Automatic tire air supply system

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic tire air supply system which comprises a hub, a hub bearing and a steering knuckle, the hub is installed on the steering knuckle through the hub bearing, the hub bearing comprises a bearing inner ring, a bearing outer ring and a rolling body, two sealing rings are arranged between the bearing inner ring and the bearing outer ring, an air chamber is formed between the two sealing rings, and the rolling body is arranged in the air chamber. An air inlet structure is arranged on the bearing outer ring, air outlet structures are arranged on the bearing inner ring and the hub, and the air outlet structures are connected with a tire valve through first air pipes. According to the invention, the tires can be automatically supplemented during the running of the vehicle, the tire pressure of the vehicle tires is always in a set value range, and the driving safety is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an air inflation system, and more particularly to an automatic tire inflation system. Background Technology

[0002] In the existing technology, when a car tire pressure is low, the vehicle will issue a low tire pressure warning, and the driver must use an external air inflator to inflate the tires while the vehicle is parked.

[0003] When a car's tires are underinflated while driving, or even leaking air rapidly, it's impossible to immediately inflate them. Insufficient tire pressure while driving can easily lead to steering failure, skidding, or even tire blowouts, compromising driving safety. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a system that can inflate tires while the vehicle is in motion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic tire inflation system to solve the technical problems in the prior art. It can automatically inflate tires while the vehicle is in motion, ensuring that the tire pressure is always within the set range and guaranteeing driving safety.

[0005] This invention provides an automatic tire inflation system, including a wheel hub, a wheel hub bearing, and a steering knuckle. The wheel hub is mounted on the steering knuckle via the wheel hub bearing. The wheel hub bearing includes an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring, and rolling elements. Two sealing rings are provided between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring, forming an air chamber between the two sealing rings. An air intake structure is provided on the outer bearing ring, and air outlet structures are provided on the inner bearing ring and the wheel hub. The air outlet structure is connected to the tire valve via a first air pipe.

[0006] In the aforementioned automatic tire inflation system, preferably, the two sealing rings have identical structures. Each sealing ring includes an mounting part and a sealing part. Two sealing ring mounting grooves are formed on the inner ring surface of the outer ring of the bearing. The mounting parts of the two sealing rings are respectively installed in the two sealing ring mounting grooves. The cross-sectional shape of the sealing part is hook-shaped, and a metal ring is embedded on the inner wall of the end of the sealing part that abuts against the inner ring of the bearing.

[0007] In the aforementioned automatic tire inflation system, preferably, the air intake structure includes an air intake passage and a second air pipe. The air intake passage is provided on the outer ring of the bearing and is connected to the air chamber. One end of the second air pipe is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the bearing and is connected to the air intake passage. The other end of the second air pipe is connected to the vehicle's air tank.

[0008] In the aforementioned automatic tire inflation system, preferably, a pipe clamp is fixed on the outer wall of the steering knuckle, and the second air pipe is fixed to the outer wall of the steering knuckle through the pipe clamp.

[0009] In the aforementioned automatic tire inflation system, preferably, the air outlet structure includes a ball valve mounting hole, a ball valve mounting groove, a ball valve, and a one-way valve. The inner ring of the bearing has a ball valve mounting hole, and the wheel hub has a ball valve mounting groove. The ball valve mounting hole and the ball valve mounting groove are connected, and the diameters of the ball valve mounting hole and the ball valve mounting groove are equal and coaxial. The ball valve is installed in both the ball valve mounting hole and the ball valve mounting groove. The wheel hub also has a hub air passage extending axially along the hub. The air outlet of the ball valve communicates with one end of the hub air passage, and the other end of the hub air passage is connected to the one-way valve, which is connected to one end of the first air pipe.

[0010] In the aforementioned automatic tire inflation system, preferably, the ball valve includes a valve body, a valve seat, a valve stem, a valve ball, and a spring. One end of the valve body located in the ball valve mounting groove has a through hole, and the valve seat is installed at the other end of the valve body located in the ball valve mounting hole. One end of the valve stem is inserted into the through hole, and the other end of the valve stem is fixedly connected to the valve ball. The valve seat has an air inlet and a sealing spherical surface.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention improves the wheel hub bearing and wheel hub, inflates the air chamber through the air intake structure, and delivers the gas to the tire through the air outlet structure and the first air pipe, so that the tire can be inflated while the vehicle is in motion, keeping the tire pressure within a safe range and effectively improving the safety of vehicle driving. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the half-section structure of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged view of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing ring in this invention;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the ball valve in this invention.

