Tire inflation and deflation system and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a tire inflation and deflation system and a control method, the tire inflation and deflation system comprises a control valve assembly, the control valve assembly comprises a pilot air channel and a public air channel which are connected with an air source, the public air channel communicates with a first relay valve used for controlling inflation and deflation of tires at all wheel positions, and the pilot air channel is connected with a first electromagnetic valve used for controlling the first relay valve to act; the wheel end assembly comprises a rotary oil gas seal device communicated with the first relay valve and a wheel side valve assembly for communicating the rotary oil gas seal device with the tire, and the wheel side valve assembly comprises a normally-closed gas opening diaphragm valve and a self-return one-way throttle valve which are communicated with each other. The control valve assembly is used for communicating an air passage between the tire and the air source during inflation and deflation, so that compressed air of the air source can flow to the tire for inflation; during deflation, the air channel between the tire and the overflow valve is communicated, and the air of the tire is connected with the atmosphere to deflate the tire. And when the inflation and deflation actions are finished, the normally-closed air opening diaphragm valve and the self-return one-way throttle valve are quickly switched off, and the pressure of the tire is maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of automatic inflation and deflation of automobile tires, and in particular to a tire inflation and deflation system and a control method. Background Art

[0002] The central inflation and deflation system of automobile tires is a system that can adjust the tire pressure at any time when the car is driving. Its main function is: when the car passes through special ground such as deserts, beaches, swamps, muddy ground and icy and snowy roads, the system can quickly adjust the tire pressure, the contact area between the tire and the ground, and the traction, thereby improving the car's passability.

[0003] In the related art, the modular automobile tire central inflation and deflation system is mainly composed of an operation panel, a control valve assembly, a pressure-maintaining valve assembly, a rotating oil-gas seal device, a wheel-side valve assembly, a vehicle wiring harness, and a vehicle air pipeline. After the automobile tire uses the automobile tire central inflation and deflation system to adjust the tire pressure, the pressure-maintaining valve is required to quickly evacuate the pipeline air pressure to reduce the air pressure at the outlet end of the axle air duct to close the tire valve, and at the same time ensure that the axle air duct has no air pressure to ensure the normal use of the rotating air seal device.

[0004] Under this working principle, the central inflation and deflation system of automobile tires must be equipped with a pressure-maintaining valve assembly between the control valve assembly and the wheel-side valve assembly. However, the following problems arise after adding the pressure-maintaining valve assembly: 1. A power harness for the pressure-maintaining valve assembly is required between the pressure-maintaining valve assembly and the control valve assembly, which increases the assembly process and cost of the entire vehicle; 2. One pressure-maintaining valve assembly is required in each channel (single bridge or single tire), which increases the weight of the entire vehicle; 3. The wheel-side valve assembly is affected by the quick-discharge capability of the pressure-maintaining valve assembly, and the opening and closing air pressure is limited. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system and control method to solve the problem in the related art that a power harness of a pressure-maintaining valve assembly is required between the pressure-maintaining valve assembly and the control valve assembly, which increases the assembly process and cost of the entire vehicle.

[0006] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, comprising:

[0007] A control valve assembly, the control valve assembly comprising a pilot airway connected to an air source and a common airway, the common airway being connected to a first relay valve for controlling the inflation and deflation of tires at each wheel position, the pilot airway being connected to a first solenoid valve for controlling the action of the first relay valve;

[0008] A wheel end assembly, the wheel end assembly includes a rotating oil and gas sealing device connected to the first relay valve, and a wheel side valve assembly connecting the rotating oil and gas sealing device with the tire, the wheel side valve assembly includes a normally closed air-open diaphragm valve and a self-returning one-way throttle valve connected to each other.

[0009] In some embodiments: the control valve assembly also includes a master control relay valve connected upstream of the common airway for controlling the on and off of the common airway, and a master control solenoid valve connected to the pilot airway for controlling the action of the master control relay valve.

[0010] In some embodiments: the control valve assembly also includes a pressure sensor for measuring the gas pressure in the common airway, the pressure sensor is connected to an ECU controller, the ECU controller is connected to a display instrument, and the master control solenoid valve and the first solenoid valve are both electrically connected to the ECU controller.

[0011] In some embodiments: the control valve assembly further includes a second relay valve connected to the common airway, and a second solenoid valve connected to the pilot airway for controlling the action of the second relay valve, wherein the second relay valve is connected to a relief valve and a muffler.

