Flat Tire Airbag Inflation for Pressure-Loss Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire technologies do not provide an automatic and immediate inflation mechanism to support a pneumatic tire upon puncture or loss of pressure, limiting the ability to safely continue driving until the tire can be replaced.
Innovation Solution
A flat tire airbag system comprising an inner tube with an airbag inflation mechanism that automatically inflates in response to a tire pressure monitoring system detecting pressure loss, using a gas source or gas generator to rapidly inflate the inner tube and support the tire, ensuring continued safe driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pneumatic tire is used without an automatic inflation mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to safely continue driving after puncture is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-installing a deflated inner tube within the tire and pre-positioning a gas source (compressed air tank or chemical gas generator) ready for immediate deployment. When puncture is detected by the pressure monitoring system, the inner tube automatically inflates to support the tire, enabling continued driving without immediate tire replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary inner tube that acts as a mediator between the punctured outer tire and the wheel rim. This inner tube provides structural support when the outer tire is damaged, allowing the vehicle to continue operating. The gas source serves as another intermediary that rapidly inflates the inner tube upon detection of pressure loss
2Loss of time
If an automatic inflation system is added to the tire, then the response time to pressure loss is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through a tire pressure monitoring system that continuously monitors internal pressure and automatically triggers the inflation mechanism when pressure loss is detected. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates manual intervention and ensures immediate response to puncture events, reducing the time loss compared to manual detection and inflation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by employing a compressed air tank or chemical gas generator to rapidly inflate the inner tube. The gas source stores pressurized gas that is released through a valve mechanism to quickly fill the inner tube, achieving rapid inflation without requiring external air sources or manual pumping
3Speed
If a gas source or gas generator is integrated into the tire system, then the inflation speed is increased, but the weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies the disposable principle by using a chemical gas generator that consumes a limited supply of chemical reactants to produce gas for inflation. Once the chemical fuel is depleted, the gas generator is discarded and replaced. This approach enables rapid inflation without requiring heavy, reusable compressed air tanks, thus reducing the overall weight of the moving system while maintaining high inflation speed
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 enables immediate and automatic inflation of the tire, preventing loss of control and allowing safe continuation of driving until the tire can be replaced, by rapidly inflating the inner tube upon pressure loss detection.
Implementation Method 1
using a gas source or gas generator to rapidly inflate the inner tube and support the tire
Data Source
AI summary
A flat tire airbag system has an inner tube having an inner portion adapted to be mounted upon the wheel of the pneumatic tire, and an outer portion adapted to support the tire when inflated. A tire pressure monitoring system is operably mounted to monitor pressure within the pneumatic tire, and an airbag inflation mechanism is provided for automatically inflating the inner tube responsive to the tire pressure monitoring system detecting a loss of pressure within the pneumatic tire.