Rotating Air Compressor Mounting for Vehicle Wheel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire inflation systems face sealing challenges due to high pressure and rotation, leading to wear and leakage issues in the compressed air connection between the air compressor and the tire.

Innovation Solution

The air compressor is mounted non-rotatably on the wheel hub, eliminating relative movements and centrifugal forces, with a sealed connection that avoids direct interface movement, and can be powered mechanically or electrically with sliding or inductive connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the air compressor is mounted on a rotating wheel hub with a movable sealed connection, then the tire can be inflated while driving, but the seal elements experience high pressure and wear leading to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to inflate tire while drivingVSAvoidseal reliability under high pressure and rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into rotating and stationary parts. The air compressor and air supply line are mounted on the stationary vehicle body, while the tire inflation valve is on the rotating wheel. This segmentation eliminates the need for a sealed connection between rotating and stationary parts during operation, as the compressed air is stored in a tank and transferred through a non-rotating supply line to the tire when the wheel is stationary or during controlled inflation periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A compressed air storage tank serves as an intermediary between the air compressor and the tire inflation valve. The tank receives compressed air from the stationary compressor and delivers it to the rotating wheel's inflation valve, decoupling the compressor from direct rotation and eliminating the need for high-pressure rotating seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the air compressor rotates with the vehicle wheel, then no movable sealed interface is needed in the compressed air connection, but the compressor must withstand centrifugal forces and rotational wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressed air connection reliabilityVSAvoidcentrifugal forces on rotating compressor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the air compressor (stationary) from the tire inflation valve (rotating), using a compressed air tank as an intermediate storage. This eliminates the need for the compressor to rotate with the wheel, avoiding centrifugal forces while maintaining reliable compressed air delivery to the tire.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the air compressor is mounted on the wheel hub, then on-board tire inflation is enabled, but sealing problems occur in the pressure line connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-board tire inflation capabilityVSAvoidsealing problems in pressure line

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air compressor is extracted from the rotating wheel hub assembly and mounted on the stationary vehicle body. The compressed air is stored in a tank and delivered to the tire through a non-rotating supply line that connects to the wheel's inflation valve only when needed, eliminating the problematic rotating sealed connection entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A compressed air storage tank acts as an intermediary, receiving air from the stationary compressor and delivering it to the rotating wheel's inflation valve. This intermediate storage decouples the compressor from the rotating wheel assembly, allowing the pressure line to remain stationary and sealed without experiencing rotational wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration reduces wear and leakage risks, ensuring a reliable and efficient compressed air supply to the tire without compromising structural integrity or increasing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electric supply line of the drive having a z. B. formed as a sliding contact connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSliding contact:

Implementation Method 2

an air compressor which is connected via an air supply line to the air volume in the tire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3170682B1Tyre inflation device for a vehicle wheel

Publication Date: 2019.07.10 BPW BERGISCHE ACHSEN KG

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AI summary

A tire inflation device is proposed for a vehicle equipped with an on-board air compressor. The air compressor (20) is connected via an air supply line (25) to the air volume in the tire of the vehicle wheel (10), the vehicle wheel (10) being mounted on a rotatable wheel hub (5). To prevent sealing problems in the area of the pressure line running from the air compressor to the respective tire, even during prolonged use, the air compressor (20) is arranged on a cover (15) that is fixed to the wheel hub (5) so that it rotates with the wheel hub.