[0016] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Hub; 2. Hub bearing; 3. Steering knuckle; 4. Inner bearing ring; 5. Outer bearing ring; 6. Rolling element; 7. Sealing ring; 8. Air chamber; 9. First air pipe; 10. Mounting part; 11. Sealing part; 12. Sealing ring mounting groove; 13. Air inlet; 14. Second air pipe; 15. Pipe clamp; 16. Ball valve mounting hole; 17. Ball valve mounting groove; 18. Ball valve; 19. Check valve; 20. Hub air passage; 21. Valve body; 22. Valve seat; 23. Valve stem; 24. Valve ball; 25. Spring; 26. Through hole; 27. Air inlet; 28. Sealing spherical surface; 29. ​​Metal ring. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention: such as Figures 1-4 As shown, an automatic tire inflation system includes a wheel hub 1, a wheel hub bearing 2, and a steering knuckle 3. The wheel hub 1 is mounted on the steering knuckle 3 via the wheel hub bearing 2. The wheel hub bearing 2 includes an inner bearing ring 4, an outer bearing ring 5, and rolling elements 6. Two sealing rings 7 are provided between the inner bearing ring 4 and the outer bearing ring 5, forming an air chamber 8 between the two sealing rings 7. An air intake structure is provided on the outer bearing ring 5, and an air outlet structure is provided on the inner bearing ring 4 and the wheel hub 1. The air outlet structure is connected to the tire valve via a first air pipe 9.

[0019] In this embodiment, the rolling element 6 is a steel ball, the inner ring 4 of the bearing is fitted onto the hub 1 with an interference fit, and the outer ring 5 of the bearing is installed in the mounting hole on the steering knuckle 3 with an interference fit. The lengths of the outer ring 5 and the inner ring 4 are longer than those of a traditional hub bearing, thus ensuring sufficient space for the installation of the sealing ring 7.

[0020] Furthermore, the two sealing rings 7 have the same structure. Both sealing rings 7 include a mounting part 10 and a sealing part 11. Two sealing ring mounting grooves 12 are opened on the inner ring surface of the outer ring 5 of the bearing. The mounting parts 10 of the two sealing rings 7 are respectively installed in the two sealing ring mounting grooves 12. The cross-sectional shape of the sealing part 11 is hook-shaped, and a metal ring 29 is embedded on the inner wall of the end of the sealing part 11 that abuts against the inner ring 4 of the bearing.

[0021] Two sealing rings 7 are arranged opposite each other, and the two sealing rings 7 together with the inner ring 4 and the outer ring 5 of the bearing form an air chamber 8. The cross-sectional shape of the sealing part 11 is designed as a hook shape. The advantage of this design is that the greater the air pressure in the air chamber 8, the tighter the free ends of the two sealing rings 7 are pressed against the inner ring surface of the outer ring 5 of the bearing, so as to ensure that the air chamber 8 still has good airtightness when the inner ring 4 and the outer ring 5 of the bearing move relative to each other.

[0022] The function of the metal ring 29 is to press the free end of the sealing part 11 tightly onto the outer ring 5 of the bearing.

[0023] Furthermore, the air intake structure includes an air intake duct 13 and a second air pipe 14. An air intake duct 13 is provided on the outer ring 5 of the bearing. The air intake duct 13 is connected to the air chamber 8. One end of the second air pipe 14 is fixedly connected to the outer ring 5 of the bearing and is connected to the air intake duct 13. The other end of the second air pipe 14 is connected to the vehicle's air storage tank.

[0024] The vehicle's air tank is used to store compressed gas. After the vehicle starts, the air pump on the vehicle inflates the air tank to bring the air pressure inside the tank to a preset value. The air tank and air pump are existing structures on the vehicle, and their working principles will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0025] Furthermore, a pipe clamp 15 is fixed to the outer wall of the steering knuckle 3, and the second air pipe 14 is fixed to the outer wall of the steering knuckle 3 by the pipe clamp 15. Fixing the second air pipe 14 by the pipe clamp 15 can effectively prevent the second air pipe 14 from shaking randomly during vehicle operation, prevent its damage, and play a role in protecting the second air pipe 14.

