CA2276992A1 - Automotive wheel well with thawing mechanism - Google Patents
Automotive wheel well with thawing mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2276992A1 CA2276992A1 CA002276992A CA2276992A CA2276992A1 CA 2276992 A1 CA2276992 A1 CA 2276992A1 CA 002276992 A CA002276992 A CA 002276992A CA 2276992 A CA2276992 A CA 2276992A CA 2276992 A1 CA2276992 A1 CA 2276992A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wheel
- wheel guard
- well
- automotive
- wheel well
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
- B62D25/16—Mud-guards or wings; Wheel cover panels
- B62D25/18—Parts or details thereof, e.g. mudguard flaps
Abstract
An automotive wheel well includes a wheel guard panel disposed on a vehicle body to enclose an automotive wheel, and a mudguard attached on a rear end of the wheel guard panel. The automotive wheel well includes a wheel guard having a heating member powered by electric power and a covering member covering the heating member.
Description
AUTOMOTIVE WHEEL WELL WITH THAWING MECHANISM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automotive wheel well and, more s particularly, to an automotive wheel well with a thawing mechanism that can thaws snow or ice frozen in the wheel well in the winter season.
(b) Description of the Related Art Figs. 8A and 8B show a conventional automotive wheel well.
A conventional automotive wheel well comprises a wheel guard 102 io disposed above a tire and having a curvature for accommodating the tire, and a mudguard 104 disposed on a rear lower portion of the wheel guard 102. The wheel guard 102 is made of synthetic resins containing a metal or rubber.
When a vehicle travels on a road on which snow has accumulated during the winter season, snow is scattered in the wheel well as the wheel is rotates, and then frozen therein by a sub-freezing temperatures. If the frozen snow completely fills up the space between the wheel well and the tire as shown in Fig. 8A, it will disturb the rotation of the wheel when starting the vehicle and also disturb the steering of the wheel during driving, which can result in an accident. Even if the amount of the frozen snow is small and does 2o not affect the rotation of the wheel, it can still spoil the appearance of the vehicle.
In addition, in the event that the frozen snow or ice is removed from the wheel well by forcedly rotating the wheel, the vehicle engine as well as the tire and the wheel well panel may be damaged. Furthermore, the removed frozen snow falling off in traffic may disturb the driver of a following vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
s The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an automotive wheel well with a thawing structure that can thaws snow or ice frozen on the wheel well in the winter season.
~o To achieve the above objective, a wheel guard panel is disposed in an automotive wheel well with of means of thawing ice or snow that is frozen on the wheel guard panel and/or a mudguard. The means for thawing is comprised of wheel guard having an electrically powered heating member, as well as a covering member covering the heating member.
is BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating a wheel guard according 2o to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a vehicle where the wheel guard will be applied;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a wheel guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of a wheel well where a wheel guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled;
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit for supplying electric s power to a wheel guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a wheel guard according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of a wheel well where a wheel guard to according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a mudguard according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8A is a partial sectional view of a conventional automotive wheel is well;
Fig. 8B is a sectional view along section I-I of Fig. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2o Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, shown is a wheel well according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 indicates a wheel guard 2.
The wheel guard 2 is disposed under a wheel guard panel 4, a rear lower side of which a mudguard 12 is attached and extended downward. The wheel guard 2 comprises a heat generating member 8 and a covering member 6 covering the heat-generating member 8. The heat-generating member 8 s may be made of a heating wire as shown in Fig. 1. As for the covering member 6, it may be made of a heat-resistant a rubber or a synthetic resin having a good durability that also has a high heat transmitting efficiency.
The length and width of the wheel guard 2 are designed such that the wheel guard 2 is attached on an entire surface of the wheel guard panel 4 and io the mudguard 12. The heat generating member 8 is disposed within the covering member 6 as indicated in Fig. 2 so that a thickness t between the heat generating member 8 and the interior wheel side surface is equal to or less than a thickness T between the heat generating member 8 and the exterior convex surface of covering member 6. In this way, a larger amount of heat ~s can be transmitted to the wheel side of the covering member 6.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, a heat shield/reflecting member 13 is preferably attached on a vehicle body side surface of the wheel guard 2 to prevent the heat generated by the heat generating member 8 from being transmitted to the vehicle body.
