RO-137653-A2 - DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC INFLATION OF WHEELS

RO137653A2RO 137653 A2RO137653 A2RO 137653A2RO-137653-A2

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic inflation device for inflatable wheels, to be used as accessory for the wheels that are exposed, during running, to cyclic heating and cooling. According to the invention, the device consists of a single-piece body (1, 1') which provides a firm contact with a rim (2) and which has inside two or several chambers (3, 3'), as the case may be, grouped as pairs and symmetrically located in relation with a medial wall (4) which separates them, said part being located in the center of the single-piece body (1, 1') to which an actuating mechanism is anchored, which mechanism, located inside of each of said chambers (3, 3'), elastically reacts to temperature variations and consists of some normally uncompressed springs (5, 5') made of intelligent shape-memory materials fixed to the medial wall (4) and in connection with some sliding walls (6, 6') and is connected to some compression springs (7, 7') made of normally compressed elastic materials, fixed to the external walls, at the ends of which there is an orifice corresponding to a pneumatic system embedded inside or located outside the single-piece body (1, 1'), as the case may be, consisting of some pneumatic tubes (8, 8') that allow a gas to be pumped in from the outside, due to its connection with some one-way intake valves (9, 9'), with a pressure regulator (10) and some intake orifices (11, 11') or which allow a gas to be pumped towards the wheel due to its connection with some one-way exhaust valves (12, 12'), with a pressure regulator (10), with a one-way exhaust valve (13) and an exhaust orifice (14).

Inventors

BEJENAR MARIAN
BEJENAR CIPRIAN
ANDREI ALEXANDRU-TUDOR
MILICI LAURENŢIU DAN
RAŢĂ GABRIELA
PAVĂL MIHAELA

Assignees

UNIV STEFAN CEL MARE DIN SUCEAVA

Dates

Publication Date: 20230929
Application Date: 20220303
Priority Date: 20220303

Claims (2)

1. Device for automatic inflation of wheels, characterized by the fact that it consists of a monobloc body (1), (Γ), which ensures firm contact with the rim (2) and inside which, as the case may be, two or more many chambers (3), (3'), grouped in pairs and placed symmetrically with respect to the median wall (4) by which they are separated, part located in the center of the monobloc body (1), (Γ), against which it is anchored an actuation mechanism that reacts elastically to thermal variations, located inside each chamber (3), (3') and constituted, as appropriate, by the actuation springs (5), (5') in the normal uncompressed position , made of intelligent materials with the property of shape memory, fixed to the median wall (4) and in connection with the sliding walls (6), (6'), which is connected, if necessary, to the compression springs (7), ( 7') made of elastic materials in a normal compressed position, fixed to the outer walls, at the ends of which there is a hole corresponding to a pneumatic system, as the case may be, embedded inside or located outside the monobloc body (1), (1'), consisting of the pneumatic tubes (8), (8'), which allow the pumping of a gas from the outside thanks to the connection with the one-way inlet valves (9), (9'), the pressure regulator (10) and the inlet ports (11 ), (1Γ) or which allow a gas to be pumped to the wheel due to the connection with the one-way exhaust valves (12), (12'), the pressure regulator (10), the one-way exhaust valve (13) and the exhaust (14).
2. Device for automatic inflation of wheels, characterized by the fact that it allows the utilization of the existing thermal energy in the rim (2), so that, when the temperature of the actuation springs (5), (5') exceeds the constructively defined transformation temperature value , their structure stiffens and they tense (compress) to the memorized shape towards the middle wall (4) and at the same time move the sliding walls (6), (6') in the same direction, which thus introduce gas into the chambers (3) through suction, (3') through the pneumatic path provided by the intake ports (11), (1Γ), the one-way intake valves (9), (9') and the pneumatic tubes (8), (8') and primes (decompresses) the compression springs (7), (7'), and when the temperature of the actuation springs (5), (5') drops below the constructively defined transformation temperature, their structure becomes elastic and they stretch (decompress) towards the outer walls together with the sliding walls (6), (6') which are moved in the same direction, which thus pump out the gas from the chambers (3), (3') through the pneumatic path provided by the pneumatic tubes (8), ( 8'), the exhaust one-way valves (12), (12'), the pressure regulator (10), the exhaust one-way valve (13) and the exhaust port (14), because they release (compress) compression springs (7), (7') and a constant gas pressure is automatically maintained at the outlet, and the surplus is directed to the intake ports (11), (11').

