Abstract
The hub cap system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, includes a hub cap configured to rotate about an axial direction, wherein the hub cap has a central aperture which extends in the axial direction, and an air guiding system including a primary connection and a secondary connection, wherein the air guiding system extends partially into or through the central aperture.
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A hub cap system for a vehicle comprising: a hub cap configured to rotate about an axial direction, wherein the hub cap has a central aperture which extends in the axial direction; and an air guiding system including a primary connection and a secondary connection, wherein the air guiding system extends partially into or through the central aperture, and wherein the air guiding system is translationally displaceable and/or extendable relative to the hub cap in the axial direction.
17. The hub cap system according to claim 16, wherein the air guiding system is reversibly connected to the hub cap.
18. The hub cap system according to claim 17, wherein the air guiding system is positively fixed to the hub cap.
19. The hub cap system according to claim 17, wherein the air guiding system and/or the hub cap comprises an inner or outer undercut running at least in sections around the axial direction, and wherein the other of the hub cap and the air guiding system comprises at least one latching finger configured to engage in the undercut, wherein the air guiding system is configured to be fixed to the hub cap via the undercut and the at least one latching finger.
20. The hub cap system according to claim 17, wherein the air guiding system and/or the hub cap is configured such that the air guiding system is held in a positively-locking, rotationally fixed manner relative to the hub cap.
21. The hub cap system according to claim 17, wherein the air guiding system and/or the hub cap is configured such that the air guiding system can only be attached to the hub cap in a single predetermined rotational position about the axial direction.
22. The hub cap system according to claim 17, wherein the air guiding system and/or the hub cap is configured such that the air guiding system can only be attached to the hub cap in a fixed number of several predetermined rotational positions about the axial direction.
23. The hub cap system according to claim 16, wherein the hub cap system comprises an adapter element, wherein the air guiding system is reversibly connected and/or connectable to the adapter element, and wherein the adapter element is reversibly connected and/or connectable to the hub cap.
24. The hub cap system according to claim 16, wherein the hub cap comprises a collar element extending in the axial direction, wherein at least one distal end portion of the collar element facing away from the central aperture in the axial direction projects beyond the air guiding system in the axial direction, and wherein the collar element encloses at least a part of the air guiding system and/or the central aperture at least in sections in a radial direction.
25. The hub cap system according to claim 16, wherein the air guiding system is configured to be transferred from a first position to a second position, wherein the air guiding system projects beyond the hub cap in the second position as seen in the axial direction, and wherein the air guiding system does not project beyond the hub cap in the first position as seen in the axial direction.
26. The hub cap system according to claim 25, further comprising: a bellows device for retracting and extending and/or displacing the air guiding system in the axial direction.
27. The hub cap system according to claim 16, further comprising: a central body and a mounting body, wherein the mounting body is configured to fix the hub cap to a wheel or a hub via a fastener, and wherein the central body forms the central aperture and/or wherein the central body is fixed in or at a mounting opening of the mounting body.
28. The hub cap system according to claim 27, wherein the fastener includes a latching lug of the mounting body.
29. A vehicle, comprising a hub cap system according to claim 16.
30. The vehicle according to claim 29, wherein the vehicle comprises a commercial vehicle.
31. A method for mounting a hub cap system with a hub cap and an air guiding system for a tire pressure regulation system, comprising: translationally displacing the air guiding system in the axial direction into a first position such that the air guiding system does not project beyond the hub cap as seen in the axial direction of the hub cap; providing the hub cap system; installing the hub cap system in a vehicle and/or in a wheel of a vehicle; and translationally displacing the air guiding system in the axial direction into a second position such that the air guiding system projects beyond the hub cap at least on one side when viewed in the axial direction of the hub cap.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the air guiding system is reversibly connected to the hub cap.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the air guiding system and/or the hub cap comprises an inner or outer undercut running at least in sections around the axial direction, and wherein the other of the hub cap and the air guiding system comprises at least one latching finger configured to engage in the undercut, wherein the air guiding system is configured to be fixed to the hub cap via the undercut and the at least one latching finger.
