Tire calibration arrangement for vehicle axles

Abstract

A tire calibration arrangement for vehicle axles, either steering axles or rigid axles, characterized by the fact that it is used in steering or rigid axles and that its components are arranged inside these axles, which is completely new since in conventional systems the elements are arranged outside the axle due to design disadvantages.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] This invention relates to a pressure control, regulation and calibration device in a tire pressure arrangement, preferably for tire calibration and, in particular, this invention relates to a tire calibration arrangement which is placed inside a vehicle axle, either a fixed or a steering axle, which is completely new since conventional systems are placed and developed outside the axle due to design constraints. background

[0002] Currently, there are numerous systems designed for maintaining, reducing, or increasing tire pressure, either in motion or at rest, commonly referred to as centralized tire inflation / deflation systems. These systems can be used in a wide variety of vehicles. The vehicles most commonly equipped with these types of systems are heavy vehicles for passenger or freight transport, such as short-, medium-, and long-distance buses, trucks, freight trailers, etc.

[0003] Tire inflation / deflation systems typically include an external air compressor or reservoir connected to tire inflation valves via respective piping and tubes. There are, in turn, control devices, sensors, or means that detect the lack or excess of pressure within the tires and send the appropriate signals to equalize the pressure. It should be noted that inflation or deflation systems, such as those described in Argentine patent AR037242, are well known in the art and, consequently, will not be described further here.

[0004] The axles of goods or transport vehicles equipped with these systems can also be hollow, with the axle ends usually having a through hole. The hollow axle provides a convenient route for supplying air pressure to the wheel end via respective pipes. Valves are located between the axles and the tires or wheels, allowing inflation or deflation (AR Patent AR037242), and in front of them are rotating couplings, which are to be mounted on the vehicle wheels.

[0005] The rotating couplings mentioned may be those couplings disclosed in the Argentine patent application P20210103605 of the same owner, which are incorporated herein by reference. Fig. 1, which is related to the state of the art, and, in particular, Fig. 4 of patent application P20210103605, a rotor 101 is mounted on a hollow axle end 102, in which there is a hub 103 for mounting a tire 104. The rotor 101 is mounted on said hub 103 by means of a rotating support 105 and comprises a block 106 rotatably mounted on an axle 107 having an internal air passage or duct 108 connected, by means of an inner end and, in particular, a connector 109, to a compressed air hose or pipe 110 located inside said hollow axle 102 and conveying compressed air from an external air reservoir or tank.

[0006] On the other hand, said block 106 comprises an inner part 111 and an outer part 112. The inner part 111 is rotatably mounted on said axle 107 by means of a bearing 113, while the outer part 112 comprises a transfer chamber 114 in communication with an outer end of said inner air passage 108 of the axle 107, so that air is discharged via said transfer chamber 114 to respective inflation or deflation valves (patent AR AR037242) via corresponding pipes 115 (not shown) to produce tire inflation and / or deflation.

[0007] As can be seen, tire calibration systems are well known in the art. However, these systems provided within axles, such as axle 102 of patent application P20210103605 or patent AR 17729155, are systems for fixed or rear axles of a vehicle, such as a bus or a trailer. Currently, there is no tire calibration system in the art located within front steering axles due to their design limitations and the fact that they are in constant motion. Therefore, the currently known tire calibration systems of conventional front steering axles are located externally.

[0008] The known systems do not provide a calibration device having flexible and telescopic connectors allowing a tight stationary connection with radial closure at any point along the entire length thereof, while maintaining its functionality despite misalignment and allowing the exchange of rotors between axes.

[0009] Due to the current state of the art regarding tire inflation and / or deflation systems, it would be very useful to have a new calibration arrangement that could be located within fixed and / or steering axles to provide appropriate tire calibration and, moreover, reduce the shock potential when the vehicles are stopped or in motion. Brief description of the invention

[0010] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new tire calibration arrangement of vehicle axles, the components of which are provided within said axles, which is completely new in the field of technology.

