CTIS Tire Inflation Staging to Limit Rotary Seal Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CTIS systems face issues with rotary joint wear due to overheating, which is exacerbated by heat generated from rolling speed, inflation/deflation pressure, and duration of use, and current solutions are either expensive or complex.
Innovation Solution
A method for adjusting tire pressure in a CTIS system by dividing the process into sequential stages, adjusting one group at a time to allow rotary seals to cool down, reducing stress and overheating, while maintaining consistent tire pressure adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tire pressure is adjusted continuously while the vehicle is in motion, then the system provides adaptability to driving conditions, but the rotary seals are subject to excessive wear and overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tire inflation process into discrete stages with predefined pressure levels. Instead of continuous adjustment, the system segments the pressure adjustment into stepwise increments, allowing rotary seals to rest between adjustments and reducing cumulative wear while maintaining adaptability to different driving conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by allowing rotary seals to alternate between active adjustment periods and rest periods. During rest periods, seals are not subjected to continuous operation, enabling cooling and reduction of thermal wear, while still providing periodic pressure adjustments to adapt to changing driving conditions.
2Speed
If the inflation pressure is increased to improve vehicle speed performance, then the vehicle can travel at higher speeds on roads, but the heat generation at rotary seals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by implementing multi-stage inflation where the full inflation pressure is not applied continuously. Instead, pressure is increased in controlled stages, allowing the system to achieve high vehicle speed performance while limiting the duration and intensity of high-pressure operation, thereby reducing heat generation at rotary seals.
3Manufacturing precision
If the duration of inflation or deflation is extended to achieve precise pressure adjustment, then the tire pressure accuracy is improved, but the rotary seal wear is amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by segmenting the inflation process into multiple discrete stages with predefined pressure levels. Each stage achieves a portion of the total pressure adjustment, allowing precise overall pressure control through cumulative staged adjustments while limiting the duration of seal operation at any single pressure level, thereby reducing wear.
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
This approach extends the lifespan of rotary seals by limiting excessive heating and wear, ensuring consistent tire pressure adjustments without significantly increasing process duration, and improving vehicle handling.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed air supply... This allows tire pressure to be adjusted
Implementation Method 2
the friction between the rotating part and the fixed part of the seal... heat occurring at the level of said seals
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for adjusting the tyre pressure of a vehicle by means of a centralised tyre inflation system "CTIS"; - the vehicle comprising at least a first group and a second group of tyres (EMi), each group (EMi) comprising at least one tyre; - each group (EMi) exhibiting an initial pressure (P0i); - a predetermined target pressure (P1i) corresponding to each group (EMi); - the method consisting in carrying out a sequence of adjusting the pressure of each group (EMi) from the initial pressure (P0i) to the target pressure (P1i); - the sequence comprising at least one stage (DGi-j) for each group (EMi); each stage (DGi-j) being defined by a volume of air (Vi-j) to be added into the tyres of the group (EMi); - the sequence consisting in adjusting, stage by stage (DGi-j), the pressure of the groups (EMi), and moving onto another group (EMi) when a stage (DGi-j) has been completed, until each group (EMi) has reached its target pressure (P1i).