Abstract
The invention relates to a run-flat device for a mounted assembly of a motor vehicle and such a mounted assembly incorporating it.
This device comprises a wheel rim having a rim base of diameter D and a tire mounted on the rim, the device being suitable for supporting the tire in a run-flat situation and comprising: a ring comprising a multitude of axial portions juxtaposed over a circumference of the ring and defining an inner mounting face on the rim base and an outer support face of the tire in a run-flat situation, each portion having at least one support situated radially between the mounting and support faces, and at least one belt which surrounds the ring over the circumference thereof so as to support it substantially in contact with the rim base and which passes through the portions by being applied on the supports thereof.
According to the invention, the portions are not hinged to one another and are tight or spaced apart from one another over the circumference by a total sum of consecutive spaces, measured between the portions at the mounting face thereof, which is less than .Math.D/2.
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. Run flat device for a mounted assembly of a motor vehicle comprising a wheel rim having a rim base of diameter D and a tire mounted on the rim, the device being suitable for supporting the tire and in a run-flat situation and comprising: a support ring comprising a multitude of axial portions and which are juxtaposed over a circumference of the ring and which define a radially inner mounting face suitable for being mounted on said rim base and a radially outer support face suitable for supporting the tire in a run-flat situation, each of said portions having at least one support situated radially between said mounting face and said support face, and at least one support belt which surrounds the ring over said circumference, so as to support it, substantially in contact with said rim base and which passes through said portions by being applied on at least one said support of each of them, wherein said portions are not hinged to one another and are tight or spaced apart from one another over said circumference by a total sum of consecutive spaces, measured between said portions at said mounting face, which is less than .Math.D/2.
21. Device according to claim 20, wherein said portions each have, over all or part of said circumference, a circumferential portion thickness measured at said mounting face which is less than or equal to .Math.D/25.
22. Device according to claim 20, wherein said at least one support belt has two belt ends spaced apart and connected to one another by connecting and locking means capable of locking at least one said belt, this locking being able to ensure an advantageously adjustable clamping of said portions.
23. Device according to claim 22, wherein said portions are furthermore threaded on at least one annular circumferential support link of said portions, which are passed through by at least one said link between two adjacent link ends. positioned facing said belt ends, in at least one threading zone for each portion which is separate from at least one said support and which is localized radially outside and/or radially inside and/or axially on either side of at least one said support.
24. Device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one annular link is selected from metal links, for example formed of stranded cables or not, textile links, for example, formed of cables, elastic links, for example formed of elastomer grommets and combinations of at least two of said links.
25. Device according to claim 22, wherein over all or part of said circumference, at least one said support of each of said portions is formed: at said belt ends, by an inner radial reinforcement extending from said support face and consisting of an axial base of a U-shaped grove or of a lateral axial shoulder of each portion, and outside of said belt ends, by an inner radially edge of a light or through slot which is provided radially removed from said support face and which leads to (or not) on at least one side face of each portion.
26. Device according to claim 22, wherein over all or part of said circumference, at and outside of said belt ends, at least one said support of each of said portions is formed on radially deformable elastic means which connect, to one another, two respectively radially inner and outer portion parts.
27. Device according to claim 20, wherein over all or part of said circumference, said portions each have a circumferential thickness which varies in an axial direction of the ring, for example with a staggered arrangement of side faces and of said portions according to the alternating minimum and maximum thicknesses.
28. Device according to claim 20, wherein over all or part of said circumference, said portions each have a circumferential thickness which varies in a radial direction of the ring, for example which increases from said mounting face to said support face.
29. Device according to claim 20, wherein over all or part of said circumference, said portions are tilted obliquely from a radially inner zone of each portion, with respect to the substantially radial plane of this radially inner zone.
30. Device according to claim 20, wherein said mounting face of all or part of said portions is suitable for fitting an axial profile of said rim base, the rim being one-piece with a circumferential rim nave, all or some of said portions comprising shim means, such as a lip or tab axially protruding over a side edge of each portion, which are suitable for wedging each portion is said nave.
31. Device according to claim 20, wherein said mounting face of all or part of said portions and is suitable for fitting a substantially flat axial profile of said rim base, the rim being multi-block and ending by two axially inner and outer rim edges, and all or some of said portions having an axial width, for example suitable for axially blocking, by compression, the beads of the tire against which are said rim edges.
32. Device according to claim 20, wherein said tight portions are connected to one another, two-by-two, by interlocking.
33. Device according to claim 20, wherein it has a balanced mass distribution.
34. Device according to claim 20, wherein said portions are connected two-by-two, to one another, over all or part of said circumference, by at least one shim which ends radially recessed from at least one support and against which the radially internal zones of two of said consecutive portions are circumferentially abutted.
35. Device according to claim 34, wherein at least one shim receives one end of at least one link and/or comprises a multitude of shims inserted between said portions, two-by-two, adjacent and passed through by at least one link outside of said link ends.
36. Mounted assembly for a motor vehicles, comprising a wheel rim, a tire mounted against two axially inner and outer rim edges, and a run-flat device mounted on the rim and intended to support the tire in a run-flat situation, wherein the device is such as defined in claim 20.
37. Mounted assembly according to claim 36 wherein the rim is one-piece with a circumferential rim nave, wherein said mounting faces of all or part of said portions and are mounted in said rim nave over the whole axial width of the latter.
38. Mounted assembly according to claim 36 wherein the rim is multi-block and with a substantially flat base, wherein said portions axially block the beads of the tire against said rim edges.
Description
[0062] Other characteristics, advantages and details of the present invention will emerge upon reading the following description of several embodiment examples of the invention given as an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the description being made in reference to the appended drawings, among which:
[0063] In the present description, the expressions, axially inner and axially outer, refer respectively to the sides of the rim intended to be rotated towards the inside and the outside of the vehicle, and radially inner and radially outer respectively to radial directions with respect to the rim becoming closer to it or farther away from it.
[0064] FIG. 1 is an axial, cross-sectional view of a mounted assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention incorporating a support ring with portions according to the first example of the invention (the visible portion being situated outside of the connected ends of the belt, not illustrated),
[0065] FIG. 2 is a side and perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 showing the portions of the ring passed through by a belt closed by connecting means, locked from the ends thereof,
[0066] FIG. 3 is a side and perspective view of an annular link for circumferentially supporting the portions of the device of FIG. 3,
[0067] FIG. 4 is a side and perspective view of an example of a clamping belt provided with connecting means with adjustable and lockable clamping which can be used in FIG. 3,
[0068] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are side and perspective views of an example of a clamping belt provided with connecting means with non-adjustable and lockable clamping which can be used in FIG. 3, in an unlocked position in FIG. 4(a) and in a locked position in FIG. 4(b),
[0069] FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d) are side and perspective views of an example of a support belt provided with lockable connecting means which can be used in FIG. 3, the connecting means ensuring no clamping, the unlocked position being represented in FIG. 4(c) and the locked position in FIG. 4(d);
[0070] FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of a ring which can be used in a device according to the invention, under the variants in FIG. 1,
[0071] FIG. 6 is a side, partial, schematic view illustrating a tight mounting example, on a one-piece rim or multi-block rim, of two consecutive portions of a device according to the invention,
[0072] FIG. 7 is a side, partial, schematic view showing another tight mounting example, on a one-piece rim or multi-block rim, of two consecutive portions of a device according to the invention,
[0073] FIG. 8 is a side, partial, schematic view illustrating a spaced apart mounting example, on a one-piece rim or multi-block rim, of two consecutive portions of a device according to the invention,
[0074] FIG. 9 is a top and perspective view of a portion according to said first example of the invention being situated outside of the ends to be connected to the belt, similar to that which can be seen in FIG. 1,
[0075] FIG. 9a is a top and perspective view of an end portion according to said first example of the invention, provided in an end to be connected to the belt and which could be combined with the portions according to FIG. 9,
