Tire inflation system for live spindle wheel end

• US 6,283,186 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1999
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krisher, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Application Number:
  US09/447,550
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 152/415, 152/416, 152/417
• US Class Current: 152/417
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00336 on the axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00345 Details of the rotational joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00363 Details of sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00381 specially adapted for steerable wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0039 specially adapted for driven wheels

Abstract

A central tire inflation system for live spindle wheel ends is disclosed. The live spindle wheel end provides a passage for the routing of air between a central source and a vehicle pneumatic tire. The live spindle wheel end comprises a steering knuckle fixed to a vehicle, a bearing assembly secured to the steering knuckle, and a rotatable spindle mounted within the bearing assembly, driven by a drive shaft of a vehicle transmission. A rubbing slip-ring seal is mounted into a flange portion of the steering knuckle provided a seal chamber between a flange portion of the knuckle and a flange portion of the drive shaft, sealing an air passage between the stationary knuckle and the drive shaft. A communication passage is formed through the drive shaft providing a fluid communication between the seal chamber and the pneumatic tire.

Claims

1. A vehicle live spindle wheel end assembly including a tire inflation system providing pressurized air communication through said wheel end assembly, comprising:

a steering knuckle;

an inlet passage formed through said knuckle, said inlet passage connected to a pressurized air supply line;

a stationary member secured to said steering knuckle;

a coaxial rotatable member to which a pneumatic tire is mounted, said rotatable member having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface;

a rubbing slip-ring seal mounted on said knuckle;

said seal forming a seal chamber between said knuckle and said rotatable member, said chamber being in communication with said inlet passage in said knuckle;

a communication passage extending through said rotatable member, said passage being in communication with the pneumatic tire at one end and with said seal chamber at another end;

wherein said rubbing slip-ring seal includes a pair of axially spaced annular projections radially inwardly extending from an annular ring of said seal, said projections being a sliding contact with said cylindrical outer peripheral surface of said rotatable member, said spaced projections, said annular ring and said outer peripheral surface of said rotatable member define said seal chamber;

whereby, pressurized air may flow through said communication passage from said inlet passage in said knuckle to said pneumatic tire.

2. A vehicle live spindle wheel end assembly including a tire inflation system providing pressurized air communication through said wheel end assembly, comprising:

a stationary outer hub;

an inner coaxial rotatable spindle to which a pneumatic tire is mounted, said spindle further having a central bore therethrough including a splined section;

a steering knuckle secured to said stationary hub;

an inlet passage formed through said knuckle connection to a pressurized air supply line;

a drive shaft having a spindle section at one end defining a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a flange section at the other end, said drive shaft is received through said central bore in said spindle forming a spline connection;

a rubbing slip-ring seal mounted on said knuckle;

said seal forming a rolling seal chamber between said knuckle and said drive shaft, said chamber being in communication with said inlet passage in said knuckle;

a communication passage extending through said drive shaft, said passage being in communication with the pneumatic tire at one end and with said rolling seal chamber at another end;

whereby, pressurized air may flow through said communication passage from said inlet passage in said knuckle to said pneumatic tire.

3. The vehicle live spindle wheel end assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said communication passage includes an axial bore axially extending through said drive shaft, and a radial bore extending radially inwardly from said flange section of said drive shaft to terminate at said axial bore, said axial bore being in communication with the pneumatic tire at one end and with said radial bore at the other end, said radial bore being in communication with said rolling seal chamber at one end with said axial bore at the other end.

4. The vehicle live spindle wheel end assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said rubbing slip-ring seal includes a pair of axially spaced annular projections radially inwardly extending from an annular ring, said projections being in sliding contact with said cylindrical outer peripheral surface of said drive shaft, said spaced projections, said annular ring and said outer peripheral surface of said drive shaft define said seal chamber.

5. A vehicle live spindle wheel end assembly including a tire inflation system providing pressurized air communication through said wheel end assembly, comprising:

a steering knuckle;

an inlet passage formed through said knuckle connected to a pressurized air supply line;

a bearing assembly secured to said steering knuckle;

an inner coaxial rotatable spindle to which a pneumatic tire is mounted, said spindle further having a central bore therethrough including a splined section;

a drive shaft having a spindle section at one end defining a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a flange section at the other end, said drive shaft is received through said central bore in said spindle forming a spline connection;

a rubbing slip-ring seal mounted on said knuckle;

said seal forming a rolling seal chamber between said knuckle and said drive shaft, said chamber being in communication with said inlet passage in said knuckle;

said rubbing slip-ring seal includes a pair of axially spaced annular projections radially inwardly extending from an annular ring, said projections being in sliding contact with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of said drive shaft, said spaced projections, said annular ring and said outer peripheral surface of said drive shaft define said seal chamber;

a communication passage extending through said drive shaft, said passage being in communication with the pneumatic tire at one end and with said rolling seal chamber at another end;

said communication passage includes an axial bore axially extending through said drive shaft, and a radial bore extending radially inwardly from said flange section of said drive shaft to terminate at said axial bore, said axial bore being in communication with the pneumatic tire at one end and with said radial bore at the other end, said radial being in communication with said rolling seal chamber at one end and with said axial bore at the other end;

whereby, pressurized air may flow through said communication passage from said inlet passage in said knuckle to said pneumatic tire.