COMPACT VALVE SYSTEM FOR SELF-INFLATING TIRE

摘要

A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air passageway in the tire that is operable to be sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air from an inlet device through the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. A valve device for a tire is also disclosed. The valve device includes an insert mounted in the tire, a valve body mounted within the valve insert; wherein the valve body has a first, second and third chamber, wherein a first and second check valve is positioned in the first and second chamber. A pressure membrane is received within the valve body, and positioned to open and close the third chamber. The pressure membrane is in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the third chamber of the valve body. A spring is received within the third chamber and is positioned to exert force upon the pressure membrane to bias the pressure membrane position relative to the channel in the open position.

主权项

1. A self-inflating tire assembly comprising:
a. a tire having a tire cavity, a first and second sidewall extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region; b. said tire having a passageway, said passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, c. a valve device connected to the inlet end and outlet end of the air passageway, wherein the valve device has a valve body having a first, second and third chamber, said first chamber having a first hole in fluid communication with the inlet end of the passageway, said second chamber having a second hole in fluid communication with the outlet end of the passageway, and a third chamber having a channel in fluid communication with the ambient air; d. wherein a first and second one way valve is positioned in the first and second chamber; wherein a pressure membrane is received within the valve body, and positioned to open and close the channel; e. wherein the second chamber is in fluid communication with the tire cavity.