Hub cap system, wheel head and use of a sealing ring

Abstract

Hub cap system (1) comprising a hub cap (10) and a sealing ring (100), wherein the hub cap system (1) is designed to rotate in an axial direction (A), wherein a radial direction (R) is perpendicular to the axial direction (A), wherein the hub cap (10) at least partially encloses an interior space (I), wherein the hub cap system (1) has and / or forms a fluid channel (60) which is in fluid communication with the interior (I) or opens into the interior (I), wherein the sealing ring (100) is held in a circumferential groove (42) of the hub cap system, where the groove (42) is or can be brought into fluid contact with the fluid channel (60), where the sealing ring (100) is an O-ring.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hub cap system, a wheel head and the use of a sealing ring.

[0002] Hub cap systems are already known from the prior art. These serve to axially separate a wheel hub cavity from the surroundings. The hub cap according to the invention also essentially serves this purpose. However, the problem with these existing hub caps is that they often have to withstand excess pressure in the wheel hub cavity, particularly in tire inflation systems. If the excess pressure becomes too great, this can quickly lead to failure of the hub cap or its fastening, and / or dirt and moisture can penetrate the cavity.

[0003] DE 10 2019 111 422 A1 relates to a hub cover for a tire inflation device of a vehicle for covering a wheel hub.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the invention to prevent failure of the hub cap and to effectively provide a ventilation option that prevents or at least makes it more difficult for dirt or moisture to penetrate into the interior of a wheel hub.

[0005] This object is achieved with a hub cap system according to claim 1, with a wheel head according to claim 8, and with the use of a sealing ring according to claim 10. Further advantages, embodiments, and features emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the figures.

