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US 11,642,920 B2Granted
Hub-integrated inflation system
AssigneeAperia Technologies, Inc.
InventorsKevin Ciocia, Brandon Richardson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hub-integrated inflation system which functions to convert relative motion at the wheel end (e.g., between the axle and the hub or wheel) into a pumping motion. The relative motion is then converted into mechanical or electrical energy, which can be used to actuate a pump of an inflator.
Claims20
A hub-integrated inflation system for an axle on a vehicle with an axle spindle defining an axis of rotation, the hub-integrated inflation system comprising:
- a hub body defining a lubricant cavity;
- a bearing spacer, arranged within the hub body, that is circumferentially mounted to the axle spindle;
- a floating cam arranged within the lubricant cavity, the floating cam defining:
- a follower surface;
- a concave reference surface arranged radially inward of the follower surface, wherein the concave reference surface contacts an outer surface of the bearing spacer over a contact area and cooperatively defines a gap with the outer surface of the bearing spacer, wherein the gap is diametrically opposed to the contact area across the bearing spacer;
- a pump mounted to the hub body;
- and
- a cam follower mechanically coupled to the pump;
- wherein the hub-integrated inflation system is operable between:
- a pumping mode, wherein the pump is mechanically coupled to the bearing spacer via the cam follower and the floating cam;
- and
- a non-pumping mode, wherein the pump is decoupled from the bearing spacer.
9 more elements
A hub-integrated inflation system for a vehicle, the hub-integrated inflation system comprising:
- a hub body defining an axis of rotation, the hub body configured to rotatably mount to a static axle component;
- a cam encircling the static axle component, the cam defining:
- an inner reference surface defining a central axis parallel to and offset from the axis of rotation;
- and
- an asymmetric follower surface arranged radially outward of the inner reference surface;
- an output component mounted to the hub body;
- and
- a cam follower selectively connecting the output component to the follower surface.
5 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a vehicle comprising an axle spindle, the axle spindle defining an axis of rotation;
- a hub body, the hub body configured to rotatably mount a wheel and a tire to the axle spindle about the axis of rotation, the wheel configured to rotate with a first angular frequency;
- a piston pump radially mounted to the hub body;
- a cam defining:
- a circular inner arcuate surface encircling the axle spindle, the inner arcuate surface defining a central axis offset from the axis of rotation;
- and
- a noncircular outer arcuate surface defining a set of lobes, the outer arcuate surface configured to rotate with a second angular frequency different from the first angular frequency;
- and
- a cam follower selectively connecting to the outer arcuate surface to the piston pump.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.