Central tire inflation / deflation system and vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, disclosing a central tire inflation / deflation system and a vehicle. The central tire inflation / deflation system includes a steering knuckle, a quick-connect coupling, an internal air pipe, a hydrostatic seal ring, a hubcap with hydrostatic seal assembly, and an external air pipe. The steering knuckle has a first air passage. The quick-connect coupling is rotatably mounted at one end of the steering knuckle. The internal air pipe is inserted into the quick-connect coupling, with one end connected to the first air passage and the other end connected to an air source. The hydrostatic seal ring has a second air passage connected to the first air passage. The hubcap has a third air passage connected to the second air passage. One end of the external air pipe is connected to the third air passage, and the other end is connected to the tire valve. The hubcap with hydrostatic seal assembly combines a conventional hubcap and hydrostatic seal, simplifying the assembly process of the vehicle axle assembly. The compact internal air passage design results in a clean and aesthetically pleasing vehicle appearance, requires minimal modification to existing products, and is low-cost.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a central inflation and deflation wheel edge system and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The tire central inflation and deflation system is mainly installed on some special purpose wheeled vehicles. During driving or parking, the driver can adjust the tire pressure by simple operation in the cab to improve the ability of the wheeled vehicle to pass through complex road surfaces such as deserts, mud or ice and snow. The system mainly consists of a gas source, a control unit, an execution unit and a gas path switching unit. The gas source can be shared with other devices on the vehicle, or a separate gas source can be used. The operation method of the system is very simple, and the driver only needs to set the road condition selection switch on the control box to the required gear to automatically inflate or deflate each tire. The road condition selection switch has four gears, which are ordinary, ice and snow, sand and mud roads, and basically meet the passing requirements of various roads. Of course, the number of gears can be appropriately increased or decreased according to the specific needs of different regions and different vehicles.

[0003] Most existing commercial vehicles do not use the tire central inflation and deflation system, resulting in poor road passing ability. Some commercial vehicles equipped with the tire central inflation and deflation system usually use an external gas pipe arrangement, which is easily damaged, so that the tire pressure cannot be effectively adjusted, resulting in poor driving experience and even affecting driving safety. SUMMARY

[0004] Based on the above problems, the purpose of the present application is to provide a central inflation and deflation wheel edge system and a vehicle, which can adjust the tire pressure, improve the ability of the vehicle to pass through complex road surfaces such as deserts, mud or ice and snow, and the gas path structure is not easily damaged, the driving experience is good, and the driving safety is reliable.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the following technical solutions are provided:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a central inflation and deflation wheel edge system, comprising:

[0007] A knuckle is rotatably connected with a hub, and the knuckle is provided with a first gas path;

[0008] A quick connector is rotatably arranged at one end of the knuckle;

[0009] An internal gas pipe is connected to the quick connector, one end of the internal gas pipe is in communication with the first gas path, and the other end is in communication with a gas source;

[0010] An oil and gas seal seat ring is arranged at the other end of the knuckle, and the oil and gas seal seat ring is provided with a second gas channel communicated with the first gas channel.

[0011] The hub cover with the oil and gas seal assembly comprises a hub cover and an oil and gas seal integrated as a whole, the hub cover is fixedly connected with the hub, the oil and gas seal is arranged between the hub cover and the oil and gas seal seat ring, and the hub cover is provided with a third gas channel communicated with the second gas channel.

[0012] An external gas pipe is arranged, one end of the external gas pipe is communicated with the third gas channel, and the other end of the external gas pipe is communicated with a valve nozzle of the tire.

[0013] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, the hub is rotatably connected with the knuckle through a first bearing at one end of the hub, and the hub is rotatably connected with the knuckle through a second bearing at the other end of the hub.

[0014] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, the knuckle is provided with a first limiting shaft shoulder, the hub is provided with a first limiting protrusion, one side of the first bearing is abutted against the first limiting shaft shoulder, and the other side of the first bearing is abutted against the first limiting protrusion.