34. The method according to claim 32, wherein the air guiding system and/or the hub cap is configured such that the air guiding system is held in a positively-locking, rotationally fixed manner relative to the hub cap.
35. The method according to claim 32, wherein the air guide system and/or the hub cap is configured such that the air guide system can only be attached to the hub cap in one or more predetermined rotational positions about the axial direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0063] Individual features and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other and the advantages assigned to the individual features also apply to a combination of these features. Further advantages and features of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the object according to the invention with reference to the accompanying figures. The following description serves only to clarify the invention and should not be understood as limiting the appended claims to one of the embodiments. It shows
[0064] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hub cap system according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0065] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0066] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0067] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2;
[0068] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0069] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5,;
[0070] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0071] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0072] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0073] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0074] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10;
[0075] FIG. 12 is a lateral view of an air guiding system with a telescopic mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0076] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0077] FIG. 14 is a further sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13;
[0078] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0079] FIG. 16 is a further sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13;
[0080] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0081] FIG. 18 is a further sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 17;
[0082] FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0083] FIG. 20 is a further sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 19;
[0084] FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0085] FIG. 22 is a further sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 21;
[0086] FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0087] FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a hub cap system according to one embodiment;
[0088] FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a sealing ring arranged on a hub cap according to a first embodiment;
[0089] FIG. 26 is an enlarged sectional view of a sealing ring arranged on a hub cap according to a first embodiment;
[0090] FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a sealing ring arranged on a hub cap according to a second embodiment;
[0091] FIG. 28 is an enlarged sectional view of a sealing ring arranged on a hub cap according to the second embodiment;
[0092] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a hub cap system according to a further embodiment of the invention; and
[0093] FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the hub cap system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 29.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0094] FIG. 1 shows a hub cap system 1. The hub cap system 1 comprises a hub cap 2 and an air ducting system 3, whereby the air ducting system 3 is in particular a rotary union. FIG. 1 shows a secondary connection 4 of the air guiding system 3, which is provided in particular for connecting a compressed air line leading to a tire. Furthermore, the hub cap system 1 comprises a collar element 8, which surrounds the air guiding system 3 in sections. The collar element 8 serves to protect the air guiding system 3. The collar element 8 has a variable extension, whereby the secondary connection 4 of the air guiding system 3 is arranged in a local minimum of the extension of the collar element 8.
[0095] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a hub cap system 1, which could also be shown in FIG. 1. The collar element 8 projects slightly beyond the air guiding system 3 in the axial direction and thus forms a protection for the air guiding system 3. A primary connection 8 of the air guiding system 3 is arranged within a central aperture 32 of the hub cap 2. The hub cap 2 comprises a mounting body 38 for connection to a wheel hub and a central body 36. The mounting body 38 and the central body 36 are fixed to each other by means of a fastening means 37, which is a latching lug of the mounting body 38. The fastening means 37 of the mounting body 38 engages in a recess in the central body 36. Both the fastening means 37 and the recess are circumferential. The central body 36 also comprises the central aperture 32, in which the air guiding system 3 is partially arranged.
[0096] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a hub cap system 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The hub cap system 1 does not have a collar element 8. However, it is also optionally possible for a collar element 8 to be provided in this embodiment-as well as in all other embodiments shown. The hub cap system 1 comprises several latching fingers 10, in particular four latching fingers 10, which are part of the air guiding system 3 and which engage in a corresponding undercut of the hub cap 2. A corresponding fastening can also be provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The other features of this embodiment essentially correspond to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0097] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a hub cap system 1 in which the air guiding system 3 is attached to the hub cap 2 by means of an adapter element 14. The adapter element 14 is fixed to the hub cap 2 by means of latching fingers 11 of the hub cap 2. The latching fingers 11 of the hub cap 2 fix the adapter element 14 by engaging around the adapter element 14 and fixing the adapter element 14 by bracing it with a surface 15 of the adapter element. In this embodiment, the air guiding system 3 is screwed into the adapter element 14. However, it is also possible, for example, for the air guiding system 3 to be clamped into the adapter element 14 or to be fixed in the adapter element 14, for example by means of a latching lug.
