Wheel Valve Assembly Diaphragm Venting for Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel valve assemblies in tire inflation systems face performance issues due to varying temperatures and altitudes, which can cause pressure differences leading to system failure.

Innovation Solution

A wheel valve assembly design featuring a body and cover portion with a diaphragm, control cavity, and a vent assembly that allows fluid communication between the cover cavity and the atmosphere, preventing pressure buildup or vacuum development, thus maintaining operational integrity across a wider temperature and altitude range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wheel valve assemblies are used, then the system is simple in structure, but the reliability deteriorates under extreme temperature and altitude conditions due to pressure differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel valve assembly reliabilityVSAvoidwheel valve assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel valve assembly is divided into separate cavities (control cavity and cover cavity) separated by a diaphragm, allowing independent pressure management for each cavity. This segmentation enables the control cavity to maintain sealing for tire pressure control while the cover cavity is vented to atmosphere, preventing structural failure under temperature and altitude variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A vent assembly with vent member acts as an intermediary between the cover cavity and atmosphere, selectively allowing pressure equalization. The vent member responds to pressure differential changes by opening or closing the vent path, mediating between the sealed control cavity and the external atmospheric environment to protect the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the wheel valve assembly is sealed completely, then tire pressure retention is improved, but pressure buildup under temperature changes causes system failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire pressure retentionVSAvoidpressure buildup from temperature changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly separates the tire pressure control function (in the sealed control cavity) from the structural housing (cover cavity), allowing selective venting of the cover cavity while maintaining the seal integrity of the control cavity that directly interfaces with tire pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the assembly have different sealing characteristics: the control cavity maintains a sealed environment for precise tire pressure control, while the cover cavity is equipped with a vent path to atmosphere to allow pressure equalization, creating local quality differences in pressure management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the wheel valve assembly is vented to atmosphere, then pressure buildup is prevented, but tire pressure control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure difference from altitude changesVSAvoidtire pressure control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm creates a physical barrier that segments the vented cover cavity from the sealed control cavity, ensuring that atmospheric pressure changes affect only the cover cavity while the control cavity maintains precise pressure control through its dedicated sealing and control ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm acts as an intermediary that transmits force from atmospheric pressure changes in the cover cavity to the control mechanism, while simultaneously preventing direct pressure equalization that would compromise tire pressure control precision. The vent member serves as a secondary intermediary that selectively opens/closes the vent path based on pressure differential needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables the wheel valve assembly to maintain performance and functionality under extreme temperature and altitude conditions, preventing pressure-related failures and ensuring reliable tire pressure adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

a vent assembly in selective fluid communication with the cover cavity and in selective communication with the atmosphere... preventing pressure buildup or vacuum development

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10576794B2Wheel valve assembly with vent to atmosphere and the tire inflation system made therewith

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP LLC

AI summary

A tire inflation system wheel valve assembly is provided. The wheel valve assembly may include a body portion coupled with a cover portion. A diaphragm may be disposed between the body portion and the cover portion. The diaphragm and the body portion define a control cavity; and the diaphragm and the cover portion define a cover cavity. At least one control port is in fluid communication with the control cavity. In addition, a tire port is in selective fluid communication with the control cavity. Further, the cover portion defines an aperture in fluid communication with the atmosphere and the cover cavity.