Vehicle Tire Inflator Using Air Suspension Compressor

Solution Overview

Problem

Current tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) only alert drivers of low tire pressure but do not provide a means to immediately inflate tires, necessitating a separate device for air supply.

Innovation Solution

A tire-inflator system integrated with a motor vehicle, utilizing a compressor to supply compressed air to the tire when pressure is below a reference value, featuring a control unit with a pressure switch and a detachable supplying unit for direct air pumping, along with a relief valve to maintain safe pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate air supply device is used to inflate tires, then tire inflation capability is provided, but vehicle weight increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire inflation capabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor originally designed for air suspension is made to serve dual purposes: maintaining air suspension and inflating tires. The system includes a control unit that detects tire pressure and activates the compressor to supply compressed air to tires through a supplying unit, eliminating the need for a separate tire inflation device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tire inflation system is merged with the existing air suspension system by utilizing the same compressor and integrating the control logic into the existing electronic control unit. This combines two previously separate functions into one integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate air supply device is used to inflate tires, then tire inflation capability is provided, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire inflation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor originally designed for air suspension is made to serve dual purposes: maintaining air suspension and inflating tires. The system includes a control unit that detects tire pressure and activates the compressor to supply compressed air to tires through a supplying unit, eliminating the need for a separate tire inflation device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tire inflation system is merged with the existing air suspension system by utilizing the same compressor and integrating the control logic into the existing electronic control unit. This combines two previously separate functions into one integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If TPMS only measures and alerts tire pressure, then simple monitoring is achieved, but immediate tire inflation cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system simplicityVSAvoidimmediate tire inflation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tire inflation system is merged with the existing air suspension system by utilizing the same compressor and integrating the control logic into the existing electronic control unit. This combines two previously separate functions into one integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects when tire pressure is low and initiates inflation without requiring driver intervention. The control unit monitors tire pressure continuously and activates the compressor and supplying unit automatically when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables immediate tire inflation when pressure falls below a reference value, reducing vehicle weight and manufacturing costs by leveraging existing compressor technology, eliminating the need for additional air pressure storage and sensing components.

Implementation Method 1

a control unit provided with a pressure switch which is operated according to an internal pressure of the inflator port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure switch operation:

Implementation Method 2

a compressor generating compressed air is required for operating the inflator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

the ON/OFF switch may be a magnetic switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9365191B2Tire inflator of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

An inflator 300 for pumping compressed air supplied from a compressor 200 provided in a motor vehicle into a tire mounted to the motor vehicle, the inflator may include: an inflator port L6 to which compressed air supplied from the compressor 200 is entered; a control unit 320 provided with a pressure switch 321 which is actuated according to an internal pressure of the inflator port L6; and a supplying unit 310 coupled detachably with the inflator port L6 for pumping compressed air into the tire, wherein the control unit 320 is equipped with an ON/OFF switch 322 transmitting a signal to electronic control unit E according to an operation of the pressure switch 321.