Tire Filter Assembly for Automatic Pressure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires naturally lose air pressure over time, leading to reduced fuel economy, tire life, and vehicle handling performance, and existing Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems require driver intervention for re-inflation.
Innovation Solution
A tire assembly with a filter assembly integrated into a pocket on the sidewall, connected to a valve assembly and pump passageway, which maintains air pressure by filtering outside air and allowing it to flow into the tire without driver intervention, using a flexible collar to secure the filter and minimize stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter assembly is mounted in a pocket in the tire sidewall, then outside air is filtered before entering the tire system, but the filter assembly is subjected to rotational forces and stresses from tire operation
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is nested within a pocket formed in the tire sidewall, creating a protective housing that shields the filter from external rotational forces while allowing it to perform its filtration function. The pocket structure contains the filter assembly and protects it from the dynamic stresses of tire operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible collar or grommet is used to secure the filter assembly to the tire sidewall, allowing the filter to move with the tire's natural flexing and rotation without creating rigid stress points. This flexible connection maintains the filter's position while accommodating the dynamic environment.
2Reliability
If the filter assembly is securely mounted in the tire sidewall, then the filter is held in position during rotation, but stresses are concentrated in the tire structure
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket is designed with specific dimensional relationships (area 10-40% larger than filter assembly) to distribute stresses locally around the filter mounting area rather than concentrating them throughout the entire tire structure. The pocket acts as a stress-distributing feature that localizes the mechanical interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible collar or grommet provides a compliant mounting interface that allows the filter assembly to move with tire flexing, reducing stress concentration points in the rigid tire structure while maintaining secure positioning during rotation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pocket area is made larger to accommodate the filter assembly, then ease of assembly and filter integration is improved, but tire structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket dimensions are optimized with specific parameter relationships (area 10-40% larger than filter assembly) to balance ease of filter integration with minimal impact on tire structure. This parameter optimization allows for straightforward assembly while maintaining tire structural integrity.
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 tire assembly effectively maintains optimal air pressure, reducing the need for frequent re-inflation and enhancing fuel efficiency and handling performance by automatically compensating for pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
The filter assembly is in air flow communication with the valve assembly, wherein the area of the pocket is 10-40% larger than the area of the filter assembly
Implementation Method 2
A pump passageway is positioned within a bending region of the tire, the pump passageway being operative to open and close as the tire rotates
Data Source
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AI summary
A tire assembly comprising a tire (12) having a tread portion (38), a pair of sidewalls (32) extending radially inward from the tread portion (38) to join with a respective bead area (34) and a supporting carcass for the tread portion (38) and sidewalls (32) is disclosed. The tire assembly (10) further comprises a pump passageway (42) positioned within a bending region of the tire (12), the pump passageway (42) being operative to open and close as the tire (12) rotates, a valve assembly (200) in fluid communication with the pump passageway (42), a pocket (400) formed in the tire (12) and a filter assembly (300) mounted in the pocket (400). The filter assembly (300) is in air flow communication with the valve assembly (200). The assembly further has at least one or more of the following features: (i) the pocket (400) is an elliptical pocket formed in the tire (12), wherein the pocket minor axis is aligned with the radial direction of the tire (12), and wherein the filter assembly (300) is elliptical in shape; (ii) the filter assembly (300) is formed of a housing (304) and a cover (306), the cover having one or more holes (322) for communicating air into the housing (304), wherein the cover (306) is connected to the housing (304), the housing (304) having an interior cavity (308) having a filter media (550) housed therein, wherein the housing (304) has a hole (312) in fluid communication with the valve assembly (200), and wherein a preferably flexible collar (500) surrounds the cover (306); (iii) the pocket (400) has an area larger than the area of a filter housing (304).