[0076] FIG. 10 is a top and perspective view of a portion according to a variant of said first example of the invention being situated outside of the ends to be connected to the belt,
[0077] FIG. 10a is a top and perspective view of an end portion according to a variant of said first example of the invention, provided in an end to be connected to the belt and which could be combined with the portions according to FIG. 10,
[0078] FIG. 11 is a top and perspective view of a portion according to another variant of said first example of the invention being situated outside of the ends to be connected to the belt,
[0079] FIG. 11a is a top and perspective view of another end portion according to another variant of said first example of the invention, provided in an end to be connected to the belt and which could be combined with the portions according to FIG. 11,
[0080] FIG. 12 is a top and perspective view of a portion according to said second example of the invention being situated outside of the ends to be connected to the belt,
[0081] FIG. 13 is a top and perspective view according to a variant of said second example of the invention being situated outside of the ends to be connected to the belt,
[0082] FIG. 14 is a top and perspective view of another portion according to said first example of the invention being situated outside of the ends to be connected to the belt and according to a variant of FIG. 9,
[0083] FIG. 15 is a partial top and perspective view of an arrangement according to the invention of tight portions alternately having an increasing and decreasing thickness from one side edge to the other,
[0084] FIG. 16 is a partial top and perspective view of an arrangement according to the invention of tight portions having an increasing thickness from the mounting face thereof to the support face thereof,
[0085] FIG. 17 is a partial, cross-sectional view in a median circumferential plane of a ring according to the invention, showing the use of one single shim between the two end portions of the ring at an opening of an annular support link such as that of FIG. 3, and
[0086] FIG. 18 is a partial, cross-sectional view in a median circumferential plane of a ring according to the invention, showing the use according to FIG. 7 of a multitude of shims between consecutive portions of the ring supported by such an annular link, outside of end portions;
[0087] FIG. 19 comprises FIG. 19(a) which is a side and perspective view of a device which conforms with the invention showing other forms of portions which can be considered, making it possible to obtain tight and interlinked portions and FIG. 19(b) shows one of these portions, in an isolated manner, according to the same view;
[0088] FIG. 20, which comprises FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), represents another possible design for tight and interlinked portions, respectively according to a side and perspective view and according to the same view, for an isolated portion;
[0089] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a device which conforms with the invention, wherein the distribution of the mass is balanced, by a removal of material over certain sectors;
[0090] FIG. 22, which comprises FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b), is a perspective view of an isolated sector on which is provided one or more balancing masses.
[0091] The mounted assembly 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises an asymmetric wheel rim 2 of one-piece type, comprising a circumferential rim nave 3, a tyre 4 mounted against the axially inner and outer edges 2a, 2b of the rim 2, and a run-flat device 5 mounted in the nave 3 and intended to support the tyre 4 following a fall in inflation pressure inside the mounted assembly 1.
[0092] The rim 2 comprises axially inner and outer rim seats 2c, 2d respectively intended to receive beads 4a, 4b of the tyre 4, each rim seat 2c, 2d being axially delimited by one of the edges 2a, 2b. In the example of FIG. 1, the nave 3 is with a base 3a (of diameter D) axially delimited by two oblique walls 3b, 3c, and the axially outer wall 3c of the base 3a results in the outer seat 2d.
[0093] The device 5 of FIGS. 1-2 is suitable for being positioned on the base 3a of the nave 3, and it comprises:
[0094] a support ring 6 comprising a multitude of n axial portions 7 (n=63 in the example of FIG. 2) juxtaposed in the circumferential direction in a tight manner at the edges facing the respective radially inner mounting faces 7a (of diameter Di) of the portions 7, which are supported between them by an circumferentially annular support links 8 passing through them such as that of FIG. 3, and
[0095] an annular support belt 9, for example metal with adjustable clamping, such as that of FIG. 4 and lockable, preferably via the connecting means 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 and described in document EP-A1-2 233 752.
[0096] The portions 7 which can be seen in FIG. 2, each have the same one-piece structure, the same production material, the same geometry and the same thickness, being specified that the structure (one-piece or with several parts), the material(s), the geometry (in particular, the profile of the front faces 7b, 7c) and/or the thickness of the portions 7 could vary in the radial and/or axial and/or circumferential direction of the ring 6, as explained above.
