Tire Sidewall Peristaltic Pump and Pressure Shut-Off Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires experience pressure loss over time due to air diffusion, leading to underinflation, which affects fuel economy, tire life, and vehicle handling, and existing solutions require driver intervention for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A tire and pump assembly with a high-pressure shut-off valve system that includes an elongate annular air passageway, air inlet and outlet valves, and a high-pressure shut-off mechanism to maintain optimal tire pressure without overinflation, using a diaphragm or spring to seal when pressure exceeds a set threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a self-inflating tire system is implemented to maintain tire pressure automatically, then driver intervention is reduced and tire pressure maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional valve assemblies and air passageways
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is divided into multiple functional components: inlet valves for air intake, outlet valves for air release, and a shut-off valve for pressure control. Each valve operates independently at different stages of the inflation process, allowing complex pressure maintenance functionality to be achieved through modular, segmented components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off valve is pre-configured with a spring mechanism that automatically activates when tire pressure reaches a predetermined threshold. This preliminary action ensures that overinflation is prevented automatically without requiring driver intervention or complex electronic control systems, resolving the contradiction between automation and complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple valves are used to control air flow in and out of the tire, then pressure control precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional valve components
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet and outlet valves are designed as check valves that automatically open and close based on pressure differential alone, without requiring external actuators or complex control mechanisms. The shut-off valve uses a spring-loaded diaphragm that self-activates when tire pressure reaches the preset threshold, eliminating the need for electronic sensors or motors. This self-service approach achieves precise pressure control while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system utilizes pneumatic pressure differentials to control valve operation. Air pressure itself acts as the control medium, opening inlet valves when pressure is low and closing them when pressure reaches the threshold. The shut-off valve employs a diaphragm responsive to pneumatic pressure to trigger the closing action, eliminating the need for mechanical or electronic control systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If a shut-off valve is added to prevent overinflation, then tire safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional valve mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off valve is designed with a spring mechanism pre-loaded to a specific force that corresponds to the maximum safe tire pressure. When tire pressure reaches this predetermined threshold, the spring force automatically overcomes the valve sealing force and closes the shut-off valve, preventing any further air intake. This preliminary anti-action approach proactively prevents overinflation before it can occur, enhancing safety without requiring complex electronic monitoring or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm serves as an intermediary element between the tire pressure and the shut-off valve mechanism. The diaphragm responds to pressure changes by flexing, which mechanically triggers the valve closing action. This intermediary approach allows the shut-off valve to respond smoothly and reliably to pressure changes while isolating the valve mechanism from direct exposure to high tire pressures, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
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 effectively maintains tire pressure at a desired level, preventing overinflation and reducing the need for driver intervention, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency, tire longevity, and vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm for sealing the high pressure shut-off valve when the tire cavity pressure is higher than a pre-set maximum tire pressure
Implementation Method 2
a spring for sealing the high pressure shut-off valve when the tire cavity pressure is higher than a pre-set maximum tire pressure
Implementation Method 3
The elongate substantially annular air passageway is enclosed within a bending region of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewalls passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A tire and pump assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending from first and second tire bead regions, respectively, to a tire tread region; an elongate preferably substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of at least one of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewall passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway; an air inlet port assembly coupled to, and in air flow communication with, the air passageway at an inlet air passageway junction, the air inlet port assembly being operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway; a pair of substantially inline valves positioned on respective opposite sides of the inlet air passageway junction in air flow communication with the inlet port assembly, the inline valves selectively opening in respective opposite directions and passing a flow of the inlet air from an upstream valve side to a downstream valve side and into the air passageway; a pair of outlet valves, each outlet valve positioned in air flow communication with a downstream side of a respective inline valve, the valves selectively conducting a flow of the inlet air from the downstream side of a respective inline valve to the tire cavity; and a shut-off valve for preventing an over-inflation condition in the tire cavity.