Tire Inflation Control via Dynamic Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire inflation systems lack a mechanism to prevent over-inflation of tires already at target pressure, leading to increased wear, altered ride characteristics, and potential catastrophic failure.
Innovation Solution
A method that monitors dynamic pressure in tires and uses a valve to control air flow, stopping when the pressure reaches a predetermined amount above the target, ensuring only under-inflated tires receive additional air, while preventing over-inflation of already inflated tires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high pressure air bursts are provided to inflate tires, then under-inflated tires can reach target pressure, but tires already at target pressure may become over-inflated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic short bursts of high pressure air (0.033 to 0.065 seconds) instead of continuous flow, allowing the tire pressure to stabilize between bursts. This periodic action prevents over-inflation by delivering air in controlled intervals rather than continuously, enabling the system to stop inflating a tire once it reaches target pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the needed inflation amount in advance by measuring the difference between current and target pressure. Based on this preliminary assessment, the controller calculates and delivers the exact amount of air needed, preventing both under-inflation and over-inflation by preparing the correct air quantity before delivery.
2Ease of operation
If continuous air flow is provided to tires, then inflation process is simple, but it is impossible to prevent over-inflation of tires at target pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a transducer to continuously monitor tire pressure and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the air delivery by opening or closing valves to stop or continue inflation, ensuring the tire reaches exactly the target pressure without over-inflation while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If large bursts of high pressure air are used, then inflation speed increases, but tire wear and failure risk increase due to over-inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains high productivity by using rapid periodic bursts of high pressure air that are carefully timed and controlled. The short duration (0.033 to 0.065 seconds) and frequent repetition of these bursts enable fast inflation while the controlled nature of each burst prevents the over-inflation that would lead to tire wear and failure.
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 approach effectively maintains optimal tire pressure, reducing wear and failure risks by minimizing high pressure differentials and preventing incremental over-inflation of tires already at target pressure.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring the dynamic pressure of air flowing through a fluid control circuit
Implementation Method 2
a valve stops the flow of air. The air introduced into the fluid control circuit is permitted to flow toward the one or more tires. The valve opens again
Data Source
AI summary
A tire inflation method is disclosed for moving air through a fluid control circuit to at least one tire that is below a target pressure. The dynamic pressure of the moving air in the fluid control circuit is monitored. A pressure control valve in the fluid control circuit is cycled on and off to prevent the dynamic pressure from reaching a predetermined amount over the target pressure.