ASSOCIATED SEAL AND INFLATION / DEFLATION SYSTEM FOR TYRES

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing device (1) comprising at least one sealing body (10) arranged to be mounted between a hub (100) and a shaft (200), said sealing body comprising: - at least one deformable element (11) comprising a fixed part (11-1) and a movable part (11-2), - at least one return member (12) arranged to move from a rest configuration to a working configuration, in which the return member (12) is adapted to prevent contact between the movable part (11-2) of the deformable element (11) and a shaft (200) in the rest configuration and in which, during the passage of a fluid, the return member (12) is adapted to allow deformation of the deformable element (11) so that the movable part (11-2) comes into contact with a shaft (200) so as to form a hermetic space in the working configuration. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SEALING DEVICE AND INFLATION / DEFLATION SYSTEM FOR ASSOCIATED TYRES technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sealing systems for inflation / deflation of tires. The invention relates in particular to a sealing device arranged to be mounted between a hub and a shaft. The invention further relates to a tire inflation / deflation system comprising an external air source and the sealing device. Previous technique

[0002] Below, we describe the prior art known from which the invention was developed.

[0003] One of the main problems concerning tire inflation / deflation is related to air leaks that can occur during inflation / deflation operations. The use of rotary seals generally helps to prevent these leaks. However, rotary seals tend to wear prematurely when frequently used and can thus deteriorate and cause leaks during inflation / deflation operations.

[0004] A solution, described in patent document FR2977191, proposed a device for remotely inflating tires using an air compressor for a bicycle or motorcycle wheel, comprising: a fixed central hub supporting the wheel rim, internally supporting, via roller bearings, a hollow rotating shaft longitudinally fixed to a fork; a pair of rotating seals located between the bearings defining a sealed space between the inner face of the fixed hub and the outer face of the rotating shaft. The hollow rotating shaft has a through-hole connecting the sealed space to the hollow air supply duct for inflating the tire; and within this space, the fixed central hub has a connection hole for the tire's air supply outlet.

[0005] The inside of the hub was designed to house two rotating seals that trap air between the hub and the fixed shaft. The opening in this shaft, between the two rotating seals, allows air to enter the hollow shaft and exit at the ends, which are connected to a fitting from which a flexible hose emerges, connected to the tire valve, thus ensuring the system is airtight.

[0006] However, in this solution the problem related to premature wear of the seals is not solved and the sealing of the system remains limited to the durability of the rotating seals used.

[0007] Thus, there is a need for a sealing device that can be integrated between a hub and a shaft and is capable of addressing the problems caused by existing devices.

[0008] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a device for ensuring sealing during inflation / deflation operations between a hub and a shaft at pressures that can exceed 25 bar, while ensuring optimal service life and non-premature wear of the sealing device. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. The following presents a simplified summary of selected aspects, embodiments, and examples of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. However, this summary does not constitute an exhaustive overview of all aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present selected aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention in a concise form as an introduction to the more detailed description of the aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention that follows the summary.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a sealing device comprising at least one sealed body arranged to be mounted between a hub and a shaft so as to allow fluidic communication between a first air inlet orifice and a second air outlet orifice, said sealed body comprising: - at least one deformable element comprising a fixed part and a moving part, - at least one return element mounted between the fixed, moving parts of the deformable element and the sealed body, the return element being arranged to move from a rest configuration to a working configuration, in which the return element is adapted to prevent contact between the moving part of the deformable element and a shaft or hub in the rest configuration and in which, when a fluid at a predetermined pressure passes through a first air inlet orifice, the return element is adapted to allow deformation of the deformable element so that the moving part comes into contact with a shaft or hub in such a way as to form a hermetic space between a hub and a shaft in the working configuration.

[0011] According to other optional features, the device according to the invention may include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination:

[0012] - the sealed body comprises an outer casing adapted to be attached to a hub, a membrane extending over an external surface of the sealed body, said membrane further comprising a sealing lip arranged to ensure permanent contact of the sealed body with a shaft or hub.

[0013] - It comprises a second deformable element comprising a fixed part mounted on an inner surface of the sealed body and a movable part positioned between the sealing lip and a shaft or hub, said movable part of the second deformable element being arranged to come into contact with a shaft or hub so as to form a hermetic space between a hub and a shaft when a negative pressure is applied.