[0012] In some embodiments: the second relay valve includes an air intake control port connected to the second solenoid valve through a control pipeline, an air intake port connected to the common airway, an air outlet connected to the overflow valve, and an exhaust port connected to the atmosphere.

[0013] In some embodiments: the first relay valve includes an air intake control port connected to the first solenoid valve through a control pipeline, an air intake port connected to the common air channel, an air outlet connected to the rotary oil-gas sealing device and the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve, and an exhaust port connected to the atmosphere.

[0014] In some embodiments: the self-returning one-way throttle valve comprises a throttle valve and a self-returning one-way valve arranged in parallel, a self-returning spring is arranged in the self-returning one-way valve, and the self-returning spring is used to open the self-returning one-way valve.

[0015] In some embodiments: the wheel end assembly also includes an axle, and a wheel hub rotatably connected to the axle through a wheel hub inner bearing and a wheel hub outer bearing, a rim and a tire are connected to the wheel hub, and the rotating oil and gas sealing device is sealingly connected between the axle and the wheel hub.

[0016] In some embodiments: an annular cavity is formed between the end of the wheel hub close to the inner bearing of the wheel hub and the axle, a first air passage is provided on the axle, and a second air passage is provided on the wheel hub;

[0017] The rotary oil and gas sealing device is sealed in the annular cavity, and the rotary oil and gas sealing device includes an annular spacer and oil and gas seals located on both sides of the annular spacer;

[0018] The annular spacer is provided with a third air passage communicating with the first air passage and the second air passage.

[0019] A second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a method for controlling a tire inflation and deflation system, the method using the tire inflation and deflation system described in any of the above embodiments, the method comprising:

[0020] When the tire is inflated, after the master control solenoid valve is powered on, the master control relay valve opens the common airway. After the first solenoid valve is powered on, the first relay valve is controlled to move and then open. The compressed gas in the air source flows through the common airway, the first relay valve, the rotary oil-gas sealing device, and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve and the self-returning one-way throttle valve, and then enters the tire to inflate the tire.

[0021] Tire pressure maintenance: after the tire inflation action is completed, the master control solenoid valve and the first solenoid valve are both powered off, and the master control relay valve and the first relay valve are automatically reset. The master control relay valve and the first relay valve quickly discharge the compressed gas in the common airway to the atmosphere, and the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve automatically resets and quickly closes to maintain the tire pressure.

[0022] After the tire pressure is measured and the tire inflation action is completed, the master control solenoid valve is powered off. After the air pressure in the tire is balanced with the air pressure of the compressed gas in the common airway, the ECU controller controls the pressure sensor to detect the compressed gas pressure in the common airway and feeds the pressure back to the display instrument for display;

[0023] When the tire is deflated, after the master control solenoid valve is powered on, the master control relay valve opens the common airway. After the first solenoid valve is powered on, the first relay valve is controlled to operate and then open. The compressed gas in the air source flows through the common airway, the first relay valve, the rotary oil-gas seal device, and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve and the self-returning one-way throttle valve to enter the tire.

[0024] The main control solenoid valve is controlled to cut off the power to control the main control relay valve to close the common airway, and at the same time, the second solenoid valve is opened to control the second relay valve to open. The gas in the tire flows through the self-returning one-way throttle valve, the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve, the overflow valve, and the muffler in turn to be discharged into the atmosphere.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this application include:

[0026] An embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system and a control method. Since the tire inflation and deflation system of the present application is provided with a control valve assembly, the control valve assembly includes a pilot air channel and a common air channel connected to an air source, the common air channel is connected to a first relay valve for controlling the inflation and deflation of tires at each wheel position, and the pilot air channel is connected to a first solenoid valve for controlling the action of the first relay valve; a wheel end assembly, the wheel end assembly includes a rotating oil and gas sealing device connected to the first relay valve, and a wheel side valve assembly connecting the rotating oil and gas sealing device with the tire, the wheel side valve assembly includes a normally closed air-open diaphragm valve and a self-returning one-way throttle valve that are connected to each other.