[0006] According to the invention, a hub cap system is provided. The hub cap system advantageously comprises a hub cap and / or a sealing ring, wherein the hub cap system is designed to rotate about an axial direction, wherein a radial direction is or can be perpendicular to the axial direction, wherein the hub cap at least partially encloses an interior space, wherein the hub cap system, in particular the hub cap, has and / or forms a fluid channel which is in fluid communication with the interior space and / or opens into the interior space, wherein the sealing ring is held in a circumferential groove of the hub cap system, wherein the groove is or can be brought into fluid communication with the fluid channel, in particular via openings. The hub cap system according to the invention can form or provide part or even an entire ventilation system for the interior or the cavity of a wheel hub and / or a hub cap. The ventilation system orThe hub cap or the wheel hub or the hub cap system can in particular be part of a commercial vehicle and fluidly connect a compressed air system of the commercial vehicle, in particular a compressed air system of a tire inflation system of the commercial vehicle and / or the vehicle, to the environment or vent it, in particular in the event of a leak. The venting system, the wheel hub and / or the hub cap system can therefore in particular also be part of a tire inflation system of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. A commercial vehicle within the meaning of the invention is in particular a vehicle with a permissible total mass of more than 3.5 t, preferably of more than 7.5 t and particularly preferably of more than 15 t. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the commercial vehicle can in particular be a roadworthy or road-bound commercial vehicle. The commercial vehicle is particularly preferably a commercial vehicle trailer, in particular a semi-trailer.The hub cap system according to the invention comprises, in particular, a hub cap and / or a sealing ring. The hub cap is used, in particular, to be advantageously reversibly fastened to a wheel hub in order to thus delimit the interior of the wheel hub from the surroundings. In particular, the hub cap can have a click closure and / or locking lugs and / or other fastening means which can be inserted into corresponding receiving elements of the wheel hub in order to thus provide a connection between the hub cap and the wheel hub. In other words, the hub cap can have fastening means, in particular male fastening means, which can engage in corresponding fastening structures, in particular female fastening structures, of the wheel hub in order to thus fix the hub cap to the wheel hub, in particular reversibly. The hub cap can in particular be made of plastic, in particular predominantly.The predominant part relates in particular to the weight of the hub cap. The hub cap therefore serves in particular to seal off or delimit an interior space or cavity of the wheel hub from the environment. For this purpose, the hub cap in particular has an end wall or end walls which prevent entry or exit in the axial direction. The axial direction according to the invention is in particular the direction relative to which the hub cap rotates and / or around which the wheel hub later rotates. Advantageously, the center of gravity of the hub cap lies in the axial direction. The hub cap can therefore in particular be designed to rotate about the axial direction. The radial direction is designed to be perpendicular to the axial direction or pointing away from it. The positive radial direction points in particular away from the axial direction.In addition to the axial direction and the radial direction, a circumferential direction can also be formed, which is formed circumferentially around the axial direction. In other words, the axial direction, the radial direction and the circumferential direction can be perpendicular to one another and / or form a cylindrical coordinate system with one another, wherein the axial direction can form the height direction, the radial direction the radial coordinate and the circumferential direction the angular coordinate. The hub cap is designed in particular such that it has an interior space. The interior space is delimited, in particular in the axial direction, at least on one side by the hub cap. This interior space can subsequently also be arranged or formed partially within the wheel hub and / or be connected to the interior of the wheel hub or form a common cavity.In order to enable fluid to escape from this interior space into the environment, the hub cap system, in particular the hub cap, has a fluid channel and / or at least partially forms a fluid channel. This fluid channel is in particular designed such that it is in fluid communication with the interior space or opens into the interior space. An opening is to be understood in particular as meaning that one end of the fluid channel merges, in particular directly, into the interior space. A fluid-effective connection or a fluid connection within the meaning of the invention means in particular that a fluid can flow from one area into the other area, in particular directly, which are each in fluid communication with one another. In order to achieve secure fixation of the sealing ring, it is held in a circumferential groove. The sealing ring forms in particular a self-contained ring.A groove in the sense of the invention can be understood in particular as a material recess or a depression. This material recess / depression advantageously has a main direction of extent which is perpendicular to the depth direction of the groove. Particularly preferably, the main direction of extent of the groove extends in the circumferential direction. In particular, the depth direction of the groove and the width direction of the groove are perpendicular to the main direction of extent of the groove. The groove is expediently designed to be circumferential and thus also forms a self-contained ring. Alternatively or additionally preferably to a material recess, the groove can also be formed by a circumferential free space formed between two components. By arranging the sealing ring in the groove, it can be securely held against displacement.The groove, in turn, is in fluid communication with the fluid channel, particularly via openings, or can be brought into fluid communication with the fluid channel. This fluidic conduction effect between the fluid channel and the groove makes it possible to release pressure prevailing in the fluid channel onto the sealing rings or to apply it to them, so that the sealing ring moves within the groove due to this pressure, thus enabling fluid to flow laterally past the sealing ring. This provides a particularly simple and advantageous way of venting the interior of the hub cap system and / or the hub cap. In addition, however, the ingress of liquid and / or contaminants into the interior can also be prevented - again primarily through the sealing rings.Advantageously, the fluid channel itself can open directly into the groove and / or one or a plurality of openings can be provided, which in turn fluidically connect or can connect the fluid channel with the groove. Advantageously, the openings have a smaller flow cross-section compared to the fluid channel. Advantageously, the openings can extend perpendicular to the fluid channel and / or advantageously a plurality of openings, in particular arranged equidistantly, bring or can bring the fluid channel into fluid connection with the groove. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve a particularly uniform pressure distribution on the sealing ring, so that local overloading and / or local stress peaks on the sealing ring are prevented or minimized.

[0007] According to the invention, the sealing ring is an O-ring. This allows for a particularly cost-effective design.

[0008] Advantageously, the hub cap system comprises a plurality of sealing rings and a plurality of circumferential grooves, each of which has a sealing ring arranged in a groove. In other words, the sealing rings can each be held in a groove of the hub cap system. This creates a particularly effective venting option, which not only increases the volumetric venting capacity but also further enhances the reliability of the venting system. Advantageously, each of these grooves is fluidly connected to the fluid channel.

[0009] Advantageously, the sealing ring or at least one of the sealing rings encloses the axial direction and / or the sealing ring and / or one of the sealing rings is arranged at a distance from the axial direction in the radial direction. In other words, at least one sealing ring, which is arranged in particular in a circumferential groove, can enclose the axial direction. It is particularly preferred if the center of gravity of the sealing ring and / or the central point of the groove around which it is formed to encircle, lies in the axial direction. This can create a particularly good venting option. Alternatively or additionally preferably, at least one sealing ring, which is held in particular in a circumferential groove of the hub cap system, can also be arranged at a distance from the axial direction in the radial direction."Radially spaced from the axial direction" means, in particular, that the sealing ring does not enclose the axial direction and / or that there is at least a radial distance between the point of the sealing ring closest to the axial direction and the axial direction itself. This can provide particularly good maintenance and / or replacement and / or assembly options for the sealing ring.