[0014] - the sealed body includes a first sealing ring adapted to be connected to a hub and a second sealing ring adapted to be connected to a shaft, and in which: - the first sealing ring includes an air inlet arranged to allow the passage of fluid from a first air inlet orifice to a second air outlet orifice, - the second sealing ring is arranged to ensure fluid communication between the first sealing ring and a second air outlet orifice. - It includes a second deformable element comprising a fixed part, mounted on an inner surface of the sealed body substantially perpendicular to a face of the first sealing ring including the air inlet, and a movable part positioned between the inner surface of the sealed body and the face of the first sealing ring including the air inlet, said movable part of the second deformable element being arranged to come into contact with the first sealing ring so as to form a hermetic space between a hub and a shaft when a negative pressure is applied.

[0015] - It comprises at least two inflatable elements, said two inflatable elements comprising an inflation conduit and an inflatable ring, said inflatable ring being arranged to apply mechanical pressure to the moving part of the deformable element so that the return member goes into working configuration.

[0016] - the two inflatable elements are arranged to be positioned around a the first air inlet orifice and the moving part of the deformable element is at least partly positioned between an inflatable ring of the inflatable element and a shaft or hub.

[0017] - the sealed body includes a fixed ring specifically designed to be mounted on a fixed shaft, the fixed ring comprising a first fluidic conduit connected to the first air inlet port and when the sealing device is a device According to the invention, the fixed ring further comprises a second fluidic conduit connected to the two inflatable elements.

[0018] - The return element is a cantilevered spring.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a tire inflation / deflation system, said system comprising an external air source and a sealing device according to the invention, wherein the external air source comprises a pressurized fluid circuit fluidically connected to a first air inlet port, said external air source being configured to send an airflow at a predetermined pressure through the first air inlet port so that the return element changes from a rest configuration to a working configuration. This thus enables fluidic communication between the first port of a hub and a second port of a shaft.

[0020] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an inflation / deflation system for pneumatics, said system comprising an external air source and a sealing device according to the invention, in which the external air source comprises a first pressurized fluid circuit fluidly connected to a first air inlet orifice and a second fluid circuit fluidly connected to the two inflatable elements, said external air source being configured to send a first airflow at a predetermined pressure by the second fluid circuit so that the inflatable ring applies a mechanical pressure on the moving part of the deformable element and the return member changes from a rest configuration to a working configuration,The external air source is further configured to send a second airflow at a predetermined pressure through the first air inlet port, thus enabling fluidic communication between the first port of a hub and a second port of a shaft.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a tire inflation / deflation system according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0023] [Fig. 1] The [Fig. 1] represents a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention, in rest configuration, mounted between a hub and a shaft.

[0024] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention, in working configuration, mounted between a hub and a shaft.

[0025] [Fig.3] Fig.3 represents a schematic cross-section of a second embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention, in rest configuration, mounted between a hub and a shaft.

[0026] [Fig.4] Fig.4 represents a schematic cross-section of a second embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention, in working configuration, mounted between a hub and a shaft.

[0027] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] represents a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention mounted between a hub and a shaft.

[0028] [Fig.6] Fig.6 represents a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention mounted between a rotating hub and a fixed shaft.

[0029] The figures do not necessarily respect the scales, particularly in thickness, for illustrative purposes.

[0030] Aspects of the present invention are described with reference to functional diagrams of devices (systems) according to embodiments of the invention. Description of embodiments

[0031] Below, we describe a summary of the invention and the associated vocabulary, before presenting the disadvantages of the prior art, and finally showing in more detail how the invention remedies them.

[0032] The terms "fixed", "fixed", or "fixed", in the sense of the invention, correspond to the direct or indirect association of one element with respect to another without movement of these elements with respect to each other, immovable or removable with one or more intermediate elements.

[0033] Thus, the invention relates to a sealing device comprising at least one sealed body arranged to, preferably specifically designed to, be mounted between a hub and a shaft, at least one deformable element and at least one return member.

[0034] As described in connection with figures 1 to 6, the sealing device 1 according to the invention, more particularly the sealing body 10, is adapted to be mounted between a hub 100 and a shaft 200 so as to allow fluidic communication between a first air inlet orifice 101 and a second air outlet orifice 201.

