Adaptive Tire Inflation Control for Gas Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire inflation systems often lead to overinflation due to frequent pressure checks, especially in vehicles with frequent ignition cycles, resulting in increased wear and demand for pressurized gas, and fail to adapt sampling intervals effectively based on environmental and operational conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a tire inflation system that adjusts the tire pressure sampling interval based on time, distance, ambient temperature, engine temperature, and wheel end temperature, allowing for tailored checks and reducing unnecessary inflation, using sensors to determine when to check tire pressure and categorize pressure drops to optimize gas usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If frequent tire pressure checks are performed, then tire pressure monitoring accuracy is improved, but pressurized gas consumption increases and tire overinflation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire pressure monitoring accuracyVSAvoidpressurized gas consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the tire pressure sampling interval based on vehicle operating conditions. The control module modifies the sampling frequency according to parameters such as vehicle speed, temperature, and previous pressure readings, transitioning from fixed-interval checking to adaptive interval checking. This resolves the contradiction by checking pressure more frequently only when necessary (improving accuracy) while reducing checks during stable conditions (reducing gas consumption).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sampling interval parameter dynamically based on multiple factors including ambient temperature, wheel temperature, vehicle speed, and pressure drop patterns. By adjusting this key parameter adaptively rather than using a fixed interval, the system achieves both accurate monitoring and reduced gas consumption through optimized check frequency matching actual tire conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed sampling intervals are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to environmental and operational conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to environmental conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static sampling interval into a dynamic parameter that automatically adjusts based on real-time vehicle operating conditions. The control module evaluates multiple inputs (temperature, speed, pressure trends) and modifies the sampling interval accordingly, enabling the simple system structure to achieve complex adaptive behavior without requiring fundamental system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where previous pressure readings, temperature data, and vehicle operating conditions are continuously monitored and fed back to the control module. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of sampling intervals, allowing the system to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining a relatively simple overall architecture through intelligent control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If tire pressure is checked at regular intervals, then monitoring consistency is improved, but unnecessary inflation events increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring consistencyVSAvoidinflation system efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces regular fixed-interval monitoring with dynamic interval adjustment based on actual tire conditions. The system maintains monitoring consistency by systematically evaluating multiple parameters (temperature, speed, pressure trends) to determine appropriate check intervals, ensuring consistent decision-making while avoiding unnecessary inflation events through condition-based triggering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sampling interval parameter based on detected pressure drop patterns and environmental conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system maintains consistent monitoring of tire health while reducing unnecessary checks that would trigger unnecessary inflation events, thereby improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2851216B1Tire inflation system and method of control
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP2851216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2851216B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

A tire inflation system and a method of control. A tire pressure sampling interval may be triggered based on a type of tire pressure drop, wheel speed, or temperature.