Load Regulated Tire Inflation System with Dynamic Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire inflation systems for vehicles like semi-trailers struggle to dynamically adjust tire pressure based on changing load conditions during operation, leading to inefficiencies in tire wear, fuel consumption, and vehicle control.
Innovation Solution
A tire inflation system comprising an airflow regulator and a controller that adjusts tire pressure based on data from strain or pressure sensors, allowing for selective movement between finite or infinite pressure settings to match load conditions, and includes a pressure protection system to prevent under-inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tire pressure is kept at a regulator set pressure to overcome small losses of air over time, then tire pressure stability is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to changing load conditions leading to inefficient tire wear and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts tire pressure based on real-time load sensing. The regulator transitions from a static set-pressure device to a dynamic control system that continuously monitors axle load via strain gauges or pressure sensors and adjusts tire pressure accordingly, enabling adaptation to changing load conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated feedback control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring load conditions through strain gauge transducers or pressure transducers in air springs, comparing actual tire pressure to desired pressure based on load, and automatically adjusting the regulator output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables adaptive pressure control without requiring complex manual intervention systems
2Productivity
If manual pressure adjustment is used to match load conditions, then tire pressure can be optimized for current load, but the system cannot respond to dynamic changes during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring load conditions and adjusting tire pressure without driver intervention. The strain gauge transducers continuously measure axle load, and the controller autonomously regulates air flow to maintain optimal tire pressure, eliminating the need for manual pressure adjustments while maximizing fuel efficiency through continuous optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining optimal tire pressure throughout the entire operation cycle. Rather than periodic manual adjustments, the automated system continuously monitors load changes and adjusts pressure in real-time, ensuring fuel efficiency is maximized throughout the entire journey without interruption or manual intervention
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed pressure settings are used in the regulator, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot optimize for varying load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically based on load conditions. Instead of fixed pressure settings, the regulator adjusts its output pressure parameter in response to strain gauge or pressure transducer readings, optimizing tire pressure for each specific load condition to minimize fuel consumption while maintaining the simplicity of a regulator-based architecture
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 optimizes tire pressure to improve tire life, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance vehicle control by dynamically adjusting to changing load conditions, while preventing tire failure through proactive pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
the strain gauge transducer is configured to be coupled to the axle to generate the data indicative of the force load acting on the axle by measuring strain of the axle
Implementation Method 2
the pressure transducer is configured to be coupled to an air spring coupled with the axle and the pressure transducer is further configured to generate the data indicative of the force load acting on the axle by measuring air pressure in the air spring
Implementation Method 3
The airflow regulator may be configured to adjust a tire pressure of an inflatable tire coupled to an axle included in a wheel-axle system of a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A tire inflation system for use with a vehicle includes an airflow regulator configured to adjust a tire pressure of an inflatable tire coupled to an axle included in a wheel-axle system of a vehicle. The tire inflation system may further include a controller including a processor and a memory, the memory having stored therein a plurality of instructions that when executed by the processor cause the controller to receive data indicative of a force load acting on the axle and adjust the airflow regulator to cause the airflow regulator to control the tire pressure of the inflatable tire based on the data indicative of the force load acting on the axle.