[0035] The sealing device 1 according to the invention can be mounted between a rotating shaft and a fixed hub or between a rotating hub and a fixed shaft. Thus, the air supply can come from either an orifice 101 passing through the hub or an orifice 201 passing through a fixed ring 17. By way of illustrative examples, when the hub is fixed and the shaft is rotating, the air supply will preferably come through the orifice 101 of a hub 100, while when the hub is rotating and the shaft is fixed, the air supply will preferably come through the orifice 201.

[0036] According to the invention, the sealed body 10 comprises at least one deformable element 11 which has a fixed part 11-1 and a movable part 11-2 and at least one return member 12.

[0037] The deformable element 11 can advantageously be encapsulated in a material, for example composed of a thermoplastic or an elastomer, preferably a rigid material to hold the fixed part 11-1 of the deformable element in a constrained manner, arranged in the sealed body 10 so as to hold the deformable element 11 in position, in particular the fixed part 11-1 of the deformable element, and the return member 12.

[0038] Generally, the movable part 11-2 of the deformable element 11 can be held by the return member 12, in rest configuration, in contact with the rigid material 30 encapsulating the fixed part 11-1 of the deformable element, and has a degree of freedom allowing movement by application of a force on it.

[0039] In the invention, the return member 12 is mounted between the fixed, movable parts 11-1, 11-2 of the deformable element 11 and the sealed body 10. Thus, the return member 12 has, like the deformable element 11, a fixed part and a free part which has a degree of freedom allowing movement by application of a force on it.

[0040] In addition, the return member 12 is arranged to move from a resting configuration to a working configuration.

[0041] In its rest configuration, the return member 12 is adapted to prevent contact between the moving part 11-2 of the deformable element 11 and the shaft 200. By way of illustration, the return member 12 may have a stiffness adapted to ensure that the moving part 11-2 of the deformable element 11 is held in position so that it is not in contact, or preferably substantially not in contact, with the shaft 200. Although the moving part 11-2 is intended not to be in contact with the shaft 200, one end of the moving part 11-2 of the deformable element 11 may be substantially in contact with the shaft in its rest configuration; in particular, said end may be flush with the shaft, thus implying that, in its rest configuration, the force exerted by the end of the moving part 11-2 on the shaft is negligible, which strongly limits the wear by friction caused by the shaft on the deformable element 11.

[0042] In its working configuration, the return member 12 is adapted to allow deformation of the deformable element 11 so that the moving part 11-2 comes into contact with the shaft 200, thus forming a hermetic space between the hub 100 and the shaft 200. Indeed, when a fluid at a predetermined pressure, for example from 200 mbar, passes through a first air inlet orifice 101, said fluid will allow the application of a force on the moving part 11-2, which will move radially and make contact with the shaft 200 so as to form a hermetic space E0 between the hub 100 and the shaft 200. The stiffness of the return member can thus be adapted to allow switching to working configuration when a predetermined pressure is applied, so when the pressure is less than said predetermined pressure, the stiffness of the return member is sufficient so that, when it is at rest, the moving part 11-2 and the shaft 200 are no longer in contact.

[0043] In one embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention, the sealing body 10 may include an outer casing 13 adapted to be fixed to the hub 100. The outer casing 13 may be made of an elastomer-type material and be adapted to ensure sealing with the hub.

[0044] The sealing body 10 may further include a membrane 14 extending over an outer surface of the sealing body 10, said membrane may include a sealing lip 14-1 arranged to ensure permanent contact of the sealing body 10 with the shaft 200. In order to ensure contact with the shaft, the sealing lip 14-1 may include a spring 15 mounted under preload and positioned in a suitable groove formed in the circumference of the sealing lip 14-1. By way of illustration, the sealing lip may be a dust lip, or include a supplementary dust lip, of a rotary joint of a known type.

