Tire Inflation Seal Interface for Low-Friction Rotary Air Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire inflation systems face challenges in achieving high accuracy in sealing between rotatable and non-rotatable parts while minimizing friction between rotating components, which can lead to inefficiencies and wear.
Innovation Solution
A tire inflation system with a non-rotatable and rotatable element, where a fluid path extends through cavities of both elements, and at least one element is movable axially between a standard and inflation position, using a gasket that aligns with a contact area to establish a controlled seal, reducing friction through geometric alignment and compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a seal is established between the rotatable part and the non-rotatable part to allow fluid transfer, then sealing accuracy is improved, but friction between the parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket's position is made dynamic rather than static. During rotation, the gasket remains axially offset from the contact area to minimize friction. During inflation/deflation, the gasket moves axially to engage with the contact area to provide sealing. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining low friction during rotation and achieving high sealing accuracy during fluid transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing interface is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a rotation interface where the gasket runs along the outer surface during rotation (low friction), and an inflation interface where the gasket engages with the contact area during inflation (high sealing). This segmentation allows each zone to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
2Reliability
If the gasket is continuously engaged with the contact area to maintain sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket engages with the contact area periodically rather than continuously. Engagement occurs only during inflation and deflation cycles when fluid transfer is needed. During continuous rotation, the gasket disengages to minimize friction and wear. This periodic engagement maintains sealing reliability when needed while extending component service life by reducing cumulative wear.
3Manufacturing precision
If the rotatable element is made movable axially to control sealing, then sealing control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service mechanisms to achieve axial movement and sealing control. Fluid pressure differential automatically moves the rotatable element axially to engage or disengage the gasket from the contact area. A return spring provides the counteracting force. This eliminates the need for complex external actuators, motors, or control systems, achieving high sealing control accuracy while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial movement of the rotatable element is driven by pneumatic forces. The fluid pressure differential across the element creates the axial force needed to move the gasket into or out of engagement with the contact area. This uses the existing fluid system to control sealing without requiring separate mechanical actuation systems.
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 provides well-controlled sealing with reduced friction, allowing for efficient inflation and deflation of tires both when the vehicle is stationary and in motion, minimizing wear and maintaining low friction levels.
Implementation Method 1
the return spring biases the rotatable element towards the standard position
Implementation Method 2
the gasket is in sealing engagement with the contact area
Implementation Method 3
in response to a fluid pressure being provided in the fluid path
Data Source
AI summary
The present document relates to a tire inflation system having a non-rotatable element and a rotatable element mounted at the non-rotatable element, a fluid path extending through a cavity of the non-rotatable element and through a cavity of the rotatable element for passing a fluid from the non-rotatable element to the rotatable element. At least one of the rotatable element and the non-rotatable element is movable in an axial direction with respect to the other between a standard position and an inflation position, and is configured to slide towards the inflation position against the bias of a return spring, in response to a fluid pressure being provided in the fluid path. In the inflation position the gasket is in sealing engagement with the contact area.