JP2000211325A - Method for filling n2 gas into tire and device for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure customer trust by filling nitrogen gas into a tire with effi ciency and enabling an accurate visual grasp of the concentration of nitrogen gas during and after filling into the tire at a normal inner pressure. SOLUTION: After being set at a higher pressure than a normal inner pressure of a tire by a pressure reducing valve 5 placed on the outgoing side of a film module 1, N2 gas (nitrogen rich gas) is passed through an outgoing-side passage 4 and filled into a tire connected to the end of the passage. While N2 gas is filled in, the concentration of O2 (oxygen) contained in the N2 gas is measured by an O2 sensor module 11b, converted to the concentration of N2 gas, and passed through an amplifier 11c, and the concentration thereof is indicated in digital form by an indicator 11d. In measuring the concentration of N2 gas in a state where filling of the gas is finished, a hand valve 8 is opened, a 4-port valve 7 is switched to 'open' and immediately closed after gas in the passage is emitted into the air, the N2 gas in the tire is induced to the O2 sensor module 11b, and the concentration is indicated at the indicator 11d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is N ₂ gas (concentration 1
100% of N ₂ is intended to include other high concentration of N ₂ rich gas of the gas, below, relates to a method and apparatus for filling describing) the tire of these gases as simply N ₂ gas, during filling the tire the concentration of N ₂ gas in the tire after concentration and filling of N ₂ gas visually it is intended to know exactly.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION N ₂ gas has a very strong feature to temperature changes, high speed or severe driving tire internal pressure change in the tire temperature is increased in such by filling with N ₂ gas in the tire of the vehicle It is possible to prevent a decrease in the running performance because it does not cause an increase in ride comfort, and it is necessary to use an aircraft or F1 that has been forced to run at high speed until now.
It was used for special things such as racing cars.

[0003] Recently, have come to fill the N ₂ gas in the tire is known generally widely that there is the effect of preventing deterioration of the rubber or the wheel, also combined from the general users and high performance tires N tend to be asked to fill in the ₂ gas, in particular, to implement as part of the service in a car shops and gas stations, consuming cost relatively inexpensive filling, yet be filled with N ₂ gas to efficiently tire There was a need to develop a means that could do that.

[0004] As a conventional method in this respect, in addition to the method of filling the N ₂ gas in the tire using a commercially available bomb N ₂ gas is filled, for industrial and deliver compressed air by air compressor Separate and purify only N ₂ gas with activated carbon and fill it with N ₂ gas, or use the difference in permeation speed depending on the type of gas component to separate O ₂ and N ₂ from air to increase A gas separation membrane method for supplying a concentration of N ₂ gas is known.

[0005]

However, when the N ₂ gas is charged, the state of the concentration of the N ₂ gas being charged into the tire is changed, and the state of the tire after the filling is completed. The concentration of N ₂ gas cannot be checked, it is difficult to give a sense of trust to customers who request N ₂ gas filling, and the concentration of N ₂ gas is simplified. The development of a technology that can be visually observed was desired.

An object of the present invention, to fill N ₂ gas tires efficiently, the concentration of N ₂ gas during filling, i.e.,
There is to propose a novel method and apparatus can accurately grasp the concentration of N ₂ gas in the tire after concentration and filling of N ₂ gas supplied to the tire.

[0007]

According to the present invention, when filling a rim-assembled tire with N ₂ gas and maintaining the internal pressure at a regular internal pressure, the tire is continuously supplied into the tire using a sensor during the filling of N ₂ gas. and that N ₂ concentration of the gas is measured at any time the measurement result, a method for filling a tire with N ₂ gas and displaying on the display means. Also, the present invention
The rim-assembled tire is filled with N ₂ gas Upon holding the regular internal pressure, after finishing the filling of the N ₂ gas, display means N ₂ concentration of the gas was measured result of the measurement of the tire using a sensor This is a method for filling a tire with N ₂ gas, which is characterized by the following.

Further, the present invention is an apparatus which comprises a membrane module, separates the introduced air into O ₂ gas and N ₂ gas by this membrane module, fills only the N ₂ gas into the tire, and maintains the tire at a normal internal pressure. Te, this device is a device for filling with N ₂ gas, characterized in that it comprises a display means for displaying the concentration of the N ₂ gas in the tire, the display means according to the invention during the filling of the N ₂ gas At least one of the concentration of the supplied N ₂ gas and the concentration of the N ₂ gas in the tire after the completion of the filling of the N ₂ gas is displayed.