[0045] In addition, the sealing device 1 according to the invention may include a second deformable element 11'. The second deformable element 11' can include a fixed part 11-1' mounted on an inner surface of the sealing body 10 and a movable part 11-2' positioned between the sealing lip 14-1 and the shaft 200. For example, the movable part 11-2' can be arranged so as to be in contact with an inner edge 14-2 of the sealing lip 14-1 without being in contact with the shaft 200. However, the movable part 11-2' of the second deformable element 11' is arranged to come into contact with the shaft 200 so as to form a hermetic space E0 between the hub 100 and the shaft 200 when a negative pressure is applied, through a first air inlet orifice 101.Indeed, the application of negative pressure, for example when deflating a tire, will generate a movement of the moving part 11-2' which will thus come into airtight contact with the shaft 200 and prevent any possibility of leakage through the sealing lip 14-1.

[0046] In this invention, the inner surface of the sealing body 10 may be a structural part of the sealing body 10 that extends over all or part of the distance DI separating the hub from the shaft 200. Whether the sealing body 10 comprises one or more deformable elements 11, 11', the structural part 11-1, 11-1' of the first or second deformable element 11, 11' may have a profile arranged to allow the positioning of the deformable element so as to allow or not contact between said deformable element and the shaft 200.

[0047] Generally, the first or second deformable elements 11, 11' can correspond to a sealing lip.

[0048] Alternatively or in addition, the sealing device 1 according to the invention may comprise at least two inflatable elements 16 having an inflation conduit 16-1 and an inflatable ring 16-2, preferably substantially cylindrical. The inflatable ring 16-2 is arranged to apply mechanical pressure to the movable part 11-2 of the deformable element 11 so that the return member enters its working configuration. This ensures optimal airtight contact during tire inflation operations. For example, the inflatable ring 16-2 may deform following the introduction of air via the inflation conduit 16-1, and its volume may increase, thus causing a displacement of the deformable element 11 and consequently a change in the configuration of the return member 12.

[0049] Advantageously, the two inflatable elements 16 are positioned around the first air inlet orifice 101 and the movable part 11-2 of the deformable element 11 is at least partly positioned between an inflatable ring 16-2 of the inflatable element and the shaft 200.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of an inflatable element according to the invention, the inflatable element 16 can be inserted into a recess of suitable shape and dimensions formed in the rigid material 30. The inflatable element 16 can thus include a secondary inflation ring comprising a connector 16-3 which has two air outlets respectively connected to a first and a second end of the inflation conduit 16-1. The inflatable element 16 can also include a portion of the inflation conduit 16-1 which opens outside the recess formed in the rigid material 30 and which comes into contact with the deformable element 11; this portion characterizes the inflatable ring 16-2. In this configuration, the air passing through the inflatable element 16 will induce a deformation of the portion of the inflation conduit 16-1 which is not entirely surrounded by the rigid material 30, namely the inflatable ring 16-2.Since the inflatable ring 16-2 is the only part that can mechanically deform, the application of air pressure through the inflation conduit 16-1 will cause the moving part 11-2 of the deformable element 11 to move, so that the return mechanism enters its working configuration.

[0051] In order to ensure that the deformable element 11 and the shaft are not in permanent contact, which implies constant friction and premature wear, when no pressurized fluid is applied, the return member 12 may be a cantilever spring, in particular a cantilever leaf spring.

[0052] In the context of the invention, the sealing device 1 may include a sealing body 10 having a cassette-type joint arrangement to facilitate its mounting between the shaft 200 and the hub 100. In particular, such an arrangement of a sealing body 10 may include a first sealing ring adapted to be connected to the hub and a second sealing ring adapted to be connected to the shaft, and wherein: - the first sealing ring may include an air inlet 101' arranged to allow the passage of fluid from a first air inlet orifice to a second air outlet orifice, - the second sealing ring 10-2 is arranged to ensure fluidic communication between the first sealing ring 10-1 and a second air outlet orifice 201.

[0053] To ensure optimal sealing during deflation operations, the sealing device 1 according to the invention may include a second deformable element 11' comprising a fixed portion 11-1', mounted on an inner surface of the sealing body 1. The fixed portion 11-1' may be substantially perpendicular to a face of the first sealing ring 10-1, for example, the face intended to be in contact with the hub and, more generally, the face including the air inlet 101'. The second deformable element 11' further includes a movable portion 11-2' positioned between the inner surface of the sealing body and the face of the first sealing ring 10-1 which includes the air inlet 101'. The movable part 11-2' of the second deformable element 11' is thus arranged to come into contact with the first sealing ring 10-1 so as to form a hermetic space E0 between a hub 100 and a shaft 200 when a negative pressure is applied.