[0097] All or some of the portions 7 of the ring 6 each has/have, in the mounting face 7a thereof, means 11 to wedge the portion 7 in the rim nave 3, constituted in this example, of a circumferential lip 11 which is axially formed protruding over the axially outer side face 7d of each portion 7 and which forms an integral part of it. This shim lip 11 has an axial width of around that of the base 3a of the nave 3, because it is designed to be applied on this base 3a and in contact with the outer side wall 3c of the nave 3.
[0098] Each portion 7, outside of the end portions 7 of the ring 6 to be connected to one another, has, in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, a transverse, cross-sectional slot 12, for example rectangular, which leads to the front 7b and rear 7c front faces of the portion 7 and which is radially formed between the mounting face 7a and the radially outer support face 7e of the portion 7 (substantially radially halfway up the portion 7 in this example) and axially centred between the two side faces 7d and 7f of the portion 7. A radially inner edge 12a of the slot 12 defines, for each portion 7, a support receiving the belt 9.
[0099] Also, with respect to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, each portion 7 can optionally have radially between the mounting face 7a and the inner edge 12a of the slot 12, an axially central orifice 7A passed through by the annular link 8 for supporting the portions 7 which, in the example of FIG. 3, is formed of a split ring (i.e. with two ends 8a, 8b situated facing one another and defining an opening of the link 8 situated radially at the same level on the circumference of the ring 6 as the connecting means 10 of the ends 9a, 9b of the belt 9), in this case, similar to the form of a round, cross-sectional grommet. It could otherwise be like this, since this annular link 8 could be presented in the form of a square or rectangular, cross-sectional grommet, or of a strap or also a flat blade.
[0100] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the tight portions 7 are almost not spaced apart from one another over the circumference of the ring 6 at the mounting face 7a thereof (except for the interval between the two end portions 7 connected by the means 10, an interval which can be of 50 mm, for example to make it possible to access, under good conditions, these means 10), such that the total sum of consecutive spaces measured between the portions 7, 7 at this face 7a is clearly less than .Math.D/16, even being less than .Math.D/32. In addition, the portions 7 each have a circumferential thickness measured in the mounting face 7a, which in this example, is less than or equal to .Math.D/60.
[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the belt 9 according to the invention is formed by an annular strip of which the pair of ends 9a, 9b are connected to one another by the connecting means 10 with adjustable and lockable clamping, by a locking member 10a mounted pivoting in an end 9b. These means 10 are constituted by a cylindrical rod 10b of stud type being ended by two threads in opposite directions, guided in rotation in two transverse pins 10c, 10d fixed to the ends 9a, 9b to be connected, under the control of a nut for moving the rod 10b secured in rotation to a central portion of the rod 10b.
[0102] Using connecting means 10 with adjustable and lockable clamping for the belt 9 is not compulsory.
[0103] Indeed, connecting means 10 with non-adjustable and lockable clamping can be used, as is illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), respectively in an unlocked position and in a locked position. In these figures, the non-adjustable and the locking clamping is done by a fitting type system 10. It comprises a locking member 10a, 10b comprising a first part 10a mounted pivoting on one 9b of the ends 9a, 9b of the belt 9 and a second part 10b, mounted pivoting on the first part 10a. The other end 9a of the belt is equipped with a hook 10c mounted fixed on the belt, with which the second part 10b of the member 10 can lock to ensure the locking.
[0104] In a variant, connecting means 10 can also be used, which ensure locking, without clamping. A suitable example, is a plate/pin type system, as is shown in FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d), respectively in an unlocked position and in a locked position. More specifically, a plate 10a equipped, at the ends thereof, with orifices can thus be provided, making it possible to make the pins 10b, 10c pass through. The ends 9a, 9b of the belt 9 are arranged in loop forms to receive, on the one hand, the plate 10a, and on the other hand, the pins 10b, 10c.