Further, the present invention, in the apparatus having the above structure, comprises at least one inlet passage through which the membrane module introduces air and at least two outlet passages through which N ₂ gas and O ₂ gas respectively flow. It is assumed that a sensor for measuring the concentration of N ₂ gas and a display as display means for displaying a value measured by the sensor are provided in an outlet passage through which the N ₂ gas passes.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the display device displays digitally. In the outlet passage for passing N ₂ gas,
An exhaust path for exhausting gas in the tire through the outlet passage can be provided. In addition, an outlet path through which N ₂ gas passes is connected to an exhaust path for discharging gas in the tire through the outlet path, and N ₂ gas filling is provided between the connection part of the exhaust path and the membrane module. the can also place a 4-port valve for use in measuring the concentration of N ₂ gas in the tire after finishing, in particular, the valve is preferably adapted for closed center type for 4 port valve.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION N ₂ being supplied during filling
The concentration of the gas in the tire or charging were finished N ₂ gas,
By measuring the concentration of N ₂ gas with a sensor and displaying the value on a display means, not only the operator but also the customer can grasp the situation, which contributes to enhancing the sense of reliability. As the sensor, for example, an O ₂ sensor can be used. In this case, the N ₂ gas in the supply process or the remaining O ₂ concentration in the tire is measured, and the N ₂ gas concentration = (10
0-O ₂ can be obtained as the gas concentration)%. Also,
A sensor that can directly measure the concentration of N ₂ gas may be used.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an apparatus for filling N ₂ gas according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a hollow fiber membrane or the like, which separates the introduced air into O ₂ gas and N ₂ gas. Module 2 is an inlet passage for introducing compressed air supplied by a compressor (not shown) into the membrane module 1, and the inlet passage 2 is used to supply and stop air. A hand valve 2a for performing the operation, an air filter 2b for removing air dust and dirt, an air dryer 2c for removing moisture in the air, and a micromist separator 2d are sequentially arranged.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an outlet passage for discharging the O ₂ gas (O ₂ rich gas) separated in the membrane module 1, and reference numeral 4 also discharges the N ₂ gas separated in the membrane module 1 and supplies it to the tire. Outlet passage for filling, 5 for N ₂
A pressure reducing valve for adjusting gas pressure, 6 is a pressure gauge, 7 is a 4-port valve shown in the example of the closed center type, 8 is a hand valve for supplying and stopping N ₂ gas, and 9 is a compound gauge. .

Reference numeral 10 denotes an exhaust path for discharging remaining air in the tire through the passage 4 by a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the outlet path 4 and disposed at the end. N ₂ connected here and connected to the side passage 4
A measurement path used to measure the concentration of the gas or the N ₂ gas in the tire after filling is completed. The measurement path 11 includes a flow control valve 11a, an O ₂ sensor module 11b, and an O ₂ sensor module. An amplifier 11c for amplifying the measurement signal by the _two sensor module 11b and a display 11d for converting the amplified signal into a numerical value and displaying the numerical value are arranged.

In order to fill the rim-assembled tire with N ₂ gas and maintain the internal force, the N ₂ gas is filled according to the following procedure. First, the hand valve 2a arranged in the entrance passage 2
Is opened, the hand valve 8 arranged in the outlet passage 4 is closed, and the air compressed by the compressor is introduced through the inlet passage 2.

The compressed air introduced into the inlet passage 2 passes through an air filter 2b, an air dryer 2c, and a micro mist separator 2d, and the membrane module 1 (membrane module 1).
Is an aromatic polyimide hollow fiber as an N ₂ separation membrane, for example.
It is designed to withstand a pressure of about 400 kPa). The O ₂ gas separated in the membrane module 1 is discharged through the outlet passage 3. On the other hand, the N ₂ gas (N ₂ rich gas) passes through the outlet passage 4 set at about 50 to 100 kPa higher than the normal internal pressure of the tire by the pressure reducing valve 5 arranged on the outlet side of the membrane module 1. Filled into the tire that connects at the end. At this time, although not shown, the exhaust path 10 is closed by an on-off valve.