[0011] It is additionally an object of this invention to provide a calibration assembly provided with a flexible telescopic connector and a rotor, which allows their tight stationary connection with radial locking at any point along the entire length thereof, so that their functionality is maintained despite any kind of misalignment, as well as the interchangeability of rotors between axes.

[0012] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tire calibration assembly having a main fitting connected to said flexible hollow telescopic fitting for providing pressurized air from a source or compressor to a rotor disposed in a hub.

[0013] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tire calibration assembly for vehicle axles, of the type comprising a rotor operatively connected to a source of compressed air and, in turn, to a corresponding inflation and / or deflation valve provided in the tire for maintaining the appropriate pressure therein, a flexible hollow telescopic fitting having a first end on which said rotor is mounted and a second end held within a hollow main fitting; said hollow main fitting being connected to one end of a compressed air hose or conduit extending into and along an internal conduit of the corresponding end of said steering axle to connect said source of compressed air to said rotor. Short description of the drawings

[0014] For the purpose of providing more clarity and a better understanding of the content of this invention, it has been illustrated in several figures in which the invention has been shown, for example, in one of the preferred embodiments thereof, wherein: Fig. Figure 1 is a sectional view of a rotating coupling for rear or fixed axles according to the prior art; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle steering end provided within the tire calibration assembly of this invention; Fig. 3 a perspective and sectional view of the Fig. 2 according to this invention; Fig. 4 a sectional view from above of the Fig. 2 according to this invention; Fig. Figure 5 is a sectional view of one end of a steering axle in which the calibration arrangement according to this invention is provided; Fig. Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing the assembly according to this invention; Fig. Figure 7 is a sectional view of the calibration assembly according to this invention, wherein the axle end may be the end of a fixed or steering axle; Fig. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the steering axle calibration assembly according to this invention; and Fig. Figure 9 is a partial sectional side view of the calibration assembly of the invention, showing another type of rotor. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] Referring to the figures, it can be seen that this invention relates to a new tire calibration assembly, which is characterized by the fact that it is used in axle ends, either fixed or steering axles, and whose components are arranged inside the axles, which is completely new since the conventional systems, due to design constraints, arrange their components outside the axle.

[0016] Therefore, and according to Fig. 2 to 8, the calibration assembly of this invention is designated by the general reference number 201 and is used for vehicle axles, either fixed or steering axles, as mentioned above, but this feature is not limiting for this invention, since said assembly can be adapted and used in conventional fixed axles with one or more tires. According to Fig. 2 to 4, said steering axle comprises a steering end 202 which is connected to a hub shell 203 by means of a kingpin 204, and on said hub shell 203 a hub 205 is mounted, on which a tire 206 and a rotor 231 are to be mounted, and this rotor 231 will be described below.

[0017] According to Fig. 5, the hub shell 203 comprises a hollow axle 207 having an internal passage 208 through which at least one compressed air hose or pipe 209 extends and extends along said passage and is connected to a compressed air source (not shown). Said compressed air hose or pipe 209 is also connected via one end 210 to a hollow main fitting 211.

[0018] According to Fig. 5 to 8, the hollow main fitting 211 comprises an internal passage or conduit 212 of variable section in communication with said pneumatic hose or pipe 209 and, in turn, with an internal passage 213 of a flexible hollow telescopic fitting 214. Said hollow main fitting 211 also has a connection end 215 provided with a plurality of saw teeth 216 which fit tightly into the end 210 of said pneumatic hose or pipe 209, the latter being kept tight due to the deformation of said end 210 of the hose 209 in the saw teeth 216 and the adjustment provided by an external coupling 217.Said main fitting 211 additionally comprises a main body 218 which has a plurality of outer radial grooves 219 in which corresponding outer O-ring seals 220 are arranged and by means of the adjustment of which the longitudinal and rotational movement of the hollow main fitting 211 is restricted.

