
(2) FIG. 1 shows a wheel with a disk brake and a caliper in a frontal view;
(3) FIG. 2 shows the wheel of FIG. 2 in a perspective view from the back;
(4) FIG. 3 shows the wheel of FIG. 2 in a perspective view from the back, part of the wheel being clipped for illustrative purposes;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a wheel center and a heat shield structure in a perspective view;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a rim and a heat shield structure in a perspective view, the wheel being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
(7) FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment of a heat shield structure arranged on a base structure;
(8) FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a heat shield structure arranged on a base structure;
(9) FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a heat shield structure arranged on a base structure;
(10) FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of a heat shield structure arranged on a base structure;
(11) FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment of a heat shield structure arranged on a base structure;
(12) FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of a heat shield structure arranged on a base structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(13) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, an embodiment that is presently preferred, in which like numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention in not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed.
(14) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a wheel 1 together with a disk brake system, comprising a brake disk 6 which is aligned with a caliper 7. Other parts of the wheel suspension have been omitted for illustrative purposes. The wheel 1 of the embodiment shown is made from a fiber reinforced plastic. It comprises a wheel center 2 with several spokes 3 that connect a central hub 4 with a peripheral rim 5, which is designed in order to receive a tire (not shown). As indicated in FIG. 3 by dotted circles, the distance between the brake disk 6 and the spokes 3, the hub 4 and the rim 5 is at some locations relatively small. The same holds true for the distance between the caliper 7 and the spokes 3, respectively the rim 5. This particularly holds true for the protuberances of the caliper 7, where e.g. the pistons for the brake pads (not shown) are arranged. Hence these regions of the wheel 1 are prone to thermal damage due to the heat dissipated by the disk brake system during and after braking.
(15) Therefore, according to the present invention, these regions of the wheel 1 may be provided by heat shield structures, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows a wheel center 2 which is thermally shielded by a heat shield structure 8 that is positioned on the wheel's surface that is in critical proximity to the disk brake system (not shown). In the embodiment shown, the region adjacent to the hub 4 as well as parts of the spokes 3, may be protected by such a heat shield structure 8. As shown in FIG. 5, also the inner (centripetal) surface of the rim 5 may be thermally shielded by such heat shield structures 8.
(16) FIGS. 6 to 11 show different variations of heat shield structure 8 which may be used in order to protect a subjacent base structure 11 from thermal damage. FIG. 6 shows a first variation of a heat shield structure 8 comprising a heat reflecting layer 9 which is arranged on the surface of a base structure 11 which is made from a fiber reinforced plastic. The heat reflecting layer 9 comprises a layer that is made from a material which reflects radiant heat more than it absorbs it. Suitable materials may be a metals, as e.g. aluminum or gold. Such a type of heat shield structure 8 may be applied as some type of coating for the base structure 11.
(17) FIG. 7 shows another variation of a heat shield structure 8, comprising a low thermal conductive layer 10 that is embedded in the base structure 11. The heat shield structure 8 itself has a high heat resistance and protects the base structure 11, which in contrast may be made from a relatively thermosensitive material, such as a carbon fiber reinforced plastic, from thermal damage. Such a type of low thermal conductive layer 10 prevents that heat input on the surface is conducted into the solid. As the heat shield structure 8 is embedded in the base structure 11, the outer shape, respectively geometry, of the wheel 1 is not affected by the presence of the heat shield structure 8.
(18) FIG. 8 shows another variation of a heat shield structure 8 which comprises a heat reflecting layer 9 and a subjacent low thermal conductive layer 10 that is embedded in the base structure 10. Hence using such a variation of a heat shield structure 8 allows combining the concept of minimizing heat deposition on the surface of the structure with the concept of minimizing heat transfer to the subjacent thermosensitive base structure 11.
(19) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in a variation of the invention a heat reflecting layer 9 and a low thermal conductive layer 10 may also both be embedded in the base structure 11. As indicated in FIG. 9, in some variations of the invention a heat reflecting layer 9 may be embedded in a low thermal conductive layer 10 without being in direct physical contact with the base structure to be protected from thermal damage. Therefore the heat reflecting layer 9 may even be heated up to high temperatures without inducing damage to the base structure 11. In the variation shown in FIG. 10 a heat reflecting layer 9 is embedded in the base structure 11 while fully covering the subjacent low thermal conductive layer 10. Such a variation may e.g. be used for application where thermal deposition is very localized and the heat reflecting layer 9 serves also to distribute the deposed thermal energy to a larger area and decrease by thermal radiation and convection. FIG. 11 shows a variation of a heat shield structure 8 which comprises a high thermal conductive layer 12 which is embedded in a low thermal conductive layer 10 in order to improve distribution of thermal energy over a larger area. The heat shield structure 8 shown in FIG. 11 further comprises a heat reflecting layer 9.
