On-Wheel Air Maintenance System for Tire Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auto-inflating tire systems for trucks are either complex and expensive or prone to frequent replacement due to harsh wheel environments, failing to efficiently maintain optimal tire pressure and thus fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air maintenance system comprising a rotating inner ring, a stationary outer ring, an occlusion roller, spacer rollers, and a flexible tube that pumps air into the tire by applying an occluding force, with a pressure regulator assembly to maintain appropriate pressure, designed to overcome inertia and friction for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional central inflation systems are used, then tire pressure maintenance capability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wheel assembly into distinct functional segments: a rotating inner ring that rotates with the wheel, a stationary outer ring that remains fixed, and intermediate rollers that transfer motion between them. This segmentation allows the pumping mechanism to be distributed across multiple simple components rather than requiring a complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having a complex mechanism that actively pushes air into the tire, the system inverts the approach by using the natural rotation of the wheel to drive a pumping action. The relative motion between the rotating inner ring and stationary outer ring creates the pumping effect passively, eliminating the need for motors or active control systems.
2Device complexity
If distributed inflation systems are used, then cost is reduced, but device reliability decreases due to harsh wheel environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vulnerable electronic and mechanical components from the harsh wheel environment by placing the pumping mechanism in the relatively protected space between the inner and outer rings. The only components exposed to the wheel environment are simple rollers and seals, while the pump cavity and flexible tube are shielded from direct exposure to heat, vibration, and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wheel's own rotation to drive the pumping mechanism, eliminating the need for external power sources, motors, or control systems that would require maintenance. The relative motion between the rotating inner ring and stationary outer ring automatically generates the pumping action, making the system self-powered and highly reliable in harsh environments.
3Reliability
If truck drivers constantly stop to check and inflate tires, then tire pressure optimization is improved, but fuel efficiency and time productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous tire inflation by utilizing the uninterrupted rotation of the wheel. As the wheel rotates, the inner ring continuously pumps air into the tire through the flexible tube, ensuring constant pressure maintenance without requiring periodic stops. This continuous operation eliminates downtime and keeps the tire at optimal pressure at all times.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire inflation system serves itself by using the wheel's natural rotation to drive the pumping mechanism. No external intervention, power source, or control system is needed—the system automatically and continuously inflates the tire as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from manual tire checks and inflation tasks.
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 optimal tire pressure with reduced maintenance needs, enhancing fuel efficiency and extending the life of the air maintenance system by minimizing replacement requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the mass of the stationary outer ring overcomes inertia and friction generated by rotation of the inner rotating ring and rotating wheel such that the stationary outer ring stays substantially static
Implementation Method 2
the mass of the stationary outer ring overcomes inertia and friction generated by rotation of the inner rotating ring and rotating wheel
Implementation Method 3
pumping a fluid from the ambient environment into a pneumatic tire by applying an occluding force against the flexible tube, periodically occluding portions of the pump cavity
Implementation Method 4
an occlusion roller rotationally fixed to the stationary outer ring, the occlusion roller having a protruding portion centered axially at a radially outer surface of the occlusion roller with axially outer portions of the occlusion roller being radially recessed from the protruding portion and supported by bearing surfaces of the rotating inner ring
Implementation Method 5
a pressure regulator assembly harvests pressure generated by the system for maintaining appropriate air pressure within a tire cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An air maintenance system includes a rotating inner ring secured to a vehicle wheel, a stationary outer ring maintaining a constant angular position, an occlusion roller rotationally fixed to the stationary outer ring, the occlusion roller having a protruding portion centered axially at a radially outer surface of the occlusion roller with axially outer portions of the occlusion roller being radially recessed from the protruding portion and supported by bearing surfaces of the rotating inner ring, spacer rollers rotationally fixed to the stationary outer ring and rotationally supported by the bearing surfaces, and a flexible tube defining a pump cavity, the air maintenance system pumping a fluid from the ambient environment into a pneumatic tire by applying an occluding force against the flexible tube, periodically occluding portions of the pump cavity. The spacer rollers have axially outer surfaces for rotational support by bearing surfaces of the rotating inner ring and a recess centered axially at the outer surface of the spacer rollers for avoiding any contact between the spacer rollers and the flexible tube.