[0019] On the other hand, the hollow main fitting 211 has an inner housing 221 through which an end portion of said flexible hollow telescopic fitting 214 passes, and said flexible hollow telescopic fitting is held longitudinally and rotatably within the main fitting 211 by means of internal O-ring seals 222 provided within a telescopic fitting adjustment nut 223, which is mounted within the inner housing 221 by means of a thread 224. It should be noted that the adjustment nut has a channeling surface 223, which helps correct the direction or runout of the fitting 214 when mounted in the main fitting 211. In addition, the seals 222 correct any possible small-scale runout of the fitting 214, thus ensuring that the assembly will be able to fulfill this functionality.

[0020] It is emphasized that between said connection end 215 and said main body 218 of the hollow main fitting 211, a shoulder or step 225 is defined, on which the end 210 of said compressed air pipe or hose 209 is supported, and said shoulder or step 225 of the fitting 211 is in turn tightly supported by a step 226 of said outer coupling 217. An O-ring seal 228 is also arranged between a seat 227 of said inner housing 221 of said main fitting 211 and said adjusting nut for the telescopic fitting 223, and said O-ring 228 compresses around the flexible hollow telescopic fitting 214, thereby creating a tight seal between said adjusting nut for the telescopic fitting 223 and said flexible hollow fitting 214.The seal 228 and the seals 222 are arranged separately by means of the adjusting nut for the telescopic connector 223. This is because the type of connection and the shape of the elements make it possible to ensure the integrity of the O-rings in the event of possible overpressure in the hub, thus preventing their destruction due to excessive crushing.

[0021] In this way, said hollow main fitting 211 is arranged within an end housing 229 of said inner conduit 208 of the end of said steering axle, so that it is firmly held by means of said outer O-ring seals 220 provided in the outer radial grooves 219 of the hollow main body 211 and the connection between the end 210 of the hose or conduit 209, the saw teeth 216, and the outer coupling 217. Herein, said end housing 229 has a seat 284 on which said hollow main fitting 211 is supported by means of a shoulder 230. Another property of the outer O-ring seals 220 is that they prevent any substance from entering or exiting through the inner air conduit or passage 208.

[0022] Referring now again to the flexible hollow telescopic fitting 214, this allows its tight, stationary connection with radial closure at any point along its entire length. In this way, its functionality is maintained despite any existing misalignment between the elements. On the other hand, it allows the interchangeability of rotors 231 between the axle tips due to their design. Thus, the internal passage 213 of the flexible hollow telescopic fitting 214 allows the operative connection between said compressed air source (not shown) and said rotor 231, which will convey the received compressed air to a corresponding inflation and / or deflation valve (not shown) provided in the tire, thereby maintaining the appropriate pressure therein.Again, said flexible hollow telescopic connector 214 has one end 232 on which said rotor 231 is mounted and a second end 233 which is held within said hollow main connector 211 as described above.

[0023] Furthermore, said rotor 231 is connected to said flexible hollow telescopic connector 214 via a rotor shaft 234, the inner conduit or passage 235 of which is in communication with the inner passage 213 of said flexible hollow telescopic connector 214 and, in turn, with the inner conduit 212 of the hollow main connector 211 and the compressed air hose or line 209 connected to said compressed air source (not shown).