[0098] FIG. 7 shows a hub cap system 1, wherein the air guiding system 3 has several engagement positions 18, e.g. four engagement positions 18, which are evenly distributed radially on the air guiding system 3. The engagement positions 18 consist of openings in the air guiding system 3 extending in the axial direction A. Several latching fingers 11 of the hub cap 2 engage in these engagement positions 18 in order to fix the air guiding system 3 in position. By providing four symmetrically arranged engagement positions 18, there are exactly four positions or four rotational positions in which the air guiding system 3 can be fixed to the hub cap 2.
[0099] FIG. 8 shows a hub cap system 1, whereby the air guiding system 3 is arranged in a recess in the hub cap 2 so that the air guiding system 3 does not protrude beyond the hub cap 2 in axial direction A. The secondary connection 4 is aligned in axial direction A, so that a connection to the secondary connection 4 can be made in axial direction A.
[0100] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a hub cap system 1. The air guiding system 3 is also arranged in a recess in the hub cap 2, with the secondary connection 4 of the air guiding system 3 oriented in the radial direction R. The recess of the hub cap 2 extends completely over the entire area of the hub cap 2 in the radial direction R. This makes it relatively easy to connect a fluid line to the secondary connection 4 in the radial direction R. The hub cap system 1 also comprises a protective element 26 in the form of a protective cap. This protective element 26 represents the distal end region of the hub cap 2 on the left-hand side as seen in axial direction
[0101] A. The protective element 26 thus provides additional protection for the air guiding system 3 in axial direction A.
[0102] FIG. 10 shows a hub cap system 1. In this design example, the air guiding system 3 is also arranged in a recess in the hub cap 2 and is also protected by a protective element 26. The recess is shaped like a segment of a circle, whereby the recess provides good protection for the air guiding system 3 on the one hand, but at the same time also enables a good connection option to the air guiding system 3 due to the outwardly open design. Furthermore, this recess can be used to engage in the hub cap 2 with a tool, for example, in order to turn the hub cap 2 relative to a wheel hub.
[0103] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the hub cap system 1, as also shown in FIG. 10. The protective element 26 is fixed in lateral recesses of the hub cap 2 by means of locking lugs.
[0104] FIG. 12 shows an air guiding system 3 with a telescopic mechanism 34, by means of which the air guiding system 3 can be displaced or retracted and extended in axial direction A. The air guiding system 3 can be displaced by pushing together or pulling apart the telescopic mechanism 34 or the individual components of the telescopic mechanism 34.
[0105] FIGS. 13 and 14 each show a sectional view of a hub cap system 1 comprising a bellows device 20, which is extended in FIG. 13 and retracted in FIG. 14. If the bellows device 20 is extended, the air guiding system 3 is located completely inside the hub cap 2 and is therefore well protected from external influences. This positioning can be used in particular to transport the hub cap system 1 before installation in order to prevent damage to the air guiding system 3. In contrast, the air guiding system 3 in FIG. 14 is extended, in particular in axial direction A. The bellows device 20 engages in an undercut 13 of the air guiding system 3 in order to be able to move the air guiding system 3. Furthermore, the bellows device 20 can be fixed in its position by being fixed in its position by means of a hook element 22. The hook element 22 can be arranged completely around the bellows device 20. However, it can also, for example, comprise individual rods or hooks which engage in the bellows device 20.
[0106] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a sectional view of a hub cap system 1, which also has a bellows device 20, with which the air guiding system 3 can be displaced in axial direction A. FIG. 16 shows the air guiding system 3 in its extended position, in which the bellows device 20 is completely retracted. The air guiding system 3 can be fixed by means of locking lugs 24, which engage on an outer surface of the hub cap 2.
