Piloted pneumatic valve for the remote actuation of the inflation or deflation of an envelope.

The present invention concerns the technical field of remote control of the inflation or deflation of a volume from a gaseous fluid under pressure and is intended, in particular, the remote control inflation of the tire of a motor vehicle wheel .

In the preferred field of application above, we know that it is sometimes useful to remotely control the inflation pressure of the tires of the wheels of a vehicle, so as to adapt the lift of the latter according to the condition of the ground on which the vehicle moves. This is in particular the case of all-terrain vehicles to make progress in the best conditions on hard, stony or furniture, succeeding without the driver being required to interrupt his progession to perform, manually, when the vehicle is stopped, an adaptation of the pressure of the different tire inflation.

This application is obviously given by way of example, as in many other areas, it is also useful, if not necessary, to adjust tire pressure remotely in any capacity.

To solve the problem above dessius, the prior art offers few solutions.

One of them comprises a kind of valve capable, in a rest position, close a flow path between the capacity and a fluid pressure source available.

In the case where it is desired to inflate the capacity, the valve is actuated against the action of a return spring, so as to open the circulation circuit.

In the case where it is desired to make a partial deflation of the capacity, a pressurized fluid is applied to lift the valve and the distribution source of pressurized fluid is insulated to keep the valve open during the time required to produce a decompression slow, via an expansion valve, the fluid initially contained in the capacity.

Such an installation requires a particularly complicated remote control circuit that becomes even more complex when it is necessary to be able to remotely control one or more capacities, as is the case in applying to motor vehicles.

Besides this drawback, it should be noted that the deflation phase involves a major transit time which is established through a complex installation, remotely controlled by an expensive and fragile logic control circuit.

US Patent 2,634,781 describes for example a device for the remote control of the inflation and deflation of a tire, including the complex structure requires the presence of two distinct ducts arrival for controlling the inflation and deflation with two thresholds different pressure.

In the particular application referred to the technical field, the prior art does not provide a satisfactory installation, as each capacitor consisting of a wheel, must necessarily be isolated from the steering system by a rotary joint which is maintained pressure for the duration of the deflation phase.

Such a rotary joint is applied intensely in rotation and pressure maintenance, or so that the friction linings, ensuring the rotating sealing function, are under significant constraints and unable to provide a reliable service.

Such a disadvantage is of course unacceptable in the case of application to road vehicles to be used intensively.

In the case of application to such vehicles, the prior art involving a simultaneous deflation phase and relatively slow wheels, do not contribute to make satisfactory driving technique at a distance from the tire inflation pressure.

The present invention aims to remedy the above drawbacks by proposing a new pneumatic controlled valve, for the remote control of the inflation or deflation of any capacity and, more particularly, to a tire of the vehicle.

The object of the invention to provide a pneumatic valve easy to perform, inexpensive and a certain reliability, which can be easily adapted to any motor vehicle without providing a particular sensitivity to the centrifugal force.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pneumatically controlled valve capable of ensuring the insulation capacity without compel, in the case of application in question, the rotary joint to a permanent strain, so as to dispose of a series able to have a certain reliability and efficiency over time.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new air-controlled valve which can be controlled by inflation or deflation phase by a single servo track making it easier and simpler execution of the rotating joint to be provided in the case of application to tires for wheels of a motor vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a controlled pneumatic valve that can be adapted very easily to simple control systems, such as direct operated by push buttons or solenoid and to more complicated systems, such as those screening pressures, statistical control pressures and / or detecting and signaling a breakthrough capacity.

Another object of the invention to provide a pilot-operated pneumatic valve which is free from exfoliation of risk of clogging or obstruction over time.

To achieve the above objective, the object of the invention is characterized in that it consists of two body inflating and deflating defining two cavities, referred to respectively as inlet and exhaust intercommunicating by an intercommunication which forms in the B two seats for two servo valves and which is connected between the seats, with a connecting duct leading to a connection with the well capacity, the intake chamber being in communication with a well for connection to an operating installation, while the exhaust chamber is related to the ambient environment through holes for communication with the open air, the two valves being resiliently bonded closure and opening controlled by a fluid under respectively pressure fed into the inlet chamber by connecting wells to the control system and a vacuum drawn from the same connecting wells.

