Magnetic Pump Mechanism for Tire Pressure Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic tires experience air pressure loss due to punctures and diffusion, leading to underinflation, which requires frequent driver intervention to maintain recommended pressure, and existing pump systems are often complex, costly, and bulky, making them unsuitable for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile pump mechanism integrated into a wheel assembly that includes a frame with a pump chamber and a strike plate actuated by a permanent magnet or electric magnet, engaging a diaphragm to compress air and maintain tire pressure without driver intervention, featuring a series arrangement of pumps with check valves and a filter for efficient air management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pump systems are used to maintain tire pressure, then tire pressure can be maintained, but the system becomes mechanically complex, costly, and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pump systems with a simple diaphragm-based compression mechanism actuated by a magnet. The magnet attracts a strike plate that pivots to engage the diaphragm, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical pumps, motors, and control systems while maintaining tire pressure effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential function of air compression from complex pump systems. By using a simple diaphragm that can be directly actuated by magnetic force through the wheel rim, the patent removes unnecessary mechanical components while retaining the core pressure maintenance capability.
2Reliability
If conventional pump systems are used to maintain tire pressure, then tire pressure can be maintained, but the system becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical pump components with lightweight magnetic actuation and a simple diaphragm mechanism. The magnet mounted on the brake caliper or wheel hub provides actuation force without adding significant weight, while the diaphragm compression chamber requires minimal structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible diaphragm as the primary compression element instead of rigid mechanical pumps. The diaphragm can be made from thin, lightweight materials that provide sufficient compression force when actuated by the magnetic strike mechanism, significantly reducing overall system weight.
3Reliability
If driver intervention is required to maintain tire pressure, then tire pressure can be restored, but driver time and attention are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service tire pressure maintenance system where the pump mechanism automatically operates based on tire pressure needs. The system monitors pressure differential across the diaphragm and activates compression cycles automatically, eliminating the need for driver awareness or intervention while maintaining optimal tire pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates implicit feedback through the diaphragm pressure differential mechanism. When tire pressure drops, the pressure difference across the diaphragm increases, automatically triggering the magnetic actuation and compression cycles. This closed-loop feedback ensures continuous pressure maintenance without driver involvement.
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 effectively maintains tire pressure with a simple, cost-effective, and lightweight design that is easy to install, providing a high compression ratio and minimizing tire underinflation issues, suitable for both consumer and commercial vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the strike plate is actuated by a permanent magnet mounted on a stationary part, or the strike plate is actuated by an electrically driven magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A pump mechanism (100) is disclosed for mounting on a wheel (20) to keep a pneumatic tire (10) from becoming underinflated. The pump mechanism (100) comprises a frame (210, 230) having a first chamber (225) and a pump chamber (295); and a strike plate (220) positioned in the first chamber (225) and being connected to a plunger plate (240), the plunger plate (240) having a nose (242) for engagement with a diaphragm (280) mounted in the pump chamber (295). The pump chamber (295) is in fluid communication with a pump inlet (291) and a pump outlet (293). An actuation of the strike plate (220) in the first chamber (225) causes engagement of the nose (242) with the diaphragm (280).