Description

STATE OFFICE FOR INVEIIțll $1 TRADEMARKS Patent application for Invention N , o Device for automatic tire inflation The invention refers to a device for the automatic inflation of inflatable wheels, suitable as an accessory for wheels subject to cyclical heating and cooling phenomena in operation, which allows the utilization of the thermal energy accumulated in their structure, in that it is provided with an actuation mechanism that allows the conversion its thermo-mechanics. for the purpose of automatic tire inflation, several solutions are known (US8435012B2, KR20200019499A, US2020062052A1) which mainly consist of methods, devices, equipment and/or systems involving different mechanical assemblies used for the purpose of harnessing the centrifugal force developed by a mass located in motion and/or of the mechanical work developed on the shaft of an engine, and in other cases, it involves different electrical assemblies made up of electrical and/or electronic components, used, as the case may be, for the purpose of automatically maintaining the pressure value of a gas that is introduced into wheels by controlled pumping, as constant as possible. The disadvantages of the described solutions consist in the fact that they are complex from a constructive point of view due to the abundance of elements used in their composition, they present a high probability of easily breaking down, drastically decreasing performance, decalibrating or completely failing because they are vulnerable to weather or corrosive agents, and on the other hand, it alters the balance and aerodynamic properties of the means of transport and of the wheels it equips, so that it limits the flow of air necessary to cool the braking systems with which they are accompanied, and for these reasons, it does not present convenience in operation. The invention mainly solves a technical problem by which a simpler solution is used from a constructive point of view, so that it facilitates the automatic inflation of the wheels and does not require rigorous maintenance, and the negative impact on the means of transport, wheels or braking systems is minimized. Device for automatic inflation of wheels, according to the invention, removes the disadvantages and problems presented in that it mainly involves a body with a unitary construction that houses, as the case may be, one or more mechanisms actuated by the variation of temperature in the whole of its robust structure, whose shape is aerodynamic and the possibility of attachment is flexible, so that it represents an adequate solution for the purpose it fulfills. The invention presents the following advantages: The device introduces new possibilities for automatic tire inflation; The device presents simplicity and constructive flexibility, but also advantageous dimensions, without exceeding the gauge of the wheels it equips; The device can be easily attached, in various ways, to the inner surface of the rim of a wheel, so as not to disturb its balance; The device allows one or more similar or equivalent devices to be connected in parallel; The device minimizes the impact that other solutions introduce on the efficiency in moving the means of transport it equips; The device facilitates the automatic inflation of the wheels, both during parking and during the movement of the means of transport it equips; The device reduces the frequency of checking and/or adjusting the pressure in the wheels and/or the need to use other devices, equipment and/or additional systems with the same purpose; The device does not depend on additional energy sources other than the thermal energy required for the drive mechanism adopted for the purpose of automatic tire inflation; The device does not depend on other devices, equipment and/or additional systems with the same purpose; The device is easy to maintain and does not require intensive maintenance; The device allows diagnosing the state of the drive mechanism with the help of electrical and/or electronic devices, equipment and/or systems. An example of an embodiment of the invention is given below in connection with the figures: - Fig. 1 - Devices for automatic inflation of wheels, attached (variant) to the inner surface of the rim of a wheel; - Fig. 2 - Device (variant) for automatic tire inflation, perspective view; - Fig. 3 - Structure of a device (variant) for automatic tire inflation, perspective view; - Fig. 4 - Structure of a device (variant) for automatic tire inflation, side view. Device for automatic inflation of wheels, it is mainly characterized by the fact that it consists of a monobloc body 1,1', which presents a suitably shaped base that ensures firm contact with the rim 2, between which there is adequate thermal conductivity and in the interior of which are arranged, as appropriate, two or more chambers 3.3', grouped in pairs and placed symmetrically with respect to the median wall 4 by which they are separated, part located in the center of the monobloc bod