Tire inflation apparatus

摘要

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.

主权项

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, anda 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.