Tire Pressure Control Valve With Bidirectional Peristaltic Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire pressure naturally decreases over time, requiring frequent driver intervention to maintain optimal pressure, which affects fuel economy, tire life, and vehicle performance, and existing systems rely on driver action after warning.
Innovation Solution
A control valve assembly mounted on the tire valve stem that uses a peristaltic pump integrated into the tire sidewall or a wheel-mounted pump, combined with bidirectional check valves and a relief valve, to self-maintain tire pressure by allowing air to flow into the tire during rotation in either direction, preventing overpressure and allowing manual filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Tire Pressure Monitoring System is used to warn drivers when tire pressure is low, then drivers can be alerted to maintain tire pressure, but the system still requires driver intervention and does not automatically maintain pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a peristaltic pump that automatically draws air from the atmosphere through a filter and delivers it to the tire when pressure drops below a threshold, enabling the system to self-maintain tire pressure without requiring driver intervention for inflation
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure sensor continuously monitors tire pressure and provides feedback to the control circuit, which automatically activates the peristaltic pump when pressure falls below the threshold and deactivates it when the threshold is reached, creating a closed-loop automatic control system
2Extent of automation
If a peristaltic pump is integrated into the tire sidewall to pump air into the tire during rotation, then the tire can self-maintain pressure without driver intervention, but the system becomes more complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve assembly integrates multiple functions into a single unit: the peristaltic pump, check valves, relief valve, and filter are combined in one assembly that mounts to the valve stem, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying installation while maintaining automatic pressure maintenance capability
Solution Approach 2:
A control circuit serves as an intermediary between the pressure sensor and the peristaltic pump, automatically controlling pump operation based on pressure threshold detection, thereby enabling automatic pressure maintenance without requiring complex mechanical control mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If check valves are used to control air flow direction in the valve assembly, then air can be pumped into the tire during rotation in either direction, but the valve assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are strategically positioned and oriented within the valve assembly to create asymmetric flow paths that naturally accommodate bidirectional pumping action, allowing the pump to deliver air to the tire regardless of rotation direction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed with bidirectional capability as a universal feature, allowing the same assembly to function effectively whether the tire rotates clockwise or counter-clockwise, eliminating the need for direction-specific configurations and enhancing adaptability
4Reliability
If a relief valve is included to prevent overpressure, then tire safety is improved, but the valve assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve is integrated into the existing valve assembly structure, sharing the same housing and mounting points as other components, thereby adding overpressure protection functionality without requiring a separate standalone relief valve system that would increase overall 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 automatically maintains tire pressure without driver intervention, ensuring consistent fuel efficiency, tire longevity, and improved vehicle handling by continuously pumping air into the tire as needed, while allowing for manual filling and preventing overinflation.
Implementation Method 1
The tire mounted pressurized air source may be a peristaltic pump preferably built into the tire sidewall
Implementation Method 2
A second check valve allows inflating the tire through a manual fill assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A control valve for controlling the pressure in a tire cavity of a tire during operation of a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet is disclosed, the tire having a tire cavity and a valve stem having a distal end. The control valve comprises a valve body having a pump inlet port in fluid communication with an inlet passageway and a pump outlet port in fluid communication with an outlet passageway, wherein a first check valve is positioned in the inlet passageway, wherein the valve body further comprises a second check valve positioned in the outlet passageway, wherein the inlet and outlet passageway are in fluid communication with a main pressure chamber passageway, wherein the valve body further comprises a relief valve positioned in the control chamber, the relief valve having an inlet end in fluid communication with a main pressure chamber passageway and an outlet end in fluid communication with the atmosphere, and wherein the main pressure chamber passageway is in fluid communication with the pump outlet passageway and the inlet of the tire valve stem. Also, air maintenance tire assemblies are disclosed.