[0015] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, a locking nut is further arranged, the locking nut is threadedly connected on the knuckle, the hub is provided with a second limiting protrusion, one side of the second bearing is abutted against the second limiting protrusion, and the other side of the second bearing is abutted against the locking nut.

[0016] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, a first sealing ring is further arranged between the knuckle and the oil and gas seal seat ring.

[0017] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, a second sealing ring is further arranged between the hub cover and the hub.

[0018] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, a tire valve is further arranged, and the external gas pipe is communicated with the third gas channel through the tire valve.

[0019] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, the quick plug connector is threadedly connected with the knuckle, and a sealing glue is coated on the thread connection position between the quick plug connector and the knuckle.

[0020] As an optional solution of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, the oil and gas seal seat ring is threadedly connected with the knuckle, and a sealing glue is coated on the thread connection position between the oil and gas seal seat ring and the knuckle.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a vehicle comprising a gas source and the above-mentioned central tire inflation and deflation wheel rim system, wherein the gas source is in communication with the internal air pipe.

[0022] The present application has the following advantages:

[0023] The central tire inflation and deflation wheel rim system and the vehicle provided by the present application have the following advantages: the high-pressure gas from the gas source enters the first air channel in the knuckle through the internal air pipe, then enters the third air channel in the hub cover oil seal assembly through the second air channel in the oil seal seat ring, and finally enters the tire through the external air pipe, so that the tire pressure is adjusted, the ability of the vehicle to pass through complex road surfaces such as deserts, mud or ice and snow is improved, the driving experience is better, the driving safety is reliable, the hub cover oil seal assembly combines the conventional hub cover and the oil seal together, which simplifies the assembly link and process of the vehicle axle assembly, effectively improves the safety and reliability of the central tire inflation and deflation wheel rim system, and is different from the conventional oil seal, the oil seal is integrated with the hub cover and placed at the outer end of the knuckle, which effectively reduces the diameter of the oil seal lip, reduces the linear speed during operation, and effectively prolongs the service life of the oil seal, the internal air pipe is installed on the knuckle through the rotatable quick connector, the quick connector can be rotated at any angle, the assembly and adjustment are more convenient, the repeated work of reinstallation and adjustment of the connector is effectively avoided, the production efficiency is high, and the installation convenience and adaptability of the internal air pipe are improved, the compact built-in air channel structure formed by the first air channel, the second air channel and the third air channel is not easy to damage, so that the appearance of the whole vehicle is neat and beautiful, the modification to the existing product is small, and the modification cost is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the description of the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of the contents of the embodiments of the present application and these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the central tire inflation and deflation wheel rim system provided by the present application.

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] 1, knuckle; 2, hub; 3, first bearing; 4, second bearing; 5, lock nut; 6, oil seal seat ring; 7, first sealing ring; 8, hub cover oil seal assembly; 9, second sealing ring; 10, tire valve; 11, external air pipe; 12, quick connector; 13, internal air pipe; 14, gas source; 15, tire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the technical problems solved by the present application, the technical solutions adopted and the technical effects achieved more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0029] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Among them, the terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions.

[0030] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through intermediate medium; it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] As Figure 1 shown, the present embodiment provides a central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, which comprises a knuckle 1, a quick connector 12, an internal air pipe 13, an oil and gas seal seat ring 6, a hub cover with oil and gas seal assembly 8 and an external air pipe 11. The knuckle 1 is provided with a first air passage, and the knuckle 1 is rotatably connected with the hub 2. The knuckle 1 is one of the important parts in the automobile steering axle, which can make the automobile travel stably and transmit the travel direction sensitively. The function of the knuckle 1 is to transmit and bear the load of the front part of the automobile, support and drive the front wheel to rotate around the main pin to make the automobile turn. In the automobile travel state, it bears the variable impact load, therefore, it is required to have high strength.

