Parallel Pump Tire Inflation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire inflation systems for heavy-duty vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, face challenges in maintaining optimal tire pressure due to air leaks and the need for frequent manual checks, especially when traveling long distances. Additionally, in-line booster pumps depend on the vehicle air supply and require significant time and effort for servicing or replacement, leading to potential tire failure and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A tire inflation system with a pneumatically parallel pump that operates independently of the vehicle air supply, using an electric compressor or mechanical pump connected via a separate conduit to increase air pressure, allowing for independent operation, easy servicing, and bypassing, thus ensuring continuous air supply and efficient pressure maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If an in-line booster pump is used to increase air pressure, then the air pressure available to the tire inflation system is increased, but the pump depends on the vehicle air supply and requires significant time and effort for servicing or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air supply system into two independent parallel paths: one through the vehicle air supply and another through the pump. This segmentation allows the pump to be serviced or replaced without affecting the vehicle air supply system, as the pump can be isolated and removed independently while maintaining system functionality through the alternative air supply path.
2Stress or pressure
If an in-line booster pump is used to increase air pressure, then the air pressure available to the tire inflation system is increased, but the pump requires bypassing or significant time for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a bypass line with a valve that can be opened in advance to provide an alternative air supply path. When pump replacement is needed, the bypass valve is already positioned to allow immediate switching to the bypass path, eliminating the need to close the system or perform complex isolation procedures, thus minimizing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass line acts as a pre-prepared contingency path that cushions against the potential failure or maintenance need of the pump. By having this alternative path ready in advance, the system can quickly transition away from the pump without interruption to the tire inflation function, reducing downtime.
3Measurement precision
If manual tire pressure checks are performed, then tire pressure can be monitored, but the large number of tires makes it difficult to check and maintain optimum pressure for each tire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated tire inflation system that self-monitors tire pressure through sensors and self-adjusts by activating the pump or vehicle air supply to maintain optimal pressure. This eliminates the need for manual pressure checks and adjustments by operators, allowing the system to service itself continuously without consuming operator time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous automated monitoring and adjustment of tire pressure rather than periodic manual checks. The pressure sensors continuously monitor tire pressure, and the pump or air supply continuously adjusts pressure as needed, ensuring uninterrupted optimal tire inflation without requiring operator intervention at regular intervals.
4Device complexity
If the vehicle air supply is used for tire inflation, then the system is simple, but the air pressure may be insufficient for high-pressure tire requirements in certain geographic areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two air supply sources (vehicle air supply and pump) into a single unified tire inflation system that operates in parallel. The vehicle air supply provides baseline pressure and simplicity, while the pump supplements to achieve higher pressures when needed. The merging allows the system to maintain simplicity through a single control architecture while achieving high pressure capability through combined sources.
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 by providing an independent air source, reducing the risk of tire failure, simplifying maintenance, and enhancing operational efficiency by allowing the vehicle air supply to compensate for pump malfunctions and facilitating easy pump replacement and bypassing.
Implementation Method 1
The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the pneumatic conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit.