Dual Compressor Tyre Inflation System for Tractors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tyre inflation systems for tractors are inefficient, requiring excessively long times to change tyre pressure from field conditions to road conditions due to the need for large air volumes and different pressure requirements, especially when using typical high pressure low volume compressors.
Innovation Solution
A dual-compressor system where a high flow rate radial vane compressor can be connected in series with a low volume high pressure compressor, using a priority control valve to ensure air is supplied to tyres only after consumers' air pressure is assured, and a control valve allows direct connection to tyres without passing through the priority valve for faster inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high pressure low volume compressor is used to supply air to tyres, then the air pressure can be maintained for consumers (brakes), but the time required to inflate tyres becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into two separate compressors: a high pressure low volume compressor for consumers (brakes) and a high volume low pressure compressor for tyre inflation. This segmentation allows each compressor to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between maintaining consumer air pressure and reducing tyre inflation time.
Solution Approach 2:
A priority control valve acts as an intermediary between the high pressure compressor and the air supply lines. It ensures that the high pressure compressor prioritizes supplying air to consumers (brakes) while allowing the high volume compressor to supply air to tyres, thus maintaining consumer air pressure reliability while enabling fast tyre inflation.
2Loss of time
If a high volume low pressure compressor is used for tyre inflation, then the inflation time is reduced, but the air pressure supply to consumers (brakes) may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the air supply function into two independent compressors: one dedicated to consumers (high pressure low volume) and one dedicated to tyre inflation (high volume low pressure). This eliminates competition for air supply between consumers and tyres, allowing fast tyre inflation without compromising consumer air pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The priority control valve serves as an intermediary that manages the high pressure compressor's output, ensuring it prioritizes consumer air supply. Meanwhile, the high volume compressor directly supplies tyres through a separate path, ensuring consumer air pressure reliability is maintained while enabling rapid tyre inflation.
3Device complexity
If a single compressor is used for both consumer air supply and tyre inflation, then the system complexity is reduced, but the tyre inflation time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into two separate compressors with distinct functions: one for consumers and one for tyres. Although this increases the number of components, it dramatically reduces tyre inflation time by providing dedicated high volume supply, justifying the increased complexity through significant performance improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates air supply capacity by using two compressors operating in parallel with different characteristics. The high pressure compressor dynamically prioritizes consumer supply while the high volume compressor dynamically provides rapid tyre inflation, optimizing overall system performance despite increased complexity.
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 configuration significantly reduces the time required to inflate tyres from 0.6 bar to 1.6 bar, shortening the process from 15 minutes to 3-4 minutes, while ensuring priority air supply to consumers and allowing for trailer tyre inflation.
Implementation Method 1
a first compressor (11) which is connected with a priority control valve (12)... The first compressor (11) is provided primarily to provide the necessary pressure for the brakes (14,15 and 16)
Implementation Method 2
a second compressor (22) which is a higher flow rate compressor... The second compressor (22) delivers air at a low pressure of say 2.5bar but that is at a much higher flow rate of say 6000 litres per minute
Implementation Method 3
Priority control valve (12) supplies pressure to a left hand tractor brake (14) via a line (14a) and a reservoir (14b)... The priority control valve (12) ensures that no compressed air is supplied to the tyre inflation control valves (18 and 19) unless the brakes (14,15 and 16) are receiving the required air pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A tyre inflation system (10) for a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a first compressor (11) for supplying pressurised air to one or more consumers on the vehicle via a first air supply system. The tyre pressure inflation system (10) includes a second higher flow rate compressor (22) which can be connected with or without the first compressor (11) to one or more tyres (20, 21) of the vehicle via a tyre inflation circuit to inflate said one or more tyres (20, 21).