CENTRAL TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM

• US 20190329602A1
• Filed: 04/27/2018
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Pouls, Scott R., Sutherlin, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US15/964,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20190329602A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00318 on the wheels or the hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00363 Details of sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/004 the control being done on the wheel, e.g. using a wheel-mounted reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0491 Constructional details of means for attaching the control device

Abstract

An exemplary system for controlling air pressure in a tire of a vehicle includes an air transfer ring assembly including a reservoir member, a cover member, a first air transfer member, a second air transfer member, and a sealing member configured to seal the reservoir member against the cover member and defining a pressured reserve air chamber. The reservoir member is coupled to a hub assembly of the vehicle and the cover member is coupled to a brake assembly of the vehicle to facilitate the transfer of air to and from a rotating vehicle component and a stationary vehicle component.

Claims

1. A system for controlling air pressure in a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

an air transfer ring assembly including a reservoir member, a cover member, a first air transfer member, a second air transfer member, and a sealing member configured to seal the reservoir member against the cover member and defining a pressured reserve air chamber;

wherein the reservoir member is coupled to a hub assembly of the vehicle and the cover member is coupled to a brake assembly of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir member is a U-shaped member having a first end and a second end opposite and parallel to the first end.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a first sealing member and a second sealing member, the first sealing member extending from a first side of the U-shaped member and the second sealing member extending from a second side of the U-shaped member.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of lateral sealing members and a radial sealing member, the plurality of lateral sealing members sealing against a first portion of the cover member and the radial sealing member sealing against a second portion of the cover member.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sealing member comprises 3 lateral sealing members.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the sealing member further comprises a compressive member, the compressive member engaging the radial sealing member against the cover member.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the compressive member is a garter spring.

8. An automotive vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle wheel assembly including a tire mounted on a hub assembly and defining a pressured tire air chamber;

a brake assembly including a brake dust shield; and

an air transfer ring assembly including a reservoir member, a cover member, a first air transfer member, a second air transfer member, and a sealing member configured to seal the reservoir member against the cover member and defining a pressured reserve air chamber;

wherein the reservoir member is coupled to the hub assembly of the vehicle and the cover member is coupled to the brake assembly of the vehicle; and

wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of lateral sealing members and a radial sealing member, the plurality of lateral sealing members sealing against a first portion of the cover member and the radial sealing member sealing against a second portion of the cover member.

9. The automotive vehicle of claim 8, wherein the hub assembly includes a hub flange and the reservoir member is coupled to the hub flange with a first coupling member.

10. The automotive vehicle of claim 9, wherein the first air transfer member extends from the reservoir member through an opening in the hub flange.

11. The automotive vehicle of claim 8, wherein the cover member is coupled to the brake dust shield of the brake assembly with a second coupling member.

12. The automotive vehicle of claim 11, wherein the second air transfer member extends from the reservoir member through an opening in the brake dust shield.

13. The automotive vehicle of claim 8, wherein the sealing member further comprises a compressive member, the compressive member engaging the radial sealing member against the second portion of the cover member.

14. The automotive vehicle of claim 13, wherein the compressive member is a garter spring.

15. A system for controlling air pressure in a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

an air transfer ring assembly including a reservoir member, a cover member, a first air transfer member, a second air transfer member, and a sealing member that seals the reservoir member against the cover member and defines a pressured reserve air chamber;

wherein the reservoir member is coupled to a hub assembly of the vehicle and the cover member is coupled to a brake assembly of the vehicle; and

wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of lateral sealing members and a radial sealing member, the plurality of lateral sealing members sealing against a first portion of the cover member and the radial sealing member sealing against a second portion of the cover member.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first portion of the cover member is perpendicular to the second portion of the cover member.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the sealing member comprises 3 lateral sealing members.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sealing member further comprises a compressive member, the compressive member engaging the radial sealing member against the cover member.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the compressive member is a garter spring.