[0010] The fluid channel preferably extends substantially parallel to the axial direction. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly compact design of the fluid channel in the radial direction. The extension of the fluid channel here means in particular its main direction of extension and / or the connecting line between the beginning and the end of the fluid channel. Essentially parallel within the meaning of the invention is to be understood in particular that the smallest angle between the two included directions may be a maximum of 15°, preferably a maximum of 7°, particularly preferably a maximum of 2.5°, and particularly preferably a maximum of 1°. Very particularly preferably, essentially parallel can also be understood to mean that only production-related deviations may exist between the essentially parallel and the ideally parallel.

[0011] Alternatively, the fluid channel can preferably extend essentially parallel to the radial direction. This allows for particularly short flow paths, which can lead to particularly simple, fast, and reliable venting.

[0012] Advantageously, the groove lies in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. Advantageously, the majority, particularly preferably all, of the grooves in which a sealing ring is arranged lie in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. A groove perpendicular to the axial direction is understood in particular to mean that at least one plane exists whose normal is parallel to the axial direction, which plane intersects the groove and / or which, viewed along the circumference of the groove, is arranged or can be arranged between the two side wall regions of the groove.By designing the groove or grooves in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction, particularly simple assembly can be achieved, because, especially with elastic sealing rings, such an arrangement reduces the mechanically stored energy in the sealing ring, so that the longevity of the sealing ring can be increased.

[0013] Preferably, the sealing ring is made predominantly, particularly preferably entirely, of rubber. This allows a particularly high sealing effect to be achieved.

[0014] The groove is expediently designed symmetrically to a plane, wherein the plane in particular has a normal parallel to the axial direction. Advantageously, not just one of the grooves in which the sealing ring can be arranged, but the majority and particularly preferably all of the grooves are designed symmetrically to a plane which has a normal parallel to the axial direction. By symmetrical is meant that the flanks of the groove or its walls are mirror-symmetrical to a plane, wherein this applies in particular to a sectional plane spanned by the axial and radial directions. In other words, the groove can therefore have identical side flanks or walls on the left and right in a sectional plane spanned by the axial and radial directions.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the groove, or some of the grooves, or all of the grooves, can also be designed asymmetrically to a plane, wherein the plane can have a normal parallel to the axial direction. The asymmetrical design allows for a targeted influence on which of the two flanks or walls of the groove should be used primarily for venting. In other words, the asymmetrical design allows for a targeted influence on which side of the sealing ring the venting should take place.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the sealing ring rests against the flanks of the groove. The flanks of the groove are, in particular, the wall sections of the groove or its walls. This allows for a particularly good sealing effect within the groove.

[0017] The sealing ring is expediently arranged completely in the groove, wherein the groove is preferably closed at least partially in the radial direction by a ring element arranged in the groove. By “fully arranged in the groove” is meant in particular that the sealing ring does not protrude beyond the groove in the radial direction. Therefore, the groove preferably protrudes beyond the sealing ring in the radial direction when the sealing ring is arranged completely in the groove. Advantageously, the groove can be closed at least partially in the radial direction by a ring element arranged in the groove. Thus, one ring element can cover the groove in the radial direction. In other words, the ring element can therefore prevent engagement in the groove at least partially in the circumferential direction.In this way, however, protection of the sealing ring can be achieved in particular, while at the same time securing the sealing ring against loss in addition to the resilience of the sealing ring itself. However, a play and / or free space is expediently provided in the radial direction between the sealing ring and the ring element in order to allow movement in the radial direction of the sealing ring. In this specific context, a ring element can either be understood as a completely annular element or the ring element can only form a ring section, although this must be formed over a ring angle of at least 180°. Preferably, the element has a ring angle of at least 240° and / or at least 320°. In other words, in a preferred variant, an area of ​​preferably a maximum of 40° can exist which is not represented or formed by the ring element, in particular in the circumferential direction.Alternatively or additionally, the ring element can also preferably have openings, bores, or other fluid-connecting female elements to achieve fluid flow through the ring element. Advantageously, the ring element is arranged in the groove in such a way that the ring element is positively secured against displacement in the axial direction.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the sealing ring is preloaded in the positive radial direction, particularly by inserts. In other words, the sealing ring can be designed such that it has elastic recovery capability in the positive radial direction. Traditionally, sealing rings are usually designed such that they have a preload capability in the negative radial direction. A preload capability in the opposite direction, namely in the positive radial direction, can be achieved, for example, by inserts, particularly spring wire inserts.

