WO-2026093779-A1 - PUMP FOR USE WITH A WHEEL RIM OF AN INFLATABLE TIRE

WO2026093779A1WO 2026093779 A1WO2026093779 A1WO 2026093779A1WO-2026093779-A1

Abstract

A pump for use with a wheel rim of an inflatable tire, comprising a rotary-linear conversion mechanism and a reciprocating air intake and compression mechanism. The rotary-linear conversion mechanism comprises at least two pivotally connected rocker arms disposed opposite each other within an inflatable tire, coordinated to move in opposite rotational directions. The reciprocating air intake and compression mechanism comprises at least one cylinder fluidly coupled to the inflatable tire and the ambient air, and at least one piston slidably received in the at least one cylinder. As the tire deflates during wheel rotation, the convex surfaces of at least two rocker arms engage with the inside of the inflatable tire, initiating an intake stroke that draws ambient air into the at least one cylinder. A biasing element then triggers a compression stroke, causing the piston to compress the air and force it through an outlet pathway into the inflatable tire, re-inflating the tire. The piston features a stepped configuration with a proximal and distal plate separated by a gap, sealed by a ring during the intake stroke and relieved during the compression stroke to allow air to flow into the inflatable tire.

Inventors

FEIZI, Jalil

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241029

Claims (8)

1. A pump for use with a wheel rim of an inflatable tire, the pump comprising: a rotary-linear conversion mechanism comprising: at least two rocker arms pivotally connected to a frame, wherein the frame is fixedly mounted to the wheel and disposed inside the inflatable tire, wherein the at least two rocker arms disposed opposite each other inside the inflatable tire such that each respective axis of rotation of respective rocker arms is parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel rim, each respective rocker arm of the at least two rocker arms comprising: a first section comprising a curved convex surface and a curved concave surface, the first section extending between a first free end of the corresponding rocker arm and a pivot point thereof; and a second section extending between the pivot point and a second end of the corresponding rocker arm, wherein each respective curved concave surface of the respective first sections of the at least two rocker arms faces one another; at least one coordinating element engaging the at least two rocker arms to one another, the at least one coordinating element configured to simultaneously rotate the at least two rocker arms in opposite rotational directions about their respective pivot points; and at least one biasing element engaging with either rocker arm of the at least two rocker arms; and a reciprocating air intake and compression mechanism comprising: Ref- 1403-02-8790 at least one cylinder being in fluid communication with the inflatable tire and an ambient air, the at least one cylinder comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and at least one inlet disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the at least one inlet configured to introduce an ambient air into the at least one cylinder; and at least one piston connected to either one of the at least two rocker arms via a connecting rod such that as the corresponding rocker arm rotates about the corresponding pivot point, the at least one piston slidably moves back and forth within the at least one cylinder along a longitudinal axis of the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston comprising: a proximal plate disposed coaxially with the at least one cylinder; a distal plate connected coaxially with the proximal plate, wherein a gap between the proximal plate and the distal plate is defined, the distal plate comprises at least one outlet pathway configured to conduct the ambient air accumulated in the at least one cylinder into the inflatable tire; and a ring having a diameter larger than respective diameters of the proximal plate and the distal plate, the ring disposed within the gap, wherein the ring moves between the proximal and distal plates as the at least one piston slidably moves within the at least one cylinder such that the ring either seals or unseals the at least one outlet pathway of the distal plate.
2. The pump of claim 1, wherein a width of one of the at least two rocker arms is narrower than the other one, allowing the rocker arm with a narrower width to nest within the rocker arm with a wider width during the rotation of the at least two rocker arms about their respective pivot points. Ref- 1403-02-8790
3. The pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one cylinder is fixedly mounted on the rim and centrally disposed within the frame between the at least two rocker arms, such that the at least two rocker arms are disposed on opposite sides of the at least one cylinder.
4. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a one-way air valve disposed concentrically within the at least one inlet, fluidly coupling the at least one cylinder to the ambient air to allow ambient air to enter the at least one cylinder while blocking air from escaping the at least one cylinder back into the ambient air.
5. The pump of claim 1, further comprising at least two rods aligned with and passing through the respective pivot points.
6. The pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing element is a double torsion spring wrapped around the corresponding rod, wherein a first end of the biasing element engages with the frame and a second end of the biasing element engages with the first section of the corresponding rocker arm of the at least two rocker arms.
7. The pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one coordinating element is an arm comprising two ends, one end of the at least one coordinating element is engaged with the first section of either one of the at least two rocker arms and another end is engaged with the second section of the another rocker arm of the at least two rocker arms.
8. The pump of claim 1, wherein the connecting rod comprises a first end engaged with the distal plate of the at least one piston, and a hollow second end configured to surround a rod which passes through the second end of corresponding rocker arm of the at least two rocker arms.

