Automated Tire Maintenance System for Heavy Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, such as semi-trailers and big rigs, require periodic maintenance like tire inflation and replacement, which is time-consuming and costly to track and perform.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a database with vehicle-specific maintenance settings, a communication device, and automatic tire measuring and inflation equipment that interacts with vehicles to capture and correct tire pressure and tread depth data, allowing for efficient maintenance at on-highway retail facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tracking and servicing of vehicle maintenance is used, then flexibility and adaptability to different vehicles are maintained, but time consumption and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-service through RFID identification that automatically retrieves vehicle maintenance settings from a database and triggers appropriate maintenance actions without manual intervention. The vehicle itself is identified and its maintenance needs are automatically determined and executed.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical tracking and monitoring systems are replaced with an automated electronic system using RFID tags, databases, and computer-controlled maintenance equipment. The mechanical process of manually checking and recording maintenance status is substituted with electronic automation.
2Reliability
If comprehensive vehicle maintenance tracking is implemented, then maintenance quality and reliability improve, but system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal RFID identification approach that works across different vehicle types and maintenance scenarios. A single database structure stores maintenance settings for multiple vehicle types, and the same automated process handles various maintenance tasks, reducing overall system complexity despite comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The database acts as an intermediary between vehicle identification and maintenance execution. Rather than complex direct control systems, the database mediates by storing pre-determined maintenance settings and providing them to the appropriate maintenance equipment, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Productivity
If simultaneous fueling and tire maintenance are performed, then facility productivity increases, but safety risks and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The facility is segmented into distinct functional zones - fueling lanes and tire service lanes - that operate independently but simultaneously. This spatial segmentation allows parallel operations while maintaining safety by separating potentially hazardous fueling activities from tire maintenance activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically routes vehicles to appropriate lanes based on their identified maintenance needs. Vehicles are dynamically assigned to fueling, tire service, or combined services, allowing flexible optimization of facility throughput while maintaining safety through controlled, dynamic operation rather than static, rigid processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for servicing a vehicle in accordance with pre-determined maintenance settings is provided. Maintenance settings can be communicated to a vehicle maintenance tool via a communication device and the vehicle maintenance tool can interact with the vehicle in accordance with the maintenance settings.