[0105] In FIG. 5, various locations 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F which can be used in a non-limiting manner to make the link 8 pass through each portion 7 have been represented, including:
[0106] axially on either side of the axially central place 7A of FIG. 2, two radially inner side places 7B, 7C localised radially between the mounting face 7a and the inner edge 12a of the slot 12,
[0107] axially on either side of the side edges 12b, 12c of the slot 12, two radially intermediate side places 7D, 7E localised radially at the same median height as the light 12, and
[0108] axially centred on the slot 12, a radially outer central place 7F localised radially between the outer edge 12d of the slot 12 and the support face 7e.
[0109] In a variant of the tight juxtaposition of FIG. 2 with there being no axial clearance in the circumferential direction between consecutive portions 7, the following has been illustrated:
[0110] in FIG. 6, a juxtaposition also termed tight, in the sense that the circumferential axial clearance d between consecutive portions 7 (outside of end portions 7) to be connected together by the means 10 is very low, here being typically around 1 mm;
[0111] in FIG. 7, a juxtaposition could also be qualified tight, in the sense that at least one shim 13 of reduced radial height between radially inner zones of consecutive portions 7, two-by-two in inserted (the or each shim 13 not impeding the passing of the portions 7 through the or each belt 9 and which could optionally be passed through the or each annular support link 8), such that the circumferential axial clearance d between the or each shim 13 and the two portions 7 that it separates if also very low (typically of around 1 mm, outside of end portions 7 to be connected together by the means 10); and
[0112] in FIG. 8, a juxtaposition, not tight but spaced apart with a space d between consecutive portions 7 in the circumferential direction which could be of around 10 mm or more.
[0113] It will be noted, that these FIGS. 6-8 schematically identify, by dashed lines, the passing of the consecutive portions 7, tight (FIGS. 6 and 7) or not (FIG. 8) by at least one radially inner annular support link 8 by through at least one radially outer belt 9 with respect to this link 8.
[0114] FIGS. 9-9a, 10-10a, 11-11a illustrates three geometries which can be used, among others, for the portions 7 outside of those situated at the belt ends 9a, 9b to be connected together (current portions 7 of FIGS. 9, 10, 11), and only for the end portions 7 to be connected (FIGS. 9a, 10a, 11a).
[0115] The current portion 7 of FIG. 9 is similar to that of FIG. 1, while the end portions 7 of FIG. 9a each being distinguished by a radial clearing outside of the support 12a to make it possible for the mounting of the means 10, so as to form from the support face 7e, a U-shaped groove of which the base 12a defines a reinforcement (at the same radial height as the inner edge 12a of the light 12) on which are applied the two belt ends 9a, 9b to be connected.
[0116] The current portion 17 of FIG. 10 has, unlike FIG. 9, a slot 22, laterally leading to the axially outer side face 17d of the portion 17, the slot 22 being formed substantially radially halfway up the portion 17 in this example, and being suitable for receiving, through the radially inner edge thereof forming a support 22a, the belt 9 which is threaded through the side face 17d. In addition, the portion 17 has an axial width, mainly decreasing from the support face 17e thereof to the mounting face 17a thereof (i.e. a mainly trapezoidal profile for the front faces 17b, 17c thereof), which is not substantially flat, contrary to that of FIG. 9, but of rounded shape up to the chock lip 11 thereof, which only defines the most radially inner portion of the portion 17. Regarding the end portions 17 of FIG. 10a, they are distinguished from the portion 17 in that the supports thereof 22a are constituted by an axial shoulder which is formed at the same radial height as the support 22a of the slot 22 and which is extended at a right angle by a radial portion 22b, perpendicular to the support face 17e of the portion 17 (which is thus extended radially towards the inside by a tread of a stair leading to the shoulder 22a). In FIGS. 10 and 10a, also the presence of a bevel 17f, 17f is noted. This facilitates, even makes it possible, for the mounting of the ring on a rim of narrow width, without impeding the movement of the tyre beads and by keeping a support face sufficiently wide.
