Induction power generation type external charging and discharging gas hub bearing assembly

Abstract

The application discloses an inductive power generation type external air charging and discharging hub bearing assembly, which comprises an outer flange and an inner flange, the outer flange and the inner flange are provided with an air charging and discharging device at the outer circumferential side, the air charging and discharging device comprises a rotary sealing assembly and an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe connected to the two ends of the rotary sealing assembly respectively, one side of the air outlet pipe is provided with a control valve for controlling whether the air source is communicated with the inside of the tire, and the air charging and discharging device further comprises a self-power generation assembly, the self-power generation assembly supplies power for the control valve when the outer flange and the inner flange relatively rotate. The application has the beneficial effects that: the self-power generation assembly is integrated in the air charging and discharging device, the relative rotation of the inner and outer flanges of the hub bearing is directly utilized to provide working power for the control valve, external power supply wire harness does not need to be led out from the vehicle chassis or the axle side, the wiring structure of the wheel end is greatly simplified, the interference between the power supply wire harness and the surrounding rotating and fixed components is avoided, and the application is suitable for the cramped installation space of the wheel end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wheel hub bearing, and more particularly to an induction-generated externally charged / discharged wheel hub bearing assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In applications such as special vehicles, military vehicles, and high-end off-road vehicles where tire pressure needs to be adjusted in real time according to road conditions, wheel bearing units with inflation and deflation functions are increasingly being used. These wheel bearing assemblies integrate gas flow channels and are connected to a rotary seal assembly and an external air source. During use, when tire pressure needs to be changed, the control system issues a command, the control valve opens, and compressed gas enters the tire through the air inlet, internal air passage, and rotary seal structure mounted on the wheel bearing assembly to inflate it. When deflation is needed, the control valve switches its state, allowing the gas inside the tire to escape along the reverse path, thus achieving real-time tire pressure adjustment whether the vehicle is in motion or parked.

[0003] Existing wheel bearing assemblies with inflation / deflation functions typically require a control valve to switch the airflow direction and control its on / off state. These control valves often employ solenoid valves, known for their fast response and high control precision. In current technology, these solenoid valves generally rely on an external power source, requiring a power harness to be routed from the vehicle chassis or axle, and a separate power supply module for the solenoid valve. However, wheel bearing assemblies are installed at the wheel ends of vehicles in extremely confined spaces and are subjected to harsh conditions such as severe vibration, mud and water splashes, and alternating high and low temperatures. Using an external power supply significantly increases structural complexity and space requirements due to the fixing and arrangement of the power harness and module, making it prone to interference with surrounding components. Furthermore, the additional external connection points compromise the original overall sealing of the wheel bearing assembly, greatly increasing the risk of electrical faults caused by mud and water intrusion, thus reducing system reliability. Therefore, effectively reducing the size of the power supply device and integrating it compactly within the limited space of the wheel bearing assembly, while ensuring functionality and avoiding negative impacts on external installation space and sealing performance, is a critical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an induction-generated externally mounted air-filled wheel hub bearing assembly that solves the problem of low reliability of external power supply for wheel end air-filling and air-discharging control valves.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: an induction-generated external inflation / deflation wheel hub bearing assembly, comprising an outer flange and an inner flange that can rotate relative to each other, an inflation / deflation device provided on the outer periphery of the outer flange and the inner flange, the inflation / deflation device comprising a rotary sealing assembly and an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe respectively connected to both ends of the rotary sealing assembly, the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe respectively communicating with an air source and the interior of the tire, a control valve for controlling whether the air source and the interior of the tire are connected is provided on one side of the air outlet pipe, the inflation / deflation device further comprising a self-generating component, the self-generating component supplying power to the control valve in a contactless manner when the outer flange and the inner flange rotate relative to each other.