[0026] Furthermore, the air outlet structure includes a ball valve mounting hole 16, a ball valve mounting groove 17, a ball valve 18, and a one-way valve 19. A ball valve mounting hole 16 is provided on the inner ring 4 of the bearing, and a ball valve mounting groove 17 is provided on the hub 1. The ball valve mounting hole 16 is connected to the ball valve mounting groove 17. The diameters of the ball valve mounting hole 16 and the ball valve mounting groove 17 are equal and coaxial. The ball valve 18 is installed in the ball valve mounting hole 16 and the ball valve mounting groove 17. A hub air passage 20 extending along the hub axis is also provided on the hub 1. The air outlet of the ball valve 18 is connected to one end of the hub air passage 20. The other end of the hub air passage 20 is connected to a one-way valve 19. The one-way valve 19 is connected to one end of the first air pipe 9.

[0027] The ball valve mounting hole 16 and the ball valve mounting groove 17 together form the mounting space for the ball valve 18. In this embodiment, the wall of the ball valve mounting hole 16 is smooth, the ball valve mounting groove 17 has threads, and the outer wall of the ball valve 18 has threads, allowing the ball valve 18 to be threadedly connected to the ball valve mounting groove 17. This effectively prevents the ball valve 18 from coming out of the mounting space. The check valve 19 is a commercially available product and can be purchased directly.

[0028] Furthermore, the ball valve 18 includes a valve body 21, a valve seat 22, a valve stem 23, a valve ball 24, and a spring 25. One end of the valve body 21 located in the ball valve mounting groove 17 has a through hole 26, and the other end of the valve body 21 located in the ball valve mounting hole 16 has a valve seat 22 installed. One end of the valve stem 23 is inserted into the through hole 26, and the other end of the valve stem 23 is fixedly connected to the valve ball 24. The valve seat 22 has an air inlet hole 27 and a sealing spherical surface 28.

[0029] The diameter of the valve ball 24 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the valve body 21. When the valve ball 24 is tightly fitted with the sealing ball surface 28 on the valve seat 22, it completes the sealing of the air inlet 27. There is a certain distance between the end of the valve body 21 with the through hole 26 and the bottom of the ball valve mounting groove 17, leaving enough space for the movement of the valve stem 23.

[0030] The working principle of this invention is as follows: The air replenishment system controller obtains the air pressure inside the air tank from the air pressure sensor inside the air tank. When the air pressure is lower than a set threshold, the air replenishment system controller controls the air pump to inflate the air tank until the air pressure inside the air tank reaches the threshold. If the air pressure inside the air tank is too high, air overflows from the unloading valve inside the air tank. This control system can ensure a constant air pressure inside the air tank, where the constant air pressure value is X, the standard tire pressure is Y, X > Y, and the difference is Z = XY. Both the air replenishment system controller and the air pressure sensor are existing products and can be purchased directly.

[0031] The spring force of spring 25 is selected according to the tire pressure value so that the opening pressure of ball valve 18 is slightly greater than Z. The ball valve will only open when the pressure difference between the air inlet and outlet of ball valve 18 is greater than Z.

[0032] When the tire pressure is sufficient, the air pressure in air chamber 8 is equal to the air pressure X in the air reservoir, and the air pressure at the outlet of ball valve 18 is the standard tire pressure Y. The pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the ball valve is XY=Z. Since the opening condition for ball valve 18 is not met, ball valve 18 is closed. The air pressure at the inlet of check valve 19 is equal to the air pressure Y at the outlet of ball valve 18, and the air pressure at the outlet of check valve 19 is the standard tire pressure Y. Since the air pressures at the inlet and outlet of check valve 19 are the same, the opening condition is not met, and check valve 19 is closed.

[0033] When the tire pressure is insufficient, the air pressure at the outlet of the one-way valve 19 is lower than the air pressure Y at the inlet. The one-way valve 19 opens, and air from the hub air passage 20 enters the tire through the one-way valve 19. This causes the air pressure at the outlet of the ball valve 18 to be lower than Y, and the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the ball valve 18 becomes greater than Z. The ball valve meets the opening condition, and the gas pushes the valve ball 24 to move. The valve ball 24 moves and separates from the sealing ball surface 28 on the valve seat 22. At this time, the spring 25 is compressed, and the ball valve 18 opens. Air from the air tank enters the tire through the second air pipe 14, air chamber 8, ball valve 18, hub air passage 20, one-way valve 19, and first air pipe 9. The tire pressure gradually increases until it reaches the standard tire pressure Y. At this point, the one-way valve 19 and ball valve 18 close, and the system returns to its initial state.