[0019] The groove is expediently formed on a projection of the hub cap, in particular on a projection that projects in the axial direction, which can in particular be cylindrical. This makes it particularly easy to access the groove and thus also the sealing ring. The cylindrical design makes it possible to achieve a projection that is particularly low in stress concentration and saves material. The projection is expediently formed in a material-to-material fit and / or as one piece with the hub cap and / or a component of the hub cap. In other words, the projection can therefore be formed and / or manufactured in particular by a primary forming process with other components and / or with the entire hub cap. This makes it possible to achieve a design that is particularly mechanically resilient.

[0020] Preferably, the groove and / or the sealing ring located / arranged in the groove is covered by a cover element in the axial direction and / or in the radial direction, wherein a flow outlet channel, in particular annular, is advantageously formed between the cover element and the hub cap. Covering in the radial direction is to be understood in particular as meaning that the projection of the cover element in the axial direction surrounds the projection onto the groove and / or the sealing ring and / or includes the projection of the groove and / or the sealing ring. Covering in the radial direction, on the other hand, is to be understood in particular as meaning that the projection of the cover element onto the axial direction surrounds and / or includes the projection of the groove and / or the sealing ring.By designing the cover element to cover the groove and / or the sealing ring, mechanical damage, particularly from a high-pressure cleaner and / or objects thrown up during driving, can be prevented. Advantageously, a flow outlet channel is formed between the cover element and the hub cap. This allows for effective ventilation. Advantageously, this flow outlet channel is annular. Therefore, it forms, in particular, a self-contained ring. This allows for a particularly effective air or fluid outlet.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the cover element is secured to the hub cap by a force-locking and / or reversible fastening. In particular, this can be achieved by a press fit. For example, the cover element can therefore have fingers or other male fastening elements that are oversized compared to the corresponding female fastening elements of the hub cap, so that a press fit is formed between these two components. Alternatively or additionally, the cover element can also be secured to the hub cap via screws. This is a particularly cost-effective and quickly detachable reversible connection.

[0022] Advantageously, the hub cap system comprises a rotor unit, wherein the rotor unit comprises and / or forms a compressed air channel, wherein the rotor unit is fixed to the hub cap, wherein the rotor unit is guided through the hub cap. The rotor unit serves in particular to achieve a compressed air feedthrough through the hub cap or wheel cap. In other words, the rotor unit in particular comprises a compressed air channel. In the sense of the invention, wheel cap and hub cap are fundamentally synonymous. The rotor unit is in particular fixed to the hub cap in such a way that a relative rotation in / around the axial direction and / or a translational movement, in particular in the axial direction and / or radial direction, between the hub cap and the rotor unit is / is prevented. The rotor unit in particular has a compressed air channel, which can expediently extend in the axial direction.Advantageously, the majority of the compressed air duct extends in the axial direction. The compressed air duct is used in particular to conduct compressed air. In other words, the compressed air duct is therefore designed in such a way that it can withstand a pressure of at least 3 bar, preferably at least 7 bar, and particularly preferably at least 10 bar. The compressed air duct can be formed in particular by metallic components and / or plastic components. The compressed air duct leads in particular through the hub cap and / or the rotor unit is led through the hub cap. This allows compressed air to be conducted particularly effectively from the interior of the hub cap to the outer area. The rotor unit is designed in particular to rotate about the axial direction relative to the ground during operation. In other words, in a later system, the rotor unit rotates at the speed of the wheel hub orof the wheel of the wheel head, which may include the rotor unit and / or the hub cap system.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the rotor unit has a connection, wherein the connection has a thread, wherein the connection is or can be brought into fluid communication with the compressed air channel. In other words, the rotor unit can have a connection to which further fluid-connecting elements, in particular a hose, can be attached. The connection is in particular in fluid communication with the compressed air channel, so that a fluid can flow from the compressed air channel into the connection and advantageously further into a tire. For the installation of further elements on the connection, the connection in particular has a thread. The connection can in particular point in the radial direction and / or the thread can be formed around the radial direction. This can create a particularly space-saving and compact option for installing a hose later during operation.