[0006] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This solution integrates a self-generating component into the inflation / deflation device, directly utilizing the relative rotation of the inner and outer flanges of the wheel hub bearing to provide operating power to the control valve. This eliminates the need for external power supply harnesses from the vehicle chassis or axle side, significantly simplifying the wheel-end wiring structure and preventing interference between the power supply harness and surrounding rotating or fixed components, thus adapting to the limited installation space at the wheel end. Simultaneously, the elimination of wiring connection points required for external power supply does not compromise the original overall sealing performance of the wheel hub bearing assembly, reducing the probability of electrical faults caused by mud, water, and dust intrusion, and effectively improving system reliability under harsh operating conditions such as vibration, mud splashes, and alternating high and low temperatures. The integrated arrangement of the self-generating component and the inflation / deflation device results in a compact overall structure, eliminating the need for an additional independent power supply module, reducing the number of parts and assembly processes, and lowering the costs of mass production and subsequent maintenance. As a preferred embodiment, the self-generating component employs an electromagnetic induction power generation structure, including a stator component fixed to the outer flange and a rotor component that rotates synchronously with the inner flange. Energy conversion is achieved through magnetic field coupling when the inner and outer flanges rotate relative to each other, directly providing operating power to the control valve. As another preferred approach, the self-generating component is equipped with a micro energy storage element, which stores surplus energy during the power generation process. Even when the wheels are stationary, it can still provide power to the control valve for a short period of time to meet the instantaneous power supply requirements for tire pressure regulation.

[0007] Furthermore, the self-generating component is disposed on the outer periphery of the rotary sealing component, which is located at the connection between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The rotary sealing component includes a dynamic sealing ring and a static sealing ring that can rotate relative to each other. The dynamic sealing ring and the static sealing ring form a contact seal to prevent air leakage at the connection between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The self-generating component supplies power to the control valve when the dynamic sealing ring and the static sealing ring rotate relative to each other.

[0008] Integrating the self-generating component onto the outer periphery of the rotary seal assembly allows for direct reuse of the existing stable relative rotating pair between the dynamic and static sealing rings as the power generation drive structure. This eliminates the need for additional independent rotating fit structures on the inner and outer flanges, further simplifying the overall structure while ensuring coaxiality between the power generation component and the gas path sealing structure, thus improving the stability of power generation operation. This structure fully utilizes the annular unused space on the outer periphery of the rotary seal assembly, eliminating the need for additional axial installation space at the wheel end. This further adapts to the confined assembly environment at the wheel end. Furthermore, the rotary seal assembly itself is dustproof and waterproof, providing basic protection for the inner self-generating component, reducing the corrosive impact of mud and water splashes on the component, and extending its service life. As a preferred method, the fixed part of the self-generating component is interference-fitted to the outer periphery of the static sealing ring, while the rotating part is synchronously connected to the outer periphery of the dynamic sealing ring. Precise coaxial assembly is achieved using the original radial positioning reference of the sealing ring, eliminating the need for additional positioning structures. As another preferred approach, an annular protective shell is added to the outside of the self-generating component. The two ends of the protective shell form a clearance fit with the fixed structure on the static sealing ring and dynamic sealing ring sides, respectively, to further prevent mud, sand and oil from entering the gap of the generating component.

[0009] Furthermore, the self-generating component includes a permanent magnet stator and a magnetic coil rotor, which are fixed to a static sealing ring and a dynamic sealing ring, respectively.

[0010] This electromagnetic induction power generation structure, employing a permanent magnet stator and a magnetic coil rotor, achieves energy conversion through magnetic field induction. During power generation, there is no mechanical contact between the two components, eliminating common problems in contact-type power supply structures such as friction wear, contact oxidation, carbon buildup, and loosening. This significantly extends the lifespan and operational stability of the power supply structure. Power generation is directly achieved through the relative rotation of the sealing ring, resulting in a short energy conversion path, timely power supply response, and no need for additional transmission components. This leads to higher structural integration and adaptability to confined installation spaces at wheel ends. This contactless power generation structure is not limited by rotation angle and can continuously and stably output electrical energy during 360° rotation of the wheel hub, ensuring continuous power supply to the control valve under all operating conditions. As a preferred approach, the permanent magnet stator uses a ring-shaped high-energy-product permanent magnet material arranged in a continuous loop on the side of the static sealing ring, forming a uniform and stable ring-shaped constant magnetic field. The magnetic coil rotor consists of multiple sets of regularly wound copper coils that continuously cut the magnetic field lines and generate a stable induced electromotive force as it rotates synchronously with the moving sealing ring. As another preferred method, a uniform, minute gap is reserved between the permanent magnet stator and the magnetic coil rotor, with no mechanical contact throughout the process. Energy is transferred only through magnetic field coupling, which can adapt to the complex driving conditions of high-speed rotation and severe bumps in vehicles.

