Decentralized Wheel Rim Compressor for Tire Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional central compressed air supply systems for vehicle tires are costly, prone to leaks, and have reliability issues due to long pressurized medium lines and complex rotary feed-throughs, making them expensive to install and maintain, with limited long-term functionality.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized pressurized medium supply system where each vehicle wheel has an integrated compressor unit within the wheel rim, eliminating the need for central systems and reducing line lengths, with a compact compressor design that includes a modular, piston-driven compressor unit and energy storage for independent tire pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central compressed air supply system is used for vehicle tires, then tire inflation capability is provided, but installation and maintenance costs increase due to long pressurized medium lines and complex rotary feed-throughs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized compressed air supply system into decentralized individual compressor units, with each vehicle wheel having its own integrated compressor. This segmentation eliminates the need for long pressurized medium lines and complex rotary feed-throughs connecting to a central system, thereby reducing system complexity and improving reliability while maintaining tire inflation capability.
2Productivity
If a central pressurized medium supply unit is mounted to the vehicle frame, then multiple tires can be supplied, but line distances become very long resulting in increased construction expense and maintenance cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by placing individual compressor units at each wheel location, eliminating the need for a central supply unit connected via long pressurized medium lines. This reduces construction expense and maintenance cost while maintaining the ability to inflate multiple tires simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wheel assembly becomes self-sufficient with its own integrated compressor unit, eliminating dependence on a central supply system. This self-service approach reduces installation complexity and maintenance requirements while preserving tire inflation functionality.
3Duration of action of moving object
If rotary feed-throughs are used for pressurized medium lines to rotating wheels, then continuous supply during motion is enabled, but reliability decreases due to susceptibility to leaks and external stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compressor unit from the stationary vehicle frame and integrates it directly into the rotating wheel assembly. This eliminates the need for rotary feed-throughs and long pressurized medium lines, thereby removing the vulnerability to leaks and external stresses while maintaining continuous supply capability during vehicle motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the compressor unit with the wheel assembly, creating an integrated system where the pressurized medium source travels with the wheel. This combination eliminates the need for flexible connections through rotary feed-throughs, significantly improving reliability by removing leak-prone interfaces.
4Ease of operation
If centralized compressed air supply is implemented, then tire pressure regulation is possible, but the system requires correspondingly dimensioned supply unit and regulation mechanisms increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure regulation function into individual control systems at each wheel, with each compressor unit being correspondingly dimensioned for its specific tire. This eliminates the need for a large centralized supply unit and complex regulation mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining pressure regulation capability.
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 solution reduces installation and maintenance costs, enhances reliability, and allows for real-time tire pressure adjustment while driving, with improved durability and reduced susceptibility to leaks, enabling efficient and cost-effective tire inflation and repair.
Implementation Method 1
a piston (88) which is accommodated in moving fashion in a compressor cylinder (92) and is compressing a pressurized medium (54)
Implementation Method 2
the piston comprises a porous sintered alloy impregnated with a lubricating oil, which serves as a lubricant depot for lubricating the reciprocating piston in the cylinder
Implementation Method 3
the piston comprises a porous sintered alloy impregnated with a lubricating oil
Data Source
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AI summary
A compressor unit (38) for supplying pressurized medium to a tire mounted on a vehicle wheel rim (34) is proposed, having a compressor (58) for exerting pressure on a fluid medium that is to be conveyed into the tire. The compressor unit (38) is dimensioned to be accommodated in a center bore (44) of the vehicle wheel rim (34) when the vehicle wheel rim (34) is in the mounted state on a wheel hub (62); and the compressor (58) can be driven by a drive unit (56) positioned in the vicinity of the center bore (44) of the vehicle wheel rim (34). A vehicle wheel rim (34) having a pressurized medium supply device (22) for a tire that is mounted on the vehicle wheel rim (34) is also proposed, as well as a vehicle having a vehicle wheel that includes such a vehicle wheel rim (34). A device for providing a vehicle wheel mounted energy supply is also proposed.