Agricultural Tire Pressure Control via Speed and Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote inflation systems for agricultural vehicles do not effectively account for the intrinsic characteristics of tires, leading to suboptimal performance in terms of energy consumption, traction, and soil compaction, as they primarily rely on pre-defined parameters and do not adapt in real-time to changing conditions such as tire characteristics, vehicle speed, and soil conditions.

Innovation Solution

A remote inflation system that determines the optimal tire pressure setpoint by reading tire identifiers, associating them with recorded characteristics, and calculating based on vehicle speed, tire design, and soil conditions, using sensors and databases to deliver precise inflation instructions for each tire, taking into account the position, load, and tool characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If tire pressure is increased to reduce rolling resistance and improve vehicle speed, then energy consumption decreases, but soil compaction increases and traction capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsoil compaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic tire pressure adjustment by continuously monitoring vehicle speed, soil conditions, and operational parameters, then automatically modifying tire pressure in real-time. The control unit receives data from sensors and adjusts pressure dynamically to optimize the balance between rolling resistance and soil compaction, rather than using fixed pressure settings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameter of tire pressure based on varying operational conditions. By adjusting pressure as a variable parameter rather than a constant, the system adapts to different soil types, vehicle speeds, and load conditions to minimize both energy consumption and soil compaction simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If tire pressure is increased to improve vehicle speed and reduce rolling resistance, then productivity increases, but traction capacity and grip are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidtraction capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts tire pressure based on real-time detection of vehicle speed, acceleration, and soil conditions. During high-speed travel on firm ground, pressure increases to reduce rolling resistance and improve productivity. During operations requiring high traction or on soft soil, pressure decreases to maximize grip and prevent slippage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent varies the tire pressure parameter according to the operational phase and ground conditions. The control unit modifies pressure settings to optimize the trade-off between speed-related productivity and force-related traction capacity, adapting continuously to changing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If remote inflation systems use pre-defined pressure parameters, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptation to real-time conditions and tire characteristics is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidreal-time adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-characterization by automatically detecting and storing tire-specific parameters such as stiffness, dimensions, and operational characteristics during initial use or through sensor feedback. This eliminates the need for manual configuration while enabling tailored pressure optimization for each tire, enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor actual tire performance, vehicle dynamics, and soil conditions, and this information feeds back to the control unit which adjusts pressure settings accordingly. This closed-loop system enables real-time adaptation while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3215375B1System and method for tire inflating
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3215375B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tyre pressure regulation system for an agricultural vehicle having tyres. In order to better manage the pressure of the tyres connected to the tyre pressure regulation system, said system includes means for determining a pressure set value including means for determining the features of the tyres for which the pressure is intended to be adjusted by the tyre pressure regulation device, means for determining the speed of the vehicle, and means for calculating the pressure set value of said tyre on the basis of the features of said tyre and the speed. The invention also includes the method for determining a set value for a device for regulating the pressure of a tyre, including a step of determining the features of a tyre for which the pressure is intended to be adjusted by the tyre pressure regulation device, a step of determining the speed of the vehicle, a step of calculating the pressure set value of said tyre on the basis of the features of said tyre and the speed.