Two-Stage Central Tire Inflation System for Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central tire inflation systems (CTIS) face challenges in efficiently transitioning tire pressure from off-road to on-road settings, requiring longer times and potentially compromising vehicle stability and handling during the process.
Innovation Solution
A processor-controlled CTIS that inflates tires in two discrete stages, first to an intermediate pressure and then to a target pressure, allowing for quicker vehicle readiness and maintaining dynamic stability by staggered inflation of rear and front axle tires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If tire pressure is increased from off-road to on-road settings using conventional single-stage inflation, then the vehicle can reach operating pressure, but the transition time is extended and vehicle stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation process is divided into multiple discrete stages with distinct pressure targets. The processor controls the CTIS to inflate tires sequentially through intermediate pressure levels rather than attempting single-stage inflation to final pressure, thereby reducing overall transition time while maintaining vehicle stability at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary inflation to intermediate pressure levels before reaching the final on-road pressure. This staged approach allows the vehicle to achieve partial operational readiness faster, with the intermediate pressures being sufficient for certain operations while the complete inflation follows subsequently.
2Productivity
If tire pressure is increased rapidly to reach target pressure quickly, then vehicle operational readiness improves, but vehicle stability and handling may be compromised during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The rapid inflation process is segmented into multiple controlled stages, each targeting a specific pressure level. This allows the system to achieve quick operational readiness through intermediate pressures while preventing the stability issues that would result from overly rapid single-stage inflation to maximum pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the inflation process by implementing discrete stages with different pressure targets based on operational needs. The processor can selectively inflate tires to intermediate pressures for immediate operational readiness or continue to full target pressures when complete stability is required, making the system adaptable to different operational scenarios.
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
This approach enables faster transition between off-road and on-road modes, enhancing vehicle operational readiness and stability by optimizing tire pressure changes in two stages, thus reducing the time needed to reach target pressures.
Implementation Method 1
A central tire inflation system (CTIS) and method for controlling operation of the CTIS to inflate at least one tire of a vehicle by supplying compressed air to the at least one tire
Implementation Method 2
supplying compressed air to the at least one tire from a current pressure to a target pressure in two or more discrete stages
Data Source
AI summary
A processor for controlling operation of a central tire inflation system. The processor controls the central tire inflation system to inflate a vehicle tire from a current tire pressure to a target tire pressure. The processor is configured to generate one or more output signals to cause the central tire inflation system to supply compressed air to inflate the tire from said current tire pressure to the target tire pressure in at least first and second stages. In the first stage, the central tire inflation system supplies compressed air to inflate the tire from the current tire pressure to an intermediate tire pressure. In the second stage, the central tire inflation system supplies compressed air to inflate the tire from the intermediate tire pressure to the target tire pressure. The first and second stages of the inflation are discrete from each other.