DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE PRESSURE IN A VEHICLE TYRE
First Claim
1. A device for controlling tyre pressure, the device comprising a casing structure which in use rotates with the wheel hub, a counterweight assembly which is mounted on the casing structure by way of a bearing so that the counterweight assembly hangs and does not rotate with the casing structure, a fixed axle forming part of the counterweight assembly, a first clutch plate, the first clutch plate being fixed to said axle, a second clutch plate, the second clutch plate, in the device'"'"'s non-pumping condition, rotating with said casing structure, means for detecting tyre pressure, means for forcing said first and second clutch plates together to engage the clutch upon a tyre “
- under pressure”
being detected so that said second clutch plate stops rotating, and an air pump which rotates with said casing structure and which includes an air pumping piston and a pump driving element for reciprocating said piston to pump air to the tyre only when said clutch is engaged, said element rotating with said casing structure whilst the clutch is disengaged.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for Controlling pressure is disclosed which comprises a pump (28) having opposed pistons (30) which reciprocate in cylinders (40) carried by a casing (38). The pistons (30) are at the outer ends of rings (50) which are themselves fitted to an eccentric (26). The eccentric (28) is integral with a clutch plate (24). A second clutch plate (22) is fixed to a non-rotating axle (18) which itself forms part of a hanging counterweight structure (20). A piston (84) pushes the eccentric and clutch plate (26, 24) against the clutch plate (22) thereby to prevent the eccentric (26) tyre from rotating with the rings (50) upon a sensor detecting that a tyre has a low pressure in it. Stopping the eccentric initiates the pumping action of the pistons (30).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for controlling tyre pressure, the device comprising a casing structure which in use rotates with the wheel hub, a counterweight assembly which is mounted on the casing structure by way of a bearing so that the counterweight assembly hangs and does not rotate with the casing structure, a fixed axle forming part of the counterweight assembly, a first clutch plate, the first clutch plate being fixed to said axle, a second clutch plate, the second clutch plate, in the device'"'"'s non-pumping condition, rotating with said casing structure, means for detecting tyre pressure, means for forcing said first and second clutch plates together to engage the clutch upon a tyre “
- under pressure”
being detected so that said second clutch plate stops rotating, and an air pump which rotates with said casing structure and which includes an air pumping piston and a pump driving element for reciprocating said piston to pump air to the tyre only when said clutch is engaged, said element rotating with said casing structure whilst the clutch is disengaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20)
- under pressure”
- 12. A device for controlling a vehicle'"'"'s tyre pressure, the device comprising a microprocessor, a first pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in a first tyre of a set of dual tyres and feeding signals representative of detected tyre pressure to said microprocessor, a second pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in a second tyre of the set of dual tyres and feeding signals representative of detected tyre pressure to said microprocessor, a manifold, a first electrically operated valve for connection between said first tyre and the manifold, a second electrically operated valve for connection between said second tyre and the manifold, means for engaging a pump upon one of said pressure sensors detecting a tyre pressure below a predetermined value to pump air to said manifold and for opening the respective one of said first and second valves so that air can flow from the manifold to the below pressure tyre, and a third electrically operated valve for connecting said manifold to atmosphere to evacuate said manifold upon the pressure of said below pressure tyre reaching the requisite value.
Specification