During the charging of the N ₂ gas, the N ₂ gas flows into the measurement path 11 and the O ₂ sensor module 11
b is O ₂ concentration in the N ₂ gas is measured at, where N ₂
= (100−O ₂ )%, the concentration is converted into the concentration of N ₂ gas, and the concentration is digitally displayed on the display 11d via the amplifier 11c. Measurement path 1 until N ₂ gas filling is completed
It means that at all times N ₂ gas flows in 1 to flow a very small amount by adjusting the flow control valve 11a, Measured gas is released into the atmosphere from the discharge port which is provided to the sensor 11b.

In order to measure and display the concentration of N ₂ gas in the tire after the N ₂ gas filling is completed, a hand valve 8 is used.
Is opened, the 4-port valve 7 is switched to the opening direction, and the gas in the passage is released into the atmosphere to the extent that the gas is exchanged. Then, the 4-port valve 7 is immediately closed and the N ₂ gas in the tire is guided to the O ₂ sensor module 11b. Then, the concentration is set to a value stably displayed on the display 11d, and the hand valve 8 is closed.

In the above concentration measurement, the pressure in the tire is slightly reduced, but if the N ₂ gas is filled a little higher than the normal internal pressure in advance, there is no particular problem. In FIG. 1, the measurement path 11
An example has been described of measuring the additional concentration of the N ₂ gas is provided to the sensor module 11 to measure the concentration of N ₂ gas
Devices such as b can be provided directly on the exit path 4 and are not particularly limited.

As the O ₂ sensor module that can be used in the present invention, for example, a Fujikura oxygen sensor linear voltage output type (FCX-MVL) or the like can be used.
As the display, an OMRON K3NX digital panel meter or the like can be used.

[0021] Since a rim assembly and tire those not yet filled with N ₂ gas is only contain comparable to the atmospheric pressure air, N ₂ is in the tire is about 80
% And O ₂ are contained in about 20%. Here, for example, when a passenger car tire is filled with N ₂ gas, the normal internal pressure of the tire is about 200 kPa, so that the concentration is 100%. the concentration of N ₂ gas and N ₂ gas to be directly filled in the tire be about 93%, i.e., will be O ₂ remains about 7%, even more effective than by filling of N ₂ gas Can not expect.

According to the present invention, in order to eliminate O ₂ remaining in the tire and to further enhance the effect of filling with N ₂ gas,
Prior to filling with N ₂ gas, an operation can be performed in which the air in the tire is exhausted to make the inside of the tire lower than the atmospheric pressure. In the case that can not be held in the lower than atmospheric pressure by discharging the air in the tire is filled with N ₂ gas, and releasing the temporarily fill gas in the tire during its filling into the atmosphere, followed by further By performing the operation of filling the N ₂ gas at least once, the remaining O ₂ and the N ₂ gas in the tire are replaced, which also makes it possible to increase the concentration of the N ₂ gas in the tire, By repeatedly performing the gas discharge and the N ₂ gas filling a plurality of times, the remaining amount of O ₂ in the tire can be further reduced.

Alternatively, prior to charging the N ₂ gas, the air in the tire is discharged to make the inside of the tire lower than the atmospheric pressure, and then the N ₂ gas is charged into the tire and the tire is further filled. It is also possible to perform an operation of releasing the filling gas in the tire to the atmosphere at least once, and if the N ₂ gas is filled according to such a procedure, the gas remains in the tire.
The amount of O ₂ gas is extremely reduced, and the effect of N ₂ gas filling can be further expected.

When the air in the tire is once discharged and filled with N ₂ gas, the residual air in the tire is extracted through the exhaust path 10, and the exhaust path 10 is closed. _What is necessary is just to fill ₂ gas. Further, when at least one filling gas during the filling of the filled the gas N ₂ gas without discharging the residual air in the tire to release into the atmosphere, first, to begin filling of the N ₂ gas, When the pressure in the tire reaches a predetermined pressure or a predetermined filling time, the supply of N ₂ gas is stopped and the exhaust path 10
The opening to the filling gas discharge (this may optionally be air opening) and then by supplying N ₂ gas to the exhaust passage 10 in the closed again filled with N ₂ gas to regular internal pressure. The filling of the N ₂ gas and the discharging of the filling gas are repeated once or twice or more as necessary.

