Valve Hub Interface for Central Tire Inflation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central tire inflation systems face challenges with internal ducts in vehicle wheels, which are susceptible to damage and leakage, requiring costly wheel replacement and limiting access for maintenance and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a valve with a hub interface that directly connects to the wheel hub, eliminating the need for internal ducts through the wheel and allowing easier access for maintenance by removing the valve without detaching the wheel, thus reducing the risk of damage and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal ducts are provided through the wheel for communicating fluid between CTI system and valve, then the risk of external conduit damage is reduced, but the wheel becomes susceptible to damage and leakage at the duct interface, requiring costly wheel replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is divided into separable components: the wheel hub, the valve assembly, and the fluid communication pathway. The valve can be independently removed from the wheel hub, allowing maintenance of the fluid pathway without replacing the entire wheel. This segmentation enables the valve to be accessed and replaced separately while the wheel hub remains in service.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve assembly acts as an intermediary component between the CTI system's fluid source and the tire. This intermediate valve can be removed and maintained independently, serving as a replaceable interface that protects the wheel hub from direct exposure to fluid pathway issues. The valve's removable design allows it to mediate between the need for sealed fluid communication and the need for easy maintenance access.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If internal ducts are provided through the wheel, then external conduit damage is prevented, but access to seals and conduits is limited, requiring wheel removal for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented as a separate removable component from the wheel hub. This allows the valve to be accessed by simply removing the valve from the wheel hub, without requiring removal of the entire wheel assembly. The segmentation creates an accessible interface where seals and conduits can be maintained while the wheel remains mounted on the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is extracted as a separate serviceable component from the wheel hub assembly. By taking out the valve as an independent element that can be removed and accessed separately, the design enables maintenance personnel to service the fluid communication pathway, seals, and conduits without the constraint of having to remove the entire wheel from the vehicle.
3Reliability
If seals are used at the interface between wheel duct and CTI system components, then fluid leakage is prevented, but the seals are susceptible to damage and decay over time
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly, which contains the seals at its interface with the wheel hub, is designed to be periodically removed and replaced. This allows the seals to be recovered and replaced independently of the wheel hub, extending the overall system life. When seals show signs of damage or decay, the valve can be removed and the seals replaced without discarding the entire wheel assembly, thus recovering the value of the wheel hub and other components.
Data Source
AI summary
Wheel assemblies and valves for use with central tire inflation systems are provided. A wheel assembly may include a wheel having a rim and a wall extending radially inwardly from the rim. The wall may include an inboard side and an outboard side, and a central opening therethrough. The wheel may include a wheel duct for communicating pressurized fluid to a tire. A valve may be secured to the wheel wall. The valve may include an inboard side and an outboard side. The valve may include a hub interface adapted to extend from its inboard side. The hub interface may be adapted to extend around the wheel wall. The valve may include an inlet duct opening on the hub interface to communicate with a duct in a wheel hub on which the wheel is mounted. The valve may also include an outlet duct configured to communicate with the wheel duct.