Wheel-Mounted Tire Inflation Pump With Freewheeling Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire inflation systems are inefficient and prone to wear due to undesired spin conditions, require complex plumbing, and are vulnerable to environmental hazards, leading to suboptimal tire pressure management and increased maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A tire-mounted system that utilizes a drive mechanism with an eccentric mass and torque regulation mechanism to transition between pumping and freewheeling modes, enabling on-demand tire inflation and reducing wear by harvesting energy from the wheel's rotation, with components ruggedly designed for harsh environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tire inflation system uses traditional pumping mechanisms, then tire inflation function is provided, but the system is prone to wear due to undesired spin conditions and requires complex plumbing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump from traditional plumbing configurations and integrates it directly into the wheel hub assembly. The pump is mounted to rotate with the wheel, eliminating the need for complex hoses and connections between the pump and tire, thereby reducing plumbing complexity while maintaining inflation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wheel's own rotation to drive the pump through a cam mechanism, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems. The cam converts the rotational motion of the wheel into reciprocating motion that drives the pump, allowing the system to service itself using the existing motion of the vehicle.
2Productivity
If the pump rotates with the wheel, then on-demand inflation is achieved, but spin conditions cause inefficiency and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed to dynamically engage and disengage the pump from the wheel's rotation. During desired pumping phases, the cam converts rotational motion into reciprocating pump action. During undesired spin conditions, the cam allows the pump to freewheel without resistance, preventing wear while maintaining the ability to inflate on demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in periodic cycles of pumping and freewheeling modes. The cam mechanism periodically engages the pump during specific phases of wheel rotation to deliver inflation, then disengages during other phases to allow freewheeling, creating a rhythmic pattern that maximizes efficiency and minimizes wear.
3Reliability
If the system operates continuously, then tire pressure is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism creates periodic pumping cycles that inflate the tire only during specific phases of wheel rotation. The pump operates intermittently rather than continuously, drawing energy from the wheel's rotation only when needed, thereby maintaining tire pressure while minimizing energy consumption through natural decoupling during non-pumping phases.
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 system provides efficient, on-demand tire inflation, reduces wear on components, and enhances vehicle fuel economy by maintaining optimal tire pressure, while being cost-effective and resilient to environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
The drive mechanism (120) defines a rotational axis, and includes a cam (122) rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass (121) coupled to the cam (122) that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism (120) from the rotational axis
Implementation Method 2
A torque regulation mechanism (150) applies a controllable torque to the eccentric mass (121), such that the controllable torque regulates an operation of the drive mechanism (120)
Implementation Method 3
a cam (122) rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass (121) coupled to the cam (122)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.