SYSTEM FOR INFLATING A TIRE OF A WHEEL, CONFIGURED TO BE BUILD INSIDE OR ONTO A HUB OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

System for inflating a tire of a wheel, configured to be build inside or onto a hub of a vehicle, comprising a stationary section and a rotary section wherein the stationary section comprises a first clutch part, wherein the rotary section comprises a second clutch part, configured to selectively engage the first clutch part; an actuator, a driving unit, a pumping unit, and a housing, for housing at least the pumping unit, wherein the housing and the pumping unit are arranged to move together with movement of a wheel, in particular rotate together with the wheel.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A system for inflating a tire of a wheel, configured to be built inside or onto a wheel hub of a vehicle, comprising: a stationary section configured to be connected to a stationary part of the wheel hub; and a rotary section configured to be connected to a wheel mounting part of the wheel hub; wherein the stationary section comprises: a first clutch part configured to be attached to the stationary part of the wheel hub; wherein the rotary section comprises: a second clutch part configured to selectively engage the first clutch part; an actuator configured to move the second clutch part between an engaging position and a non-engaging position; a driving unit connected to the second clutch part and including a cam shaft; a pumping unit positioned radially around the driving unit and including at least one pump element configured to be driven by the cam shaft of the driving unit and pump ambient air, wherein the pumping unit is configured to be attached to an inflatable tire of the wheel, to provide air to the tire; and a housing, for housing at least the pumping unit, wherein the housing and the pumping unit are configured to rotate together with movement of the wheel; wherein, in the non-engaging position, the first and second clutch parts are positioned at a distance, and are mutually rotatable, and wherein in the engaging position the first and second clutch parts are connected and are co-rotatable; and wherein, in the engaging position, the second clutch part and the driving unit are connected to the stationary section such that upon rotation the driving unit rotates with respect to the pumping unit.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the stationary part is a retaining plate and the wheel mounting part is a brake disk housing or wheel mounting plate.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the system is configured to be positioned between the retaining plate and the wheel mounting plate.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the first and second clutch parts are annular clutch parts configured to be positioned around the wheel hub.

21. The system according to claim 17, wherein the rotary section comprises a biasing element configured to bias the second clutch part toward the engaging position, and wherein the actuator is configured to actuate against the biasing force exerted by the biasing element.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the biasing element is a spring.

23. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a bearing positioned between the driving unit and the pumping unit configured to allow mutual rotation between the driving unit and the pumping unit.

24. The system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one pump element comprises a plurality of air inlets for intaking ambient air and a filter positioned in each of the plurality of air inlets configured to filter the ambient air.

25. The system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one pump element is configured to make a reciprocal movement upon rotation of the cam shaft, the reciprocal movement perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the cam shaft.

26. The system according to claim 17, wherein the pumping unit comprises a plurality of interconnected pumping elements positioned radially around the driving unit configured to pump surrounding air upon mutual rotation of the pumping unit and the driving unit.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein at least two of the plurality of interconnected pumping element are positioned in parallel.

28. The system according to claim 26, wherein at least two of the plurality of interconnected pumping elements are positioned in series to provide at least a two-stage pumping action to increase air pressure provided by the pumping unit.

29. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a pressure management system configured to manage the pressure inside a tire of a wheel connected to the wheel hub.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the stationary section comprises a power supply, connectable to a vehicle battery, configured to power the pressure management system.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein the power supply comprises at least one inductive antenna configured for wireless power transfer.

32. The system according to claim 30, wherein the pressure management system comprises a plurality of valves configured to be controlled by the pressure management system and powered by the power supply.

33. An assembly, comprising: a wheel hub including the system according to claim 17; a wheel; and an inflatable tire.

34. The assembly according to claim 33, wherein the inflatable tire and the pumping unit are connected.

35. A vehicle comprising the assembly according to claim 33.

Description

[0028] The invention will be explained by means of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the following figures, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically shows a wheel hub according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 schematically shows a system according to the invention in an exploded view;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the pump unit and the drive unit according to the invention in an exploded view;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a detail including the first and second clutch plates, the biasing element and the actuator according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 5 schematically shows operation of the clutch according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 schematically shows a part of a cross section of a wheel hub with a system according to the invention

[0035] FIG. 7 schematically shows a pressure management system according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 1 schematically shows a wheel hub (1), according to the prior art. The wheel hub (1) comprises a retaining plate (2), for connecting the hub (1) to a suspension of a vehicle, and a wheel mounting plate (3), for mounting a wheel to the hub (1). On the left, the wheel hub (1) if also provided with a brake disk (4) or brake disk housing (4). Of these components, the retaining plate (2) is a stationary part, which is fixed to the vehicle. The other components are typically rotating together with the wheel (upon rotation of the wheel).

[0037] On the left in FIG. 1, a donut-shaped area can be observed, arranged between the wheel mounting plate (3) and the retaining plate (2) of the hub (1). In this area, the system according to the invention can be provided.

[0038] FIG. 2 schematically shows a system (11) according to the invention, as well as the wheel hub (1) as shown in FIG. 1, in an exploded view, as well as an unexploded view on the bottom left. The system (11) is arranged to be provided within the boundaries of the hub (1), and could thus be fitted onto existing hubs (1). The system (11) comprises a first clutch part (12), which is part of the stationary section (12). The system (11) further comprises a second clutch part (13), an actuator (14), a driving unit (15), a pumping unit (16) with pumping elements (17) and a housing (18), which elements are part of the rotary section when the clutch parts (12, 13) are not engaged. FIG. 2 further shows an optional attachment ring (19), for attaching the rotary section to the brake disk (4), as well as optional inductive power antennas (20, 21) and optional electronic systems (22). The second clutch part (13) is in FIG. 2 also provided with a biasing element (23), and the inductive power antenna (20) is provide with an optional power socket (24).