[0032] The quick connector 12 is rotatably arranged at one end of the knuckle 1, and the internal air pipe 13 is connected to the quick connector 12. One end of the internal air pipe 13 is in communication with the first air passage, and the other end is in communication with the air source 14. The quick connector 12 is the most convenient plug-and-play connection mode, especially in some air pipe connection difficult occasions, which can better reflect the superiority of the quick connector 12. The oil and gas seal seat ring 6 is arranged at the other end of the knuckle 1, and the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 is provided with a second air passage in communication with the first air passage. The hub cover with oil and gas seal assembly 8 includes a hub cover and an oil and gas seal integrated together. The hub cover is fixedly connected with the hub 2, and the oil and gas seal is arranged between the hub cover and the oil and gas seal seat ring 6. The hub cover is provided with a third air passage in communication with the second air passage. One end of the external air pipe 11 is in communication with the third air passage, and the other end is in communication with the air valve of the tire 15.

[0033] The high-pressure gas of the air source 14 enters the first air passage in the knuckle 1 through the internal air pipe 13, then enters the third air passage in the hub cover with oil and gas seal assembly 8 through the second air passage in the oil and gas seal seat ring 6, and finally enters the tire 15 through the external air pipe 11, so as to realize the adjustment of the tire 15 pressure, improve the ability of the vehicle to pass through complex road surfaces such as desert, mud or ice and snow, and provide better driving experience and safe and reliable driving. The hub cover with oil and gas seal assembly 8 combines the conventional hub cover and oil and gas seal together, simplifies the assembly link and process of the vehicle axle assembly, and effectively improves the safety and reliability of the central inflation and deflation system. Different from the conventional oil and gas seal, the oil and gas seal is integrated with the hub cover and placed at the outer end of the knuckle 1, which effectively reduces the diameter of the oil seal lip and reduces the linear speed during operation, thereby effectively prolonging the service life of the oil and gas seal. The internal air pipe 13 is installed on the knuckle 1 through the rotatable quick connector 12. The quick connector 12 can be rotated at any angle, which is more convenient for assembly and adjustment, effectively avoids the repeated work of re-installing and adjusting the connector, has high production efficiency, improves the installation convenience and adaptability of the internal air pipe 13, and the compact design of the built-in air passage structure formed by the first air passage, the second air passage and the third air passage is not easy to damage, so that the whole vehicle appearance is neat and beautiful, the modification of the existing product is small, and the modification cost is low. The air source 14 is led out from the vehicle frame to the air valve of the tire 15, which avoids the risk of air leakage caused by scratching and wear of the air pipe suspended outside the tire 15, and effectively improves the safety and reliability of the inflation and deflation work. The hub cover with oil and gas seal assembly 8 rotating with the hub 2 and the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 fixedly installed on the knuckle 1 separate the first air passage of the knuckle 1 from the inner cavity of the hub 2, and keep the stability of the internal air passage structure.

[0034] Optionally, the quick connector 12 is screwed to the knuckle 1, and the screwing joint between the quick connector 12 and the knuckle 1 is coated with sealant. The quick connector 12 can be of L-shaped structure for easy installation and rotation. The quick connector 12 can be rotated at any angle, and the assembly adjustment is more convenient, effectively avoiding the repeated work of reinstallation and adjustment of the connector, and the production efficiency is high. The end of the knuckle 1 towards the quick connector 12 is provided with an internally threaded hole, and the quick connector 12 is provided with an externally threaded section matched with the internally threaded hole. The sealant can be a polyvinyl chloride-based automotive coating sealant. The main function of the sealant is to keep the screwing joint between the quick connector 12 and the knuckle 1 sealed, to prevent moisture, dust and smoke from the outside. The sealant also has the functions of corrosion prevention, sound insulation and beautification of the vehicle model.

[0035] In some embodiments, the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 is screwed to the knuckle 1, and the screwing joint between the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 and the knuckle 1 is coated with sealant. The end of the knuckle 1 towards the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 is provided with an internally threaded hole, and the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 is provided with an externally threaded section matched with the internally threaded hole. The sealant can be of two types: colorable and non-colorable. The colorable sealant can be used in low-temperature and high-temperature baking paint processes, and is applied to visible gaps on the outside of the seal, without staining the dried finish. The non-colorable sealant can be used to fill gaps inside the vehicle body, or to coat the chassis for corrosion prevention. In addition, the non-colorable sealant is more than 65% lighter than the traditional polyvinyl chloride sealant, which helps to reduce the weight of the vehicle.