[0024] By way of example, but not limitation to this invention, since any type of rotor may be considered and used as appropriate, said rotor 231 additionally comprises a block 236 rotatably mounted on said rotor shaft 234 by means of respective ball bearings 237; a coupling 246 (similar to the external coupling 217) within which said end 232 of said flexible hollow telescopic connector 214 is arranged, said flexible hollow telescopic connector 214 being held between said connector 246, said rotor shaft 234 and a lock washer 247; a hexagonal anti-rotation ring 238 mounted externally on said block 236; an adjusting nut 239 which is integrally mounted on the cover of the axle tip or rotor coupling 248, which creates an axial fixation of the hexagonal anti-rotation ring 238 and, consequently, of the rotor 231,and this hexagonal anti-rotation ring 238 allows a certain amount of runout during operation of the rotor 231 with respect to the main connector 211; and a solid seal 240 having an axle-sealing sealing surface, which is arranged inside said block 236 and which is held stationary by means of a set of a guide 241, a spring 242, and an O-ring 249, said seal 240 being provided with an internal passage 243 in communication with the internal passage 235 of said rotor axis 234, and, in turn, said internal passage 243 of the solid seal 240 is in communication with a transfer chamber 244, which is in operative communication with said respective tire inflation and / or deflation valves via corresponding conduits 245. For this purpose, an outer O-ring 252 is provided, and said O-ring enablesto maintain a tight seal between the outer surface of the block 236 and the axle tip cover or rotor coupling 248, which serves as rotor support 231 and air ducting to the pipes 245.

[0025] On the other hand, the solid seal 240 has a step on its surface formed by the solid seal 240 and the guide 241, wherein an O-ring 249 is provided and this O-ring enables the transfer chamber 244 to be tightly sealed against other block recesses 236.

[0026] For the purpose of holding all the internal elements of the block 236 in an axial and rotational manner therein, there is the resource to bend the rotor surface 250, which comes into contact with the outer race 251 of one of the ball bearings 237, without hindering the proper operation thereof.

[0027] On the other hand, this rotor is not the only one that can work with the main connector 211. In Fig. 9 shows the flexible hollow connector 253 (similar to element 214), which creates a tight seal with the O-rings 222 and 228 of the main connector 211. A rotor 255 is mounted at the other end 254 of said flexible hollow connector 253.

[0028] The rotor 255 is connected to the flexible hollow connector 253 via a rotor shaft 256 (similar to 234). The connection is effected by deforming the end 254 with the sawtooth portion 257 of the rotor shaft 256 and an external coupling 258 (similar to 217). The coupling 258 is fixed by engagement with the lock washer 259, which is fixed to the rotor shaft 256.

[0029] On the other hand, the locking washer 259 axially fixes the movement of the inner race of the ball bearings 260, which are mounted on the rotor shaft 256. The ball bearings 260 are located inside an oil catcher or bearing 261 (with a similar function to this in Fig. 1, Item 117, Patent AR 17729155), which is attached to the inner surface 262 of the threaded rotor block 263.

[0030] In this way, there is a locking nut 264 screwed into the block 263, which axially fixes the oil catcher or bearing 261 and, consequently, immobilizes the rotor axis 256 and the ball bearings 260, which are connected by means of the lock washer 259.

[0031] The rotor shaft 256 is in direct contact with the solid seal 265, creating a tight seal on the surface 266 defined by the contact between them. The solid seal 265 has an O-ring 267 mounted on its outer surface, creating a tight seal against the surface 268 of the threaded telescopic rotor block 263. A guide 269 is mounted on the element 265, and said guide 269 serves as a housing and anti-rotation lock for the spring 270. The rotational fixation of this spring is achieved with the implementation of an anti-rotation disc 271, which is fixed on the threaded telescopic rotor block 263 on the surface 272.

[0032] The internally threaded telescopic rotor 255 is threaded and centered on the hollow shaft 253 by means of the rotor coupling 273, which, in turn, is fixed to the hub 205 by means of a rotor coupling locknut 274. This connection is tight due to the implementation of the O-ring of the rotor coupling 275. The rotor creates a tight seal with the rotor coupling 273 by means of the O-ring 276, which is placed on an external groove 277 of the rotor block 263, thus making it possible to isolate the interior of the hub from the exterior. In case of undesirable overpressures, the rotor block has a hole connecting it from the interior of the hub to the exterior. The hole is covered by the O-ring 278, which creates a certain tension that causes a minimal venting pressure of said internal pressure. To protect the sealing conditions of element 278, a protective ring 279 is placed on the rotor block 263.In this way, the air from the supply source (not shown) enters the compressed air hose or pipe 209 to enter the main fitting 211 and flows through the rotor axis air line or passage 280 and the solid seal air passage 281 to the rotor block transfer chamber 282 and is then diverted to the inflation valves by means of outlets 283.

