VEIN-STYLE AIR PUMPING TUBE AND TIRE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY

摘要

An air maintenance tire (12) and a method of assembling an air maintenance tire (12) is disclosed. The tire (12) comprises an elongate groove formed to extend into a flexing region of a tire sidewall (16, 18), the groove having a profiled internal geometry; an elongate tube (26) having an internal elongate air passageway (28) and an external geometric shape substantially complementing the groove internal geometry for operably enabling a close receipt of the tube (26) into the groove; the tube (26) having at least one access shaft (74) preferably formed therein extending from an outward surface to a check valve seat (76) positioned at a depth within the tube (26) substantially in line with the air passageway (28); a check valve device (42) configured to insert into the access shaft (74) and to seat within the check valve seat (76) in alignment with the air passageway (28); and a plug component (78) substantially filling the access shaft (74) to a depth of the check valve device (42) whereby occupying the access shaft (74).