TIRE CALIBRATION ARRANGEMENT FOR VEHICLE AXLES

Abstract

A tire calibration arrangement for vehicle axles, directional or fixed, which stands out for being used on directional or fixed axles and whose components are arranged inside them, this being totally novel since conventional systems have their elements outside the axle due to design problems.

Description

TIRE CALIBRATION ARRANGEMENT FOR VEHICLE AXLES STATE OF THE ART OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention The present invention relates to equipment for control, regulation and calibration of pressure in a pneumatic pressure arrangement, preferably for tire calibration, and more particularly refers to a tire calibration arrangement that is arranged inside the axle, whether fixed or directional, of a vehicle, this being totally novel since conventional systems are arranged and developed outside the axle due to the restrictions of their own design. Description of the prior art Currently, there are many systems designed to maintain, reduce, or increase tire pressure while moving or at rest. These systems are commonly referred to as central tire inflation / deflation systems. These systems can be used in a wide variety of vehicles, with the most common systems being heavy passenger or cargo transport vehicles, such as short-, medium-, and long-distance buses, trucks, cargo trailers, etc. Typically, tire inflation-deflation systems comprise an air tank or compressor. 2082374 of 17 external, which is connected by means of respective pipes and tubes to tire inflation valves, being in turn equipment, sensors or control means that detect the lack or excess of pressure inside the tires and that proceed to send the corresponding signals to compensate for the pressure within them. It is emphasized that inflation or deflation systems such as Patent Document AR AR037242 are well known in the field of art, and that for these reasons, no further descriptive details about them will be entered into. On the other hand, the axles of cargo or transport vehicles equipped with these systems can be hollow, with axle ends typically having a through hole. The hollow axle provides an advantageous conduit for supplying air pressure to the wheel end through the respective pipes. Valves are located between the axles and the tires or wheels to allow inflation or deflation (Patent AR AR037242), and prior to these, there are rotary couplings for mounting on the wheels of a vehicle. These rotary couplings may be such as the one disclosed in Argentine Patent Application P20210103605 of the same owner and whose reference is attached hereto. According to Figure 1 related to the prior art, and more particularly with Figure 4 of Patent Application P20210103605, a rotor 101 is shown mounted at one end of a hollow shaft 102 where a hub 103 is located for mounting a tire 104. The rotor 101 is mounted on said hub 103 2082374 of 17 by means of a rotating support 105 and comprises a block 106 rotatably mounted on an axis 107 which has an internal air duct or passage 108 that is in communication, by means of an internal end and more particularly a connector 109, with a pressurized air hose or pipe 110 that is located inside said hollow axis 102 and that transports the pressurized air coming from an external air tank or reservoir. For its part, said block 106 comprises an internal part 111 and an external part 112. The internal part 111 is the one that is mounted on said axis 107 in a rotatable manner by means of a bearing 113, while the external part 112 will comprise a transfer chamber 114 which is in communication with an external end of said internal air passage 108 of the axis 107, such that through said transfer chamber 114 the air is ejected towards the respective inflation or deflation valves (Patent AR AR037242) by means of corresponding pipes 115 (not indicated) in order to generate the inflation and / or deflation of the tires. As can be seen, tire calibration systems are well known in the art. However, these systems provided inside the axles, such as axle 102 of Patent Application P20210103605 or Patent AR 17729155, are systems for fixed or rear axles of a vehicle such as a bus or trailer. To date, there are no tire calibration systems in the art that are arranged inside directional front axles due to the 2082374 of 17 design restrictions that tires face, as they are constantly in motion. For these reasons, conventional tire calibration systems for steered front axles currently available are located outside the tires. Nor do known systems provide calibration devices with flexible, telescopic connections that allow for a hermetically sealed, stationary connection with radial seal at any point along their entire length, and that maintain their functionality despite any misalignment and allow rotors to be exchanged between shafts. Given the current state of the art regarding tire inflation and / or deflation systems, it would be highly desirable to have a new calibration system that could be installed inside fixed and / or steered axles to ensure proper tire calibration. This would also reduce the risk of impact when vehicles are stopped or moving. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new tire calibration arrangement for vehicle axles whose construction elements are provided inside said axles, this being a complete novelty within the field of art. 2082374 of 17 It is also another object of the present invention to provide a calibration arrangement that is provided with a flexible telescopic connector accompanied by a rotor that allows its stationary connection in a hermetically sealed manner with radial closure at any point along its entire length, thus maintaining its functionality despite any type of misalignment as well as the interchangeability of rotors between axes. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tire calibration arrangement having a main connector that is in connection with said hollow flexible connector of telescopic character so as to supply pressurized air from a source or compressor to a rotor arranged in a hub. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tire calibration arrangement for vehicle axles of the type that has a rotor operatively connected with a source of pressurized air and in turn with a corresponding inflation and / or deflation valve provided in the tire in order to maintain the adequate pressure in the same, wherein there is a flexible hollow connector of telescopic character which has a first end where said rotor is mounted, and a second end retained within a hollow main connector; wherein said hollow main connector is connected with one end of a pressurized air hose or pipe that projects inside and along an internal conduit of the corresponding end. 2082374 of 17 of said directional shaft so as to communicate said source of pressurized air with said rotor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For greater clarity and understanding of the object of the present invention, it has been illustrated in several figures, in which the invention has been represented in one of the preferred embodiments, all by way of example, where: Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a rotary coupling for rear or fixed axles according to the prior art; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a steering end of a vehicle, which is provided internally with the tire calibration arrangement of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective and sectional view of Figure 2 according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a top sectional view of Figure 2 according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows a sectional view of one end of a steering shaft on which the calibration arrangement according to the present invention is provided; Figure 6 shows an enlarged sectional view where the arrangement according to the present invention can be seen; 2082374 of 17 Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the calibration arrangement according to the present invention, wherein the shaft end may be a fixed or directional shaft; Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the calibration arrangement for steered axes according to the present invention; and Figure 9 shows a partial sectional side view of the calibration arrangement of the invention, where another type of rotor is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the figures, it can be seen that the present invention refers to a new tire calibration arrangement that stands out for being used at the ends of axles, whether fixed or directional, and whose components are arranged inside them, this being totally novel since conventional systems have their elements outside the axle due to design restrictions. Thus, and in accordance with figures 2 to 8, the calibration arrangement of the present invention is indicated by the general reference 201 and is used for vehicle axles, whether fixed or directional, as mentioned above. This is not limiting for the present invention since said arrangement can be adapted and used in conventional fixed axles with one or more tires. According to 2082374 of 17 with figures 2 to 4, said steering axle will comprise a steering end 202 which is connected to a hub carrier 203 through a kingpin 204, a hub 205 being mounted on said hub carrier 203, on which a tire 206 will be mounted and a rotor 231 which will be described below. According to Figure 5, the hub carrier 203 comprises a hollow shaft 207 with an internal passage 208 through which at least one pressurized air hose or pipe 209 projects and extends along the same, which is connected to a source of pressurized air (not shown). Furthermore, said pressurized air hose or pipe 209 is connected through an end 210 to a hollow main connector 211. According to figures 5 to 8, the hollow main connector 211 comprises an internal passage or conduit 212 of variable section that is in communication with said pressurized air hose or pipe 209 and in turn with an internal passage 213 of a hollow flexible connector of telescopic character 214. Likewise, said hollow main connector 211 has a connection end 215 provided with a plurality of saw teeth 216 that fit tightly against the end 210 of said pressurized air hose or pipe 209, the latter being retained due to the deformation of this end 210 of the hose 209 in the saw teeth 216 and the adjustment provided by an external coupling 217. Said main connector 211 also comprises a main body 218 2082374 of 17 which has a plurality of external radial grooves 219 where corresponding external O-ring seals 220 are arranged, with said adjustment restricting the longitudinal and rotational movement of the hollow main connector 211. On the other hand, the hollow main connector 211 has an internal housing 221 through which an end portion of said flexible hollow telescopic connector 214 passes, the latter being retained longitudinally and rotationally within the main connector 211 through internal o'ring seals 222 provided within an adjustment nut for telescopic connector 223 mounted within said internal housing 221 through a thread 224. It is worth mentioning that the adjustment nut has a channeling surface 283 that helps correct the direction or misalignment of the connector 214 at the time of its assembly in the main connector 211. In addition, the seals 222 correct a possible smaller scale misalignment of the connector 214 to ensure that the arrangement will be such that it allows it to fulfill its functionality. It is highlighted that, between said connection end 215 and said main body 218 of the hollow main connector 211, a