Various other characteristics appear from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which, by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of the object of the invention.<ul><li>Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an application example of the object of the invention.</li><li>Figure 2 is a side elevation taken substantially on a larger scale according to line II-II of Figure 1.</li><li>Figures 3 and 4 are elevations-sections taken, on a larger scale, respectively according to the lines III-III and IV-IV of Figure 2.</li><li>Figures 5 and 6 are similar elevations-sections in Figure 3 illustrating two particular phases of operation of the object of the invention.</li></ul>

1 illustrates a preferred example of application of the piloted pneumatic valve of the invention. In this example, the valve designated by the reference numeral 1, is applied to control the pressure of the tire 2 of a wheel 3 of a motor vehicle, not shown. According to the schematic illustration, the wheel 3 is mounted by a hub 4 on a bearing axis or 5 rocket can correspond indifferently to a motor carrier or rail and / or director in or out of a vehicle. In this application, the valve 1 is fitted to the wheel 3, so as to be connected by a pipe 6 to the tire 2 and a conduit 7 to a rotating gasket 8 carried by a suitable structure 9 at the end of the shaft 5. the rotary joint 8 is connected to a control installation 10 comprising a line 11 of flow of fluid pressure between the rotary joint 8 and a distributor 12, slide type, for example three positions. The dispenser 12 is designed to allow either the insulation of the wire<b>11</b>As in the position illustrated in <b>Fig. 1</b>Or the connection of the latter to a distribution source of pressurized fluid <b>13</b> or to a source of suction or depressurization <b>14</b>. According to the scheme illustrated in<b>Fig. 1</b>, source <b>13</b> consists of a battery or a bottle of compressed air reserve, but it is clear that a similar provision could be adopted, replacing the bottle by a compressor or the like. The depressurizing source<b>14</b> may be formed in many different ways, so as to put the line <b>11</b> in relative depression. For example, the source<b>14</b> may be constituted by a vacuum pump capable of being supplied via the source <b>13</b> by means of a pipe <b>15</b> controlled by a valve <b>16</b>.

It is obvious that the installation described above is given only by way of example, for more complex circuits, able to perform other functions, may also be provided. It may also be envisaged to produce an installation for remote control of individual wheels of a motor vehicle or a group of the wheels or, alternatively, all of the latter.

The piloted pneumatic valve, illustrated in more detail in <b>Fig. 2-4</b>Is constituted by the two bodies association <b>20₁</b> and <b>20₂</b>Respectively of inflation and deflation. These two substances are, for the greater part of their structure, made in the same way and for this reason, not described in a first time that the components of body<b>20₁</b>, It being understood that the same body elements <b>20₂</b> are designated by the same references in the index <b>2</b>. The body<b>20₁</b> is constituted by two half-bodies <b>21₁</b> and <b>22₁</b>, Of any suitable material, assembled face against face and machined to define together a cavity <b>23₁</b>. The half-body<b>21₁</b> and <b>22₁</b> are formed to clamp, by their opposite faces delimiting the cavity <b>23₁</b>, Membrane <b>24₁</b> elastically deformable dividing the cavity into two chambers, respectively <b>25₁</b> and <b>26₁</b>.

Bedroom <b>25₁</b> contains a valve <b>27₁</b> membrane-associated <b>24₁</b> and controlled by the action of a resilient member <b>28₁</b>. the valve<b>27₁</b> is thus pushed continuously against a seat <b>29₁</b> protruding from the chamber bottom <b>26₁</b>. Headquarters<b>29₁</b> borders the orifice of a bore <b>30₁</b> formed in the half-bodies <b>21₁</b> in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the membrane, so as to completely cross the half-body.

The bodies <b>20₁</b> and <b>20₂</b> are arranged vis-a-vis their interface <b>31₁, 31₂</b>, Such that the valves <b>27₁</b> and <b>27₂</b> are placed in opposition to close the two end seats <b>29₁</b> and <b>29₂</b> holes corresponding to an intercom <b>33</b> constituted by the bores <b>30₁</b> and <b>30₂</b> coaxial. Maintaining body<b>20₁</b> and <b>20₂</b> in this particular position can be ensured by means of screws <b>34</b> used possibly also to establish the connection between the body halves <b>21₁</b> and <b>22₁</b>On the one hand and, <b>21₁</b> and <b>22₂</b>.

The body <b>20₁</b> and <b>20₂</b> thus form a compact assembly which can be mounted on the wheel <b>3</b>, Preferably by attaching from one side of body <b>20₁</b> or <b>20₂</b> opposite the joint plane faces <b>31₁, 31₂</b>.

Bedroom <b>25₁</b> from the body <b>20₁</b> is, for reasons that emerge from the following, a damping chamber, while the chamber <b>26₁</b> is termed inlet chamber. This chamber communicates with a connecting channel<b>40</b>, Provided at least in the body <b>20₁</b> to open into a well <b>41</b> drilled in the two bodies <b>20₁</b> and <b>20₂</b>. The connecting channel<b>40</b> may be constituted by grooves or sipes that are executed simultaneously in the half-bodies <b>21₁</b> and <b>21₂</b>, From the parting faces <b>31₁</b> and <b>31₂</b>. The handhole<b>41</b> is formed in part in the body <b>20₂</b> to be connected by a conduit <b>42</b> in the room <b>25₂</b>, Described in the following vacuum chamber. Bedroom<b>26₂</b> from the body <b>20₂</b> is referred to as exhaust chamber and communicates with the surrounding environment by a battery of exhaust holes <b>43</b>.

As is apparent from the <b>Fig. 4</b>, Intercommunication <b>33</b> communicates, via a connecting channel <b>45</b>, With a well <b>46</b> provided in the body <b>20₁</b> parallel to shaft <b>41</b>. The connecting channel<b>45</b> can be formed by grooves or grooves in the same coordinates in the joint faces <b>31₁</b> and <b>31₂</b>.

The valve described above is mounted on the wheel <b>3</b>, So that the well <b>41</b> is connected to the pipe <b>7</b>, While the well <b>46</b> is connected to the pipe <b>6</b> in the example of mounting shown in <b>Fig. 1</b>.

the springs <b>28₁</b> and <b>28₂</b> are selected to develop on the valves <b>27₁</b> and <b>27₂</b> a force greater than that must prevail in the tire <b>2</b>.

The <b>Fig. 1</b> shows a state of rest in which the distributor <b>12</b> firm line <b>11</b> thus isolating the controlled pneumatic valve <b>1</b>. the valves<b>27₁</b> and <b>27₂</b>, Driven by the resilient members <b>28₁</b> and <b>28₂</b>Occupy the closed position, illustrated by the <b>Fig. 3</b>. membranes<b>24₁</b> and <b>24₂</b> seal the seats <b>29₁</b> and <b>29₂</b>. intercommunication<b>33</b> between rooms <b>26₁</b> and <b>26₂</b> is thus closed so that the fluid under pressure, occupying the tire <b>2</b>, Remains confined in this tire, without the possibility of borrowing the well <b>46</b>, The connecting channel <b>45</b> and intercommunication <b>33</b> whose end openings are closed.

The controlled pneumatic valve thus constitutes a kind of pneumatic insulation shutter <b>2</b> rotary joint <b>8</b>Itself isolated by the distributor <b>12</b>. The rotary joint<b>8</b> is thus able to work in rotation, without being biased pressure, which guarantees reliable operation over time.

Where appropriate, for a specific reason, to be inflated <b>2</b>, the distributor <b>12</b> is controlled in movement in the direction of the arrow <b>f₁</b> (<b>Fig. 1</b>) So as to establish the relationship between the source <b>13</b> and the well <b>41</b>. The pressurized fluid, delivered by the source<b>13</b> then follows the connecting channel <b>40</b> to enter the intake chamber <b>26₁</b>, As illustrated by the <b>Fig. 5</b>. Simultaneously, the pressurized fluid conduit borrows<b>42</b> to enter the chamber <b>25₂</b> wherein its action on the valve <b>27₂</b> complements the action of the spring member <b>28₂</b>. the valve<b>27₂</b> Thus more strongly applied on the seat <b>29₂</b> to close the correspondent intercommunication hole <b>33</b>.

In contrast, the pressurized fluid entering the inlet chamber <b>26₁</b>, Pushes the diaphragm <b>24₁</b> in urging the valve <b>27₁</b> opening against the action of elastic return member <b>28₁</b>. Headquarters<b>29₁</b> Thus opened, so that the pressurized fluid can borrow intercommunication <b>33</b> and follow the link channel <b>45</b> then the wells <b>46</b> to borrow the pipeline <b>6</b> and be delivered to the interior of the tire <b>2</b>.

For remote control of the distributor <b>12</b>It becomes possible to control the tire inflation <b>2</b> up to a pressure threshold which can be determined or assessed by means of a sensor fitted on the pipe <b>6</b>. When the inflation threshold is reached, the Distributor<b>12</b> is returned to its rest position, as illustrated in <b>Fig. 1</b>, So that the elastic member <b>28₁</b> returns the flap <b>27₁</b> and the membrane <b>24₁</b> in the seat of the shutter position <b>29₁</b> recovering resting conditions described above.