[0054] In one embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention, the sealing body 10 may include a fixed ring 17 specifically designed to be mounted on a fixed shaft 200. In this embodiment, it is the hub that rotates and the fixed ring 17 may include a first fluidic conduit connected to the first air inlet port 201, ensuring the passage of air to the second air outlet port 101.

[0055] When the sealing device comprises at least two inflatable elements 16 and a fixed ring 17, the latter may further comprise a second fluidic conduit connected to the two inflatable elements 16, the second conduit may for example be connected to a fluid circuit as will be detailed in connection with an inflation / deflation system according to the invention.

[0056] When the sealing device according to the invention comprises at least two inflatable elements 16, the latter may include an inflation ring secondary arranged to allow the passage of fluid from an inflation inlet to the two inflatable elements 16.

[0057] Preferably, the first sealing ring is adapted to be connected to the hub by a first outer casing and the second sealing ring is adapted to be connected to the shaft by a second outer casing.

[0058] According to a second object, the invention relates to an inflation / deflation system, preferably specifically designed, for a tire. The system according to the invention comprises an external air source and a sealing device according to the invention.

[0059] The external air source can be an air compressor or take the form of a pressurized air reservoir.

[0060] In all cases the external air source includes a pressurized fluid circuit fluidly connected to the first air inlet port 101 and is configured to send an airflow at a predetermined pressure through the first air inlet port 101 so that the return member changes from a rest configuration to a working configuration.

[0061] When the sealing device according to the invention comprises inflatable elements, the inflation / deflation system according to the invention further comprises a second fluid circuit fluidically connected to the two inflatable elements. In this embodiment, the external air source is configured to send a first airflow at a predetermined pressure through the second fluid circuit such that the inflatable ring applies mechanical pressure to the moving part of the deformable element, causing the return member to move from a resting configuration to a working configuration. The external air source is further configured to send a second airflow at a predetermined pressure through the first air inlet port 101 so as to allow fluidic communication between the first air inlet port 101 and a second port 201 of the shaft 200.

[0062] Within the scope of the invention, the various elements intended to come into contact with the hub or the shaft may be made of a friction-resistant material, for example, an elastomeric material or a thermoplastic polymer composed of tetrafluoroethylene such as PTFE. Indeed, although PTFE is a plastic and relatively inelastic material, the deformation induced within the scope of the invention, particularly in connection with the deformable elements 11, 11' to allow the moving part to come into contact with the shaft 200, is adapted to the plastic properties of this material in the sense that its deformation does not imply irreversible deformation.

[0063] An inflation / deflation system according to the invention can be adapted to any type of tire; in particular, it is provided that the system according to the invention, in particular It is intended that the system according to the invention will allow the control of a high-pressure air reserve, for example of at least 25 bar, preferably of more than 30 bar, which can be integrated directly into the tire.

[0064] According to a third object, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising an inflation / deflation system according to the invention.

[0065] The vehicle can correspond to any known type of vehicle, motorized or not, equipped with one or more wheels.

[0066] The invention can be implemented in numerous variations and applications other than those described above. In particular, unless otherwise indicated, the various structural and functional features of each of the embodiments described above should not be considered as combined and / or closely and / or inextricably linked to one another, but rather as mere juxtapositions. Furthermore, the structural and / or functional features of the various embodiments described above may be juxtaposed or combined, in whole or in part, in any different way.

Claims

Demands

1. A sealing device (1) comprising at least one sealing body (10) arranged to be mounted between a hub (100) and a shaft (200) so as to permit fluidic communication between a first air inlet port (101, 201) and a second air outlet port (101, 201), said sealing body comprising: - at least one deformable element (11) comprising a fixed portion (11-1) and a movable portion (11-2), - at least one return member (12) mounted between the fixed and movable portions (11-1, 11-2) of the deformable element (11) and the sealing body (10), the return member (12) being arranged to transition from a rest configuration to a working configuration, in which the return member (12) is adapted to prevent contact between the movable portion (11-2) of the deformable element (11) and a shaft (200) or a hub (100) in a rest configuration and in which, during the passage of a fluid at a predetermined pressure through a first orifice (101,201) air inlet, the return member (12) is adapted to allow deformation of the deformable element (11) so that the moving part (11-2) comes into contact with a shaft (200) or a hub (100) in such a way as to form a hermetic space between a hub (100) and a shaft (200) in working configuration.

