Propulsion Unit for Remote Tire Deflation Device Launching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual deployment of spike strips on roadways for disabling vehicles is inefficient and poses safety risks, as it requires individuals to approach the roadway to deploy tire deflation devices.

Innovation Solution

A propulsion unit comprising a platform, propulsion assemblies, and tethers that facilitate the selective launching of tire deflation devices from a safe distance, allowing for automated deployment and retraction without requiring personnel to enter the roadway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual deployment of spike strips is used, then personnel can directly deploy tire deflation devices, but safety risks increase and deployment efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of personnelVSAvoiddeployment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical deployment with an automated propulsion system that uses a launch mechanism to propel tire deflation devices across the roadway. This eliminates the need for personnel to physically approach and deploy devices near moving vehicles, thereby improving safety while maintaining deployment efficiency through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If personnel approach the roadway to deploy devices, then deployment can be performed, but safety risks and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment operationVSAvoidtime for personnel to approach and deploy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The propulsion unit is pre-positioned at a safe location away from the roadway, and tire deflation devices are pre-loaded into the launch mechanism. When deployment is required, the system rapidly propels devices across the roadway without requiring personnel to approach, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining ease of operation through simple activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual deployment is used, then simple equipment is needed, but deployment coverage and effectiveness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment equipmentVSAvoidroadway coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The propulsion system utilizes pneumatic or hydraulic launch mechanisms to propel tire deflation devices across the roadway with sufficient force and distance. This allows coverage of larger roadway areas while maintaining relatively simple equipment structure, as the propulsion mechanism is a standard technical solution that can be integrated into a portable unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Data Source

PatentUS11359881B2Vehicular tire deflation device and propulsion unit for vehicular tire deflation device

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 STOP STICK

AI summary

A propulsion unit includes a platform, a propulsion assembly, and a tether. The propulsion assembly facilitates selective launching of a tire deflation device from the platform. The tether is coupled to the platform and is configured for attachment to a deflation device.