Track Widener With Internal Air Path for Durable CTIS Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CTIS systems for vehicles suffer from reliability issues, poor durability, and aesthetic concerns due to direct adaptation on the wheel, requiring laborious and expensive modifications.
Innovation Solution
A track widener apparatus is developed, comprising a movable part and a static part with a guide system and airtightness system, positioned internally between rotating components of the vehicle, ensuring compatibility with all types of vehicles and improving dynamic balancing and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the supply valve is positioned on the outside of the vehicle for direct wheel adaptation, then the CTIS can be installed without major modifications, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and the durability of the supply valve and pipe is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a track widener as an intermediary device that houses the supply valve and fluid pipes internally. This mediator protects the vulnerable components from external damage while maintaining the CTIS functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and component durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply valve and fluid pipes are nested within the track widener structure, which itself is integrated into the wheel assembly. This nesting approach protects the supply valve and pipes from external exposure while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the supply valve is positioned on the outside of the vehicle for direct wheel adaptation, then the CTIS can be installed without major modifications, but the overall aesthetics of the vehicle are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The supply valve and associated components are nested within the track widener, which is integrated into the wheel assembly. This internal positioning eliminates external visual clutter while maintaining the vehicle's aesthetic appearance, thus resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and aesthetic quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the supply valve is equipped with a swivel joint for rotation with the wheel, then the CTIS can be adapted to each vehicle, but the adaptation process becomes laborious and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The track widener is designed as a universal component that can be installed on various vehicle types without requiring custom adaptation. The standardized design with pre-integrated supply valve and fluid pipes eliminates the need for laborious vehicle-specific modifications, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
4Reliability
If the track widener is positioned internally between rotating components, then the durability is improved and aesthetics are enhanced, but the dynamic balancing requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The track widener merges multiple functions (housing the supply valve, containing fluid pipes, providing structural support) into a single integrated component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts that could cause imbalance, thereby mitigating the dynamic balancing challenges while maintaining improved durability.
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 track widener provides reliable and aesthetically pleasing tyre inflation/deflation functionality without major vehicle modifications, enhancing durability and reducing mechanical stresses on sealing systems.
Implementation Method 1
an airtightness system defining a chamber between the movable part and the static part
Implementation Method 2
a system for guiding the rotational movement between the movable part and the static part
Implementation Method 3
at least one main fluid pipe provided in the static part and opening into the chamber on one side and to the outside of the track widener on the other side
Data Source
AI summary
A track widener (1) has a movable part (2) capable of being attached between a first component (3) and at least one second component (4), both of which can rotate about an axis of rotation (R) of a fitted assembly of a vehicle. The movable part (2) has an axis of rotation (R) intended to be coaxial with the axis of rotation (R) of the fitted assembly. A static part (7) is capable of being connected to at least one immovable element of the vehicle. A guide system (8) guides the rotational movement between the movable part (2) and the static part (7). The track widener further has an airtightness system (9) defining a chamber (10) between the movable part (2) and the static part (7), at least one main fluid pipe (11) provided in the static part (7) and opening into the chamber (10) on one side and to the outside of the track widener (1) on the other side, and at least one secondary fluid pipe (12) provided in the movable part (2) and opening into the chamber (10) on one side and to the outside of the widener on the other side.