[0034] The one-way valve 19 and the ball valve 18 are redundant to ensure that air can only flow from the air tank end to the tire end and cannot flow in the opposite direction. This avoids the situation where, during the inflation process, if the air pressure at the air tank end is too low, the air inside the tire will be directly connected to the air passage at the air tank end, causing the tire to leak air quickly and resulting in a driving hazard.

[0035] Ball valve 18 will only open when the air pressure at the inlet end minus the air pressure at the outlet end is greater than Z. When the tire pressure is greater than X, the pressure difference between the two ends of ball valve 18 is less than Z, and ball valve 18 will automatically close, ensuring that the tire is not over-inflated and that driving danger is not caused by excessive tire pressure.

[0036] The above description, based on the embodiments shown in the figures, details the structure, features, and effects of the present invention. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of implementation shown in the figures. Any changes made in accordance with the concept of the present invention, or equivalent embodiments modified to have equivalent changes, that do not exceed the spirit covered by the specification and figures, should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic tire inflation system, comprising a wheel hub (1), a wheel hub bearing (2), and a steering knuckle (3), characterized in that: The wheel hub (1) is mounted on the steering knuckle (3) via the wheel hub bearing (2). The wheel hub bearing (2) includes an inner bearing ring (4), an outer bearing ring (5), and rolling elements (6). Two sealing rings (7) are provided between the inner bearing ring (4) and the outer bearing ring (5), forming an air chamber (8) between the two sealing rings (7). An air intake structure is provided on the outer bearing ring (5), and an air outlet structure is provided on the inner bearing ring (4) and the wheel hub (1). The air outlet structure is connected to the tire valve via a first air pipe (9).

2. The automatic tire inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two sealing rings (7) have the same structure. The sealing ring (7) includes an installation part (10) and a sealing part (11). Two sealing ring installation grooves (12) are opened on the inner ring surface of the outer ring (5) of the bearing. The installation parts (10) of the two sealing rings (7) are respectively installed in the two sealing ring installation grooves (12). The cross-sectional shape of the sealing part (11) is hook-shaped, and a metal ring (29) is embedded on the inner wall of the end of the sealing part (11) that abuts against the inner ring (4) of the bearing.

3. The automatic tire inflation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air intake structure includes an air intake passage (13) and a second air pipe (14). The air intake passage (13) is provided on the outer ring (5) of the bearing. The air intake passage (13) is connected to the air chamber (8). One end of the second air pipe (14) is fixedly connected to the outer ring (5) of the bearing and is connected to the air intake passage (13). The other end of the second air pipe (14) is connected to the vehicle air tank.

4. The automatic tire inflation system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A pipe clamp (15) is fixed on the outer wall of the steering knuckle (3), and the second air pipe (14) is fixed on the outer wall of the steering knuckle (3) through the pipe clamp (15).

5. The automatic tire inflation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air outlet structure includes a ball valve mounting hole (16), a ball valve mounting groove (17), a ball valve (18), and a one-way valve (19). The inner ring (4) of the bearing has a ball valve mounting hole (16), and the hub (1) has a ball valve mounting groove (17). The ball valve mounting hole (16) is connected to the ball valve mounting groove (17). The diameter of the ball valve mounting hole (16) and the ball valve mounting groove (17) are equal and coaxial. The ball valve (18) is installed in the ball valve mounting hole (16) and the ball valve mounting groove (17). The hub (1) also has a hub air passage (20) extending along the hub axis. The air outlet of the ball valve (18) is connected to one end of the hub air passage (20). The other end of the hub air passage (20) is connected to the one-way valve (19). The one-way valve (19) is connected to one end of the first air pipe (9).

6. The automatic tire inflation system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ball valve (18) includes a valve body (21), a valve seat (22), a valve stem (23), a valve ball (24), and a spring (25). The valve body (21) has a through hole (26) at one end located in the ball valve mounting groove (17). The valve seat (22) is installed at the other end of the valve body (21) located in the ball valve mounting hole (16). One end of the valve stem (23) is inserted into the through hole (26), and the other end of the valve stem (23) is fixedly connected to the valve ball (24). The valve seat (22) has an air inlet (27) and a sealing spherical surface (28).

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