Tire inflation apparatus

• US 9,434,218 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accuride Corporation
• Original Assignee: Accuride Corporation
• Inventors: Root, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US14/428,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20150239309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/004 the control being done on the wheel, e.g. using a wheel-mounted reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/127 the pumps being mounted on the hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/131 activated by force of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 27/005 with two cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/002 driven by internal combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/08 Actuation of distribution members

Abstract

A tire inflation apparatus includes a housing coupled for co-rotation with a vehicle wheel, which includes a rim and a tire. The apparatus also includes a pendulum coupled to the housing for relative rotation therewith, a mechanically actuated pump coupled to the housing and operated in response to relative rotation between the housing and the pendulum, a valve positioned downstream of the pump and movable between a closed position in which pressurized air generated by the pump is prevented from being transferred to an air chamber between the rim and the tire, and an open position in which the pressurized air may be transferred to the air chamber, an electrically powered actuator coupled to the valve for moving the valve to at least one of the open and closed positions, and a generator operable to convert rotational kinetic energy of the wheel to electrical energy to power the actuator.

Claims

1. A tire inflation apparatus for use with a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising:

a housing coupled for co-rotation with the wheel, the wheel including a rim and a tire mounted thereto;

a pendulum coupled to the housing for relative rotation therewith;

a mechanically actuated pump coupled to the housing and operated in response to relative rotation between the housing and the pendulum;

a valve positioned downstream of the pump and movable between a closed position in which pressurized air generated by the pump is prevented from being transferred to an air chamber between the rim and the tire, and an open position in which the pressurized air is transferred to the air chamber;

an electrically powered actuator coupled to the valve for moving the valve to at least one of the open and closed positions;

a generator operable to convert rotational kinetic energy of the wheel to electrical energy to power the actuator, wherein the generator includes

a plurality of magnets coupled to the pendulum, and

a plurality of induction coils each coupled for co-rotation with the housing and in facing relationship with the magnets;

a circuit board coupled for co-rotation with the housing, wherein the induction coils are coupled to the circuit board;

a first manifold in which pressurized air discharged from the pump is stored;

a second manifold in continuous fluid communication with the air chamber between the rim and the tire; and

a third manifold into which pressurized air from the first manifold is transferred and stored prior to being transferred into the second manifold.

2. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve is positioned in one of the first, second, and third manifolds.

3. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit board at least partially defines at least one of the first, second, and third manifolds.

4. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 3, wherein the circuit board at least partially defines each of the first, second, and third manifolds.

5. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 4, wherein the circuit board includes a first side and an opposite second side, and wherein the first and third manifolds are positioned on the first and second sides of the circuit board, respectively.

6. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 5, wherein the circuit board includes a first aperture extending between the first and second sides for selectively fluidly communicating the first and third manifolds.

7. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second and third manifolds are positioned on the first and second sides of the circuit board, respectively.

8. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the circuit board includes a second aperture extending between the first and second sides for selectively fluidly communicating the second and third manifolds.

9. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the valve is a first valve positioned in the first manifold, and wherein the apparatus further includes a second valve positioned in the second manifold for selectively blocking the second aperture.

10. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a third valve positioned in the third manifold for selectively blocking the first aperture.

11. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the circuit board includes a third aperture extending between the first and second sides for selectively fluidly communicating the first manifold with the atmosphere, and wherein the third aperture is selectively blocked by the first valve.

12. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first pressure sensor coupled to the circuit board and positioned in the first manifold for detecting pressure in the first manifold,

a second pressure sensor coupled to the circuit board and positioned in the second manifold for detecting pressure in the second manifold, and

a third pressure sensor coupled to the circuit board and positioned in the third manifold for detecting pressure in the third manifold.

15. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is a two-cylinder, single stage pump.

24. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes opposite sides, and wherein the coils are etched on both sides of the circuit board.

25. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the induction coils are located proximate a radially outermost edge of the circuit board.

26. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the generator outputs three-phase electrical power, and wherein the apparatus further includes a full bridge rectifier coupled to the circuit board for each of the three phases.

30. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller coupled to the circuit board for directing electrical power output by the generator to the electrically powered actuator.

31. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pendulum includes a weight offset from a rotational axis of the pendulum for maintaining a substantially continuous orientation of the pendulum as the housing and wheel are rotated.

32. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter located upstream of the pump.

33. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a centrifugal separator located upstream of the filter for removing liquid and particulate debris from an inlet airflow leading to the pump.

13. A tire inflation apparatus for use with a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising:

a housing coupled for co-rotation with the wheel, the wheel including a rim and a tire mounted thereto;

a pendulum coupled to the housing for relative rotation therewith;

a mechanically actuated pump coupled to the housing and operated in response to relative rotation between the housing and the pendulum;

a valve positioned downstream of the pump and movable between a closed position in which pressurized air generated by the pump is prevented from being transferred to an air chamber between the rim and the tire, and an open position in which the pressurized air is transferred to the air chamber;

an electrically powered actuator coupled to the valve for moving the valve to at least one of the open and closed positions, wherein the electrically powered actuator is a shape memory alloy wire, and wherein the shape memory alloy wire contracts in response to a current passing through the wire for moving the valve toward the open position;

a generator operable to convert rotational kinetic energy of the wheel to electrical energy to power the actuator;

a resilient member biasing the valve toward the closed position; and

a circuit board coupled for co-rotation with the housing, wherein the shape memory alloy wire includes at least one end anchored to the circuit board.

14. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the valve is pivotably coupled to the circuit board.

27. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the resilient member is a torsion spring.

16. A tire inflation apparatus for use with a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising:

a housing coupled for co-rotation with the wheel, the wheel including a rim and a tire mounted thereto;

a pendulum coupled to the housing for relative rotation therewith;

a mechanically actuated pump coupled to the housing and operated in response to relative rotation between the housing and the pendulum;

a valve positioned downstream of the pump and movable between a closed position in which pressurized air generated by the pump is prevented from being transferred to an air chamber between the rim and the tire, and an open position in which the pressurized air is transferred to the air chamber;

an electrically powered actuator coupled to the valve for moving the valve to at least one of the open and closed positions, wherein the electrically powered actuator is a shape memory alloy wire, and wherein the shape memory alloy wire contracts in response to a current passing through the wire for moving the valve toward the open position;

a generator operable to convert rotational kinetic energy of the wheel to electrical energy to power the actuator;

a reciprocation mechanism drivably coupled to the pump for operating the pump, wherein the reciprocation mechanism includes a driven gear coupled to the housing for relative rotation therewith and a connecting rod pivotably coupled to the driven gear at a location offset from a rotational axis of the driven gear;

a drive gear coupled to the housing for relative rotation therewith and meshed with the driven gear; and

a clutch mechanism selectively drivably coupling the drive gear with the pendulum.

17. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 16, wherein the pump includes a piston, wherein a first end of the connecting rod is pivotably coupled to the driven gear, and wherein a second end of the connecting rod is pivotably coupled to the piston for imparting reciprocation to the piston in response to rotation of the driven gear.

18. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 16, wherein the clutch mechanism includes a drive pin selectively drivably coupling the drive gear to the pendulum, and wherein the drive pin is movable between a first position in which the drive pin is engaged with the pendulum, and a second position in which the drive pin is disengaged from the pendulum.

19. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 18, wherein the pendulum includes an axle, and wherein the axle is rotatably supported by the housing at a location coaxial with the drive gear.

20. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 19, wherein the drive pin is offset from a rotational axis of the drive gear.

21. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 20, wherein the pendulum includes a projection in facing relationship with the drive gear and radially offset from the axle a sufficient amount to be engageable by the drive pin when the drive pin is in the first position.

22. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 18, wherein the clutch mechanism further includes

a drive plate from which the drive pin extends in a direction parallel with a rotational axis of the drive gear, the drive pin extending through an aperture in the drive gear to thereby couple the drive plate and the drive gear for co-rotation,

a cam plate coupled for sliding movement relative to the housing and including a cam surface, and

a thrust plate positioned between the drive plate and the cam plate, the thrust plate including a follower engageable with the cam surface to thereby displace the thrust plate and the drive plate, in response to sliding movement of the cam plate, between a raised position in which the drive pin is situated in the first position and extends from the drive gear, and a lowered position in which the drive pin is situated in the second position and is at least partially retracted into the aperture in the drive gear.

23. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 22, wherein the clutch mechanism further includes a compression spring positioned between the drive gear and the drive plate for biasing the drive plate and the thrust plate toward the lowered position.

28. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a second electrically powered actuator coupling the housing and the cam plate for imparting sliding movement to the cam plate relative to the housing.

29. The tire inflation apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second electrically powered actuator is a shape memory alloy wire, and wherein the shape memory alloy wire contracts in response to a current passing through the wire for sliding the cam plate relative to the housing and the thrust plate to thereby displace the thrust plate between the raised and lowered positions.