Rapid Multi-Tire Inflation via Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicles face challenges in rapidly adjusting tire air pressure from a low pressure for field use to a high pressure for road travel, as existing methods are hindered by the time required to inflate or deflate tires, affecting efficiency and soil compaction.
Innovation Solution
A tire inflation system equipped with a compressor, air storage tank, and automated fill valves controlled by a controller, allowing for rapid inflation of multiple tires by equalizing pressure and providing additional air, enabling quick transitions between field-ready and road-ready pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If tire air pressure is reduced for field operation, then soil compaction is minimized, but tire pressure must be increased for efficient road travel
Solution Approach 1:
The tire pressure is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system allows pressure to be changed from a reduced level during field operation to an elevated level during road travel, adapting the tire characteristics to match the operational environment. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for soil protection during field work and for travel efficiency during transport.
2Speed
If tire pressure is increased for road travel, then rolling efficiency improves, but soil compaction increases during field operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of tire pressure in reverse - from elevated road-ready pressure to reduced field-ready pressure. This allows the tires to provide efficient rolling during transport and then adapt to minimize soil compaction when entering field operation, resolving the contradiction by making pressure adaptive rather than static.
3Loss of time
If tire pressure adjustment time is reduced, then efficiency of moving between field and road environments improves, but the complexity of the inflation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions compressed air in storage tanks before it is needed for pressure adjustment. When rapid pressure change is required, the pre-stored air can be immediately deployed through automated valves without waiting for compression, dramatically reducing adjustment time. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance so that the actual pressure change requires minimal time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflation system incorporates automated controls that manage the pressure adjustment process without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the inflation/deflation process using sensors, controllers, and automated valves, reducing the operational complexity burden on the user while maintaining rapid adjustment capability. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by automating the complex tasks while keeping the user interface simple.
4Productivity
If multiple tires are inflated simultaneously, then overall inflation time is reduced, but pressure equalization becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation system divides the air distribution into separate controllable channels for different tires or tire groups. Each channel has its own control valve that can be independently regulated. This segmentation allows multiple tires to be inflated simultaneously at different rates as needed, managing the pressure equalization complexity through divided control while maintaining high overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and controllers that monitor the pressure in each tire and automatically adjust the inflation process. The feedback mechanism detects pressure differences and regulates valve operation to achieve proper equalization without manual intervention. This feedback control resolves the contradiction by automating the complex pressure management, allowing simultaneous multi-tire inflation while maintaining proper pressure distribution.
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 enables rapid and efficient inflation of agricultural vehicle tires, improving travel efficiency on roads while minimizing soil compaction in fields by quickly adjusting pressure settings.
Implementation Method 1
A tire inflation system is provided for a vehicle supported by a plurality of inflatable tires. The system includes a compressor carried on the vehicle, and an air storage tank carried on the vehicle and connected to the compressor for storing compressed air.
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of automatically operable fill valves are provided. Each fill valve is associated with a respective one of the tires so that each tire is communicated with the air storage tank via a separate one of the fill valves to increase inflation pressure in the tire when its respective fill valve is in an open position.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire inflation system is provided for a vehicle supported by a plurality of inflatable tires. The system includes a compressor carried on the vehicle, and an air storage tank carried on the vehicle and connected to the compressor for storing compressed air. A plurality of automatically operable fill valves are provided, each fill valve being associated with a respective one of the tires so that each tire is communicated with the air storage tank via a separate one of the fill valves to increase inflation pressure in the tire when its respective fill valve is in an open position. A controller is operably associated with all of the fill valves. The controller has a multiple tire rapid inflation mode in which the fill valves associated with at least two of the tires are maintained in their open positions for an initial period until pressure in the air storage tank and the at least two tires substantially equalizes, and for a subsequent period during which the compressor provides additional inflation air to the at least two tires.