[0027] Therefore, the function of the control valve assembly of the tire inflation and deflation system of the present application is to connect the air passage between the tire and the air source during inflation and deflation, so that the compressed gas of the air source can flow to the tire to achieve tire inflation; when deflation, the air passage between the tire and the overflow valve is connected, and the gas in the tire is connected to the atmosphere to achieve tire deflation. At the end of the inflation and deflation action, the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve and the self-returning one-way throttle valve are quickly closed to achieve the function of locking and maintaining pressure on the tire. The first relay valve of the control valve assembly serves as an inflation valve for inflating the tire, a deflation valve for deflation of the tire, and a quick release valve for maintaining pressure on the tire. The normally closed air-open diaphragm valve and the self-returning one-way throttle valve cooperate with each other to achieve the actions of inflation, pressure maintenance, pressure measurement and deflation of the tire, and there is no need to arrange power wiring harnesses, reducing assembly difficulty and use cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a tire inflation and deflation system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 An air circuit diagram of a tire inflation and deflation system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the gas circuit of the rotary oil and gas seal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a rotary oil and gas seal device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Reference numerals:

[0034] 1. Display instrument; 2. ECU controller; 3. Rotary oil and gas seal device; 4. Wheel side valve assembly; 5. Control valve assembly; 6. Air source; 7. Tire; 8. Public airway; 9. Wiring harness; 10. Pilot airway; 11. Steering knuckle; 11a. Steering knuckle shaft seat; 11b. Steering knuckle shaft head; 11c. Annular flange; 12. Wheel hub; 12a. Annular groove; 13. Wheel hub inner bearing; 14. Annular cavity; 15. First airway; 16. Second airway;

[0035] 31. Annular spacer; 32. Oil and gas seal; 33. Third air duct; 34. Annular end cover; 41. Normally closed air-open diaphragm valve; 42. Self-returning one-way throttle valve; 51. First solenoid valve; 52. First relay valve; 53. Master control solenoid valve; 54. Master control relay valve; 55. Second solenoid valve; 56. Second relay valve; 57. Overflow valve; 58. Muffler; 59. Pressure sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] The embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system and control method, which can solve the problem in the related art that a power harness of the pressure-maintaining valve assembly is required between the pressure-maintaining valve assembly and the control valve assembly, which increases the assembly process and cost of the entire vehicle.

[0038] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, comprising:

[0039] The control valve assembly 5 includes a pilot air passage 10 and a common air passage 8 connected to an air source 6. The common air passage 8 is connected to a first relay valve 52 for controlling the inflation and deflation of tires 7 at each wheel position. The pilot air passage 10 is connected to a first solenoid valve 51 for controlling the operation of the first relay valve 52. After the first solenoid valve 51 is powered on, it is connected to the first relay valve 52 through a control air passage, so that the first relay valve 52 is operated to open the air inlet and the air outlet of the first relay valve 52.

[0040] The wheel end assembly includes a rotary oil-gas seal device 3 connected to the first relay valve 52, and a wheel side valve assembly 4 connecting the rotary oil-gas seal device 3 with the tire 7. The wheel side valve assembly 4 includes a normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and a self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 connected to each other. The rotary oil-gas seal device 3 is sealed and connected in the space between the axle and the wheel hub to form a rotary sealing air cavity, connecting the first relay valve 52 to the tire 7.

[0041] When the tire is inflated, after the first solenoid valve 51 is powered on, the first solenoid valve 51 controls the first relay valve 52 to operate and then open, and the compressed gas in the air source 6 flows through the common air channel 8, the first relay valve 52, and the rotary oil-gas sealing device 3 in sequence, and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42, and then enters the tire 7 to inflate the tire.

[0042] When inflation is completed and the tire 7 is pressurized, the first solenoid valve 51 is controlled to be de-energized. After the first relay valve 52 automatically resets, the first relay valve 52 quickly discharges the compressed gas in the common airway 8 to the atmosphere. The normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 automatically resets after the air inlet and air outlet ends lose pressure. The normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 quickly closes and maintains the pressure on the tire 7.

[0043] The function of the control valve assembly 5 of the tire inflation and deflation system of the embodiment of the present application is to connect the air passage between the tire 7 and the air source 6 during inflation and deflation, so that the compressed gas of the air source 6 can flow to the tire 7 to achieve tire inflation; when deflation, the air passage between the tire 7 and the overflow valve 57 is connected, and the gas in the tire 7 is connected to the atmosphere to achieve tire deflation.

[0044] When the inflation and deflation actions are completed, the first relay valve 52 quickly discharges the compressed gas in the common airway 8 to the atmosphere, the air inlet and air outlet of the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 lose pressure, and the wheel-side valve assembly 4 is quickly closed through the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42, thereby realizing the function of locking and maintaining pressure on the tire 7.

[0045] When the air inlet of the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 loses pressure, the self-returning one-way valve of the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 closes automatically, and the throttle valve of the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 discharges the gas in the tire 7 at a small flow rate and cannot quickly replenish and open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41, so that the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 is quickly closed.

[0046] The first relay valve 52 of the control valve assembly 5 serves as an inflation valve for inflating the tire 7, a deflation valve for deflation of the tire 7, and a quick release valve for maintaining pressure on the tire 7. The normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 cooperate with each other to achieve the actions of inflating, maintaining pressure, measuring pressure and deflation of the tire 7, and no power harness needs to be arranged, thereby reducing assembly difficulty and use cost.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, wherein the control valve assembly 5 of the tire inflation and deflation system also includes a master control relay valve 54 connected upstream of the common air channel 8 for controlling the on and off of the common air channel 8, and a master control solenoid valve 53 connected to the pilot air channel 10 for controlling the action of the master control relay valve 54.

[0048] The control valve assembly 5 also includes a pressure sensor 59 for measuring the gas pressure in the common airway 8. The pressure sensor 59 is connected to the ECU controller 2. The ECU controller 2 is connected to the display instrument 1 through the wiring harness 9. The master control solenoid valve 53 and the first solenoid valve 51 are both electrically connected to the ECU controller 2 through the wiring harness 9. The display instrument 1 can select the central control touch screen on the center console.

[0049] When the tire 7 is inflated in the embodiment of the present application, the ECU controller 2 controls the master control solenoid valve 53 to be powered on, and the master control relay valve 54 opens the common air channel 8. After the first solenoid valve 51 is powered on, the first relay valve 52 is controlled to be actuated and then opened. The compressed gas in the air source 6 flows through the master control relay valve 54, the common air channel 8, the first relay valve 52, and the rotary oil-gas sealing device 3 in sequence, and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42, and then enters the tire 7 to inflate the tire 7.

[0050] When measuring the pressure of the tire 7 in the embodiment of the present application, after the tire 7 is inflated, the ECU controller 2 controls the main control solenoid valve 53 to cut off the power, and after the air pressure in the tire 7 is balanced with the air pressure of the compressed gas in the common airway 8, the ECU controller 2 controls the pressure sensor 59 to detect the compressed gas pressure in the common airway 8, and feeds back the pressure value to the display instrument 1 for display.

[0051] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, wherein the control valve assembly 5 of the tire inflation and deflation system also includes a second relay valve 56 connected to the common air channel 8, and a second solenoid valve 55 connected to the pilot air channel 10 for controlling the action of the second relay valve 56, and the second relay valve 56 is connected to an overflow valve 57 and a muffler 58.

[0052] When the tire 7 is deflated in the embodiment of the present application, the ECU controller 2 controls the master control solenoid valve 53 to be powered on, and the master control relay valve 54 opens the common air channel. After the first solenoid valve 51 is powered on, the first relay valve 52 is controlled to be actuated and then opened; the compressed gas in the air source 6 flows through the master control relay valve 54, the common air channel 8, the first relay valve 52, the rotary oil-gas sealing device 3 in sequence, and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 to enter the tire 7.

[0053] The ECU controller 2 controls the main control solenoid valve 53 to cut off the power to control the main control relay valve 54 to close the common airway 8, and the air source 6 stops supplying air to the common airway 8. At the same time, the second solenoid valve 55 is opened to control the second relay valve 56 to open, and the gas in the tire 7 flows through the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42, the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41, the overflow valve 57, and the muffler 58 in sequence to be discharged into the atmosphere.

[0054] When the master control relay valve 54 closes the common air passage 8, the overflow valve 57 slowly releases the gas in the common air passage 8, causing the pressure in the common air passage 8 to be greater than the ambient atmospheric pressure. As a result, the pressure in the common air passage 8 can also push open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41, and the gas in the tire can be discharged into the atmosphere to reduce the tire pressure.

[0055] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, in which a second relay valve 56 includes an air intake control port connected to a second solenoid valve 55 through a control pipeline, an air intake port connected to a common airway 8, an air outlet connected to a relief valve 57, and an exhaust port connected to the atmosphere.