shoulder or step 225 is defined where the end 210 of said pressurized air pipe or hose 209 is supported, said shoulder or step 225 of the connector 211 being in turn retainedly supported against a step 226 of said external coupling 217. Likewise, between a seat 227 of said internal housing 221 of said 2082374 of 17 main connector 211 and said adjustment nut for telescopic connector 223, there is an o'ring seal 228 that hangs over the hollow flexible connector of telescopic character 214 making a hermetic seal between said adjustment nut for telescopic connector 223 and said hollow flexible connector 214. The seal 228 and the seals 222 are arranged separately by means of the adjustment nut for telescopic connector 223. This is because the type of connection and shape of the elements allows to ensure the integrity of the o'rings against possible overpressures in the mass, that is, it prevents its deterioration due to excessive crushing. In this way, said hollow main connector 211 is arranged inside an end housing 229 of said internal conduit 208 of the end of said directional shaft, so as to be retainedly fixed through said external o'ring seals 220 provided in the external radial grooves 219 of the hollow main body 211 and the connection between the end 210 of the hose or pipe 209, the saw teeth 216 and the external coupling 217. Wherein, said end housing 229 has a seat 284 where said hollow main connector 211 rests through a shoulder 230. Another quality of the external o'ring seals 220 is to prevent the entry or exit of any substance through the internal air conduit or passage 208. Referring again to the telescopic hollow flexible connector 214, it allows its stationary connection in a hermetic manner with radial closure. 2082374 of 17 at any point along its length. In this way, it maintains its functionality despite any type of misalignment that exists between the elements. On the other hand, it allows interchangeability of rotors 231 between axle tips due to its design. Thus, the internal passage 213 of the hollow telescopic flexible connector 214 allows operative communication between said pressurized air source (not illustrated) and said rotor 231, which will transmit the pressurized air received to a corresponding inflation and / or deflation valve (not illustrated) provided in the tire, thus maintaining the appropriate pressure therein. In turn, said hollow telescopic flexible connector 214 has an end 232 where said rotor 231 is mounted, and a second end 233 retained within said hollow main connector 211 as described above. On the other hand, said rotor 231 is connected to said flexible hollow connector of telescopic character 214 through a rotor shaft 234 whose internal duct or passage 235 is in communication with the internal passage 213 of said flexible hollow connector of telescopic character 214 and in turn with the internal duct 212 of the main hollow connector 211 and pressurized air hose or pipe 209 that is in connection with said pressurized air source (not illustrated). By way of example, but not limiting the present invention since any type of rotor can be considered and used according to the conveniences of the moment, said rotor 231 also comprises a block 236 2082374 of 17 rotatably mounted on said rotor shaft 234 through respective bearings 237; a coupling 246 (similar to external coupling 217) inside which is arranged said end 232 of said hollow flexible connector of a telescopic nature 214, the latter being retained between said connector 246, said rotor shaft 234 and a retaining washer 247; an anti-rotation hexagonal ring 238 mounted externally on said block 236; an adjustment nut 239 mounted integrally with the shaft end cover or rotor coupling 248 that produces an axial fixation of the anti-rotation hexagonal ring 238 and therefore of the rotor 231, this anti-rotation hexagonal ring 238 allowing a certain offset in the operation of the rotor 231 with respect to the main connector 211;and a solid seal 240 having a shaft-seal sealing surface arranged inside said block 236 and which is tightly retained by a guide assembly 241, spring 242 and o'ring 249, said seal 240 being provided with an internal passage 243 which is in communication with the internal passage 235 of said rotor shaft 234, said internal passage 243 of the solid seal 240 being in communication with a transfer chamber 244 which is operatively communicated with said respective tire inflation and / or deflation valves through corresponding pipes 245. For this purpose, there is an external o'ring 252 which allows maintaining a tight seal between the external surface of block 236 and the shaft tip cover or rotor coupling 248 which; 2082374 of 17 acts as a support for rotor 231 and as a channel for air to pipes 245. On the other hand, the solid seal 240 has on its surface a step formed by the solid seal 240 and the guide 241 where an o'ring 249 is placed that allows the transfer chamber 244 to be sealed in a hermetic manner from other cavities of the block 236. To keep all the internal elements of block 236 retained axially and rotationally in it, the rotor surface 250 is folded. This comes into contact with the outer race 251 of one of the bearings 237 without hindering their correct operation. On the other hand, this rotor is not the only one that can work with the main connector 211. In Figure 9, the hollow flexible connector 253 can be seen (similar to element 214) which makes a hermetic seal with the o'rings 222 and 228 of the main connector 211. A rotor 255 is mounted on the remaining end 254 of said hollow flexible connector 253. The rotor 255 is connected to the hollow flexible connector 253 via a rotor shaft 256 (similar to 234). The connection is made by deforming the end 254 with the sawtooth section 257 of the rotor shaft 256 and an outer coupling 