Tyre inflating device and method for controlling a tyre inflating process

A tyre changing apparatus for mounting and demounting a tyre to and from a vehicle wheel rim, the apparatus comprising an inflating device for inflating a tyre, the inflating device comprising:

• an air feed line, configured to allow air to flow from an air feed source to the tyre in an inflating direction;
• an inflating module, interposed between the air feed source and the tyre and including:
• a primary valve, located on the air feed line and movable between a closed position, where it prevents air from flowing into the tyre, and an open position, where it allows the air to flow;
• a first cylinder operatively connected to the primary valve and configured to cause the primary valve to open;
• a first branch having a first end positioned at a point of the air feed line located upstream of the primary valve in the inflating direction, and a second end connected to the first cylinder so that the first branch extends between the air feed line and the first cylinder;
• a second cylinder which is operatively connected to the primary valve and which is fed by a second branch extending from the air feed line at a point upstream of the primary valve, the second cylinder being configured to cause the primary valve to close;
• a shutoff valve, located on the first branch and movable between a closed position, where it occludes the first branch to prevent fluid communication between the feed line and the first cylinder, and an open position, where it allows fluid communication, wherein the shutoff valve is configured to divide the first branch into a first stretch extending between the air feed line and the shutoff valve, and a second stretch extending between the shutoff valve and the first cylinder;
• a control leg, configured to allow feeding air to the shutoff valve from a point on the feed line downstream of the primary valve in the inflating direction, the feeding of air causing the shutoff valve to switch from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined pressure value being exceeded;
• a relief duct configured to gradually release air from the first cylinder to an outside environment when the shutoff valve is closed, wherein the relief duct, extends for a length from the second stretch of the first branch at a branching point distanced from the first cylinder, and
• wherein the inflating module includes a constricting arrangement which reduces a working air flow cross section of the relief duct, the constricting arrangement including a constriction element, placed within the length of the relief duct for reducing a working air flow cross section of the relief duct, and a wire, inserted in the constriction element to further occlude the working air flow cross section of the relief duct at the constriction element.

A method for controlling a process for inflating a tyre, wherein the inflating process is implemented by an inflating device comprising:

• an air feed line, configured to allow air to flow from an air feed source to the tyre;
• an inflating module, interposed between the air feed source and the tyre and including:
• a primary valve, located on the air feed line and movable between a closed position, where it prevents the air from flowing through the feed line into the tyre, and an open position, where it allows the air to flow;
• a first cylinder connected to the primary valve in order to open it and supplied with air by a first branch of the feed line;
• a second cylinder connected to the primary valve in order to close it and supplied with air by a second branch of the air feed line;
• a shutoff valve, located on the first branch and movable between a closed position, where it occludes the first branch to prevent fluid communication between the first cylinder and the feed line, and an open position, where it allows fluid communication;
• a control leg, configured to feed air to the shutoff valve from a point on the feed line downstream of the primary valve so as to switch the shutoff valve from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined pressure value being exceeded;
• a relief duct, extending from the first branch between the shutoff valve and the first cylinder to gradually release air from the first cylinder to an outside environment when the shutoff valve is closed;
• connecting the feed line to the air source;
• feeding air to the first cylinder through the first branch and to the second cylinder through the second branch so as to move the primary valve to the open position;
• feeding air to the shutoff valve through the control leg;
• measuring the pressure value of the air entering the tyre;
• comparing the measured pressure value with a predetermined pressure value;
• in response to the comparison, driving the shutoff valve between the open position and the closed position so that, if the pressure value is greater than the predetermined pressure value, the shutoff valve is switched from the open position to the closed position;
• continuing to feed air to the first cylinder to switch the primary valve from the open position to the closed position so as to interrupt air feed to the tyre;
• discharging air from the first cylinder to an outside environment through an air passage in the relief duct,
• wherein, during the step of discharging, a working air flow cross section of the relief duct is reduced.

An inflating device for inflating a tyre, comprising:

• an air feed line, configured to allow air to flow from an air feed source to the tyre in an inflating direction;
• an inflating module, interposed between the air feed source and the tyre and including:
• a primary valve, located on the air feed line and movable between a closed position, where it prevents air from flowing into the tyre, and an open position, where it allows the air to flow;
• a first cylinder which is operatively connected to the primary valve and which is fed by a first branch extending from the air feed line at a point upstream of the primary valve in the inflating direction, the first cylinder being configured to cause the primary valve to open;
• a second cylinder which is operatively connected to the primary valve and which is fed by a second branch extending from the air feed line at a point upstream of the primary valve, the second cylinder being configured to cause the primary valve to close;
• a shutoff valve, located on the first branch and movable between a closed position, where it occludes the first branch to prevent fluid communication between the feed line and the first cylinder, and an open position, where it allows fluid communication;
• a control leg, configured to allow feeding air to the shutoff valve from a point on the feed line downstream of the primary valve in the inflating direction, the feeding of air causing the shutoff valve to switch from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined pressure value being exceeded;
• a relief duct, extending from the first branch between the shutoff valve and the first cylinder and configured to gradually release air from the first cylinder to an outside environment when the shutoff valve is closed,
• wherein the inflating module includes a constricting arrangement which reduces a working air flow cross section of the relief duct, the inflating device further comprising:
• a secondary valve, located on the air feed line, downstream of the inflating module and movable between a closed position, where it prevents air from flowing in the feed line between the inflating module and the tyre, and an open position, where it allows the air to flow;
• a safety line extending from a point on the feed line downstream of the secondary valve;
• a timing module including a diverter, located on the safety line and configured to connect the secondary valve to the feed line or to the outside environment, respectively, and a buffer tank, located on the safety line and configured to receive a quantity of air from the feed line and to drive the diverter.