2o Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a structure for fastening the wheel guard 2 to the wheel guard panel 4.
As shown in the drawing, a plurality of fixing projections 14 extending from an edge of the wheel guard 2 are provided. Therefore, the wheel guard 2 is fixed on a lower surface of the wheel guard panel 4 by screws 16 penetrating through holes formed on the fixing projections 14. However, the fastening structure is not limited to the above-described structure.
In addition, to supply electric power to the heat-generating member 8, as shown in Fig. 4, the heat-generating member 8 is electronically connected to an ignition key switch 18 with an On/Off switch 20 interposed therebetween.
Therefore, by operating the On/Off switch 20 electric power is applied from a battery 22 to the heat-generating member 8.
In addition, if required, a timer 24 may be provided between the On/Off io switch 20 and the heat generating member 8 so as to power the heat generating member for a predetermined time.
Accordingly, when a driver turns on the On/Off switch while driving on a road on which snow has accumulated, the covering member 6 is heated by the heat generating member 8 due to the electric power supplied from an electric is source such as the battery 22 and/or a generator etc., and thereby melts snow attached on the wheel guard 2 as the wheel rotates. Accordingly, all of the problems caused by the snow frozen on the wheel guard 2 can be solved.
Fig. 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the wheel guard 2 is not attached on an entire 2o surface of the wheel guard panel 4 and the mudguard 12, but on a rear portion of the wheel guard panel 4 and the mudguard 12. Since the snow is generally collected on the rear portion of the wheel well when the vehicle drives on a snowy road, the operation effect of this embodiment will be the same as the above embodiment but with lower costs.
Fig. 7 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the wheel guard 2 described in the above embodiments is not provided, but the heat generating member 8 is assembled within the mudguard 12 during the manufacturing of the mudguard 12. The mudguard 12 provided with the heat generating member 8 provides almost the same effect as the wheel guard 2 described in the above two embodiments.
Reference numeral 28 in Fig. 6, which is not described above indicates a connector for connecting the heat-generating member 8 to the battery 22.
to Reference numerals 32 and 30 in Fig. 4 respectively indicate a lamp for indicating that the On/Off switch is in an On state and a fuse.
While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, is but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
For example, instead of using a heating wire as the heat-generating member, a heating plate 10 may be used as shown in Fig. 5.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automotive wheel well and, more s particularly, to an automotive wheel well with a thawing mechanism that can thaws snow or ice frozen in the wheel well in the winter season.
(b) Description of the Related Art Figs. 8A and 8B show a conventional automotive wheel well.
A conventional automotive wheel well comprises a wheel guard 102 io disposed above a tire and having a curvature for accommodating the tire, and a mudguard 104 disposed on a rear lower portion of the wheel guard 102. The wheel guard 102 is made of synthetic resins containing a metal or rubber.
When a vehicle travels on a road on which snow has accumulated during the winter season, snow is scattered in the wheel well as the wheel is rotates, and then frozen therein by a sub-freezing temperatures. If the frozen snow completely fills up the space between the wheel well and the tire as shown in Fig. 8A, it will disturb the rotation of the wheel when starting the vehicle and also disturb the steering of the wheel during driving, which can result in an accident. Even if the amount of the frozen snow is small and does 2o not affect the rotation of the wheel, it can still spoil the appearance of the vehicle.
In addition, in the event that the frozen snow or ice is removed from the wheel well by forcedly rotating the wheel, the vehicle engine as well as the tire and the wheel well panel may be damaged. Furthermore, the removed frozen snow falling off in traffic may disturb the driver of a following vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
s The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an automotive wheel well with a thawing structure that can thaws snow or ice frozen on the wheel well in the winter season.
~o To achieve the above objective, a wheel guard panel is disposed in an automotive wheel well with of means of thawing ice or snow that is frozen on the wheel guard panel and/or a mudguard. The means for thawing is comprised of wheel guard having an electrically powered heating member, as well as a covering member covering the heating member.
is BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating a wheel guard according 2o to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a vehicle where the wheel guard will be applied;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a wheel guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of a wheel well where a wheel guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled;
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit for supplying electric s power to a wheel guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a wheel guard according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of a wheel well where a wheel guard to according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a mudguard according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8A is a partial sectional view of a conventional automotive wheel is well;
Fig. 8B is a sectional view along section I-I of Fig. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2o Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, shown is a wheel well according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 indicates a wheel guard 2.