258 (similar to 217). The coupling 258 is secured to the retaining washer 259 by interference fit, and this is secured to the rotor shaft 256. On the other hand, the retaining washer 259 axially fixes the movement of the inner race of the 2082374 of 17 bearings 260 mounted on the rotor shaft 256. The bearings 260 are housed within a bearing or oil trap 261 (with a similar function to that present in figure 1, element 117, patent AR 17729155) attached to the inner surface 262 of the threaded rotor block 263. With this, a fixing nut 264 is provided which is screwed into the block 263 which axially fixes the bearing or oil trap 261, which thereby immobilizes in the same way the rotor shaft 256 and bearings 260 which are joined by the retaining washer 259. The rotor shaft 256 is in direct contact with the solid seal 265, creating a hermetic seal on the surface defined by the contact between both 266. The solid seal 265 has an O-ring 267 mounted on its outer surface, which creates a hermetic seal against the surface 268 of the threaded telescopic rotor block 263. A guide 269 is also mounted on the element 265, which serves as a housing and anti-rotation lock for the spring 270. The rotational fixation of this spring is made effective with the implementation of an anti-rotation washer 271 fixed to the threaded telescopic rotor block 263 on the surface 272. The threaded telescopic internal rotor 255 is threaded and centered to the hollow shaft 253 by means of the rotor coupling 273 which in turn is fixed to the hub 205 by means of a rotor coupling locknut 274 whose union is watertight by the implementation of the rotor coupling o'ring 275. The rotor generates a hermetic seal with the rotor coupling 273 by means of the o'ring 276 placed in an external groove 277 of the rotor block 263 and thus allowing to isolate 2082374 of 17 the inside of the hub with respect to the outside. In case of unwanted overpressures, the rotor block has a perforation that communicates from the inside of the hub to the outside. It is covered by the O-ring 278 which establishes a certain tension that translates into a minimum venting pressure of said internal pressure. To keep the hermetic conditions of element 278 protected, a protection ring 279 is placed on the rotor block 263. In this way, the air coming from the power source (not illustrated) enters the pressurized air hose or pipe 209, in order to enter the main connector 211 and go through the rotor shaft air duct or passage 280 and the solid seal air passage 281 to the rotor block transfer chamber 282. In order to then be diverted to the inflation valves through the outlets 283. In this way, the calibration arrangement of the present invention is constituted and built, which is designed to be used on directional axes, particularly inside them, making it possible that due to its assembly conditions and type of closure, when manipulating the rotor itself or the assembly of this and the rotor cover or support are interchangeable between axes, all of this being a total novelty within the field of art since the conventional systems of the prior art are arranged outside the directional axis due to design problems. The present invention solves said design drawbacks by providing an arrangement of 2082374 of 17 calibration that can be adapted to any type of axis, not only directional, but also fixed without any inconvenience. 2082374 of 17 FERNANDO ALONSO - 20117746888 Digitally signed by PORTALTRAMITES - INPI Date: 2022.12.13 09:57:09 -03:00 Reason: Digitally signed by the INPI Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina 2082374

Claims

1. A tire calibration arrangement (201) for vehicle axles of the type having a rotor (231) operatively connected to a pressurized air source and in turn to a corresponding inflation and / or deflation valve provided in the tire for the purpose of maintaining the proper pressure therein, said arrangement (201) comprising a telescopic hollow flexible connector (214) having a first end (231) in which said rotor is mounted, and a second end (233) retained within a hollow main connector (211), wherein said hollow main connector (211) is connected to an end (210) of a pressurized air hose or pipe (209) projecting inside and along an internal duct (208) of the corresponding end (202) of said vehicle axle so as to communicate said pressurized air source with said rotor (231), said arrangement (201) being characterized in that it comprises: a passage or ductan internal variable section (212) that is in communication with said pressurized air hose or pipe (209) and in turn with an internal passage (213) of said hollow telescopic flexible connector (214); a connection end (215) provided with a plurality of teeth (216) that fit securely against the end (210) of said pressurized air hose or pipe (209), which is in turn retained by an external coupling (217) and the deformation of the hose; a main body (218) having a plurality of external radial grooves (219) in which corresponding external o-ring seals (220) are arranged that retain the main body (218) of the hollow main connector (211) on the shaft; an internal housing (221) through which an end portion of said telescopic hollow flexible connector (214) passes, the latter being retained within the hollow main connector (211) by means of internal o-ring seals (222) provided in an adjusting nut(223) for a telescopic hollow flexible connector (214) mounted within said internal housing (221), wherein said hollow main connector (211) is disposed within an end housing (229) of said internal conduit (208) of the end of said vehicle axle, so as to be securely fixed by means of said external o-ring seals (220) provided in the external radial grooves (219) of the hollow main body (219) and of said external coupling (217). Five claims follow.