Automatic Tire Pressure Control Using Real-Time Footprint Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire performance optimization systems fail to dynamically adjust tire footprint length to maintain optimal performance based on real-time factors such as vehicle load, pressure, and environmental conditions, leading to inefficiencies in traction, handling, wear, fuel efficiency, and safety.
Innovation Solution
A sensor affixed to each tire measures real-time footprint length and communicates with an automatic air inflation system to inflate or deflate the tire as needed to maintain the footprint within a target range, optimizing tire performance by adjusting pressure accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If tire pressure is increased to reduce footprint length, then fuel efficiency improves, but traction and handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts tire pressure in real-time based on measured footprint length and identified operating conditions (vehicle load, speed, road surface). The controller continuously monitors footprint length and adjusts pressure to maintain optimal values, allowing the system to adapt between different operational requirements rather than using fixed pressure settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where footprint length is continuously measured by sensors, compared against optimal values, and used to control pressure adjustment. The controller receives feedback on actual footprint length and adjusts tire pressure accordingly to maintain optimal performance across varying conditions.
2Reliability
If tire pressure is decreased to increase footprint length, then traction and handling improve, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts tire pressure in real-time based on measured footprint length and identified operating conditions. When high traction is required (e.g., acceleration, cornering, slippery surfaces), the system increases pressure to optimize footprint. When fuel efficiency is the priority (cruising on dry roads), it adjusts to maintain optimal footprint length that reduces energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback loop continuously monitors footprint length and adjusts pressure based on the relationship between footprint size, vehicle load, and road conditions. The system learns optimal pressure settings for different scenarios and automatically adjusts to maintain performance while minimizing energy loss.
3Device complexity
If fixed tire pressure is used, then system complexity is reduced, but tire performance cannot be optimized for varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically measuring footprint length, identifying operating conditions (vehicle load, speed, road surface), and adjusting tire pressure without driver intervention. The controller autonomously determines optimal pressure settings and controls the inflation system, eliminating the need for manual pressure adjustments or complex driver inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of tire pressure based on measured footprint length and identified operating conditions. By dynamically adjusting this parameter, the system optimizes tire performance for varying loads, speeds, and road surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple overall architecture that builds upon existing TPMS infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various approaches for optimizing tire performance by automatically inflating or deflating the tire based on a measured footprint length. A sensor affixed to a tire can measure a footprint length in real-time. If the measured footprint length is outside a target footprint length range, the tire may need to be inflated or deflated. Accordingly, an instruction can be sent to an automatic tire inflation system of the vehicle instructing the automatic tire inflation system to inflate or deflate the tire. Once a subsequent measurement of the footprint length is within the target range, the automatic tire inflation system can be instructed to stop inflating the tire.