The N ₂ gas air in the tire prior to filling from the discharge half after the inner pressure filling when filling the N ₂ gas O ₂
The concentration is about 3%. Also, without exhausting the air in the tire, for example, the rim-assembled tire is filled with N ₂ gas to increase the internal pressure to 200 kPa, and thereafter the internal pressure of the tire becomes 100 kPa.
The O ₂ concentration after the internal pressure filling can be reduced to about 5% by discharging the filling gas into the atmosphere until the pressure becomes kPa and then filling with N ₂ gas.

In this type of apparatus having a membrane module, the flow rate of N ₂ gas is adjusted so that the flow rate of N ₂ gas per unit time is lower than the flow rate of compressed air in the inlet passage 2 per unit time. In this case, the pressure in the membrane module 1 increases as the flow rate of the N ₂ gas decreases,
The concentration of N ₂ gas increases (the pressure in the membrane module increases to 1000
(preferably at least kPa) (because it takes more time to separate N ₂ gas and O ₂ gas), which makes it more suitable as a gas for filling internal pressure of tires (pressure of N ₂ gas (The flow rate depends on the pressure and flow rate of the compressed air.)
However, the time required for gas filling tends to be prolonged.
In order to avoid such an extension of time, a holder capable of storing N ₂ gas in advance in the outlet path 4 may be provided.

Although the details of the membrane module 1 are not shown in FIG. 1 described above, the membrane module 1 may be arranged in only one unit, or may be arranged in two or more units. When a plurality are arranged, they can be arranged in parallel or in series, and the number of installed units and the arrangement type are not particularly limited in the present invention.

Since the relationship between the pressure and the concentration of N ₂ at the time of filling the N ₂ gas can be grasped over time, the relationship between the pressure and the concentration at the time of filling the N ₂ gas is constantly checked, so that the membrane module 1 can be checked. Capacity (capacity for gas separation) can also be managed.

[0029]

According to the present invention, the N ₂ gas contained in the tire is filled.
It is possible to know at a glance how the gas concentration is changing or what the concentration of the N ₂ gas in the tire is after filling is completed, so that the reliability of the customer can be significantly increased. Further, since the amount of O ₂ remaining in the tire can be extremely reduced, the merit of filling with N ₂ gas can be maximized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Membrane module 2 Inlet passage 2b Hand valve 2c Air dryer 2d Micro mist separator 3 Outlet passage 4 Outlet passage 5 Pressure reducing valve 6 Pressure gauge 7 4-port valve 8 Hand valve 9 Compound meter 10 Exhaust path 11 Measurement path 11a flow rate control valve 11Bo ₂ sensor module 11c amplifier 11d indicator

Claims (7)

[Claims] When filling a rim-assembled tire with N ₂ gas and maintaining the internal pressure at a regular internal pressure, a sensor is used to measure the concentration of N ₂ gas supplied into the tire while the N ₂ gas is being charged. the method for filling the measurement results at any time, the N ₂ gas and displaying on the display unit in the tire. Upon 2. A filled with N ₂ gas to the rim and tire to hold the normal internal pressure, after finishing the filling of the N ₂ gas, in the tire with a sensor
Methods for the N ₂ gas filled into the tire, characterized in that to determine the concentration of N ₂ gas and displays on the display unit of the measurement results. 3. An apparatus which comprises a membrane module, separates the introduced air into O ₂ gas and N ₂ gas by this membrane module, fills only the N ₂ gas into the tire, and maintains the tire at a normal internal pressure. the apparatus for the N ₂ gas filled into the tire, characterized in that it comprises a display means for displaying the concentration of the N ₂ gas. 4. A display means displays at least one of the concentration of N ₂ gas in the tire after completion of filling of the concentration and N ₂ gas of N ₂ gas being supplied during the filling of the N ₂ gas 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the device performs 5. A membrane module comprising at least one inlet passage for introducing air and at least two outlet passages for passing N ₂ gas and O ₂ gas, respectively, and for passing N ₂ gas. The device according to claim 3, wherein the outlet passage has an exhaust passage for exhausting gas in the tire through the outlet passage. 6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display means displays digitally. 7. An exhaust passage for discharging gas in the tire through the outlet passage is connected to an outlet passage through which N ₂ gas passes, and a connecting portion of the exhaust passage and the membrane module are connected.
4. The device of claim 3, comprising a four port valve.