Compressor Assembly with Cam Mechanism for Tire Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure medium supply systems face challenges in maintaining reliable and durable rotary feedthroughs, which are prone to contamination and wear, leading to inefficient and costly maintenance, especially when external pressure sources are used.
Innovation Solution
A compressor assembly with a compression chamber on the wheel hub, utilizing a cam mechanism to convert rotational movement into oscillating translatory movement, eliminating the need for rotary feedthroughs by directly supplying pressure medium to the rotating tire cavity, and incorporating a self-centering cam track and annular piston for efficient pressure delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotary feedthroughs are used to supply pressure medium to rotating wheels, then pressure medium can be supplied to tire cavities during vehicle operation, but the operational reliability and durability of the rotary feedthroughs deteriorate due to contamination and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rotary feedthrough component from the pressure medium supply system. Instead of supplying pressure medium through the rotating wheel assembly, the system uses a compressor mounted on the wheel hub that directly compresses and delivers pressure medium to the tire cavity, removing the problematic rotary feedthrough interface
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor assembly on the hub serves itself by using the rotational movement of the wheel hub to drive the compression mechanism through a cam mechanism. The system automatically supplies pressure medium to the tire cavity without requiring external intervention or complex rotary feedthroughs, making the pressure medium supply self-contained at the rotating location
2Ease of operation
If external pressure medium sources are used to inflate tire cavities, then tire inflation can be performed manually, but extensive maintenance and pressure checking of all tire cavities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the pressure medium supply system into individual autonomous compressor units mounted on each wheel hub. Each compressor serves its corresponding tire cavity independently, eliminating the need for a central pressure medium source and extensive system-wide maintenance. The segmentation allows each unit to be maintained or replaced independently
Solution Approach 2:
Each compressor assembly on the hub automatically supplies pressure medium to its associated tire cavity without requiring external intervention. The system performs self-inflation autonomously using the rotational movement of the wheel hub, eliminating the need for manual connection to external pressure sources and reducing maintenance requirements
3Extent of automation
If vehicle-side pressure medium sources with rotary feedthroughs are used, then autonomous tire inflation during driving is enabled, but the cost and complexity increase to ensure durability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex rotary feedthrough design from the system by placing the compressor directly on the wheel hub. This extraction eliminates the need for complex sealing and rotational supply mechanisms while maintaining autonomous inflation capability during driving
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary that converts the rotational movement of the wheel hub into the reciprocating motion required for compression. This intermediary mechanism enables autonomous operation during driving without requiring complex rotary feedthroughs, simplifying the overall system design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures reliable and autonomous tire inflation with minimal maintenance, providing consistent tire pressure during vehicle operation while reducing wear and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for external pressure sources and rotary feedthroughs.
Implementation Method 1
the compressor assembly comprises a transmission, preferably a cam mechanism, which is configured to convert a rotational movement between the wheel mount and the wheel hub into an oscillating translatory movement of the compressor component
Implementation Method 2
a pressure medium that is to be conducted into the tire cavity can be compressed by a reduction in the volume of the compression chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a compressor assembly for supplying pressure medium to a tire cavity of a vehicle wheel that can be mounted on a wheel hub which can be mounted on a wheel carrier so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The compressor assembly includes a wheel mount-side transmission component including a cylindrical cam.