Description

Ref-1403-02-8790 PUMP FOR USE WITH A WHEEU RIM OF AN INFEATABEE TIRE TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle systems, and more specifically, to an automated tire inflation system designed to be installed inside the inflatable tire and mounted on the vehicle's rim. This system functions to automatically reinflate the tire when the internal air pressure drops, thereby maintaining optimal tire pressure and enhancing vehicle safety and performance. BACKGROUND [0002] Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for vehicle safety and performance. Under-inflated tires can lead to various issues, including reduced fuel efficiency, increased tire wear, and a higher risk of tire blowouts, which can compromise the safety of the vehicle and its occupants. [0003] Several systems have been developed to address the problem of maintaining optimal tire pressure. These include manual tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that alert drivers when tire pressure is low and automated systems that attempt to inflate the tires when needed. However, many existing automated systems are external, requiring significant modification to the vehicle or reliance on external air sources, which can be cumbersome and less reliable. [0004] The need for a more efficient and user-friendly solution has led to the development of systems that can be installed within the tire itself. These internal systems are designed to automatically reinflate the tire when the pressure drops below a specified threshold. By doing so, they ensure that the tires remain at optimal pressure levels, enhancing vehicle safety, improving fuel efficiency, and extending tire life. Ref-1403-02-8790 [0005] Using an internal automated tire inflation system eliminates the need for external equipment and reduces the frequency of manual checks, offering a more reliable solution for tire maintenance. Despite the advancements in this area, there remains a need for improved systems that are easier to install, more reliable, and capable of maintaining optimal tire pressure with minimal intervention from the vehicle owner. SUMMARY [0006] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of one or more exemplary embodiments, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. The proper scope of one or more exemplary embodiments may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings. [0007] In one general aspect, the present disclosure may describe an exemplary pump for use with an exemplary wheel rim of an exemplary inflatable tire. In one or more exemplary embodiments, an exemplary pump may comprise an exemplary rotary-linear conversion mechanism and an exemplary reciprocating air intake and compression mechanism. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary rotary-linear conversion mechanism may comprise at least two exemplary rocker arms that are pivotally connected to an exemplary frame which may be fixedly mounted to an exemplary wheel rim and disposed inside an exemplary inflatable tire. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least two exemplary rocker arms may be positioned opposite each other inside an exemplary inflatable tire such that each respective axis of rotation of respective exemplary rocker arms is parallel to an axis of rotation of an exemplary wheel rim. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective exemplary rocker arm of at least two Ref-1403-02-8790 exemplary rocker arms may comprise an exemplary first section, and an exemplary second section. [0008] In one or more exemplary embodiments, an exemplary first section may comprise an exemplary curved convex surface and an exemplary curved concave surface. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary first surface may extend between an exemplary first free end and an exemplary pivot point of an exemplary corresponding rocker arm. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary second section may extend between an exemplary pivot point and an exemplary second end of an exemplary corresponding rocker arm. In an exemplary embodiment, respective curved concave surfaces of exemplary first sections of at least two exemplary rocker arms may face one another. [0009] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary rotary-linear conversion mechanism may further comprise at least one exemplary coordinating element engaging the at least two exemplary rocker arms to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one exemplary coordinating element may be configured to simultaneously rotate the at least two exemplary rocker arms in opposite rotational directions about their respective exemplary pivot points. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary rotary-linear