2. Sealing device (1) according to claim 1, in which the sealing body (10) comprises an outer casing (13) adapted to be fixed to a hub (100), a membrane (14) extending over an outer surface of the sealing body (10), said membrane further comprising a sealing lip (14-1) arranged to ensure permanent contact of the sealing body (10) with a shaft (200) or a hub (100).

3. Sealing device (1) according to claim 2, said device comprising a second deformable element (11') comprising a fixed portion (11-1') mounted on an inner surface of the sealing body and a movable portion (11-2') positioned between the sealing lip (14-1) and a shaft (200) or a hub (100), said movable portion of the second deformable element (11') being arranged to enter contact with a shaft (200) or a hub (100) so as to form a hermetic space (E0) between a hub (100) and a shaft (200) when a negative pressure is applied.

4. Sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sealing body (10) comprises a first sealing ring (10-1) adapted to be connected to a hub and a second sealing ring (10-2) adapted to be connected to a shaft, and wherein: - the first sealing ring (10-1) comprises an air inlet (101') arranged to allow the passage of fluid from a first air inlet orifice to a second air outlet orifice, - the second sealing ring (10-2) is arranged to ensure fluid communication between the first sealing ring (10-1) and a second air outlet orifice (201).

5. Sealing device (1) according to claim 4, said device comprising a second deformable element (11') comprising a fixed part (11-1'), mounted on an inner surface of the sealing body substantially perpendicular to a face of the first sealing ring (10-1) comprising the air inlet, and a movable part (11-2') positioned between the inner surface of the sealing body and the face of the first sealing ring (10-1) comprising the air inlet, said movable part of the second deformable element (11') being arranged to come into contact with the first sealing ring (10-1) so as to form a hermetic space (E0) between a hub (100) and a shaft (200) when a negative pressure is applied.

6. Sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said device comprising at least two inflatable elements (16), said two inflatable elements having an inflation conduit (16-1) and an inflatable ring (16-2), said inflatable ring being arranged to apply mechanical pressure to the movable part (11-2) of the deformable element (11) so that the return member (12) goes into working configuration.

7. Sealing device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the two inflatable elements (16) are arranged to be positioned around a first air inlet orifice (101, 201) and the movable part (11-2) of the deformable element (11) is at least partly positioned between an inflatable ring of the inflatable element (16) and a shaft (200) or a hub (100).

8. Sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or 6 to 7, wherein the sealing body (10) comprises a fixed ring (17) specifically designed to be mounted on a fixed shaft (200), the fixed ring (17) comprising a first fluidic conduit connected to the first air inlet orifice (201) and where the sealing device is a device according to any one of claims 6 to 7, the fixed ring (17) further comprises a second fluidic conduit connected to the two inflatable elements (16).

9. Sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the return member is a cantilevered spring.

10. Tire inflation / deflation system, said system comprising an external air source and a sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or according to claim 9 taken in dependence on any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the external air source comprises a pressurized fluid circuit fluidly connected to a first air inlet port, said external air source being configured to send an airflow at a predetermined pressure through the first air inlet port so that the return member changes from a rest configuration to a working configuration.

11. A pneumatic inflation / deflation system, said system comprising an external air source and a sealing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8 or according to claim 9 in conjunction with any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the external air source comprises a first pressurized fluid circuit fluidly connected to a first air inlet orifice and a second fluid circuit fluidly connected to the two inflatable elements, said external air source being configured to send a first airflow at a predetermined pressure through the second fluid circuit such that the inflatable ring applies mechanical pressure to the moving part of the deformable element and the return member changes from a rest configuration to a working configuration, the external air source being further configured to send a

12. second airflow at a predetermined pressure by the first air inlet port so as to allow fluidic communication between the first port of a hub and a second port of a shaft. Vehicle comprising a tire inflation / deflation system according to claim 10 or 11.

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