Self-Inflating Tire With Nested Peristaltic Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Normal air diffusion leads to tire pressure reduction over time, requiring frequent driver intervention to maintain recommended pressure, which affects fuel economy, tire life, and vehicle handling performance.
Innovation Solution
A self-inflating tire assembly is constructed by molding an air tube-receiving groove in the tire carcass, incorporating a peristaltic pump assembly with an inlet and outlet device, and a sealant coating to maintain pressure without driver intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a traditional tire structure is used, then the tire structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tire pressure cannot be maintained automatically and requires driver intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is nested within a groove molded into the tire carcass wall, with the air tube receiving groove containing the pump assembly and associated components. This nesting approach integrates the pressure maintenance system within the existing tire structure without requiring separate external components, thereby achieving automation while controlling structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tire incorporates a self-service pressure maintenance system that automatically detects and compensates for pressure losses without driver intervention. The pump assembly with inlet and outlet devices enables the tire to self-regulate its pressure, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and inflation actions by the driver
2Reliability
If driver intervention is required to maintain tire pressure, then the tire structure remains simple, but fuel economy and vehicle performance are reduced due to frequent under-inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The tire pressure maintenance system operates autonomously without requiring driver actions. The pump assembly automatically activates when pressure loss is detected, inflating the tire back to the recommended pressure level. This self-service capability ensures consistent tire pressure while completely eliminating the need for driver intervention in pressure maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a pressure monitoring mechanism that detects when tire pressure falls below the recommended level and triggers the pump assembly to restore pressure. This feedback loop ensures tire pressure consistency by continuously monitoring and automatically correcting pressure deviations without driver involvement
3Extent of automation
If a groove is molded into the tire carcass to receive the pump assembly, then automatic pressure maintenance is enabled, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex with additional molding and post-cure operations
Solution Approach 1:
The groove for receiving the pump assembly is molded into the green tire carcass during the tire building process, before curing. The barrier is also incorporated during green tire construction, allowing subsequent removal after curing to create the through-bore. This preliminary action integrates the automation components into the existing manufacturing workflow without requiring completely new processes
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: green tire construction with groove and barrier molding, curing, barrier removal to create through-bore, and pump assembly installation. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently and integrated into existing tire manufacturing lines, balancing automation capability with manufacturing ease
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 solution ensures consistent tire pressure, enhancing fuel efficiency, tire longevity, and vehicle performance by automatically compensating for pressure losses over time.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a peristaltic pump assembly with an inlet and outlet device
Implementation Method 2
a sealant coating to maintain pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method of constructing a self-inflating tire assembly includes molding in an air tube-receiving groove within a green tire carcass wall, the groove having an access opening, primary internal groove chamber and a secondary expansion groove chamber adjacent to and communicating with the internal groove chamber. A groove partial passageway is molded with the groove at a prescribed groove outlet location and extends from the groove partially through the tire carcass wall toward the tire cavity. A tire carcass wall barrier of reduced section between the partial passageway and the tire cavity is removed in a post-cure operation to create a through-bore from the groove to the tire cavity. A pump assembly inserts into the tube-receiving groove in a post-cure procedure with an outlet passage tube from a pump assembly outlet device extended through the through-bore to the tire cavity.