[0056] After the second solenoid valve 55 is powered on, the second solenoid valve 55 is connected to the pilot airway 10, and the gas in the pilot airway 10 enters the air inlet control port of the second relay valve 56 through the control pipeline, thereby controlling the air inlet and air outlet of the second relay valve 56 to be connected. When the second solenoid valve 55 is powered off, the second relay valve 56 automatically resets, and the air outlet and exhaust port of the second relay valve 56 are connected.

[0057] The first relay valve 52 includes an air intake control port connected to the first solenoid valve 51 through a control pipeline, an air intake port connected to the common air channel 8, an air outlet connected to the rotary oil-gas sealing device 3 and the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41, and an exhaust port connected to the atmosphere.

[0058] After the first solenoid valve 51 is powered on, the first solenoid valve 51 is connected to the pilot airway 10, and the gas in the pilot airway 10 enters the air inlet control port of the first relay valve 52 through the control pipeline, thereby controlling the air inlet and air outlet of the first relay valve 52 to be connected. When the first solenoid valve 51 is powered off, the first relay valve 52 automatically resets, and the air outlet and exhaust port of the first relay valve 52 are connected.

[0059] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, wherein the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 of the tire inflation and deflation system includes a throttle valve and a self-returning one-way valve arranged in parallel, and a self-returning spring is provided in the self-returning one-way valve, and the self-returning spring is used to open the self-returning one-way valve.

[0060] The self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 includes a throttle valve and a self-returning one-way valve arranged in parallel, wherein the self-returning one-way valve opens in the forward direction and closes in the reverse direction to prevent the pressure in the tire 7 from being greater than the pressure in the common air passage 8 during inflation, thereby discharging the gas in the tire 7. The throttle valve is used to slowly deflate the tire when the tire is deflated, so as to accurately control the tire pressure.

[0061] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, the wheel end assembly of the tire inflation and deflation system also includes an axle, the axle is preferably but not limited to a steering knuckle 11, and a wheel hub 12 rotatably connected to the steering knuckle 11 through a wheel hub inner bearing 13 and a wheel hub outer bearing, the wheel hub 12 is connected to a rim and a tire 7, and a rotating oil and gas sealing device 3 is sealingly connected between the steering knuckle 11 and the wheel hub 12.

[0062] An annular cavity 14 is formed between the end of the wheel hub 12 near the wheel hub inner bearing 13 and the steering knuckle 11, a first air passage 15 is provided on the steering knuckle 11, and a second air passage 16 is provided on the wheel hub 12. The rotary oil and gas seal device 3 is sealed in the annular cavity 14, and the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 includes an annular spacer 31 and oil and gas seals 32 located on both sides of the annular spacer 31. A third air passage 33 connecting the first air passage 15 and the second air passage 16 is provided on the annular spacer 31.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present application, an annular cavity 14 for accommodating the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 is formed between the end of the wheel hub 12 close to the wheel hub inner bearing 13 and the steering knuckle 11, and the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 is sealed in the annular cavity 14. First, the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 is arranged at the end of the wheel hub 12 close to the wheel hub inner bearing 13, which can avoid major changes to the wheel hub outer bearing and the wheel hub inner bearing 13, and effectively solve the problem that there is insufficient space between the bearings and the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 cannot be arranged.

[0064] Second, the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 is arranged at one end of the wheel hub 12 close to the wheel hub inner bearing 13. While the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 can be configured, the dust ring on the outer side of the original wheel hub inner bearing is cancelled. The dust ring on the outer side of the original wheel hub inner bearing is replaced with the rotary oil and gas seal device 3. The rotary oil and gas seal device 3 can be dustproof and waterproof, preventing external dust or water from entering the inner hole of the wheel hub 12 to contaminate the grease, and can also seal the grease in the inner hole of the wheel hub 12, so that the grease can reliably lubricate the wheel hub outer bearing and the wheel hub inner bearing 13.

[0065] The rotating oil-gas seal device 3 can also act as a rotating oil-gas seal for inflating and deflation of the tire 7, which reduces the use cost and adds the function of a rotating air chamber. When the tire pressure of the tire 7 needs to be controlled, the rotating oil-gas seal device 3 is used to connect the tire 7 and the air source 6 through the wheel side valve assembly 4 and the control valve assembly 5 to inflate the tire 7, and can also deflate the tire 7, so that the tire 7 runs under a suitable tire pressure environment.

