Selectable tire pressure system in-wheel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10987978-B2
Application number	US-201815973615-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2018
Priority date	May 8, 2017
Publication date	Apr 27, 2021
Grant date	Apr 27, 2021

Abstract

An in-wheel tire pressure system for use with a rim of a wheel of a vehicle that includes a fluid storage area formed in the rim for holding a quantity of compressible fluid suitable for inflating a tire mounted on the rim, and a micro-compressor mounted on the rim for pressurizing the fluid storage area with the compressible fluid. A wireless electrical charging subsystem may also be included for powering the micro-compressor. The wireless electrical charging system may incorporate a first component associated with the rim and rotatable with the rim, and a second component fixedly mounted to a portion of the vehicle closely adjacent the first component. The system may also include a control for enabling user control over the micro-compressor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An in-wheel tire pressure system for use with a rim of a wheel of a vehicle, the system comprising:
a fluid storage area integrated into the wheel for holding a quantity of compressible fluid suitable for inflating a tire mounted on the rim;
a micro-compressor mounted on the wheel for pressurizing the fluid storage area with the compressible fluid;
a liquid separator positioned upstream of the micro-compressor and located on the wheel;
a fluid pressure release valve for releasing fluid contained in the tire to atmosphere;
a wireless electrical charging subsystem including a first component associated with the wheel and rotatable with the wheel, and a second component fixedly mounted to a portion of the vehicle located adjacent to the first component, for providing electrical power to the micro-compressor; and
a control for enabling user control over the micro-compressor.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid storage area comprises a canister shaped to fit within a spoke of the wheel.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tire pressure sensor for sensing a fluid pressure of the tire mounted on the rim.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an electronic control unit carried on the vehicle for communicating with and helping to control the micro-compressor.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second components form a wireless, inductive electrical charging system.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an air filter positioned upstream of the micro-compressor and located on the wheel.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid storage area comprises a plurality of independent air canisters integrated into the wheel at spaced apart locations on the wheel.

8. A method for controlling a pressure of a fluid contained in a tire of a vehicle, wherein the tire is mounted on a rim of a wheel, the method comprising:
forming a fluid storage area on the wheel for holding a quantity of compressible fluid suitable for inflating the tire mounted on the rim;
supporting a micro-compressor on the wheel for pressurizing the fluid storage area with the compressible fluid;
using a liquid separator positioned upstream of the micro-compressor and located on the wheel to filter the air being drawn into the micro-compressor;
using a fluid pressure release valve for releasing fluid contained in the tire to atmosphere; and
using a wireless electrical charging subsystem including a first component associated with the wheel and rotatable with the wheel, and a second component fixedly mounted to a portion of the vehicle located adjacent to the first component, for providing electrical power to the micro-compressor; and
using a control to enable user to control operation of the micro-compressor.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising using a tire pressure sensor to sense a fluid pressure of the tire mounted on the rim.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising using an electronic control unit carried on the vehicle for communicating with and helping to control the micro-compressor.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising using a fluid pressure sensor to sense a fluid pressure of the fluid contained in the tire.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein forming a fluid storage area comprises using a plurality of independent canisters carried on the wheel and integrated into a corresponding plurality of spokes of the wheel.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising using an air filter positioned upstream of the micro-compressor and located on the wheel to filter air being compressed by the micro-compressor.

Assignees

• Abdel Baset Tarek
• Baker Allen R
• Mount Jeremiah
• Lee Eric M
• Fca Us Llc

Inventors

• Abdel-Baset Tarek
• Baker Allen R
• Mount Jeremiah
• Lee Eric M

Classifications

• B60C23/0498

  for rim attachments (B60C23/0494, B60C23/0496 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60C2200/14

  for off-road use · CPC title

• B60C23/12

  operated by a running wheel · CPC title

• B60C23/0408

  transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver · CPC title

• B60C23/0447

  Wheel or tyre mounted circuits · CPC title