[0011] Furthermore, the permanent magnet stator and the magnetic coil rotor are respectively embedded on the outer periphery of the static sealing ring and the dynamic sealing ring and are arranged in a corresponding manner.

[0012] Embedding the permanent magnet stator and magnetic coil rotor on the outer periphery of the sealing ring fully utilizes the annular installation space around the sealing ring without altering its original internal sealing lip structure. This integrated arrangement of the power generation structure ensures airtightness and does not negatively impact the original sealing protection of the bearings. The corresponding arrangement of the two components guarantees the alignment accuracy of the magnetic field and coil, improves magnetic flux utilization and power generation efficiency, reduces energy conversion losses, and provides a stable structure with strong resistance to vibration and impact, preventing displacement or loosening under prolonged vibration, thus ensuring long-term power generation stability. As a preferred method, the outer periphery of both the static and dynamic sealing rings is machined with annular embedding grooves. The permanent magnet stator and magnetic coil rotor are embedded into these grooves for fixation. The sidewalls of the grooves provide radial restraint to the power generation components, preventing radial movement during rotation and ensuring uniform clearance between the two components. As another preferred method, the permanent magnet stator and the magnetic coil rotor are arranged in an axially aligned embedded manner, with their axial projections completely overlapping. This ensures that the coil is in a uniform magnetic field range throughout the rotation process, resulting in smaller fluctuations in the output power and stronger power supply stability.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a controller for controlling the control valve; the self-generating component supplies power to the controller, and the output of the controller is connected to the control valve.

[0014] Adding an independent controller to control the control valve enables automated regulation of the inflation / deflation logic. This eliminates the need for direct high-voltage drive signals from the vehicle; the control logic can be operated solely by power from the self-generated generator, reducing the output load on the generator and improving the stability of low-current power supply. The controller can be directly mounted on the rotating side of the wheel, close to the control valve, effectively shortening the valve's drive line length, reducing transmission losses and electromagnetic interference, and improving control response speed. Simultaneously, the controller integrates tire pressure signal acquisition and logic judgment functions, achieving localized closed-loop tire pressure regulation at the wheel end. This reduces signal interaction with the vehicle, enhancing the system's autonomous operation capability; even if vehicle communication is interrupted, basic pressure regulation functions can still be performed. As a preferred approach, the controller integrates a relay switching circuit. The power output from the self-generated generator is connected to the controller's power supply terminal. The controller controls the power supply circuit of the control valve coil by the activation and deactivation of the relay, switching the control valve's operating state. As another preferred approach, the controller incorporates overcurrent protection and voltage regulation circuitry to regulate and filter the electrical energy input from the self-generated components, preventing voltage fluctuations from damaging the control valves and internal components of the controller, and improving power supply stability.

[0015] Furthermore, the control valve is a two-position three-way valve, and a silencer is installed on one of the ports of the control valve.