[0024] In an alternative or additionally preferred embodiment, the rotor unit and / or the compressed air channel is guided through a central opening in the hub cap, wherein the central opening preferably surrounds the axial direction and / or is preferably designed, in particular, to be rotationally symmetrical about the axial direction. In other words, the rotor unit and / or the compressed air channel of the rotor unit can be guided through a central opening in the hub cap in order to reach from the interior of the hub cap into an outer surrounding region of the hub cap. The central opening is designed, in particular, such that it surrounds the axial direction and / or is designed to be rotationally symmetrical, advantageously about the axial direction. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly low-imbalance design.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the groove is formed by the hub cap and the rotor unit. In other words, at least some of the walls and / or components of the groove, in particular the side walls, are each at least partially formed by the hub cap and / or the rotor unit. Therefore, for example, one of the axially bordering side walls of the groove can expediently be formed by the rotor unit and the other axially bordering side wall of the groove can be formed by the hub cap. This allows a particularly cost-effective design of the groove to be achieved, which also allows the sealing ring to be easily replaced within the groove.

[0026] Advantageously, the connection faces radially. In other words, the rotor unit's connection faces radially. This allows for a particularly compact design in the axial direction, thus saving valuable installation space.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the hub cap is constructed in multiple parts, wherein a central element of the hub cap can, in particular, form the central opening. In particular, the hub cap can be formed from multiple components. These multiple components of the hub cap are expediently irreversibly secured to one another. In other words, the hub cap can have multiple elements that can only be separated from one another by destruction. For example, the hub cap can have a central element and a main body. The main body forms, in particular, the regions of the hub cap bordering in the radial direction. The central element, on the other hand, can, in particular, be the element of the hub cap that forms, in particular, the central opening. Alternatively, a brand mark can also be formed on the central element in a simple manner.The advantage of this multi-part design and the attachment of a brand identifier to the central element lies in particular in its ease of production. This is particularly true given that brand elements often require additional material mixtures, in particular for color coding, which can therefore be easily manufactured, particularly when arranged in a separate central element. The central element particularly preferably has red elements, in particular a red circle, which are visible in particular in the axial direction. This leads in particular to particularly simple assembly and / or identification of the central element and / or the central opening. In particular, these red elements and / or the red circle are designed such that they surround the central opening.This allows for particularly effective and clear identification of the central opening, which in turn simplifies installation and prevents incorrect installation.

[0028] Advantageously, the hub cap, in particular a main body of the hub cap, has fastening means, in particular snap fasteners. This allows for particularly simple assembly. These fastening means advantageously protrude in the axial direction and / or in the radial direction. Advantageously, these fastening means can be reversible fastening means, in particular snap-on lugs or projections. This allows for particularly simple assembly of the hub cap.

[0029] The groove, preferably a majority of the grooves, and particularly preferably all grooves, expediently has a rounded side wall and / or a rounded groove base. The relevant grooves here are those grooves in which a sealing ring is arranged. The groove with a rounded side wall or with rounded side walls has a particularly low-notch effect design. If, on the other hand, a rounded groove base is present, this can also reduce the notch effect. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the side wall or the side walls can also be V-shaped and / or flat instead of a rounded design. If the side walls of the groove are V-shaped, in particular relative to one another, this can result in a particularly defined contact surface for the sealing ring and / or the sealing ring within the groove or grooves. Furthermore, this can also result in particularly simple production.

[0030] A further aspect of the invention can relate to a wheel head. The wheel head advantageously comprises a hub cap system as described above and / or below. Alternatively or additionally, the wheel head can also preferably have an axle element, in particular an axle stub and / or an axle tube or a wheel hub, wherein the axle element in particular has an internally hollow region. In other words, the invention can also relate to a wheel head with an axle element and / or a wheel hub, wherein the axle element has a hollow region. The hollow region extends in particular in the longitudinal direction, wherein the internally hollow region advantageously is or can be in fluid communication with the compressed air channel of the rotor unit and / or with the interior of the hub cap. However, the internally hollow region of the axle element is particularly preferably only in fluid communication - during normal operation - with the compressed air channel.The fluid connection to the interior of the hub cap, in particular, only exists in the event of a leak. This makes it particularly easy to guide compressed air from the hollow interior of the axle element into the rotor unit and ultimately feed it later, for example, to a tire's compressed air system and / or a tire inflation system. In other words, the wheel head can therefore have a tire inflation system that is or can be formed at least partially by the hub cap system and / or the axle element.