During this phase, it is noted that the rotary joint <b>8</b> works in rotation and application of pressure. However, such a double function is performed for a relatively short time, since a tire pressurizing phase<b>2</b> during rolling the vehicle settled, usually for a short time. The rotary joint<b>8</b> and can work in the best possible conditions, without being asked constantly rotating and sealing.

When the tire <b>2</b> should be deflated, the distributor <b>12</b> is moved from its rest position, illustrated by the <b>Fig. 1</b>In the direction opposite to that of arrow <b>f₁</b>, So as to establish communication between the pressure reduction source <b>14</b> and the line <b>11</b>. The vacuum created is established through the rotary joint<b>8</b> and the pipe <b>7</b> into the well <b>41</b> and therefore in the chamber <b>26₁</b>. This vacuum has the effect of supplementing the action of the spring member<b>28₁</b> and, consequently, to press more firmly the membrane <b>24₁</b> against the hole in the seat <b>29₁</b> which is thus more firmly closed.

Depression, maintained by the source <b>14</b>Is also applied to the chamber <b>25₂</b> having the effect of lifting the valve <b>27₂</b> against the action of the resilient member <b>28₂</b>. the membrane<b>24₂</b> Thus detached from the seat hole <b>29₂</b> which establishes the connection between the intercom <b>33</b> and the exhaust chamber <b>26₂</b>. The fluid under pressure contained in the tire<b>2</b>Can thus escape through the pipeline <b>6</b> to cross the valve <b>1</b> and be discharged into the surrounding environment by the exhaust holes <b>43</b>. Deflation resulting stood fast, immediate and effective for the tire<b>2</b> which is carried ralation, without the presence of intermediate expansion phase, directly with the surrounding environment, as the distributor <b>12</b> establishes the relationship between the valve <b>1</b> and the vacuum pump <b>14</b>. The operation of the latter in the sample application may result, as said before, the opening tap<b>16</b>.

When deflating the tire has reached the desired limit, the distributor <b>12</b> is returned to its rest position according to <b>Fig. 1</b>, So that the membrane <b>24₂</b> remenée is in the closed position of the seat orifice <b>29₂</b> by the action of the resilient member <b>28₂</b> pushing the valve <b>27₂</b>.

According to a development of the invention, each chamber <b>26₁, 26₂</b> includes, internally, an annular abutment flange <b>50₁, 50₂</b>Constituting an abutment for limiting the stroke of the valve <b>27₁</b> or <b>27₂</b>. The height of the rim<b>50₁, 50₂</b> is determined so as to limit the crushing of the membrane <b>24₁</b> or <b>24₂</b> on the corresponding seat, under the action of the resilient member <b>28₁</b> or <b>28₂</b>.

Preferably, the flange <b>50₁</b> or <b>50₂</b> is designed as an annular shape and has radial holes <b>51₁</b> or <b>51₂</b>. More preferably, each annular flange stop consists of a free cup slipped on a tubular chimney rising from the corresponding bottom of the chamber<b>26₁, 26₂</b> to constitute the seat <b>29₁</b> or <b>29₂</b>.

The pneumatic valve according to the invention is described with reference to <b>Fig. 3 and 4</b> which illustrate a preferred embodiment. It is obvious that a different construction could be adopted. For example, a different design of the valves could be provided by forming them in the form of pistons, so as to establish the vacuum effect by means of line<b>42</b> acting in the rear chamber of the piston constituting the flap <b>27₂</b>.

It could also be provided to group the body <b>20₁</b> and <b>20₂</b> differently for fair working valves <b>27₁</b> and <b>27₂</b> according to directions and not necessarily coaxial according to non-mandatory opposite directions.

Bedroom <b>25₁</b> is called amortization, in that its closed volume assumes a function of elastic mattress avoiding the membrane beats <b>24₁</b> and ensuring a more frank function shutter-opening whenever a wheel remote control inflation <b>2</b> must intervene. In some cases it may however be provided to connect the chamber<b>25₁</b> to the environment via a calibrated nozzle establishing a braking or an expansion of the air flowing between this chamber and the ambient medium or vice versa.

It should be noted that mounting the valve on a wheel <b>3</b> is preferably carried out so that the axis of the elastic members <b>28₁</b> and <b>28₂</b> is perpendicular to the rolling plane of the wheel. Also, acune solicitation by centrifugal force can change the valve response characteristics<b>27₁</b> and <b>27₂</b>.

The invention is not limited to the example described and shown, as various modifications may be made without departing from its scope.