[0036] To facilitate the smooth rotation of the hub 2, the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system optionally further comprises a first bearing 3 and a second bearing 4. One end of the hub 2 is rotatably connected to the knuckle 1 through the first bearing 3, and the other end of the hub 2 is rotatably connected to the knuckle 1 through the second bearing 4. The installation positions of the first bearing 3 and the second bearing 4 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the knuckle 1, ensuring uniform stress and stable rotation of the hub 2. To facilitate the limited installation of the first bearing 3, the knuckle 1 is provided with a first limiting shaft shoulder, and the hub 2 is provided with a first limiting protrusion. One side of the first bearing 3 abuts against the first limiting shaft shoulder, and the other side abuts against the first limiting protrusion. To facilitate the limited installation of the second bearing 4, the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system further comprises a locking nut 5, which is screwed to the knuckle 1. The hub 2 is provided with a second limiting protrusion, one side of the second bearing 4 abuts against the second limiting protrusion, and the other side abuts against the locking nut 5. During assembly, the second bearing 4, the hub 2 and the first bearing 3 are sequentially assembled to the knuckle 1, and then the locking nut 5 is tightened with a specified torque to adjust the bearing play of the first bearing 3 and the second bearing 4, ensuring the service life of the hub 2.

[0037] Optionally, the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system further comprises a first sealing ring 7, which is arranged between the steering knuckle 1 and the oil and gas seal seat ring 6. In assembly, the steering knuckle 1 is assembled after the completion of the assembly of conventional bushings, oil seals and other components, the first sealing ring 7 is assembled to the oil and gas seal seat ring 6, then the threads of the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 are coated with sealant and fastened to the steering knuckle 1 with a specified torque, and then the threads of the quick connector 12 are coated with sealant and fastened to the steering knuckle 1 with a specified torque. Optionally, the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system further comprises a second sealing ring 9, which is arranged between the hub cover and the hub 2. The surface of the second sealing ring 9 is coated with an appropriate amount of all-weather general lithium-based lubricating grease, installed into the end face groove of the hub cover with the oil and gas seal assembly 8, and then the hub cover with the oil and gas seal assembly 8 is inserted into the hub 2, adjusted to the angle and pushed to the bottom, and then fastened to the hub 2 with bolts with a specified torque.

[0038] In some embodiments, the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system further comprises a tire valve 10, and an external air pipe 11 communicates with the third air channel through the tire valve 10. One end of the external air pipe 11 is quickly connected to the tire valve 10, and the other end is threadedly connected to the tire 15 valve nozzle through a joint. The external air pipe 11 and the tire valve 10 are connected by quick insertion, which improves the reliability and installation convenience of the pipeline. The mating surfaces of the tire valve 10 and the hub cover with the oil and gas seal assembly 8 are coated with sealant, and the tire valve 10 is fastened to the hub cover with the oil and gas seal assembly 8 with bolts with a specified torque.

[0039] The embodiment also provides a vehicle, which comprises the air source 14 and the above-mentioned central inflation and deflation wheel rim system, the air source 14 is communicated with the internal air pipe 13, the high-pressure gas of the air source 14 enters the first air channel built-in the steering knuckle 1 through the internal air pipe 13, then enters the third air channel built-in the hub cover oil and gas seal assembly 8 through the second air channel built-in the oil and gas seal seat ring 6, and finally enters the tire 15 through the external air pipe 11, so that the tire 15 pressure is adjusted, the ability of the vehicle to pass through the complex road surface such as desert, mud or ice and snow is improved, the driving experience is better, and the driving safety is reliable. The hub cover oil and gas seal assembly 8 combines the conventional hub cover and the oil and gas seal together, simplifies the assembly link and process of the vehicle axle assembly, and effectively improves the safety and reliability of the central inflation and deflation wheel rim system. Different from the conventional oil and gas seal, the oil and gas seal is integrated with the hub cover and placed at the outer end of the steering knuckle 1, so that the oil seal lip diameter is effectively reduced, the linear speed during work is reduced, and the service life of the oil and gas seal is effectively prolonged. The internal air pipe 13 is installed on the steering knuckle 1 through the rotatable quick connector 12, the quick connector 12 can be rotated at any angle, the assembly and adjustment are more convenient, the repeated work of reinstallation and adjustment of the connector is effectively avoided, the production efficiency is high, the installation convenience and adaptability of the internal air pipe 13 are improved, the built-in air channel structure formed by the first air channel, the second air channel and the third air channel is compact and not easy to be damaged, so that the appearance of the whole vehicle is neat and beautiful, the change to the existing product is small, and the modification cost is low. The hub cover oil and gas seal assembly 8 rotating with the hub 2 and the oil and gas seal seat ring 6 fixedly installed on the steering knuckle 1 separate the first air channel of the steering knuckle 1 from the inner cavity of the hub 2, and keep the stability of the internal air channel structure.