[0066] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, in which an annular end cover 34 for axially positioning the rotary oil and gas sealing device 3 in the annular cavity 14 is detachably connected to the end face of the wheel hub 12 near the inner bearing 13 of the wheel hub, and the annular end cover 34 surrounds the outer circumference of the steering knuckle 11 and rotates synchronously with the wheel hub 12. A plurality of mounting holes are provided on the circumference of the annular end cover 34, and a plurality of threaded holes are provided on the circumference of the end face of the wheel hub 12 near the inner bearing 13 of the wheel hub.

[0067] The annular end cover 34 of the embodiment of the present application is detachably connected to the wheel hub 12 by means of hexagon socket screws or countersunk screws. One end of the annular end cover 34 close to the wheel hub 12 contacts one of the oil and gas seals 32, and the other oil and gas seal 32 contacts the inner end surface of the wheel hub 12. When the annular end cover 34 is pressed against one of the oil and gas seals 32, the two oil and gas seals 32 and an annular spacer 31 can be axially positioned in the annular cavity 14, so that the third air passage 33 can reliably connect the first air passage 15 and the second air passage 16.

[0068] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system, wherein the inner diameter of the rotating oil and gas seal device 3 of the tire inflation and deflation system is larger than the outer diameter of the wheel hub inner bearing 13. The rotating oil and gas seal device 3 surrounds the outer circumference of the wheel hub inner bearing 13 in the annular cavity 14, and the rotating oil and gas seal device 3 at the outer circumference of the wheel hub inner bearing 13 at least partially overlaps with the wheel hub inner bearing 13 in the radial direction or does not overlap with each other. The rotating oil and gas seal device 3 and the wheel hub inner bearing 13 are coaxially arranged.

[0069] The steering knuckle 11 comprises a steering knuckle shaft seat 11a and a steering knuckle shaft head 11b which are fixedly connected to each other. The wheel hub 12 is rotatably connected to the steering knuckle shaft head 11b. An annular groove 12a with an opening facing the steering knuckle shaft seat 11a is provided at one end of the wheel hub 12 near the wheel hub inner bearing 13. An annular flange 11c with one end extending into the annular groove 12a is provided on the steering knuckle shaft seat 11a near the wheel hub 12. An annular cavity 14 for accommodating the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 is formed between the annular flange 11c and the annular groove 12a.

[0070] In order to reduce the axial space occupied by the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 in the steering knuckle 11, the embodiment of the present application realizes that the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 is at least partially overlapped with the wheel hub inner bearing 13 in the radial direction at the outer periphery of the wheel hub inner bearing 13. An annular groove 12a with an opening toward the steering knuckle shaft seat 11a is provided at one end of the wheel hub 12 close to the wheel hub inner bearing 13, and an annular flange 11c with one end extending into the annular groove 12a is provided on the steering knuckle shaft seat 11a close to the wheel hub 12, so that the rotary oil and gas seal device 3 can be installed in the annular cavity 14 formed between the annular flange 11c and the annular groove 12a to accommodate the rotary oil and gas seal device 3.

[0071] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a second aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a method for controlling a tire inflation and deflation system, the method using the tire inflation and deflation system described in any of the above embodiments, the method comprising:

[0072] Step 101, inflate the tire 7. After the master control solenoid valve 53 is powered on, the master control relay valve 54 opens the common airway 8. After the first solenoid valve 51 is powered on, the first relay valve 52 is controlled to be actuated and then opened. The compressed gas in the air source 6 flows through the common airway 8, the first relay valve 52, and the rotary oil-gas sealing device 3 in sequence, and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42, and then enters the tire 7 to inflate the tire 7.

[0073] Step 102, maintaining the pressure of the tire 7. After the tire 7 is inflated, the master control solenoid valve 53 and the first solenoid valve 51 are both powered off. After the master control relay valve 54 and the first relay valve 52 are automatically reset, the master control relay valve 54 and the first relay valve 52 quickly discharge the compressed gas in the common airway 8 to the atmosphere, and the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 is automatically reset and then quickly closed to maintain the pressure of the tire 7.