The wheel guard 2 is disposed under a wheel guard panel 4, a rear lower side of which a mudguard 12 is attached and extended downward. The wheel guard 2 comprises a heat generating member 8 and a covering member 6 covering the heat-generating member 8. The heat-generating member 8 s may be made of a heating wire as shown in Fig. 1. As for the covering member 6, it may be made of a heat-resistant a rubber or a synthetic resin having a good durability that also has a high heat transmitting efficiency.
The length and width of the wheel guard 2 are designed such that the wheel guard 2 is attached on an entire surface of the wheel guard panel 4 and io the mudguard 12. The heat generating member 8 is disposed within the covering member 6 as indicated in Fig. 2 so that a thickness t between the heat generating member 8 and the interior wheel side surface is equal to or less than a thickness T between the heat generating member 8 and the exterior convex surface of covering member 6. In this way, a larger amount of heat ~s can be transmitted to the wheel side of the covering member 6.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, a heat shield/reflecting member 13 is preferably attached on a vehicle body side surface of the wheel guard 2 to prevent the heat generated by the heat generating member 8 from being transmitted to the vehicle body.
2o Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a structure for fastening the wheel guard 2 to the wheel guard panel 4.
As shown in the drawing, a plurality of fixing projections 14 extending from an edge of the wheel guard 2 are provided. Therefore, the wheel guard 2 is fixed on a lower surface of the wheel guard panel 4 by screws 16 penetrating through holes formed on the fixing projections 14. However, the fastening structure is not limited to the above-described structure.
In addition, to supply electric power to the heat-generating member 8, as shown in Fig. 4, the heat-generating member 8 is electronically connected to an ignition key switch 18 with an On/Off switch 20 interposed therebetween.
Therefore, by operating the On/Off switch 20 electric power is applied from a battery 22 to the heat-generating member 8.
In addition, if required, a timer 24 may be provided between the On/Off io switch 20 and the heat generating member 8 so as to power the heat generating member for a predetermined time.
Accordingly, when a driver turns on the On/Off switch while driving on a road on which snow has accumulated, the covering member 6 is heated by the heat generating member 8 due to the electric power supplied from an electric is source such as the battery 22 and/or a generator etc., and thereby melts snow attached on the wheel guard 2 as the wheel rotates. Accordingly, all of the problems caused by the snow frozen on the wheel guard 2 can be solved.
Fig. 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the wheel guard 2 is not attached on an entire 2o surface of the wheel guard panel 4 and the mudguard 12, but on a rear portion of the wheel guard panel 4 and the mudguard 12. Since the snow is generally collected on the rear portion of the wheel well when the vehicle drives on a snowy road, the operation effect of this embodiment will be the same as the above embodiment but with lower costs.
Fig. 7 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the wheel guard 2 described in the above embodiments is not provided, but the heat generating member 8 is assembled within the mudguard 12 during the manufacturing of the mudguard 12. The mudguard 12 provided with the heat generating member 8 provides almost the same effect as the wheel guard 2 described in the above two embodiments.
Reference numeral 28 in Fig. 6, which is not described above indicates a connector for connecting the heat-generating member 8 to the battery 22.
to Reference numerals 32 and 30 in Fig. 4 respectively indicate a lamp for indicating that the On/Off switch is in an On state and a fuse.
While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, is but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
For example, instead of using a heating wire as the heat-generating member, a heating plate 10 may be used as shown in Fig. 5.
Claims (8)
1. An automotive wheel well comprising:
a wheel guard panel disposed on a vehicle body to enclose an automotive wheel;
a mudguard attached on a rear end of the wheel guard panel;
means for thawing ice or snow frozen on the wheel guard panel and/or the mudguard.
a wheel guard panel disposed on a vehicle body to enclose an automotive wheel;
a mudguard attached on a rear end of the wheel guard panel;
means for thawing ice or snow frozen on the wheel guard panel and/or the mudguard.
