Tire Pressure Regulator with Accelerometer-Disabled Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure regulators for racing vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal tire pressure due to fluctuating conditions, as they often rely on compressed air cylinders, which are not permitted in racing and result in inconsistent pressure adjustments, and fail to account for transient spikes and tire distortion during turns.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-tire pressure-level regulator with a normally-deactivated pump and pressure vent system, controlled by sensors and an accelerometer, which automatically adjusts tire pressure by inflating or deflating based on real-time pressure thresholds and vehicle dynamics, without using compressed air cylinders, ensuring consistent and predictable pressure adjustments throughout a race.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air cylinders are used for air injection, then air can be injected into the tire, but the system is inconsistent in injection speeds and cannot maintain pressure throughout the race
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressed air cylinder system with an electrically-driven air compressor and control system. The compressor is activated by a controller that monitors tire pressure and commands air injection only when needed, providing consistent and predictable pressure adjustments throughout the race without the inconsistencies of counterbalancing compressed air cylinder pressure against tire pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a pressure sensor continuously monitors tire pressure and provides real-time data to a controller. The controller compares the measured pressure against a desired pressure threshold and automatically activates the air compressor to inject air when pressure falls below the threshold, maintaining consistent and reliable pressure throughout the race.
2Reliability
If compressed air cylinders are used, then air injection is possible, but the system is overly complex and not permitted in racing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical compressed air cylinder system with a simpler electrically-driven air compressor controlled by an electronic control unit. This substitution eliminates the need for counterbalancing mechanisms and compressed air storage cylinders, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable tire pressure control throughout the race.
3Reliability
If the pressure vent is opened during turns, then excess pressure can be released, but tire distortion during turns causes false pressure readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that monitors the rate of pressure change and the duration of pressure excursions. The controller distinguishes between transient pressure spikes during turns (which equalize quickly) and genuine pressure loss conditions (which persist). By evaluating the temporal characteristics of pressure changes, the system adapts its response to avoid false venting during turns while maintaining accurate pressure control during genuine pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a delay mechanism and rate-of-change detection before activating the pressure vent. When a pressure spike is detected, the controller evaluates whether the spike is transient (during turns) or sustained (genuine overpressure). The vent is only activated after confirming the pressure condition persists beyond a threshold duration, preventing premature or false venting during tire distortion events.
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 optimal tire pressure by automatically adjusting to real-time changes, including transient spikes and tire distortion during turns, enhancing vehicle performance and reducing the need for pit stops while minimizing battery power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor provides a real-time control signal representative of the real-time pressure level of the tire
Implementation Method 2
a normally-deactivated pump with an inlet from air surrounding the tire and an outlet into the tire
Implementation Method 3
a normally-closed pressure vent from the tire. The controller causes the normally-closed pressure vent to be opened when the real-time pressure level of the tire is greater than a predetermined threshold pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-tire pressure-level regulator has a pressure vent cooperable with an actuator for pressure release and a pump for pressure recovery. The actuator and the pump motor are respectively electronically controlled to adjust the tire pressure in relation to high and low thresholds above and below a desired operating pressure throughout a race. The pressure vent does not operate if an accelerometer detects that the tire is distorted because the vehicle is turning. If the vehicle is not turning and the high pressure threshold is reached, the vent is opened. If the low pressure threshold is reached the pump is activated until the tire is restored to the desired operating pressure. Operation of the vent may be controlled to provide different rates of outlet flow as real-time pressure may require. Operation of the vent may be prevented if a transient pressure spike occurs.