[0040] It should be noted that the above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and the technical principles applied. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments herein, and those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, re-adjustments and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, although the present application has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and can include more other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present application, and the scope of the present application is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A central inflation and deflation wheel rim system characterized by, The application relates to a central air charging and discharging wheel rim system. The application comprises: a steering knuckle (1) rotatably connected with a wheel hub (2), the steering knuckle (1) being provided with a first air channel; a quick connector (12) rotatably arranged at one end of the steering knuckle (1); an internal air pipe (13) connected with the quick connector (12), one end of the internal air pipe (13) being communicated with the first air channel and the other end being communicated with an air source (14); an oil and gas seal seat ring (6) arranged at the other end of the steering knuckle (1), the oil and gas seal seat ring (6) being provided with a second air channel communicated with the first air channel; a wheel hub cover with an oil and gas seal assembly (8) comprising a wheel hub cover and an oil and gas seal integrated, the wheel hub cover being fixedly connected with the wheel hub (2), the oil and gas seal being arranged between the wheel hub cover and the oil and gas seal seat ring (6), and the wheel hub cover being provided with a third air channel communicated with the second air channel; 2. The central tire inflation system of claim 1, wherein, an external air pipe (11), one end of the external air pipe (11) being communicated with the third air channel and the other end being communicated with a valve nozzle of a tire (15).

3. The central tire inflation system of claim 2, wherein, The application further comprises a first bearing (3) and a second bearing (4), one end of the wheel hub (2) being rotatably connected with the steering knuckle (1) through the first bearing (3), and the other end of the wheel hub (2) being rotatably connected with the steering knuckle (1) through the second bearing (4).

4. The central tire inflation system of claim 2, wherein, The steering knuckle (1) is provided with a first limiting shaft shoulder, the wheel hub (2) is provided with a first limiting protrusion, one side of the first bearing (3) is abutted against the first limiting shaft shoulder, and the other side is abutted against the first limiting protrusion.

5. The central tire inflation system of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises a locking nut (5) threadedly connected with the steering knuckle (1), the wheel hub (2) is provided with a second limiting protrusion, one side of the second bearing (4) is abutted against the second limiting protrusion, and the other side is abutted against the locking nut (5).

6. The central tire inflation system of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises a first sealing ring (7) arranged between the steering knuckle (1) and the oil and gas seal seat ring (6).

7. The central tire inflation system of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises a second sealing ring (9) arranged between the wheel hub cover and the wheel hub (2).

8. The central tire inflation system of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises a tire valve (10), the external air pipe (11) is communicated with the third air channel through the tire valve (10).

9. The central tire inflation system of claim 1, wherein, The quick connector (12) is threadedly connected with the steering knuckle (1), and the threadedly connected position of the quick connector (12) and the steering knuckle (1) is coated with sealing glue.

10. Vehicle, characterized in that The oil and gas seal seat ring (6) is threadedly connected with the steering knuckle (1), and the threadedly connected position of the oil and gas seal seat ring (6) and the steering knuckle (1) is coated with sealing glue. The application further comprises an air source (14) communicated with the internal air pipe (13) and the central air charging and discharging wheel rim system as claimed in any one of claims 1-9.

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