Automated Pressure-Drying Apparatus for Wheel Traction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traction control systems, such as anti-lock braking systems, are limited in their ability to maintain traction on wet surfaces, leading to potential accidents due to wheel locking and skidding, and existing solutions like air discharge units are not adaptive or dynamic in response to varying driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
An automated deployment system with a vertical support member and cross-member equipped with linear dispensing nozzles that receive input data from sensors and control the deployment of pressurized air or fluid to improve traction by dynamically adjusting the discharge of drying agents onto the wheel and driving surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-lock braking system is used to prevent wheel locking, then wheel locking is reduced, but traction is still lost due to wet surface conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drying agent as an intermediary substance between the wheel and the wet road surface. This drying agent absorbs moisture from the contact area, creating a drier interface that improves friction and traction. The mediator (drying agent) directly addresses the harmful wet surface condition that ABS cannot overcome, as ABS only controls brake pressure but cannot modify the road surface properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical-chemical parameters of the road surface contact area by introducing drying agents that alter the moisture content and friction characteristics. By modifying the surface conditions (from wet to drier), the system improves the coefficient of friction between tire and road, thereby enhancing traction beyond what brake pressure control alone can achieve.
2Reliability
If single concentrated discharge opening is used for air discharge, then traction is improved on linear applications, but discharge coverage is limited on wheel paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single concentrated discharge opening into multiple discrete discharge openings arranged in an array along the wheel path. This segmentation allows the drying agent to be distributed across a wider area of the road surface contact zone, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the wheel path and improving effectiveness on various surface conditions and vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point (0D) or linear (1D) discharge approach to a two-dimensional array of discharge openings that span the width of the wheel path. This dimensional expansion ensures that the drying agent is applied across the entire contact area between the tire and road surface, maximizing the effective treatment zone.
3Device complexity
If reactive discharge based on user input is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying driving conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect wheel slip conditions, braking status, and road surface characteristics, feeding this information to a control system that automatically adjusts the discharge of drying agents. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond dynamically to actual driving conditions, improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple implementation through rule-based control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically detect and respond to traction loss conditions without requiring manual intervention. The sensors and control system work together to self-regulate the discharge of drying agents based on detected wheel slip or braking conditions, making the system self-activating and adaptive to varying driving scenarios.
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 enhances traction by delivering high-pressurized air and drying agents adaptively, reducing wheel locking and skidding on various surfaces, thereby improving safety and control during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
delivery of a drying agent, such as high-pressurized air
Implementation Method 2
discharge of drying agents onto the wheel and driving surface
Data Source
AI summary
In general, one aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus comprising: a vertical support member pivotally mounted to any one of a wheel axle, chassis, or landing gear at a first terminal end and coupled perpendicularly to a horizontal member to an opposing terminal end; said horizontal member dimensioned with a first plurality of linear dispensing nozzles oriented towards a bottom portion of at least one wheel, and a second plurality of linear dispensing nozzles oriented towards a top portion of a driving surface, wherein the first and second plurality of linear dispensing nozzles are each fed by an air or fluid line that diverges from a single air or fluid line in operable communication with an on-board air-pressure unit; said vertical support member and horizontal member configured to extend into a down-right position electro-mechanically at the first terminal end, wherein the first plurality and second plurality of linear dispensing nozzles is positioned less than 24 inches from the bottom portion of at least one wheel and the top portion of the driving surface, wherein activation of the vertical support member and horizontal member extending into the down-right position and deployment of pressurized air or fluid from the first and second plurality of linear dispensing nozzles.