Tire having a pump and valve assembly

摘要

A tire having a pump and valve assembly is disclosed. The tire comprises a tire cavity and a first and second sidewall extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The valve assembly has a valve housing having an interior chamber, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm has a first side in fluid communication with the tire cavity and a second side in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The pump has a pump passageway having a first and second end, wherein the pump passageway is positioned in the tire to open and close as the tire rotates. The interior chamber has an inlet chamber in fluid communication with the outside air and a central port in fluid communication with the first and second end of the pump passageway. The diaphragm is positioned over the central port and operative to open and close said central port. A spring is positioned in the interior chamber of the valve housing and operative to bias the diaphragm in an open position. The pump is in fluid communication with the tire cavity.