[0016] Employing a 2-position 3-way valve as the control valve, a single valve body can switch between inflation, pressure holding, and pressure relief modes. The air circuit structure is simple, the control logic is straightforward, reducing the number of air circuit components, lowering structural complexity and assembly difficulty, and facilitating layout and installation in the confined space at the wheel end. A muffler is integrated into the pressure relief port to reduce noise from the high-speed, high-pressure exhaust airflow, eliminating whistling noise during exhaust and improving vehicle comfort. The integrated valve body structure of the 2-position 3-way valve facilitates overall disassembly and maintenance; in case of failure, the entire unit can be replaced, significantly improving maintenance efficiency. Combined with the one-way valve structure in the air circuit, passive pressure holding can be achieved in the event of a power outage, eliminating the need for continuous power to maintain tire pressure and reducing system energy consumption. As a preferred design, the 2-position 3-way valve's air source port connects to the vehicle's air source, the air circuit output port connects to the tire air circuit, and a miniature resistive muffler is installed at the pressure relief port. The muffler features a porous sound-absorbing structure; when high-pressure airflow passes through, the porous structure reduces airflow pulsation, achieving silent exhaust. As another preferred option, the two-position three-way valve adopts a normally closed structure. In the event of power failure, the air source interface is closed, while the tire air circuit is connected to the pressure relief port. This allows for rapid pressure relief in the event of a power failure, improving the system's fault safety. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-generating component in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention provides an induction-generated external charge / discharge wheel hub bearing assembly, as follows: Figure 1-3 As shown: Outer flange 1 and inner flange 2 form the basic load-bearing structure of the wheel hub bearing. A double row of rolling elements and a cage are arranged between them, enabling stable relative rotation. Outer flange 1 is the fixed end, which is fixedly connected to the vehicle's steering knuckle or rear axle housing during use. Inner flange 2 is the rotating end, used to mount the wheel hub and rotate synchronously with the wheel. The above-mentioned basic bearing structure is conventional technology in this field and will not be described in detail here. Inflation / depression devices 3 are provided on the outer periphery of outer flange 1 and inner flange 2 to achieve full-condition adjustment of tire pressure during inflation, pressure maintenance, and pressure release.

[0019] The inflation / deflation device 3 includes a rotary sealing assembly 31, an inlet pipe 32, an outlet pipe 33, a control valve 34, a self-generating generator 35, and a controller 36. The rotary sealing assembly 31 is located at the connection between the inlet pipe 32 and the outlet pipe 33. The inlet end of the inlet pipe 32 is connected to the vehicle's air source, and the outlet end of the outlet pipe 33 is connected to the air cavity inside the tire. The rotary sealing assembly 31 includes a dynamic sealing ring 311 and a static sealing ring 312 that can rotate relative to each other. The static sealing ring 312 is fixed to the outer flange 1 and remains stationary, while the dynamic sealing ring 311 is fixed to the inner flange 2 and rotates synchronously with the inner flange 2. The dynamic sealing ring 311 and the static sealing ring 312 form a contact seal through a sealing lip structure, effectively preventing gas leakage from the connection between the inlet pipe 32 and the outlet pipe 33, ensuring the reliability of the air circuit's sealing.

[0020] The self-generating component 35 is disposed on the outer periphery of the rotating sealing component 31, and can output electrical energy in a contactless manner when the dynamic sealing ring 311 and the static sealing ring 312 rotate relative to each other. The self-generating component 35 includes a permanent magnet stator 351 and a magnetic coil rotor 352. The permanent magnet stator 351 is fixed on the outer periphery of the static sealing ring 312, and the magnetic coil rotor 352 is fixed on the outer periphery of the dynamic sealing ring 311, with the two positions corresponding to each other. The permanent magnet stator 351 is made of a high magnetic energy product permanent magnet material, which can form a stable and uniform annular constant magnetic field. When the magnetic coil rotor 352 rotates synchronously with the dynamic sealing ring 311, it continuously cuts the magnetic field lines generated by the permanent magnet stator 351, generating an induced electromotive force based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, and realizing the contactless conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy.

[0021] The power output terminal of the self-generating component 35 is connected to the power supply terminal of the controller 36, providing operating power to the controller 36. The output terminal of the controller 36 is electrically connected to the control valve 34, used to control the switching of the control valve 34's operating position. The controller 36 is fixedly arranged on the rotating side of the wheel end, close to the control valve 34, and can integrate tire pressure signal acquisition and logic judgment functions to realize localized closed-loop tire pressure regulation.