[0031] Advantageously, the rotor unit projects into the internally hollow region of the axle element and / or the compressed air channel of the rotor unit is or can be fluidly connected to the internally hollow region of the axle element. In other words, the rotor unit can therefore extend, in particular in the axial direction, such that its end projects or is guided into the internally hollow region of the axle element. Alternatively or additionally, the compressed air channel of the rotor unit can also be or can be fluidly connected to the internally hollow region of the axle element, so that a fluid present within the internally hollow region of the axle element, in particular compressed air, can flow into the compressed air channel.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the wheel head, the hub cap is secured, in particular reversibly, to the wheel hub, and / or the wheel hub is mounted on the axle element, in particular via rolling bearings. The hub cap can therefore be secured to the wheel hub, in particular via fastening means of the hub cap itself. Alternatively or additionally, the wheel hub can also preferably be mounted on and / or by the axle element. In particular, the wheel hub is mounted on the axle element in such a way that a translational movement of the wheel hub in the axial direction and / or radial direction is limited and / or prevented by the bearing, while simultaneously or alternatively a rotation about the axial direction is permitted by the bearing. In particular, this bearing can comprise a plurality of wheel bearings, in particular in the form of rolling bearings, wherein the wheel bearing arrangement can in particular be an O- and / or an X-arrangement.In order to prevent maintenance and / or the entry of compressed air into the rolling bearings, these can in particular be permanently lubricated rolling bearings.

[0033] In a further or alternatively preferred embodiment of the wheel head, a sealing ring can be provided between the wheel hub and the hub cap, in particular with a sealing lip protruding in the positive radial direction. The sealing lip protruding in the positive radial direction can be a circumferential sealing lip which is annular, in particular circumferential in the axial direction. The sealing lip can in particular be formed with and / or on a main body or a mounting part of the sealing ring. The sealing ring is in particular designed such that it has a larger inner diameter than at least one, preferably the majority and particularly preferably all, sealing rings. In particular, the weight of the sealing ring, the majority of the sealing rings and particularly preferably all of the sealing rings, is also less than the weight of the sealing ring.In particular, the sealing ring is designed such that its mounting section rests against the hub cap, and the sealing lip, which projects radially outward or in the positive radial direction, is in contact with the wheel hub. This allows a particularly advantageous sealing effect to be achieved. In particular, however, the hub cap or wheel head can be designed such that at least one side of the sealing lip is in fluid communication with the interior of the hub cap. This also allows the sealing lip to be used as an additional venting option.

[0034] Advantageously, the wheel head comprises a tire, in particular a dual tire, wherein the tire is in fluid communication with the internally hollow region of the axle element and / or with the compressed air channel and / or with the connection. This allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective, as well as effective and fluidically favorable, connection of a tire pressure chamber to a compressed air system of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle within the meaning of the invention.

[0035] A further aspect of the invention may also relate to the use of a sealing ring in a hub cap system as above or below and / or in a wheel head as above and / or below.

[0036] An additional or alternative aspect of the invention may relate to the use of a sealing ring, in particular as described above or below, for venting an interior of a hub cap or a wheel hub, in particular using a hub cap system as described above or below.

[0037] A further additional aspect of the invention may additionally or alternatively relate to the use of a sealing ring for venting an interior space of a hub cap system or a hub cap, in particular as described above or below, and / or an interior space of a wheel head, as described above or below. The interior space of the wheel head is in particular the interior space of the wheel hub or the hub cap of the wheel head.

[0038] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. Individual features of the illustrated embodiments may also be used in other embodiments, unless expressly excluded.

