Central Tire Inflation System Interim Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central tire inflation systems (CTIS) face inefficiencies in achieving target tire pressures due to repeated compressor activation and air losses over time, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and potential system faults.
Innovation Solution
A processor-controlled strategy that inflates or deflates tires to an interim pressure higher than the target pressure, then adjusts to the target pressure, minimizing compressor activation and accounting for system losses by using measured tire pressures and look-up tables to optimize inflation and deflation times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the CTIS inflates the tire directly to the target tire pressure, then the inflation process is simple, but the compressor may need to be activated repeatedly if the target pressure is undershot, leading to increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary inflation action by inflating the tire to an interim pressure that is higher than the target pressure. This preliminary action ensures that the target pressure is achieved in a single compressor activation cycle, preventing the need for repeated compressor startup and thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies excessive action by intentionally inflating the tire beyond the target pressure to an interim pressure. This excessive inflation ensures that the target pressure is definitely reached, and any overshoot is corrected by a subsequent deflation operation rather than requiring a costly compressor re-activation.
2Productivity
If the CTIS deflates the tire directly to the target tire pressure, then the deflation process is simple, but the compressor may need to be activated if the target pressure is overshot, leading to increased energy consumption and potential system faults
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary deflation action to reduce the tire pressure to an interim pressure that is higher than the target pressure. This preliminary action sets up the system for a controlled final adjustment to the target pressure, preventing the need for compressor activation and avoiding potential system faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies excessive deflation action by deflating the tire to an interim pressure that may be slightly below the target pressure. This ensures that the tire pressure does not overshoot the target, and any undershoot is corrected by a controlled inflation operation rather than requiring compressor re-activation.
3Device complexity
If the CTIS uses a single inflation operation to reach the target tire pressure, then the control process is simple, but system losses and inefficiencies may result in failing to achieve the target pressure, requiring additional operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tire pressure adjustment process into two distinct phases: a first operation to reach an interim pressure, and a second operation to adjust to the target pressure. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, ensuring that system losses in the first phase do not prevent accurate achievement of the target pressure in the second phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary state (interim pressure) between the initial and target pressure states. This intermediary pressure serves as a buffer that accounts for system losses and inefficiencies, allowing the system to reach a known intermediate state before making the final precise adjustment to the target pressure.
4Manufacturing precision
If the CTIS activates the compressor frequently to maintain target tire pressure, then the target pressure is maintained accurately, but energy consumption increases and system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary inflation to an interim pressure that is higher than the target pressure. This preliminary action creates a pressure buffer that reduces the likelihood of the tire pressure dropping below the target during operation, thereby reducing the frequency of compressor activations and improving system reliability.
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 reduces the need for repeated inflation or deflation cycles, conserves energy, and maintains target tire pressures effectively, while also considering system integrity and age-related air losses, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of CTIS.
Implementation Method 1
The CTIS delivers compressed air to tire supply lines. Various valves are provided in the CTIS to control flow of compressed air.
Implementation Method 2
the processor can control the time period over which compressed air is vented from the tire to achieve the target tire pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A processor for controlling operation of a central tire inflation system (CTIS) to change a tire pressure of a tire of a vehicle is configured to control the CTIS to inflate or deflate the tire to a predetermined tire pressure which is above a target tire pressure for the tire. The processor then controls the CTIS to deflate the tire until the target tire pressure is reached. In this manner, a second tire inflation operation to achieve the target tire pressure in the tire can be avoided.