Trailer Tire Inflation With Moisture Drain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicle trailers often have improperly inflated tires or contamination issues due to residual moisture in tire inflation systems, leading to potential damage and safety concerns, especially when not frequently used.
Innovation Solution
A tire inflation system for trailers that includes a fluid pressure source powered by a tow vehicle or trailer power source, with an electromechanical control system to manage residual moisture and contaminants, using sensors and a drain valve to prevent corrosion and ensure proper tire pressure, including automatic air supply to a spare tire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid pressure source is used to inflate tires, then tire inflation is achieved, but residual moisture accumulates causing contamination and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes residual moisture from the fluid pressure source using a drain valve connected to a holding tank or gray water tank. The drain valve is controlled by a timing circuit that periodically opens to divert accumulated water from the pressure source, separating the harmful moisture from the pneumatic system while maintaining tire inflation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary drainage action before moisture accumulation causes corrosion damage. A timing circuit activates the drain valve at predetermined intervals to proactively remove condensate from the air tank and fluid supply lines, preventing harmful effects before they occur.
2Ease of operation
If the trailer is used infrequently, then storage is convenient, but tires become improperly inflated and components deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tire inflation system performs self-service by automatically monitoring tire pressure sensors and activating the fluid pressure source when inflation is needed. The system independently maintains proper tire pressure without requiring manual intervention, even during extended storage periods, while the drain valve automatically removes moisture to prevent component deterioration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a drain valve is added to remove moisture, then contamination is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain valve is integrated with the existing fluid pressure source and control system. The timing circuit uses the same power source and control architecture as the tire inflation system, merging the moisture removal function with the inflation system rather than creating a separate standalone drainage system.
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 reduces the risk of contamination and ensures proper tire inflation, maintaining the integrity of the tire inflation system and providing a ready-to-use spare tire by minimizing residual water and other contaminants, thus enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensor positioned in a drain line connected to the fluid pressure source
Data Source
AI summary
A tire-inflation system for a small trailer may include a fluid pressure source mountable to the trailer, and air conduits providing sealed fluid communication between the air pressure source and the small trailer's pneumatic tires.