[0033] Thus, the calibration assembly of this invention is assembled and constructed, and is designed to be used in steering axles, particularly within them, allowing the rotor, or the assembly comprising the rotor and the cover or rotor support, to be interchangeable between axles. This means that it is a complete novelty in the art, since the conventional systems of the prior art are located outside the steering axle due to design problems. This invention overcomes the aforementioned design disadvantages by providing a calibration assembly that can be adapted to any axle type, not only steering axles but also fixed axles, without any difficulty. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] AR 037242 [0003, 0004, 0006] AR 20210103605

[0005] WO 20210103605

[0007] AR 17729155 [0007, 0029]

Claims

[1] A tyre calibration arrangement for vehicle axles of the type comprising a rotor operatively connected to a source of compressed air and, in turn, to a corresponding inflation and / or deflation valve provided in the tyre to maintain the appropriate pressure therein, said arrangement characterized by is that it includes: - a flexible hollow telescopic connector having a first end where said rotor is mounted and a second end held within a hollow main connector; - wherein said hollow main fitting is held at one end of a compressed air hose or pipe which projects into and along an inner conduit of the corresponding end of said steering axle to connect said compressed air source to said rotor. [2] A tire calibration assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hollow main fitting comprises: - an internal passage or duct of variable section communicating with said pneumatic hose or duct and, in turn, with an internal passage of said flexible hollow telescopic fitting; - a connecting end provided with a plurality of teeth which fit tightly into the end of said pneumatic hose or pipe, which, in turn, is held by means of an external coupling and the same deformation of the hose; - a main body having a plurality of outer radial grooves provided with corresponding outer O-ring seals which hold the main body of the hollow fitting in the axis; - an inner housing through which an end portion of said flexible hollow telescopic connector passes, said flexible hollow telescopic connector being held within the main connector by means of internal O-ring seals provided in an adjusting nut for the telescopic connector mounted within the inner housing. [3] A tire calibration assembly according to claim 2, wherein a shoulder or step is defined between said connection end and said main body of the hollow fitting and on which the end of said pneumatic hose or conduit is supported, said shoulder or step of the fitting in turn being supported on and tightly held by a step of said outer coupling. [4] A tire calibration assembly according to claim 2, wherein an O-ring seal is provided between a seat of said inner housing of said main connector and said adjusting nut for the telescopic connector, which, in turn, holds said telescopic hollow axle. [5] A tire calibration assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said hollow main fitting is disposed within an end housing of said inner conduit of the end of said steering axle so as to be tightly fixed by means of said outer O-ring seals provided in the outer radial grooves of the hollow main body and said outer coupling. [6] A tire calibration assembly according to claim 5, wherein said end housing includes a seat on which said hollow main fitting is supported. [7] A tire calibration assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said rotor is connected to said flexible hollow telescopic connector by means of a rotor shaft having an inner conduit or passage in communication with the inner passage of said flexible hollow telescopic connector. [8] A tire calibration assembly according to claim 7, wherein said rotor comprises: - a block which is rotatably mounted on said rotor axis by means of respective ball bearings; - a connector within which one end of said flexible hollow telescopic connector is provided, the latter being held between said connector, said rotor axis and a locking washer; and - a solid seal arranged inside said block and held by a set of guide, O-ring and spring, said cylindrical head being provided with an internal passage in communication with the internal passage of said rotor axis, and, in turn, said internal passage of the cylindrical head being in communication with a transfer chamber operatively connected to said respective tire inflation and / or deflation valves.

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