[0039] They show: The Fig. 1 a section through a wheel head according to the invention or a section of a wheel head; The Fig. 2 a detailed section through a hub cap system; The Fig. 3 an alternative embodiment of a hub cap system in a sectional view; The Fig. 4 shows a further alternative design of a hub cap system in a sectional and detailed view; The Fig. 5 shows a further preferred embodiment of a hub cap system in a sectional view; The Fig. 6 shows a further particularly preferred embodiment of a hub cap system in a sectional view; The Fig. 7 shows a further preferred sectional view of a hub cap system, in particular with a sealing ring prestressed in the positive radial direction; and The Fig. 8 a hub cap system with a rotor unit also according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0040] In the Fig. 1 shows a hub cap system 1 which is part of a wheel head 2. In addition to the hub cap system 1, the wheel head 2 also has an axle element 500 which extends in particular in the axial direction A. The axle element 500 has an internally hollow region 510. This internally hollow region 510 of the axle element 500 is in fluid communication with the compressed air channel 320 of the rotor unit 300. The compressed air channel 320 also extends in the axial direction A and is guided through a central opening 12 of the central element 40. The central element 40 is formed from a red material in order to form a red circular element. The central element 14 is irreversibly connected to the main body 60 of the hub cap 10. The hub cap 10 is reversibly fastened to the wheel hub 600 via fastening means 20. The wheel hub 600 is mounted relative to the axle element 500 via sealed wheel bearings so that it can rotate about the axial direction A.However, in a preferred embodiment, the wheel hub 600 is designed such that relative movement between the wheel hub 600 and the axle element 500 is prevented by the bearing in the axial direction A. The radial direction R is designed perpendicular to the axial direction A. In order to achieve ventilation of the interior I of the hub cap 10 or also of the cavity or the interior of the wheel hub 600, a sealing ring 110 is provided in the illustrated embodiments, the sealing lip of which rests against the wheel hub 600 and the mounting area of ​​which is guided in a groove in the hub cap 10. In the illustrated embodiments - due to the rotational position - a fluid channel 60 is also provided in the hub cap 10, which is delimited from the environment by a sealing ring 100.The fluid channel 60 can open directly into the interior I of the hub cap 10, as is the case, for example, in the embodiment according to FIG. Fig. 2. In particular, the Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment with the concrete examples of Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and / or 8 can be combined if necessary.

[0041] In the Fig. 2 shows a hub cap system 1 in a detailed view in a section, wherein the sectional plane is spanned by the axial direction A and the radial direction R. The hub cap 10 in turn has a main body 16 and a central element 14, wherein according to the invention the hub cap 10 can also be fundamentally formed in one piece, thus independent of the embodiment. In order to create a fluid connection to the environment, the hub cap 10 or the main body 16 has a fluid channel 60, which in the illustrated embodiment runs at least substantially parallel to the axial direction A. This fluid channel 60 is in fluid connection with the circumferential groove 42, wherein the sealing ring 100 is arranged in the groove 42.This makes it possible, at a certain pressure within the fluid channel 60, to cause a movement of the sealing ring 100, in particular in the positive radial direction R, so that the environment is in fluid communication with the interior space I and thus a venting of the interior space I can take place. The central element 14 also forms a central opening 12, which is rotationally symmetrical about the axial direction A. This central opening 12 serves in particular to accommodate a rotor unit 300, wherein the rotor unit 300 is not shown in the illustrated embodiment for reasons of clarity.

[0042] In the Fig. 3 shows an embodiment which is similar to the Fig. 2. However, the sealing element 100 is covered by the cover element 200 in the axial direction A and the radial direction R, thus effectively preventing mechanical damage to the sealing ring 100. An annular flow outlet channel 220 is formed between the cover element 200 and the hub cap 10, through which a fluid can escape from the interior into the environment during venting.

[0043] In the Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a hub cap system 1, wherein the hub cap system 1 has a sealing ring 100 and a sealing ring 110 with a sealing lip pointing outward in the radial direction R. In order to enable or establish a fluid connection between the groove 42 and the interior I of the hub cap 10, the hub cap 10 has a fluid channel 60 pointing in the radial direction R. This allows for a particularly effective and short venting option of the interior I of the hub cap 10 from the environment.

[0044] In the Fig. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of a hub cap system 1. The hub cap system 1 has a fluid channel 60 extending in the axial direction A, which is and / or can be brought into fluid communication with the groove 42 via openings 44. The sealing ring 100 is arranged within the annular groove 42. To achieve a particularly compact design, the groove 42 is formed on a projection 18 which points in the axial direction A. The hub cap 10 has fastening means 20 which point in the axial direction A and in the radial direction R and which form and / or can form a click closure.

[0045] In the Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment, which is also shown in a sectional view, wherein the sectional plane is also spanned by the axial direction A and the radial direction R. The sealing ring 100 is arranged completely within the groove 42, wherein the side walls of the groove are V-shaped. The groove 42 is in fluid communication with the fluid channel 60 pointing in the axial direction A via an opening 44. In order to achieve radial delimitation and / or covering of the groove 42 and / or the sealing ring 100, a ring element 150 is in engagement with the groove 42. In the sense of the invention, an annular element is fundamentally present in particular when it forms a self-contained ring. An exception to this can be the ring element 150, which in one possible embodiment can only form a ring segment.Alternatively, the ring element 150 can also be annular, thus forming a self-contained ring. However, in such a configuration, an opening and / or a recess is expediently formed within the ring element 150, which, in an assembled state, can form a fluid connection between the groove 42 and the surroundings and / or a flow outlet channel.

[0046] In the Fig. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a hub cap system 1, the interior space I of which can be fluidly connected to the environment through the groove 42 and the fluid channel 60. The sealing ring 100 is preloaded in the positive radial direction R, in particular by spring wire inserts of the sealing ring 100.

[0047] In the Fig.Figure 8 shows a detailed view of a hub cap system 1 having a rotor unit 300. The rotor unit 300 is guided within a central opening 12 of the hub cap 10, wherein in the example presented, the hub cap 10 is formed in one piece. Alternatively, the hub cap 10 can also preferably be formed in multiple parts and therefore, for example, have a central element 14 and / or a main body 16. The rotor unit 300 has a compressed air channel 320, which extends in the axial direction A and is guided through the central opening 12. The central opening 12 also forms a fluid channel 60, so that the interior space I of the hub cap 10 is in fluid communication with the groove 42 through the central opening 12 or the fluid channel 60. A part of the groove 42 or one of the V-shaped side walls of the groove 42 is formed by the hub cap 10 and the opposite side wall in the axial direction A is formed by the rotor unit 300.The sealing ring 100 is arranged within the groove 42. The rotor unit 300 has a connection 310, which points in the radial direction R. This connection 310 can have a thread 312, on which a hose and / or another fluid-conducting element can be arranged, in particular to establish a fluid connection between the connection 310 and a tire. List of reference symbols: 1 hub cap system 2 wheel head 10 hub cap 12 Central opening 14 Central element 16 main bodies 18 lead 20 fasteners 42 grooves 44 Breakthrough 60 fluid channel 100 sealing rings 110 Sealing ring 150 ring element 200 cover element 220 flow outlet channel 300 rotor unit 310 connection 312 thread in connection 310 320 compressed air duct 500 axle element 510 inner hollow area of ​​the axle element 500 600 wheel hub A axial direction I Interior R Radial direction

Claims

[1] Hub cap system (1) comprising a hub cap (10) and a sealing ring (100), wherein the hub cap system (1) is designed to rotate in an axial direction (A), wherein a radial direction (R) is perpendicular to the axial direction (A), wherein the hub cap (10) at least partially encloses an interior space (I), wherein the hub cap system (1) has and / or forms a fluid channel (60) which is in fluid communication with the interior space (I) or opens into the interior space (I), wherein the sealing ring (100) is held in a circumferential groove (42) of the hub cap system, wherein the groove (42) are or can be brought into fluid communication with the fluid channel (60), wherein the sealing ring (100) is an O-ring. [2] Hub cap system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing ring (100) is arranged completely in the groove (42), wherein the groove (42) is preferably closed at least in sections in the radial direction (R) by a ring element (150) arranged in the groove (42). [3] Hub cap system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing ring (100) is prestressed in the positive radial direction (R). [4] Hub cap system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove (42) is formed on a protruding projection (18) of the hub cap (10), which may be cylindrical. [5] Hub cap system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove (42) and / or the sealing ring (100) located / arranged in the groove (42) is covered by a cover element (200) in the axial direction (A) and / or in the radial direction (R), wherein a flow outlet channel (220) is advantageously formed between the cover element (200) and the hub cap. [6] Hub cap system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hub cap system comprises a rotor unit (300), wherein the rotor unit (300) has a compressed air channel (320), wherein the rotor unit (300) is fixed to the hub cap (10), wherein the rotor unit (300) is guided through the hub cap (10). [7] Hub cap system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the groove (42) is formed by the hub cap (10) and the rotor unit (300). [8] Wheel head (2) comprising a hub cap system (1) according to one of the preceding claims and an axle element (500) and / or a wheel hub (600), wherein the axle element (500) is hollow inside. [9] Wheel head (2) according to claim 8, wherein the rotor unit (300) projects into the internally hollow region of the axle element (500) and / or wherein the compressed air channel (320) of the rotor unit (300) is or can be brought into fluid communication with the internally hollow region (510) of the axle element (500). [10] Use of a sealing ring (100) in a hub cap system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, or in a wheel head (2) according to claims 8 to 9 and / or Use of a sealing ring (100) for venting an interior space (I) of a hub cap system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, and / or an interior space of a wheel head (2) according to claims 8 to 9, wherein the sealing ring (100) is an O-ring.

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