Tire Pressure Valve Assembly with Segmented Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure management systems require complex and expensive wheel valves that decrease tire pressure slowly, which is not suitable for certain applications where a more robust pressure reduction is needed.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a housing containing multiple chambers and pistons that allow for selective fluid communication, enabling rapid pressure reduction by switching between measurement, inflate, and deflate states based on pressure differences, allowing for efficient tire pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing wheel valves are used to decrease tire pressure, then tire pressure can be reduced, but the pressure reduction is slow and not robust enough for certain applications
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) with separate inflate and deflate pistons that can operate independently. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential inflation and deflation operations, enabling rapid and robust pressure reduction while maintaining system reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing wheel valves are used to decrease tire pressure, then pressure reduction is achieved, but the valve assembly is complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic pressure differentials to automatically control valve operation. The inflate and deflate pistons are actuated by pressure differences between chambers, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls, motors, or sensors. This pneumatic actuation mechanism simplifies manufacturing while enabling rapid pressure reduction through the selective opening of inflate and deflate ports.
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 valve assembly provides a more robust and cost-effective means to decrease tire pressure quickly and efficiently, suitable for various vehicle types and applications, including light, commercial, and off-highway vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
At a first pressure, the second chamber is in direct fluid communication with the first chamber and, at a second pressure, the second chamber is in direct fluid communication with the third chamber
Implementation Method 2
The deflate piston selectively permits or prevents fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for a tire pressure management system includes a housing. A first chamber (32) is provided in the housing. A second chamber (38) is provided in the housing. The second chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the first chamber. A third chamber (44) is provided in the housing. The third chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the second chamber. A deflate piston (120) is at least partially provided in the third chamber and the second chamber. The deflate piston (120) selectively permits or prevents fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber. An inflate piston (72) is attached to the deflate piston (120). The inflate piston (72) is at least partially provided in the second chamber and the first chamber. The inflate piston (72) selectively permits or prevents fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. At a first pressure, the second chamber is in direct fluid communication with the first chamber and, at a second pressure, the second chamber is in direct fluid communication with the third chamber. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure and the first pressure is greater than an initial pressure.