[0107] FIGS. 17 and 18 show a hub cap system 1 with the air guiding system 3 fastened in the central aperture 32 of the hub cap 2 by means of fastening elements. Both the hub cap 2 in the central aperture 32 and the air guiding system 3 on the outside of its air guide tube 28 each have a circumferential groove, by means of which the air guiding system 3 is fixed to the hub cap 2 with the aid of a snap ring 30, which extends within these grooves. Alternatively, a clip mechanism or a latching mechanism for fastening in the central aperture 32 would also be conceivable. It would also be conceivable to provide a small adapter which performs a corresponding task of fastening in the central aperture 32.
[0108] FIGS. 19 and 20 show a sectional view of a hub cap system 1, whereby the air guiding system 3 has several latching fingers 10, which extend through the central aperture 32 and grip around the surface of the wheel hub at the mouth of the central aperture 32. This fixes the air guiding system 3 to the hub cap 2.
[0109] FIGS. 21 and 22 show a further sectional view of a hub cap system 1, wherein the hub cap system 1 comprises an adapter element 14, which is designed as a dowel-like mechanism. The dowel-like mechanism comprises a plurality of latching fingers 16, which brace the adapter element 14 with the hub cap 2, in particular by engaging in a surface at the mouth of the central aperture 32 of the hub cap 2. The air guiding system 3 is screwed into the adapter element 14 and presses the latching fingers 16 of the adapter element 14 outwards, whereby the latching fingers 16 are braced in particular with the central aperture 32. In particular, it may be provided here that the adapter element 14 is first inserted into the central aperture 32 during installation and is then clamped to the hub cap 2 by screwing in the air guiding system 3.
[0110] FIG. 23 shows a vehicle 40, whereby this vehicle 40 comprises several hub cap systems 1 on its wheels. In this case, the vehicle 40 is a trailer. The hub cap system 1 corresponds to the invention, in particular the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. A combination of different embodiments of hub cap systems on different wheels and/or axles of the vehicle 40 is also conceivable.
[0111] FIG. 24 shows a sectional view of a hub cap system with a sealing ring 101 and a hub cap 2 according to one embodiment. The sealing ring 101 is arranged circumferentially around the hub cap 2 and is shown here in cross-section as in the following figures. The hub cap 2 comprises several fastening means 114 for clamping with a wheel hub. By placing the hub cap 2 on the wheel hub, an inner space 110 can be formed, which can be sealed to the outside with the aid of the sealing ring 101.
[0112] FIGS. 25 and 26 show a sectional view of a sealing ring 101 arranged on a hub cap 2, which is shown here in section, according to a first embodiment. The sealing ring 101 comprises a primary sealing lip 102 for bearing against a wheel hub and a secondary sealing lip 103, which bears against the hub cap 2. Both the primary sealing lip 102 and the secondary sealing lip 103 adjoin the retaining area 105 of the sealing ring 101 and extend from there both in the axial direction A and in the radial direction R. In this embodiment, the retaining area 105 represents the main part of the sealing ring 101 and is arranged in a groove or on an attachment area of the hub cap 2. A receiving space 116 is arranged below the primary sealing lip 103 and enclosed by the primary sealing lip 103, the retaining area 105 and a side wall of the wheel hub 2. The receiving space 116 is fluidically connected by means of a connecting aperture 104 through the hub cap 2 to the interior 110 formed by the hub cap 2 and a wheel hub. An air line is provided from the inner chamber 110 to the receiving chamber 116 through the connecting aperture 104, whereby in particular the pressure in the receiving chamber 116 essentially corresponds to the pressure in the inner chamber 110. If the pressure in the interior 110 now exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure, the secondary sealing lip 103 is bent elastically upwards or essentially away in the positive radial direction R and a venting path is created via the connecting aperture 104, the receiving space 116 and past the secondary sealing lip 103. Air can escape from the interior 110 to the outside via this venting path until the pressure in the interior 110 is no longer above the predetermined maximum pressure. As soon as the pressure in the interior 110 is no longer above the maximum pressure, the secondary sealing lip 103 reconnects to the hub cap 2 and the venting path is closed again. In this state, no dirt or liquids can enter the interior 110, in particular due to the sealing ring 101 and the sealing lips 102, 103.
