Tire Pressure Regulation via Ground-Striking Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic tire pressure regulation systems require external compressed air sources, are complex and expensive to manufacture, and can damage tires due to frequent direct impacts, making them unsuitable for lightweight vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A tire pressure regulation system with a housing-mounted air pump and actuators that use atmospheric air for inflation and deflation, controlled by spring tension and tire pressure, eliminating the need for external air and minimizing tire impact, featuring a design that integrates within the tire's crown for optimal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a pump is housed inside the tire and operated by compression or flexing of the tire, then automatic tire pressure inflation is achieved, but the pump levers frequently directly impact the tire causing damage to the tire and pumping mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the pump handle strikes the ground surface instead of directly impacting the tire. The ground acts as a mediator to transfer force to the pump piston, indirectly inflating the tire without direct pump-tire impact. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful direct contact while maintaining the automatic inflation function.
2Extent of automation
If a pump is housed inside the tire and operated by compression or flexing of the tire, then automatic tire pressure inflation is achieved, but the manufacturing and installation becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tire pressure regulation system into separate functional components: a TPMS for monitoring pressure, a pump mechanism for inflation, and a control system. The pump is housed in a separate housing mounted on the tire rather than integrated inside the tire structure. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing and installation by allowing independent production and assembly of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump mechanism is designed to be a standalone unit that can be mounted on various tire types and vehicle configurations. The housing and pump assembly can serve multiple functions including inflation, and the system can work with different TPMS implementations. This multi-functionality and standardization reduce manufacturing complexity and installation requirements.
3Reliability
If an external source of compressed air is used, then tire pressure regulation is achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive for lightweight vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own motion and the ground surface as a self-service mechanism for tire inflation. The pump is activated by the vehicle's forward movement, which causes the pump handle to strike the ground and compress air into the tire. This eliminates the need for external compressed air sources, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable tire pressure regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using atmospheric air compressed through mechanical action of the pump to inflate the tire. The system utilizes pressure differentials and pneumatic coupling between the pump chamber and tire to transfer air. This pneumatic approach is simpler and more cost-effective than external compressed air systems, especially for lightweight vehicles.
4Reliability
If TPMS alerts are used to notify drivers of under-inflated tires, then safety threshold monitoring is achieved, but fuel efficiency is compromised when pressure is below optimum value but above safety threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through the TPMS that monitors tire pressure and automatically activates the pump when pressure drops below the optimum value, not just the safety threshold. This closed-loop feedback system maintains tire pressure within the optimal range for fuel efficiency while ensuring safety, eliminating the need for driver intervention and preventing energy loss from suboptimal pressure.
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 maintains optimal tire pressure without driver intervention, reducing tire damage and manufacturing complexity, while being cost-effective and suitable for lightweight vehicles, ensuring safety and fuel efficiency by automatically adjusting pressure within the recommended range.
Implementation Method 1
The actuators are controlled by the tire pressure in one direction and the tension of one or more springs in the other direction
Implementation Method 2
The piston discharges at least a portion of the quantity of atmospheric air into the tire when the pulled out pump handle is pressed against the road while in motion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a tire pressure regulation system for use in a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle to continuously maintain a predetermined optimum pressure by automatically inflating or deflating the tire as needed. The system employs one or more actuators, an air pump pneumatically coupled to the tire and a motion reversal device coupling the actuator and the piston of the pump. The actuators are controlled by the tire pressure in one direction and the tension of one or more springs in the other direction. The springs are attached to the handle of the piston at one end and the body of the pump at the other end to provide the appropriate tension to maintain the optimum pressure in the tire. When the tire pressure is low the pump piston is pulled out. The piston pumps air into the tire when the pulled out pump piston is pressed against the road while the vehicle is in motion. A separate rod coupling the piston handle and a valve in the tire is also provided to deflate the tire when the tire pressure is higher than a predetermined high pressure value.