Vehicle Wheel Rim Miniature Pump for Dynamic Tire Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle tire pressure changes during operation due to thermal effects and diffusion, leading to impaired driving behavior and rolling resistance, with insufficient pressure often only noticed during routine checks, necessitating a method for precise and dynamic adjustment.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an electrically operated miniature pump within the vehicle wheel rim allows for stepless adjustment of tire pressure in real-time, compensating for pressure losses and optimizing rolling resistance based on driving conditions, with the pump being easily integrated and activated within the rim's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tire pressure is adjusted manually during routine checks, then tire pressure can be checked, but driving behavior is impaired during ongoing operation due to thermal effects and diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving behaviorVSAvoidresponse time for pressure adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-adjustment of tire pressure through a control unit that monitors pressure sensors and activates a miniature pump when pressure drops below a threshold value, allowing the tire to regulate its own pressure without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary pressure adjustment by detecting pressure changes caused by thermal effects and diffusion during operation, and automatically compensates for these changes before they significantly impact driving behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a miniature pump is integrated in the rim, then tire pressure can be adjusted while driving, but the rim structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire pressure adjustment capabilityVSAvoidrim structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The miniature pump, pressure sensor, and control unit are integrated within the existing rim structure, nesting these components into the rim's cavity space without requiring additional external components or significant structural modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The rim structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the wheel, houses the miniature pump for pressure adjustment, contains the pressure sensor for monitoring, and acts as a mounting structure for all electronic components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If tire pressure is not adjusted dynamically, then the rim structure remains simple, but rolling resistance increases due to insufficient pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling resistanceVSAvoiddynamic pressure adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pressure sensors to continuously monitor tire pressure and provides feedback to a control unit, which automatically activates the miniature pump when pressure drops below a predetermined threshold, creating a closed-loop control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical pressure adjustment with an automated electro-mechanical system consisting of electronic pressure sensors, a control unit, and an electrically operated miniature pump

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 quick and precise adaptation of tire pressure to various driving situations, improving vehicle performance and durability by minimizing rolling resistance and allowing for rapid compensation of pressure changes, with the ability to adjust pressure in under 3 minutes.

Implementation Method 1

the rim (2) is equipped with at least one electrically operated miniature pump (6) for generating air pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a stator element (15) is arranged on the hub and a rotor element (16) is arranged on the rim, electrical energy being generated when the rotor element rotates about the stator element (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3507111B1Vehicle wheel
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3507111B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3507111B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3507111B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to provide a vehicle wheel, the driving behavior of which can be precisely adapted to the current driving situation in a simple manner during operation of the vehicle tire. This aim is achieved in that the rim (2) is equipped with at least one electrically operated miniature pump (6) for producing an air pressure, wherein during driving the tire pressure can be adapted to different driving situations by means of the miniature pump (6).