[0113] FIGS. 27 and 28 show a sectional view of a sealing ring 101 arranged on a hub cap 2, which is shown here in section. In this embodiment, the sealing ring 101 also has a primary sealing lip 102 and a secondary sealing lip 103 as well as a retaining area 105. In this embodiment, the sealing lip 101 also has one or more apertures 108 in the direction of rotation U, one of which can be seen in this sectional view. The aperture 108 runs both in the radial direction R and in the axial direction A. It thus connects a channel 106, which is arranged in a bottom surface 112 of the sealing ring 101, with the receiving space 116, which is configured here in the same way as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. Both the channel 106 and the receiving space 116 have a constant cross-section in the direction of rotation U. Both are thus continuous and are connected at points by the apertures 108. To connect the channel 106 with the interior 110, the hub cap 2 has at least one connecting aperture 104. A venting path can be opened via the connecting aperture 104, the channel 106, the aperture 108 and the receiving space 116 if the secondary sealing lip 103 is elastically bent back in the interior 110 and thus also in the receiving space 116 in the event of excess pressure. Below a nominal pressure value, on the other hand, the secondary sealing lip closes by contacting the hub cap 2, while the primary sealing lip 102 also seals the interior 110 by contacting a connected wheel hub not shown here. In an assembled system comprising hub cap 2, wheel hub and sealing ring 101, the sealing ring 101 can thus ensure that no foreign bodies can enter the wheel hub or a wheel comprising the wheel hub from the outside.
[0114] FIG. 29 shows a hub cap system 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention. FIG. 30 shows a sectional view of the hub cap system in FIG. 29. The hub cap system 1 comprises a hub cap 2 and an air guiding system 3, wherein the air guiding system 3 is in particular a rotary feedthrough. The air guiding system 3 has an external thread in the area of the secondary connection 4. The hub cap 2 is shaped on the outside in such a way that rotation of the air guiding system 3 relative to the hub cap 2 is prevented. Furthermore, the air guiding system 3 and the hub cap 2 are designed in such a way that the air guiding system 3 can only be attached to the hub cap 2 in one of four predetermined rotational positions about the axial direction A. The predetermined rotational positions are at equal angular distances from each other. In particular, fixing in the 0, 90, 180 and 270 positions is provided. The air guiding system 3 comprises an essentially square section. The square is designed to be inserted into the hub cap from the outside. The embodiment shown here can be combined in particular with one of the other embodiments for protecting the air guiding system 3.
[0115] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS [0116] 1 Hub cap system [0117] 2 Hub cap [0118] 3 Air guiding system [0119] 4 Secondary connection [0120] 6 Primary connection [0121] 8 Collar element [0122] 10 Resting fingers of the air duct system [0123] 11 Hub cap locking finger [0124] 12 Undercut of the hub cap [0125] 13 Undercut of the air duct system [0126] 14 Adapter element [0127] 15 Surface of the adapter element [0128] 16 Resting fingers of the adapter element [0129] 18 Latching position [0130] 20 Bellows device [0131] 22 Hook element [0132] 24 Latching lug [0133] 26 Protective element [0134] 28 Air duct pipe [0135] 30 Brittle ring [0136] 32 Central breakthrough [0137] 34 Telescopic mechanism [0138] 36 Central body [0139] 37 Fasteners for central and mounting bodies [0140] 38 Mounting body [0141] 40 Vehicle [0142] 101 Sealing ring [0143] 102 Primary sealing lip [0144] 103 Secondary sealing lip [0145] 104 Connection breakthrough [0146] 105 Holding area [0147] 106 channel [0148] 108 Breakthrough [0149] 110 Interior [0150] 112 Floor area [0151] 114 Fasteners [0152] 116 Recording room [0153] A Axial direction [0154] R Radial direction [0155] U Direction of rotation