[0074] Step 103, measure the pressure of the tire 7. After the tire 7 is inflated, the main control solenoid valve 53 is powered off. After the air pressure in the tire 7 is balanced with the air pressure of the compressed gas in the common airway 8, the ECU controller 2 is used to control the pressure sensor 59 to detect the pressure of the compressed gas in the common airway 8, and the pressure value is fed back to the display instrument 1 for display.

[0075] Step 104, deflate the tire 7, control the master control solenoid valve 53 to be powered on, the master control relay valve 54 to open the common airway 8, and control the first relay valve 52 to be actuated and opened after the first solenoid valve 51 is powered on; the compressed gas in the air source 6 flows through the common airway 8, the first relay valve 52, the rotary oil-gas seal device 3, and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 to enter the tire 7;

[0076] The main control solenoid valve 53 is controlled to cut off the power to control the main control relay valve 54 to close the common airway 8, and at the same time, the second solenoid valve 55 is opened to control the second relay valve 56 to open, and the gas in the tire 7 flows through the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42, the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41, the overflow valve 57, and the muffler 58 in sequence to be discharged into the atmosphere.

[0077] How it works

[0078] The embodiment of the present application provides a tire inflation and deflation system and control method. Since the tire inflation and deflation system of the present application is provided with a control valve assembly 5, the control valve assembly 5 includes a pilot air channel 10 and a common air channel 8 connected to an air source 6, the common air channel 8 is connected to a first relay valve 52 for controlling the inflation and deflation of tires 7 at each wheel position, and the pilot air channel 10 is connected to a first solenoid valve 51 for controlling the action of the first relay valve 52; a wheel end assembly, the wheel end assembly includes a rotating oil and gas seal device 3 connected to the first relay valve 52, and a wheel side valve assembly 4 connecting the rotating oil and gas seal device 3 with the tire 7, the wheel side valve assembly 4 includes a normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and a self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 that are connected to each other.

[0079] Therefore, the function of the control valve assembly 5 of the tire inflation and deflation system of the present application is to connect the air passage between the tire 7 and the air source 6 during inflation and deflation, so that the compressed gas of the air source 6 can flow to the tire 7 to achieve tire inflation; when deflation, the air passage between the tire 7 and the relief valve 57 is connected, and the gas of the tire 7 is connected to the atmosphere to achieve tire 7 deflation. When the inflation and deflation action is completed, the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 are quickly closed to achieve the function of locking and maintaining pressure on the tire 7.

[0080] The first relay valve 52 of the control valve assembly 5 serves as an inflation valve for inflating the tire 7, a deflation valve for deflation of the tire 7, and a quick release valve for maintaining pressure on the tire 7. The normally closed air-open diaphragm valve 41 and the self-returning one-way throttle valve 42 cooperate with each other to achieve the actions of inflating, maintaining pressure, measuring pressure and deflation of the tire 7, and there is no need to arrange a power harness, thereby reducing assembly difficulty and use cost.

[0081] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a connection between the two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0082] It should be noted that, in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0083] The above description is only a specific implementation of the present application, so that those skilled in the art can understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest range consistent with the principles and novel features applied for herein.

Claims

1. A tire inflation and deflation system, characterized in that: include: A control valve assembly (5), the control valve assembly (5) comprising a pilot air passage (10) connected to an air source (6) and a common air passage (8), the common air passage (8) being connected to a first relay valve (52) for controlling the inflation and deflation of tires (7) at each wheel position, the pilot air passage (10) being connected to a first solenoid valve (51) for controlling the operation of the first relay valve (52); A wheel end assembly, the wheel end assembly comprising a rotary oil-gas seal device (3) connected to the first relay valve (52), and a wheel side valve assembly (4) connecting the rotary oil-gas seal device (3) with the tire (7), the wheel side valve assembly (4) comprising a normally closed air-open diaphragm valve (41) and a self-returning one-way throttle valve (42) connected to each other.

2. A tire inflation and deflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control valve assembly (5) further comprises a master control relay valve (54) connected upstream of the common air channel (8) for controlling the on and off of the common air channel (8), and a master control solenoid valve (53) connected to the pilot air channel (10) for controlling the action of the master control relay valve (54).

3. A tire inflation and deflation system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The control valve assembly (5) further comprises a pressure sensor (59) for measuring the gas pressure in the common airway (8); the pressure sensor (59) is connected to an ECU controller (2); the ECU controller (2) is connected to a display instrument (1); and the master control solenoid valve (53) and the first solenoid valve (51) are both electrically connected to the ECU controller (2).

