CTIS Control System Adaptive Tyre Pressure Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Central tyre inflation systems (CTIS) face challenges in efficiently controlling tyre pressure across multiple tyres and modes, particularly in off-road conditions, where existing systems struggle to adapt pressure dynamically and maintain optimal traction while minimizing tyre wear.

Innovation Solution

A control system for CTIS that includes a network of pneumatic control valves, a valve block with multiple air sources, and electronic control units (ECUs) to manage tyre pressure based on real-time sensors and driver inputs, allowing for adaptive pressure adjustments across different driving modes and conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single air source is used for all tyres, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to independently control tyre pressure for each tyre is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidindependent tyre pressure control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is segmented into multiple independent air sources (first air source for front tyres, second air source for rear tyres), allowing independent pressure control for each tyre group. This segmentation enables differentiated pressure adjustment based on specific driving conditions while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If tyre pressure is adjusted frequently to adapt to different conditions, then adaptability is improved, but system reliability may deteriorate due to increased wear and potential failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure adaptation to conditionsVSAvoidsystem failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts tyre pressure based on real-time detection of driving conditions (on-road vs off-road modes) and individual tyre states. The control unit monitors pressure differentials and activates air sources selectively, enabling adaptive pressure adjustment only when necessary, thus balancing adaptability with system reliability by avoiding unnecessary adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple air sources are used for different tyre groups, then independent control capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent tyre group controlVSAvoidnumber of air sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different air sources are assigned to different tyre groups (front vs rear) based on their specific pressure requirements and driving conditions. The first air source serves front tyres while the second serves rear tyres, allowing each group to have optimized pressure independently. This local quality approach improves control capability while managing complexity through functional specialization rather than uniform treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Measurement precision

If the system monitors all tyre pressures continuously, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyre pressure monitoring accuracyVSAvoidenergy for monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial monitoring by focusing attention on tyres that require pressure adjustment. The control unit determines which tyres need monitoring based on detected driving conditions and pressure differentials, activating comprehensive monitoring only for affected tyre groups rather than continuously monitoring all tyres, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining necessary measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The system ensures optimal tyre pressure for various driving modes, enhancing traction and reducing tyre wear by dynamically adjusting pressure, thereby improving vehicle performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

A central tyre inflation system (CTIS) for a vehicle (VH) has a first compressed air source (5) arranged to supply compressed air to a first group of pneumatic control valves (PCV)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air supply: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

A pressure sensor (35) is provided in the gallery (33) for measuring the pressure of compressed air in the gallery (33)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 3

First and second inlet valves (VIN1, VIN2) are provided in the valve block (3) for controlling the supply of compressed air from the first air source (5) to the valve block (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air flow control: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3307568B1Control system, vehicle and method
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
  • EP3307568B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3307568B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3307568B1 patent drawingFigure 1B

AI summary

A control system for a motor vehicle comprising a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) electronic controller, the CTIS controller being configured to control the CTIS to cause inflation and deflation of one or more tyres, the CTIS controller being configured to receive electronic signals indicative of current vehicle speed and tyre pressure, and to generate a cumulative tyre wear indicator value indicative of a cumulative amount of wear suffered by a tyre at a given moment in time, the CTIS controller being configured to automatically set the cumulative tyre wear indicator value to a predetermined datum value in dependence at least in part on a determination by the CTIS controller that a tyre has been changed.