[0117] The current portion 27 of FIG. 11, has as that from FIG. 9, an axially central slot 32 situated radially between the mounting face 27a and the support face 27e and axially between the side faces 27d and 27f, but unlike FIG. 9:
[0118] the slot 32 has a very reduced radial height forming a slot forming a support 32a, capable of being passed through by the belt 9 by closely enclosing it, and
[0119] the current portion 27 is constituted of a mechanical assembly (for example, by bead/mortise type interlocking) of an adhering or overmoulding of a radially outer part 27A on a radially inner part 27B, these parts 27A, 27B could be constituted (or not) of the same material or mixture of materials.
[0120] It will be noted, that the belt 9 must be applied beforehand on the support 32a of the inner part 27B (which defines a radially inner edge 32a of the light 32), before assembling the outer part 27A on the inner part 27B equipped with the belt 9.
[0121] Regarding the end portions 27 of FIG. 11a, they can be, for example, similar to that of FIG. 9a with, at the same radial height as the light 32, a U-shaped groove base support 32a arranged from the support face 27e and receiving the belt ends 9a, 9b, cleared in the radial direction to make it possible to access the means 10.
[0122] The current portions 37, 47 of FIGS. 12-13 illustrate the second example of the invention, with, in the two cases, three parts 37A, 37B and 37C, 47C which are radially superposed and assembled on one another (by mechanical assembly, for example, by riveting, or chemical assembly, for example, by adhering or overmoulding), and which comprise two radially inner 37A, 47A and outer 37B, 47B rigid parts, respectively defining the mounting face 37a, 47a and the support face 37e, 47e and an intermediate elastic part 37C, 47C connecting them to one another in the manner of a deformable spring blade in the radial direction. The parts 37A, 37B and 37C, 47C are in these examples constituted of mainly rectangular front face blocks, and the intermediate part 370, 47C (preferably metal) bears against the parts 37A and 37B, 47A and 47B (the thicknesses of the parts 37A, 37B, 37C and 47A, 47B, 47C in the circumferential direction being identical or similar) by forming at least one circular arc between the parts 37A and 37B, 47A and 47B. In addition, the intermediate part 37C, 47C forms a receiving support 42a, 52a suitable for axially wedging the belt 9 in the most radially inner zone that it has. More specifically:
[0123] the intermediate part 37C of FIG. 12 is substantially c-shaped, of which the two axial parallel branches 37Ca, 37Cb which are fixed to the parts 37A, 37B are connected to one another by a connecting portion 37Cc in a circular arc, with the inner branch which is provided with the axial shim support 42a of the belt 9, and
[0124] the intermediate part 470 of FIG. 13 is ring-shaped of which the axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the front faces of the parts 47A and 47B and which is secured to the latter tangentially by the radially inner and outer zones of the ring, with the outer face of the inner zone which is provided with the axial shim support 52a of the belt 9.
[0125] It must be noted, that for the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, the flexibility of the portions in the radial direction can be obtained by varying the geometry of the portions. This can make it possible, incidentally, to reduce the weight of the mounted assembly.
[0126] The portion 57 illustrated in FIG. 14 illustrates a variant of FIG. 9 which can be used for the current portions 57 outside of those situated at the belt ends 9a, 9b to be connected together. This portion 57 which is also equipped with a slot 12 is distinguished mainly from that of FIG. 9, in that it is tilted obliquely (by an acute angle a, for example, of between 5 and 30) from a radially inner zone of the portion 57 comprising the shim lip 11, with respect to the substantially radial plane of this inner zone. This tilting makes it possible for a side contact between two neighbouring portions.
[0127] The current tight portions 67 illustrated in FIG. 15 illustrate an staggered arrangement of the successive side portion faces 67d, 67f of which the front faces 67b, 67c are similar to those of portion 7 of FIG. 9, because two consecutive portions 67 according to FIG. 15 are of different geometries since they have, in the circumferential direction, respectively a thickness which axially increases towards the inside and which axially increases towards the outside. It is understood that this alternate arrangement makes it possible to juxtapose the portions 67 in axial alignment around the rim 2.
