Tire pressure control system
First Claim
1. A vehicle tire pressure control system having a pneumatic control unit, a pressure sensor, a rotary seal associated with the tire, a wheel valve having a plurality of functional positions and being connected to and rotating with the tire, an inlet connected with a compressed air source, the control unit being connected through a connecting line and the rotary seal to the wheel valve, and the functional position of the wheel valve being controlled as a function of a pressure level in the connecting line, the wheel valve functional positions including a closed position, a open position connecting the control unit with the tire, and a venting position which opens the tire to atmosphere, the wheel valve occupying its open position as long as an inflation pressure exists in the connecting line, the wheel valve occupying its venting position as long as a venting pressure exists in the connecting line which exceeds the inflation pressure by a pre-determined amount, the wheel valve occupying its closed position as long as a closing pressure exists in the connecting line which is less than the inflation pressure by at least a pre-determined pressure difference, characterized by:
- a pressure level line;
first and second parallel pressure lines between the compressed air source and the pressure level line;
a high pressure valve in the first pressure line;
a medium pressure valve in the second pressure line, the high pressure valve and the medium pressure valve each being switchable between a closed position and an open position; and
a pressure reducing valve in the second pressure line for regulating an inflation pressure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tire pressure control system and method includes a pneumatic control unit, a pressure sensor, a rotary seal associated the tire and a wheel valve rotating with the tire. The system is connected to a compressed air source and the control unit is connected through a connecting line and the rotary seal with the wheel valve. The position of the wheel valve is a function of the pressure in the connecting line. To inflate and vent a tire and to reduce the number of components, the wheel valve has a closed position, an open position wherein a connection is established between the control unit and the tire, and a venting position that opens to the atmosphere. The wheel valve is maintained in its open position as long as an inflation pressure exists in the connecting line. The wheel valve moves into its venting position as long as the pressure in the connecting line that exceeds the inflation pressure by at least a pre-determined value. The wheel valve moves into its closed position when a closing pressure exists in the connecting line which is less than the inflation pressure by at least a pre-determined pressure difference.
72 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A vehicle tire pressure control system having a pneumatic control unit, a pressure sensor, a rotary seal associated with the tire, a wheel valve having a plurality of functional positions and being connected to and rotating with the tire, an inlet connected with a compressed air source, the control unit being connected through a connecting line and the rotary seal to the wheel valve, and the functional position of the wheel valve being controlled as a function of a pressure level in the connecting line, the wheel valve functional positions including a closed position, a open position connecting the control unit with the tire, and a venting position which opens the tire to atmosphere, the wheel valve occupying its open position as long as an inflation pressure exists in the connecting line, the wheel valve occupying its venting position as long as a venting pressure exists in the connecting line which exceeds the inflation pressure by a pre-determined amount, the wheel valve occupying its closed position as long as a closing pressure exists in the connecting line which is less than the inflation pressure by at least a pre-determined pressure difference, characterized by:
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a pressure level line; first and second parallel pressure lines between the compressed air source and the pressure level line; a high pressure valve in the first pressure line; a medium pressure valve in the second pressure line, the high pressure valve and the medium pressure valve each being switchable between a closed position and an open position; and a pressure reducing valve in the second pressure line for regulating an inflation pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification