Vehicle tire inflation system and sensor and method of use
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorsKent E. Davison, David G. Moses, Daryl J. Stacer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combined tire inflation system and a wheel speed sensor for a vehicle steer axle has a steerable spindle with a substantially hollow interior portion. A shaft, located in the hollow interior portion, connects a rotatable hub cap adjacent the spindle and a sensor at least partially within the spindle. A magnet is secured to the shaft and rotates with the shaft. A sensor is mounted adjacent the magnet for sensing the rotation of the magnet. The shaft has a hollow interior that connects an air source with a tire associated with the hub cap.
Claims19
A steering axle of a vehicle, comprising:
- a steerable spindle having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, said spindle having a hollow interior portion extending from said inboard portion to said outboard portion;
- a hub cap positioned adjacent said outboard portion of said spindle;
- a hollow shaft rotatably mounted within said hollow interior portion of said spindle wherein a first portion of said shaft is attached to said hub cap for rotation therewith;
- and
- a combined sensing unit and fluid conduit system mounted at least partially within said inboard portion of said spindle, said system connected to a second portion of said shaft, said second portion of said shaft also connected to an air supply.
A steering axle of a vehicle, comprising:
- a steerable spindle having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, said spindle having a central, hollow interior portion;
- a rotatable hub cap positioned adjacent said outboard portion of said spindle;
- a substantially hollow shaft located within said interior portion of said spindle and connected to said hub cap for rotation therewith;
- a combined sensing unit and fluid conduit system at least partially mounted within said interior portion of said spindle, said system comprising a speed sensor mounted within said spindle, said speed sensor comprising a magnet mounted for rotation on said shaft and a non-rotating sensor mounted adjacent said magnet, wherein said system is connected to said shaft opposite said hub cap where said shaft is connected to an air supply;
- and
- at least one rotary seal located about said shaft.
A method of utilizing a steering axle, comprising:
- providing a steerable spindle having a hollow interior portion and a rotatable hub cap adjacent said spindle;
- locating a shaft within said interior portion of said spindle;
- connecting a first portion of said shaft to said hub cap for rotation therewith;
- and
- sensing the rotational speed of said shaft by locating a system comprised of a magnet on a second portion of said shaft within said spindle for rotation therewith adjacent a non-rotatable wheel speed sensor, said system on said second portion of said shaft also being connected to an air supply.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.