Central Tire Inflation Control With Shared Air Suspension Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire pressure adjustment in vehicles is imprecise and requires manual intervention, lacking the precision needed for optimal performance on varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system with valves, an air regulation device, and an electronic control unit (ECU) automatically adjusts tire pressure based on road conditions, using sensors and processors to detect terrain changes and adjust pressure accordingly, integrating with air suspension devices for optimal vehicle stability and fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tire pressure adjustment is used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the precision of tire pressure control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic tire pressure adjustment without manual intervention. Sensors continuously monitor tire pressure and automatically activate the air pump or release valve when pressure deviates from the optimal range, allowing the system to self-regulate and eliminate the need for manual checking and adjustment by the driver
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback through pressure sensors that monitor tire pressure in real-time. The control unit receives this feedback data and automatically adjusts tire pressure by activating the air pump or release valve based on the measured pressure levels, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal tire pressure
2Reliability
If automatic tire pressure adjustment system is implemented, then tire pressure precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single integrated platform. The same air pump and valve mechanisms used for tire pressure adjustment are also employed for air suspension height control, allowing the system to manage both tire inflation and suspension adjustments through unified components and control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines tire pressure management and air suspension control into a single integrated system. Both functions share common components including the air pump, release valve, and control unit, merging previously separate systems into one unified platform that reduces overall complexity while improving reliability
3Use of energy by moving object
If separate air systems for tires and suspension are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but air consumption and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump and release valve are designed to serve dual purposes: inflating tires and adjusting air suspension height. The control unit intelligently directs compressed air to either the tires or suspension system based on current needs, allowing a single air generation system to efficiently manage multiple functions without requiring separate air pumps for each application
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for adjusting air pressure of one or more tires of a vehicle. The system includes one or more valves respectively corresponding to the one or more tires, each valve of the one or more valves configured to receive air for inflating a corresponding tire or release air for deflating the corresponding tire. The system includes an air regulation device configured to provide air to the one or more valves of the one or more tires via one or more respective air lines and provide air to one or more air suspension devices via the one or more respective air lines. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to cause the one or more tires to inflate or deflate based on a tire air pressure configuration.