Valve Assembly Expands Tire Pressure Range via Segmented Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire pressure management systems have a limited operational pressure range, which is insufficient for vehicles like tractors with large volume wheel assemblies that require a wider range of tire pressures for optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a housing, cage member, and a moveable piston within a sealed cavity, along with a biasing member and fluid conduits that allow for selective fluid communication, enabling the system to operate over a broader pressure range by managing the flow of pressurized air effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional valve assembly is used, then the system structure is simple, but the operational pressure range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a valve body housing, a movable piston, a cage member with sealing surfaces, and a biasing member. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the system to handle a broader pressure range through coordinated operation of these segmented components rather than a single monolithic valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is positioned within the cage member, and the cage member is positioned within the valve body housing, creating a nested arrangement where smaller components are housed within larger ones. This nested structure allows multiple functional elements to be integrated in a compact configuration, expanding operational capabilities without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a valve assembly with expanded pressure range is implemented, then the tire pressure adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can regulate tire pressure across an expanded pressure range, maintain sealed relationships at various pressure levels, and respond to different pneumatic signals. The piston-cage-member-housing combination serves as a multi-functional unit that handles both low and high pressure conditions, reducing the need for multiple specialized valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly utilizes pneumatic principles where the piston responds to pneumatic signals and pneumatic pressure differences to control valve opening and closing. The biasing member provides mechanical force that counteracts pneumatic forces, creating a balanced system that can operate across expanded pressure ranges through pneumatic-mechanical interaction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a piston and biasing member are added to expand pressure range, then the pressure management capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage member is provided with specific sealing surfaces at localized positions that engage with corresponding surfaces on the housing and piston. These localized sealing surfaces are concentrated in specific areas rather than distributed throughout the entire component, simplifying manufacturing by focusing precision requirements to specific critical zones rather than requiring uniform high precision across all surfaces.
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 expands the operational pressure range of tire pressure management systems, allowing for more precise and efficient adjustment of tire pressures, enhancing the performance of vehicles with large volume wheel assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member is provided in a biasing member cavity portion of the valve cavity. The biasing member contacts a stem portion of the piston to urge the piston away from the biasing member cavity portion.
Implementation Method 2
The first end surface is configured to receive a pneumatic signal. The second end surface is configured to be contacted by a biasing member to urge the piston away from an end of the valve cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for a tire pressure management system. The valve assembly including a housing. The housing includes a valve cavity. A cage member is positioned within the valve cavity. The cage member is in a sealed relationship with the housing. A piston is moveable within the cage member. A biasing member is provided in a biasing member cavity portion of the valve cavity. The biasing member contacts a stem portion of the piston to urge the piston away from the biasing member cavity portion.