Resilient tires and wheels – Tires – resilient – Inflating devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-02
2001-03-13
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Resilient tires and wheels
Tires, resilient
Inflating devices
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199611
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheel carrier for the steered wheel of a motor vehicle having a tire-inflating system, the wheel carrier comprising a shield with an eye at the top and bottom for receiving a kingpin, an axle tube which bears wheel bearings, and a steering arm, an air duct leading through the shield and the axle tube into a chamber which is formed between the wheel bearing and is sealed off on both sides.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,027 discloses a wheel carrier in which a separate air-supplying ring is provided on the wheel carrier. The air-supplying ring causes the air to be directly connected to the rotating wheel hub and, as a result, the seals which are required for initiating the rotation are of a large diameter and lie well to the outside, with the result that they are exposed without protection to environmental effects (for example, when driving in muddy water). It would be better if the ducting were in the axle tube but this is difficult to accomplish because of the cross sections which are necessary for sufficient air throughput.
In addition, it is difficult for an air-supplying ring to be accommodated if there is a steering axle on the wheel carrier, which in that case also has a steering arm; it is particularly difficult if the wheel carrier furthermore has to carry the brake calliper of a disk brake. Overall, there is a space problem which is made even more difficult by the exterior supply of the air to the wheel carrier not being able to take place on the lower side thereof, for safety reasons.
It is, therefore, a principle object of the invention to solve the above-mentioned space problems in such a manner that the air is guided in the wheel carrier with a minimal outlay on construction and manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing object is achieved by the present invention wherein the steering arm is flanged to a sprue with a fitting surface, an air chamber is formed starting from the fitting surface of the sprue, into which air chamber the air duct opens, and the air chamber is connected to a tube connection on the outside of the sprue via a branch duct which leads upward.
Owing to the steering arm being flange-mounted, space is provided for the supply of air from the outside at a suitable point on the wheel carrier. Furthermore, the air ducts can thereby be simply bored in the wheel carrier and a separate air-supplying ring rendered unnecessary. The air chamber which starts from the fitting surface can easily be molded in (it is already closed on one side by the screwed-on steering arm) and has the further advantage of avoiding an accumulation of material in the casting due to the sprue, thereby achieving a better quality of casting.
In a particular feature of the invention, the air duct comprises an essentially radial hole in the shield and two essentially axial, parallel holes in the axle tube, which parallel holes both form an intersection with the radial hole. It is thus possible for a cross section which is sufficient for the supply of air to be accommodated in the axle tube without weakening the latter. In the case of a driven axle, the wall thickness of the axle tube is limited structurally.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a further air chamber can be formed in the sprue, which air chamber is connected to the interior of the axle tube via an essentially radial, further hole and is connected to the ambient air via a further branch duct. A further hole of this type is required to ventilate the interior, in particular if there is a drive axle with exterior wheel transmission by means of a planetary gear mechanism.
For reasons of space economy and traffic safety it is advantageous to form the sprue on the side of the shield which is at the rear in the direction of travel and to mount a disk brake on the front side of the sprue.
Finally, it is furthermore advantageous to arrange the chamber, which is sealed off on both sides, between the wheel bearings. As a result, the sensitive seals, which are subjected to severe stress, are only exposed to minimal eccentricities and lateral displacements due to thermal expansion, which increases their durability.
Other advantages, features and details of the invention will be made clear from the following detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2341755 (1944-02-01), Ash
patent: 2349388 (1944-05-01), Sturges
patent: 2685184 (1954-08-01), Nadoz et al.
patent: 3705614 (1972-12-01), Juttner et al.
patent: 4119167 (1978-10-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 4431043 (1984-02-01), Goodell et al.
patent: 4492019 (1985-01-01), Wells et al.
patent: 4696334 (1987-09-01), Le Chatelier et al.
patent: 4804027 (1989-02-01), Runels
Bachman & LaPointe P.C.
Steyr-Daimler-Puch Aktiengesellschaft
Stormer Russell D.
LandOfFree
Wheel carrier for motor vehicle with a tire-inflating system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Wheel carrier for motor vehicle with a tire-inflating system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wheel carrier for motor vehicle with a tire-inflating system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2517341