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the pump unit (16) and the drive unit (15), in an exploded view. The drive unit (15) is provided with a cam shaft (25), which is not circular (that is, it is substantially oval shaped or ellipsoidal). The pumping elements (17) are each provided with a cam follower (26), such that upon rotation of the cam shaft (25), this rotation is translated in reciprocal movement by the cam followers (26) of the pumping elements (17). Air is pumped by the pumping elements (17), into a collecting ring (27), which is coupled to a tire connection (28) for connecting the ring (27) to an inflatable tire. FIG. 3 further shows two valves (29, 30), and an actuator connection (31), for connecting the actuator (14) to pressurized air, as will be explained in FIG. 4.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a similar detail as FIG. 3, including the first and second clutch plates (12, 13), the biasing element (23) and the actuator (14). The biasing element (23) forces the second clutch plate (13) against the first clutch plate (12). The actuator connection (31) can be connected to a coupling (32) of the actuator, which actuator is a pneumatic actuator (14). Upon control of the valves (29, 30), pressurized air can be provided to the actuator (14), via the connection (31) and the coupling (32). The outer parts of the actuator (14), corresponding with the outer parts of the second clutch part (13), can expand when provided with an increased air pressure. This increase in pressure, and expansion of the actuator (14), results in movement of the second clutch plate (13), away from the first clutch plate (12), and thus results in disengaging the clutch. FIG. 4 also schematically shows an attachment element (33), attaching the second clutch part (13) to the drive unit (15).

[0041] FIG. 5 schematically shows the actuator (14), provided with two pneumatic elements (34). On the left, the elements (34) are unextended, and unpressurized. On the right, the elements (34) are extended and pressurized. On the left, an engaged position is shown, in which the two clutch plates (12, 13) are coupled. On the right, an un-engaged position is shown, in which the two clutch plates (12, 13) are distanced and uncoupled. The uncoupled state shows a gap (G) between the plates (12, 13), which is not present in the coupled state (C). Other elements have been given the same reference numerals as used in the previous figures.

[0042] FIG. 6 schematically shows a part of a cross section of a wheel hub (1) with a system (11) according to the invention, in unexploded view. In FIG. 6, the first and second clutch plates (12, 13) are shown in an engaged position. The hub in FIG. 6 again has a stationary retaining plate (2), for connecting the hub (1) to a suspension of a vehicle, and a wheel mounting plate (3), for mounting a wheel to the hub (1), and the wheel hub (1) is also provided with a brake disk (4) or brake disk housing (4).

[0043] The first clutch plate (12) is connected to the retaining plate (2), and is thus stationary. The second clutch plate (13) is engaged to the first clutch plate (12), and thus also stationary. Attached to the second clutch plate (13) is the drive unit (15) with cam (25). In the engaged position, this drive unit (15) is thus also stationary.

[0044] Between the second clutch plate (13) and the actuator (14) a gap is present, such that the actuator is part of the rotary section. The housing (18), pump unit (16) with pump elements (17) is part of the rotary section, and rotates together with the wheel, wheel hub and brake disk (4).

[0045] Upon rotation, the rotary section, with the pump unit (16) thus rotates with respect to the drive unit (15). The cam followers (26) of the pump elements (17) thus encounter the cams (25) of the drive unit (15), resulting in the pumping action of the system in the engaged position.

[0046] To unengaged, the actuator unit (14) activates, causing the pneumatic element (34) to expand and engage the second clutch plate (13). This in turn uncoupled the plates (12, 13) and makes the second clutch part (13) part of the rotary section. In the non-engaged position, the drive unit (15), attached to the rotating second clutch part (13) thus rotates together with the pump unit (16). Due to the lack of mutual movement of the pump unit (16) and the drive unit (15), no pumping action occurs.

[0047] FIG. 7 schematically shows a pressure management system (35) according to the invention. Shown in FIG. 7 are also the first (12) and second (13) clutch parts, the actuator (14) and the pump unit (16), as shown for instance in the preceding figures. The pump unit (16) connects to the ambient air through an air filter (36). Ambient air is pressurized, or pumped, by the pump unit (16) into a tire (37). The pressure management system (35) is further provided with a pressure sensor (38), for measuring the pressure inside the tire (37), which sensor (38) is thus connected to the tire (37). When the pressure inside the tire (37) is above a threshold value for instance, no more pumping is required. Then, a first valve (39) is operated, an typically opened. This valve (39) allows pressurized or pumped air to go to the actuator (14), which in turn operates the clutch parts (12, 13) to a disengaged position, wherein no air is pumped by the pump unit (16). To prevent air from passing from the tire to the pump unit (16) in this setting, a non-return valve (40) is provided. A second valve (41) is provided, which when opened allows air, which passed through the first valve (39), to pass to the ambient. Passing air from the tire (37) to the ambient thus requires opening of the two valves (39, 41).

[0048] Although the figures show a rotary section with an axis mounted in a stationary hub part or tube, the invention may also be applied to a hub which provided a rotary hub part mounted about a stationary axis or tube.