2. The automotive wheel well of claim 1 wherein the means for thawing comprises a wheel guard having a heating member heated by electric power and a covering member covering the heating member.
3. The automotive wheel well of claim 2 wherein the heating member comprises a heating wire disposed within the covering member.
4. The automotive wheel well of claim 2 the heating member comprises a heating plate disposed within the covering member.
5. The automotive wheel well of claim 2 wherein the wheel guard is attached on an entire surface of the wheel guard panel.
6. The automotive wheel well of claim 2 wherein the wheel guard is attached on a rear portion of the surface of the wheel guard panel.
7. The automotive wheel well of claim 2 wherein the wheel guard is attached on the rear end of the wheel guard panel to function as the mudguard.
8. The automotive wheel well of claim 1 further comprising a timer for activating the heating member for a predetermined time.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| KR98-27783 | 1998-07-10 | ||
| KR1019980027783A KR20000008104A (en) | 1998-07-10 | 1998-07-10 | Vehicle wheel house thawing apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2276992A1 true CA2276992A1 (en) | 2000-01-10 |
Family
ID=19543685
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002276992A Abandoned CA2276992A1 (en) | 1998-07-10 | 1999-07-08 | Automotive wheel well with thawing mechanism |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2000038120A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20000008104A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2276992A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014215658A1 (en) * | 2014-08-07 | 2016-02-11 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | De-icing of a vehicle |
| DE102014012767A1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-03 | Zürcher Holding GmbH | Heater for railway cars; Railway carriage with heating device and heating process |
| CN107757724A (en) * | 2016-08-18 | 2018-03-06 | 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 | The wheel of vehicle enclosure system of wheel cabin liner with heating and the method for heating wheel cabin liner |
| WO2020056493A1 (en) * | 2018-09-18 | 2020-03-26 | Les Placements A. Pagacz Ltee | Wheel well heating system for a motor vehicle |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010131071A1 (en) * | 2009-05-14 | 2010-11-18 | Gavrin Maxim Valeryevich | Vehicle mud shield |
| WO2011039561A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-04-07 | Gavrin Maxim Valeryevich | Device for heating vehicle wheel arches and wheel arch liners |
| KR101369561B1 (en) * | 2012-12-24 | 2014-03-04 | 쌍용자동차 주식회사 | Wheel house heating and noise reduction device for automobile |
| CN112406206A (en) * | 2020-10-15 | 2021-02-26 | 中国第一汽车股份有限公司 | Automobile tire protective cover capable of rapidly melting snow and ice and manufacturing method thereof |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6267805U (en) * | 1985-10-19 | 1987-04-27 | ||
| JPH1086851A (en) * | 1996-09-19 | 1998-04-07 | Sekisui Plastics Co Ltd | Antifreezing device for vehicle |
-
1998
- 1998-07-10 KR KR1019980027783A patent/KR20000008104A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1999
- 1999-07-08 CA CA002276992A patent/CA2276992A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-07-08 JP JP11194208A patent/JP2000038120A/en active Pending
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014215658A1 (en) * | 2014-08-07 | 2016-02-11 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | De-icing of a vehicle |
| DE102014012767A1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-03 | Zürcher Holding GmbH | Heater for railway cars; Railway carriage with heating device and heating process |
| EP2993102A1 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-09 | Zuercher Holding GmbH | Heatable railway car, heating module for a railway car and heatable belt conveyor for a railway car |
| CN107757724A (en) * | 2016-08-18 | 2018-03-06 | 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 | The wheel of vehicle enclosure system of wheel cabin liner with heating and the method for heating wheel cabin liner |
| US10343722B2 (en) | 2016-08-18 | 2019-07-09 | Gm Global Technology Operations Llc. | Vehicle wheel housing system with heated wheel well liner and method of heating a wheel well liner |
| CN107757724B (en) * | 2016-08-18 | 2020-05-22 | 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 | Vehicle wheel shell system with heated wheel well liner and method of heating a wheel well liner |
| WO2020056493A1 (en) * | 2018-09-18 | 2020-03-26 | Les Placements A. Pagacz Ltee | Wheel well heating system for a motor vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| KR20000008104A (en) | 2000-02-07 |
| JP2000038120A (en) | 2000-02-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |