Elastomer Arm for Truck Trailer Tire Pressure Lamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring tire pressure in truck trailer tires is challenging due to the lack of independent tire pressure monitoring systems and communication issues between the tractive unit and truck trailer systems.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a flexible, elastomer-made arm with a warning lamp that can deform and revert to its original shape upon collision, ensuring reliable signal transmission from the truck trailer to the tractive unit, and includes anti-glare protection and anti-wear ribs for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the arm is made rigid to maintain stable lamp position, then the lamp position stability is improved, but the arm becomes vulnerable to damage during collisions with foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is constructed from elastomer material that provides flexibility to absorb collision impacts while maintaining lamp position stability during normal operation. The elastomer properties allow the arm to deform during collisions and return to its original position, preventing damage to the warning lamp.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer material inherently provides cushioning capability before collisions occur, allowing the arm to absorb impact energy during collisions with foreign objects such as lateral loading gates or loading ramps, thereby protecting the warning lamp from damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the arm is made flexible to absorb collision impacts, then the collision resistance is improved, but the lamp position stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer material properties are carefully selected to provide optimal balance between flexibility for collision absorption and rigidity for position stability. The material's elastic modulus and damping characteristics are tuned to maintain lamp position during normal operation while absorbing collision impacts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the arm uses elastomer material for flexibility, then the collision damage protection is improved, but the arm requires higher force to maintain position against vibrations at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer material's inherent elastic properties enable the arm to self-correct position deviations caused by vibrations at high speeds, reducing the need for additional active control forces. The material's damping characteristics automatically counteract vibrational effects.
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
Enables autonomous and reliable signal transmission from the truck trailer to the tractive unit, preventing damage to the warning lamp during collisions and ensuring clear visibility at high speeds, while maintaining effective communication and driver alertness.
Implementation Method 1
the arm being made substantially of an elastomer material configured to make the arm flexibly deformable in the event of a collision with a foreign object; and, the arm being further configured to revert back to its initial configuration after the collision as a result of its elastic material characteristic
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for displaying the state of the tire pressure for a vehicle tire of a truck trailer includes a lamp to optically display the tire pressure state. An arm is provided with the lamp arranged thereon. A mount fixes the arm to the truck trailer and the arm is made substantially of an elastomer material so as to cause the arm to be flexibly deformable when colliding with a foreign object. The arm reverts back to its initial configuration after such a collision as a result of its elastic material characteristic.