Valve Stem Control Regulator for Automatic Tire Pressure Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire pressure naturally decreases over time, leading to reduced fuel economy, tire life, and vehicle performance, and existing Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems require driver intervention for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A control valve assembly mounted to a tire valve stem, incorporating a bi-directional air distribution block with check valves and a relief valve, which controls pressurized air flow from an external or internal source to maintain optimal tire pressure by delivering ambient air and venting excess air, responsive to tire rotation and pressure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Tire Pressure Monitoring System is used to warn drivers of low tire pressure, then tire pressure can be monitored, but driver intervention is still required for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The tire pressure maintenance system operates autonomously without requiring driver intervention. The control valve assembly automatically monitors tire pressure through sensors and activates air pumping tubes to inflate the tire when pressure drops below optimal levels, enabling the system to self-maintain proper tire pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor tire pressure and provide feedback to the control valve assembly. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically activates or deactivates air pumping tubes to maintain optimal tire pressure, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to pressure changes.
2Productivity
If tire pressure is not maintained, then fuel economy and tire life are reduced, but continuous monitoring and manual maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for driver intervention by automatically maintaining tire pressure. The control valve assembly and air pumping tubes work autonomously to inflate the tire when needed, ensuring optimal pressure is maintained continuously without requiring the driver to check or manually inflate the tire.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous tire pressure maintenance through automated operation. Pressure sensors continuously monitor tire pressure, and the control system continuously activates air pumping tubes when pressure drops, ensuring uninterrupted maintenance of optimal tire pressure throughout vehicle operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a control valve assembly with multiple check valves is used, then precise air flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve assembly is divided into multiple independent check valves (first check valve, second check valve, third check valve, fourth check valve) that control air flow through separate pathways. Each check valve independently manages a specific air flow direction, allowing precise control of air delivery to the tire while maintaining modular simplicity in each individual valve component.
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
Automatically maintains tire pressure without driver intervention, enhancing fuel efficiency, tire longevity, and vehicle handling by ensuring consistent inflation levels.
Implementation Method 1
an air pumping tube mounted within a flexing region of a tire sidewall... the tube closes and opens segment by segment in reaction to induced forces from the tire flexing region as the flexing region of the tire wall rotates
Implementation Method 2
each of the air pathways comprises multiple check valves serially connected within the air distribution block, the check valves within each pathway selectively opening and closing in response to the direction of tire rotation
Implementation Method 3
the relief valve operably opens to vent pressurized air when an air pressure within the tire cavity is at or above a predetermined optimal inflation level, and the relief valve operably closes when air pressure within the tire cavity is below the predetermined optimal inflation level
Data Source
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AI summary
A control valve (40) is disclosed comprising a housing (50) having a first passageway (77) and a second passageway (79), wherein the first passageway (77) has a first end (72) in fluid communication with an air inlet (72) and a second end in fluid communication with a first conduit, wherein the second flow passageway (79) has a first end in fluid communication with a second conduit and a second end in fluid communication with both an outlet port and a pressure relief valve. Also, a control valve is disclosed comprising a housing having a first and second flow passageway; an inlet control valve in fluid communication with the first passageway and an air inlet port; a first check valve positioned in the first passageway and in fluid communication with a first conduit; a second check valve in fluid communication with the second passageway and with a second conduit; a third check valve in fluid communication with an outlet port and the first conduit; and a fourth check valve in fluid communication with an outlet port and the second conduit.