Tire Pressure Sensor Mounting Apparatus for Irrigation Wheels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel and tire assemblies used in irrigation systems require time-consuming disassembly for tire-pressure sensor maintenance, leading to increased downtime due to the large size and weight of the assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A tire-pressure sensor mount apparatus that allows selective removal of the sensor without disassembling the wheel and tire assembly, featuring a compartment within the wheel that is pressurizable and accessible via a closure with a valve stem and buffer, enabling simultaneous pressurization and maintenance without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wheel and tire assemblies are used with tire-pressure monitors housed inside the wheel, then the tire pressure can be monitored, but the sensor is only accessible after complete disassembly of the wheel and tire assembly which is time-consuming and requires heavy equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is divided into separate functional components: an outer wheel/tire assembly and an inner hub assembly containing the tire-pressure sensor. The hub assembly can be independently removed from the wheel/tire assembly, allowing the sensor to be accessed by simply removing the hub assembly rather than completely disassembling the entire wheel and tire structure. This segmentation enables maintenance personnel to service the sensor quickly without requiring heavy equipment to handle the entire wheel assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tire-pressure sensor is housed within the wheel and tire assembly, then the monitoring function is integrated, but maintenance requires complete disassembly of the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a permanent wheel/tire assembly and a removable hub assembly. The sensor is housed within the hub assembly, maintaining integration with the wheel system while allowing the hub assembly to be independently removed for maintenance. This resolves the contradiction by providing both integration (for versatility) and separability (for ease of repair).
Solution Approach 2:
The hub assembly containing the sensor is extracted as a separate serviceable unit from the main wheel/tire assembly. This extraction allows the sensor to remain integrated during normal operation while being easily accessible for maintenance by simply removing the hub assembly, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire wheel and tire structure.
3Weight of moving object
If heavy equipment is used to maneuver and service the wheel and tire assemblies, then the large size and weight can be handled, but the maintenance process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the wheel system into a heavy permanent wheel/tire assembly and a lightweight removable hub assembly, the maintenance task is transformed from handling the entire heavy assembly to handling only the lightweight hub assembly. This eliminates the need for heavy equipment during maintenance operations, reducing both equipment complexity and maintenance time while the heavy wheel assembly remains in place.
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
Facilitates efficient inspection and maintenance of tire-pressure sensors, reducing downtime and increasing productivity by allowing access to the sensor without disassembling the wheel and tire assembly, thus minimizing maintenance time.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizable cavity that extends into the compartment... The apparatus may include a valve stem operable to control pressurization of the pressurizable cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A tire-pressure mount apparatus having a compartment in communication with a wheel and tire assembly. The compartment has a removable closure with a tire-pressure sensor and a valve stem mounted thereon so as to permit simultaneous removal of the tire-pressure sensor and valve stem when the closure is removed from the compartment, thus providing access thereto without requiring disassembly of the wheel and tire assembly.