Rotating Hub Gas Routing Seal Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire inflation systems face challenges in efficiently routing and sealing pressurized gas through a hub, leading to potential leaks and inefficiencies in tire inflation.
Innovation Solution
A tire inflation system comprising a conduit, a rotatably mounted hub with a passage for routing pressurized gas, and a seal assembly that fluidly connects the conduit to the hub, ensuring effective gas supply and minimizing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal assembly is added to connect the conduit to the hub passage, then gas leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly integrates multiple sealing functions into a single component that connects to the hub passage and works with the conduit. The seal member, seal housing, and retainer work together as a unified assembly to provide both sealing and structural connection, reducing the need for separate components while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly acts as an intermediary component between the conduit and the hub passage, providing a reliable sealing interface. The seal member specifically mediates the connection between the conduit opening and the passage opening, preventing gas leakage while allowing controlled gas flow through the passage.
2Productivity
If a passage is routed through the rotating hub, then gas delivery to the tire is improved, but gas leakage through the hub increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly serves as an intermediary that allows the passage to route gas through the rotating hub while preventing leakage. The seal member specifically mediates between the moving hub passage and the stationary conduit, enabling gas flow through the passage while maintaining the sealing barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing solution accommodates the dynamic rotation of the hub by using a rotatable seal member that can rotate with the hub while maintaining the sealing interface. This dynamic sealing approach allows the passage to function during hub rotation without compromising gas sealing reliability.
3Reliability
If the seal assembly is disposed between the conduit and hub, then gas leakage is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct components (seal member, seal housing, retainer) that can be manufactured separately using standard machining processes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and manufactured independently, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures reliable and efficient routing of pressurized gas to the tire, maintaining desired pressure while preventing contamination and leakage, enhancing the performance and durability of the tire inflation process.
Implementation Method 1
The seal assembly may have a seal passage that may fluidly connect the conduit to the passage
Implementation Method 2
The conduit may supply a pressurized gas for inflating a tire
Data Source
AI summary
A tire inflation system having a conduit, a hub, and a seal assembly. The hub may be rotatably mounted on a spindle and may have a passage. The seal assembly may have a seal passage that fluidly connects the conduit to the passage.