[0022] A control valve 34 is located on one side of the air outlet pipe 33 and is used to control the air passage connection and airflow direction between the air source and the tire interior. In this embodiment, the control valve 34 is a two-position three-way valve, and a muffler 37 is installed at the pressure relief port of the control valve 34. Specifically, the two-position three-way valve has three independent air passage interfaces: an air source interface, an air passage output interface, and a pressure relief exhaust port. The air source interface connects to the vehicle's air source, the air passage output interface connects to the air outlet pipe 33, and the pressure relief exhaust port is fixedly equipped with a muffler 37, which can reduce the noise of the high-pressure airflow discharged during pressure relief and eliminate exhaust whistling. A one-way valve 39 is connected in series in the air passage of the air outlet pipe 33, which only allows gas to flow in one direction towards the tire cavity, and cuts off the flow in the reverse direction to achieve a passive pressure holding function.

[0023] During vehicle operation, the inner flange 2 drives the moving sealing ring 311 and the magnetic coil rotor 352 to rotate synchronously. The permanent magnet stator 351 remains stationary with the static sealing ring 312. The magnetic coil rotor 352 continuously cuts the magnetic field lines to generate stable induced electrical energy. It can provide the power required for the operation of the controller 36 and the control valve 34 without the need to lead an external power supply harness from the vehicle body side. There is no mechanical contact during the power generation process, and there are no common faults of contact power supply such as wear and oxidation.

[0024] When the controller 36 detects that the tire pressure is too low and needs inflation, it controls the control valve 34 to switch positions, opening the air path between the vehicle air source and the tire cavity, and closing the pressure relief port. Compressed gas from the vehicle air source flows into the tire through the inlet pipe 32, the rotary sealing assembly 31, the outlet pipe 33, and the one-way valve 39, completing the inflation process. When the tire pressure reaches the calibrated standard value, the controller 36 controls the control valve 34 to cut off the air path on the air source side, and the vehicle air source simultaneously stops supplying air. Passive long-term pressure maintenance is achieved by relying on the reverse cut-off characteristic of the one-way valve 39. When the controller 36 detects that the tire pressure is too high and needs to be relieved, it controls the control valve 34 to switch to the pressure relief position, opening the air path between the tire cavity and the muffler 37. Redundant high-pressure gas inside the tire flows into the muffler 37 through the control valve 34, is discharged to the outside after being silenced and reduced in noise, and the controller 36 controls the control valve 34 to close, re-entering the pressure maintenance state.

[0025] The above embodiments are merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention. Ordinary variations and substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention are all included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An induction-generated external inflation / deflation wheel hub bearing assembly, comprising an outer flange and an inner flange capable of relative rotation, wherein an inflation / deflation device is provided on the outer periphery of the outer flange and the inner flange, the inflation / deflation device comprising a rotary sealing assembly and an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe respectively connected to both ends of the rotary sealing assembly, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe being connected to an air source and the interior of the tire respectively, and a control valve for controlling whether the air source and the interior of the tire are connected is provided on one side of the outlet pipe, characterized in that: The gas charging and discharging device also includes a self-generating component, which supplies power to the control valve in a contactless manner when the outer flange and the inner flange rotate relative to each other.

2. The induction-generated external charging / discharging turbine hub bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The self-generating component is disposed on the outer periphery of the rotary sealing component, which is located at the connection between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The rotary sealing component includes a dynamic sealing ring and a static sealing ring that can rotate relative to each other. The dynamic sealing ring and the static sealing ring form a contact seal to prevent air leakage at the connection between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The self-generating component supplies power to the control valve when the dynamic sealing component and the static sealing ring rotate relative to each other.

3. The induction-generated external charging / discharging hub bearing assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The self-generating component includes a permanent magnet stator and a magnetic coil rotor, which are fixed to a static sealing ring and a dynamic sealing ring, respectively.

4. The induction-generated external charging / discharging turbine hub bearing assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The permanent magnet stator and the magnetic coil rotor are respectively embedded on the outer periphery of the static sealing ring and the dynamic sealing ring and are arranged in a corresponding manner.

5. The induction-generated external charging / discharging turbine hub bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a controller for controlling the control valve; the self-generating component supplies power to the controller, and the output of the controller is connected to the control valve.

6. The induction-generated external charging / discharging hub bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control valve is a two-position three-way valve, and a silencer is installed on one of the ports of the control valve.

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