4. A tire inflation and deflation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control valve assembly (5) further comprises a second relay valve (56) connected to the common air passage (8), and a second solenoid valve (55) connected to the pilot air passage (10) for controlling the operation of the second relay valve (56), wherein the second relay valve (56) is connected to a relief valve (57) and a muffler (58).

5. A tire inflation and deflation system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The second relay valve (56) comprises an air intake control port connected to the second solenoid valve (55) via a control pipeline, an air intake port connected to the common airway (8), an air outlet connected to the overflow valve (57), and an air exhaust port connected to the atmosphere.

6. A tire inflation and deflation system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The first relay valve (52) comprises an air intake control port connected to the first solenoid valve (51) via a control pipeline, an air intake port connected to the common air channel (8), an air outlet connected to the rotary oil-gas seal device (3) and the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve (41), and an air exhaust port connected to the atmosphere.

7. A tire inflation and deflation system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The self-returning one-way throttle valve (42) comprises a throttle valve and a self-returning one-way valve which are arranged in parallel. A self-returning spring is arranged inside the self-returning one-way valve, and the self-returning spring is used to open the self-returning one-way valve.

8. A tire inflation and deflation system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The wheel end assembly also includes an axle, and a wheel hub (12) rotatably connected to the axle via a wheel hub inner bearing (13) and a wheel hub outer bearing, a wheel rim and a tire (7) being connected to the wheel hub (12), and the rotary oil-gas sealing device (3) being sealingly connected between the axle and the wheel hub (12).

9. A tire inflation and deflation system as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: An annular cavity (14) is formed between one end of the wheel hub (12) close to the wheel hub inner bearing (13) and the axle, a first air passage (15) is provided on the axle, and a second air passage (16) is provided on the wheel hub (12); The rotating oil and gas sealing device (3) is sealed in the annular cavity (14), and the rotating oil and gas sealing device (3) comprises an annular spacer (31) and oil and gas seals (32) located on both sides of the annular spacer (31); The annular spacer (31) is provided with a third air passage (33) which is in communication with the first air passage (15) and the second air passage (16).

10. A method for controlling a tire inflation and deflation system, characterized in that: The method uses the tire inflation and deflation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the method comprises: When the tire (7) is inflated, after the master control solenoid valve (53) is powered on, the master control relay valve (54) opens the common air passage (8), and after the first solenoid valve (51) is powered on, the first relay valve (52) is controlled to be actuated and then opened, and the compressed gas in the air source (6) flows sequentially through the common air passage (8), the first relay valve (52), the rotary oil-gas seal device (3), and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve (41) and the self-returning one-way throttle valve (42), and then enters the tire (7) to inflate the tire (7); The tire (7) is pressure-maintained. After the tire (7) is inflated, the master control solenoid valve (53) and the first solenoid valve (51) are both powered off. After the master control relay valve (54) and the first relay valve (52) are automatically reset, the master control relay valve (54) and the first relay valve (52) quickly discharge the compressed gas in the common air passage (8) to the atmosphere. After the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve (41) is automatically reset, it is quickly closed and the tire (7) is pressure-maintained. The tire (7) is pressure-measured. After the tire (7) is inflated, the main control solenoid valve (53) is powered off. After the air pressure in the tire (7) is balanced with the air pressure of the compressed gas in the common air passage (8), the ECU controller (2) controls the pressure sensor (59) to detect the pressure of the compressed gas in the common air passage (8), and feeds the pressure back to the display instrument (1) for display; When the tire (7) is deflated, the master control solenoid valve (53) is powered on, and the master control relay valve (54) opens the common air passage (8). When the first solenoid valve (51) is powered on, the first relay valve (52) is controlled to be actuated and then opened. The compressed gas in the air source (6) flows sequentially through the common air passage (8), the first relay valve (52), the rotary oil-gas seal device (3), and then pushes open the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve (41) and the self-returning one-way throttle valve (42) before entering the tire (7). The main control solenoid valve (53) is controlled to be powered off to control the main control relay valve (54) to close the common airway (8), and at the same time, the second solenoid valve (55) is opened to control the second relay valve (56) to be opened, and the gas in the tire (7) flows through the self-returning one-way throttle valve (42), the normally closed air-open diaphragm valve (41), the overflow valve (57), and the muffler (58) in sequence to be discharged into the atmosphere.

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