[0128] The current tight portions 77 illustrated in FIG. 16 illustrate a possible arrangement for identical current portions 77 between one another, similar to that of FIG. 9, but which have, in the circumferential direction, a thickness which radially increases towards the outside, in this example, continuously from the mounting face 77a to the support face 77e of each portion 77. It can be seen that the portions 77 are thus tight over all the respective radial heights thereof.
[0129] FIG. 17 shows current tight portions 87 and the two end portions 87 of a ring 6 according to a variant of the invention, characterised by the insertion of a shim 13 between the end portions 87, with the shim 13 which is passed through by one of the two ends 8a of an annular support link 8 such as that of FIG. 3. It can be seen that the shim 13 has the radially inner face thereof aligned with the mounting faces 87a respective of the portions 87, 87, and has the radially outer face thereof situated radially removed from the place halfway up the portions 87, 87 which is suitable for being passed through by the or each clamping belt 9 locked between the end portions 87.
[0130] It will be noted, that the shim 13 makes it possible to be opposite the run-flat sliding of the end portions 87, and to thus avoid a domino type propagation effect on the other portions 87.
[0131] FIG. 18 shows, in a variant of FIG. 17, current portions 97 (i.e. outside of end portions) also tight by way of a multitude of shims 13 in a ring 6, conforming with the diagram of FIG. 7. Each shim 13 has a reduced radial height between the radial inner zones of consecutive portions 97, and is only passed through by the or each annular support link 8 so as to not impede the passing of the portions 97 through the or each clamping belt 9, radially external to the link 8.
[0132] It will be noted, that the shims 13 make it possible to optimise the common contact between the portions 97.
[0133] In the description above, the wheel rim 2 is asymmetrical, with in particular a rim base of diameter D. It could however provide a flat rim. In this case also, a rim base can be defined for the flat rim.
[0134] Moreover, it must be noted, that with a flat rim, it can sometimes possible to not provide a clamping function for the belt 9. Indeed, the belt 9 can be avoided from the clamping components, fixed or adjustable, to only conserve the general support function thereof, with a locking.
[0135] Generally, and in reference to all of the examples having just been described (the references of FIG. 9 being revisited below, only for simplification purposes), the mounting of a device 5 according to the invention inside a mounted assembly 1 comprises, for example, the following steps (before inflation and balancing of the tyre 4):
[0136] assembly of a linear strip (i.e. flat, not ring-shaped 6) comprising all of the current portions 7 and juxtaposed ends 7, tight or spaced apart, which are passed through by said at least one support belt 9 and possibly by said at least one annular support link 8 with optional intercalation of one or more shims 13 or 13,
[0137] shaping of this ring-shaped strip 6 equipped with the belt 9 in a non-clamped position inside the tyre 4,
[0138] passage over the rim 2 of a bead 4a of the tyre 4 containing the ring 6,
[0139] passage over the rim 2 of the ring 6 equipped with the belt 9,
[0140] passage of the second bead 4b of the tyre 4 over the rim 2 to end the mounting.
[0141] When the support belt provided clamping, the passage over the rim 2 of the ring 6 equipped with the belt, is achieved with an unclamped belt. Then, clamping of the ring 6 against the rim by the belt is achieved, via the lockable connecting means.
[0142] A specific case of tight sectors is represented in FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) and, according to a design variant, in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b).
[0143] In all of these figures, the sectors 37, 37; 370, 370 are proposed, of which the form makes it possible for an interlocking between two consecutive sectors. Thus, said tight portions 37, 37; 370, 370 are connected to one another, two-by-two, by interlocking.
[0144] To understand the specific form of a sector 37 (FIG. 19(b)), it can be described by comparison with the sector 7 of FIG. 5. Between these FIGS. 19(b) and FIG. 5, the same references mean identical elements and are therefore not described in a detailed manner. On a front face 7b (front), the sector 37 comprises an upper protusion 37a and a lower protusion 37b, each formed in an protuberance from the front face 7b. In this case, each protusion is presented in the form of a parallelepiped. Also, on this front face 7b, the two protrusions 37a, 37b are separated by an opening 37d facing the opening 12. These openings 37d, 12 make it possible to make the support belt pass, of which the design can be selected according to the different variants described above. Moreover, on the other front face 7c (rear), opposite the first front face 7b, an opening 37c is provided, extending between the radially inner mounting face 7a, suitable for being mounted on said rim base and the radially outer support face 7e, suitable for supporting the tyre in a run-flat situation.
