Self-Inflating Tire Hybrid Pump Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-inflating tire systems require complex valving to achieve bidirectional pumping, limiting their efficiency and effectiveness in maintaining optimal tire pressure without driver intervention.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid peristaltic pump assembly with two 180-degree pumps connected by an inlet device that allows air to flow between them, enabling bi-directional pumping without the need for additional valving, ensuring continuous air flow into the tire cavity regardless of rotation direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a peristaltic pump assembly is used for self-inflation, then the tire can automatically maintain pressure, but the system requires complex valving to achieve bidirectional pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is divided into two separate 180-degree pump sections instead of one 360-degree pump. Each pump section has its own inlet and outlet, allowing them to operate independently in different rotation directions. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex bidirectional valving while maintaining automatic inflation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-pump configuration makes the system universal for both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation directions. Each pump can handle one direction, making the overall system bidirectional without requiring additional valving mechanisms that would be needed in a single-pump design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two 180-degree pumps are used for bidirectional operation, then the system can pump in both directions, but only one pump works at a time reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The inlets of both pump sections are connected together and the outlets are connected together, merging their functions. This allows both pumps to operate simultaneously and contribute to the same air delivery system, doubling the pumping capacity compared to using only one pump at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The connected inlet and outlet configuration ensures continuous air flow into the tire cavity regardless of rotation direction. Both pumps work continuously whenever the tire rotates, eliminating idle time and maximizing the useful action of the pumping system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional valving is added to achieve bidirectional pumping, then the pump can operate in both directions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex bidirectional valving mechanism is completely removed from the system. Instead of adding valves to enable bidirectional operation, the design extracts the valving requirement entirely by using two simple 180-degree pumps that naturally handle different directions without any valving.
4Device complexity
If a single 360-degree pump is used, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot pump bidirectionally without additional valving
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to make a single 360-degree pump bidirectional with valving, the pump is segmented into two 180-degree sections. Each section maintains structural simplicity while the combination provides bidirectional capability, achieving both simplicity and versatility.
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 hybrid pump design achieves a 360-degree pumping capacity, enhancing efficiency and allowing higher pressure maintenance, as both pumps function simultaneously in either direction, overcoming the limitations of traditional 180-degree pump systems.
Implementation Method 1
the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow a portion of the air tube segment near a tire footprint to close the annular passageway
Implementation Method 2
A hybrid peristaltic pump assembly with two 180-degree pumps connected by an inlet device that allows air to flow between them
Data Source
AI summary
A self-inflating tire assembly includes a first and second air tube mounted within a tire wherein each air tube defines an air passageway. Each air tube is composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. Each air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. Each air tube has an inlet end that are joined together by an inlet device. Each air tube has an outlet end that are joined together by an outlet device The inlet device is preferably positioned 180 degrees opposite the outlet device. The inlet device allows air to transfer from one air tube to the other air tube. The outlet device allows air to transfer from one air tube to the tire cavity.