[0145] As can be seen in FIG. 19(a), the opening 37c has suitable dimensions for receiving the protusions 37a of an adjoining sector 37. In this case, the opening 37c therefore also has a parallelepipedal form.
[0146] Such a design (interlocking) facilitates the mounting of the sectors to one another by providing them with a guide. Moreover, although the support belt is sufficient to support the sectors in position, this interlocking contributes to limiting the movements from one sector to the other, in the axial direction (axis of the wheel) and therefore involves a greater stability with an axial force. This further provides a better distribution of the load over the portions in contact with the tyre. Finally, this makes it possible for a high decrease in vibration increases thanks to a continuity of the rolling strip.
[0147] In the FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), a variant of the design proposed in FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) is shown, a variant also making it possible for an interlocking between two consecutive sectors.
[0148] In comparison to FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b), it is noted, that the form of the protusions 370a, 370d of a sector 370 is different and, consequently that the opening 370c, suitable for receiving protusions 370a of another sector 370, also has a different form. The opening 370d, provided between the two protusions 370a, 370b to let the support belt pass, can be identical to that of the opening 37d. The whole remainder is identical.
[0149] In this case, the protusions 370a, 370b have a form of which the section is T-shaped.
[0150] Finally, it must be noted, that advantageously, the sectors, and whether the design is considered for a sector, will be selected to ensure, over all of the run-flat device, a balanced mass distribution.
[0151] Indeed, and for example, if the assembly view of FIG. 2 is referred back to, the presence of connecting and locking means 10, 10, 10 involves a mass removal, at the sectors, to leave access to these locking means. On the contrary, the presence of the connecting and locking means 10, 10, 10 involves a local addition of mass, which does not necessarily compensate the mass removal made at the sectors.
[0152] In such a case, the mass of the run-flat device is not distributed in a balanced manner, which generates a slight out-of-balance effect likely to be damaging.
[0153] Even if this slight out-of-balance effect can be absolutely acceptable, it remains advantageous to eliminate it. Also, it is advantageous that the run-flat device has a balanced distribution of the masses.
[0154] To this end, several solutions can be considered.
[0155] A first solution is to achieve a mass removal, at a sector zone Z1 situated, on the run-flat device, diametrically opposite the zone Z2 comprising said connecting and locking means 10. In practice, for example, sectors 27 such as represented in FIG. 11a can be provided on the zone Z2, and outside of the zones Z1 and Z2, of sectors 7 such as represented in FIG. 5 or 9.
[0156] It is the solution which is shown in FIG. 21. Indeed, at the zone Z2, the addition of mass of connecting and locking means 10 does not generally compensate the mass loss of sectors (for example, of the type of FIG. 11a) making it possible to leave access to these connecting and locking means 10.
[0157] A second solution is, for example, to add runners M on the sectors of the zone Z2 to precisely locally compensate the mass loss thereof with respect to the sectors which are outside of the zone Z2. In this case, it is not necessary to implement a zone Z1.
[0158] This is what is shown, according to two implementation examples, in FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b).
[0159] More specifically, in FIG. 22(a), a sector 27 has been shown according to a perspective view, akin to the sector 27 of FIG. 11a, but comprising a runner M. This runner M makes it possible to weigh down the sector 27 such that the mass thereof is identical to that of a sector 7 such as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 11 and used outside of the zone Z2.
[0160] Similarly, in FIG. 22(b), a sector 27 has been shown according to a perspective view, akin to the sector 27 of FIG. 11a, but comprising two runners M1, M2. These runners M1, M2 make it possible to weigh down the sector 27 such that the mass thereof is identical to that of a sector 7 such as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 11 and used outside of the zone Z2.
[0161] A third solution (not shown) is to provide this balancing mass within the support belt.
