AU2011101472A4 - Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator - Google Patents

Abstract

The Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator can increase or decrease a vehicle's tyre pressure, using an automatic process that can switch between an inflation and deflation mode, to meet a pressure setting entered into the controller device by a user. The Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator is a device that combines the actions of reading a tyre's pressure, inflating and deflating into one easy to use device. Figure 1. Construction Diagram Pressure-Device Controller / Air connections between Solenoid User Input Valves, Pressure Sensor and Connectors Electrical Connections Connection for Pressurised Source Air Compressor / Pressurised Vessel O ) Pressure Sensor Connection to Tyre o Solenoid Valve - Pressurised Air In Air Release ® Solenoid Valve - Release Air Out Power Source

Description

Innovation Patent Application Specification Document for Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator Prepared by: Matthew Ryan 1 Mellor Place, Brassall QLD 4305 TITLE Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The device is designed to control the automatic deflation of a vehicle tyre as well as automatic inflation of a tyre from an air compressor or a vessel containing compressed air. The device enables automatic control of a vehicle's tyre pressure, based on a desired pressure entered by a user. BACKGROUND [0002] For a vehicle to operate safely and effectively, it is necessary to be able to adjust a vehicle's tyre pressure to suit different driving conditions, environments and surfaces. Adjusting a vehicle's tyre pressure requires both an inflating and deflating action. The user's aim is to achieve an accurate tyre pressure that will retain driving performance and fuel economy. Currently however, inflating and deflating a tyre requires a user to have to utilise multiple apparatuses to perform specific tasks. Examples include a tyre pressure gauge, deflating attachment, air hose and air compressor. The use of these apparatuses requires constant attention to achieve the desired tyre pressure, along with the hindrance of having to constantly change from one device to another to consistently monitor the amount of pressure being removed or added to a tyre. [0003] The Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator is advantageous and more efficient as it reduces the number of tasks and apparatuses required to both inflate and/or deflate a vehicle's tyre. In addition, the Automate Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator employs an automatic operating process that does not require consistent checking by the operator, ensuring a faster, more efficient delivery of results.

SUMMARY Technical Problem [0004] At present, there is no device to my knowledge that, upon input from an operator, will automatically inflate as well as deflate a tyre using one device and process. Currently, the process of inflating and deflating tyres can also result in over-inflation and deflation, when an operator is not paying full attention to what they are doing. There is also a lack of devices that allow the operator to carry over and apply the same pressure settings from one tyre to the next, without resetting the apparatus. Solution to Problem [0005] The Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator is a solution to the problem as it combines both an inflating and deflating action in one automatic device that is not reliant only on air compressor technology but can also be used successfully with any other apparatus that contains compressed air. The process by which this is achieved is outlined below. [0006] The operator connects an air hose to the vehicle's tyre. Once the device is powered on, the Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator takes a reading of the current tyre pressure. The apparatus then displays the tyre pressure on a digital display. The operator inputs the desired pressure level for the vehicle's tyre. Once the desired pressure has been entered, the operator engages the device via an activation switch. [0007] To meet the desired pressure, the Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator registers the current pressure and either deflates the tyre if a lower pressure is required, or inflates the tyre if a higher pressure is required. If the original tyre pressure is higher than the desired pressure, a solenoid valve opens up to release air for a set period of time. The period of time the valve remains open for deflation is based on the original pressure reading against the desired pressure reading. Therefore the more you need to deflate the tyre, the longer the valve stays open. When the valve closes, it stays closed long enough to allow the tyre pressure to equalise so that the sensor can take an accurate pressure reading. This deflation process continues until the sensor detects the tyre has been deflated down to the operator's desired tyre pressure level that was entered into the device.

[0008] If the original pressure is lower than the desired pressure, the device detects that inflation is required. The period of time the valve remains open for inflation is based on the original pressure reading against the desired pressure reading. Therefore the more you need to inflate the tyre, the longer the valve stays open. When the valve closes, it stays closed long enough to allow the tyre pressure to equalise so that the sensor can take an accurate pressure reading. This inflation process continues until the sensor detects the tyre has been inflated to the operator's desired tyre pressure level that was entered into the device. [0009] Should during the operating process, the inflation or deflation minorly exceed the pressure level set by the operator, the device will compensate using a reverse action to meet the required tyre pressure level. For example, if during the deflation process the tyre is slightly over-deflated, the system will automatically engage inflation mode and inflate the tyres until the correct pressure is achieved. A fail safe system is also included in the design of the device, ensuring the type will not be under-deflated or over-inflated outside a tyre's pressure specifications. The fail safe pressures have been programmed into the device controller, with low pressure at 10 psi and high pressure at 60 psi. Should the user required changes to the failsafe pressure parameters, it can be programmed into the device. [0010] Once the device has achieved the desired pressure, the valves are automatically closed and the pressure reading is displayed visually to the operator in conjunction with an audible sound. Upon hearing this sound, the operator is able to detach the hose from the tyre valve and immediately connect it to the next tyre. The operator re-initiates the process of either inflation or deflation by turning the activation switch. At this point, the Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator will either inflate or deflate to the preset pressure reading which was originally entered for the first tyre. Alternatively, the operator is able to enter a different pressure setting for the second and subsequent tyres to be inflated or deflated.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Components [0011] To engage a deflating action, The Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator requires a connection to both the tyre and a 12 volt supply of power. For the inflation process, the device has to be connected to a 12 volt supply of power, the tyre, and an air compressor or alternatively, a vessel containing compressed air. The system can be configured to operate in a stand alone single inflation or deflation operation. The device is also factory programmable to increase or decrease inflation/deflation to meet the operator's requirements. Additionally the programmable system can also be adjusted so that it can meet the differing inflation flow rates of multiple and different brands of air compressors. It does this by increasing or decreasing the time for each inflation and deflation process. [0012] The Automatic Tyre Pressure Controller is comprised of: * One solenoid valve for the deflation process; * One solenoid valve for the inflation process; e A pressure sensor to measure tyre pressure; * A programmable controller; comprised of two relays, programmable integrated circuits, a LED display, input controls, and activation switch. The controller with the LED display can be operated remotely, away from the solenoid valves. [0013] The device, comprised of the two solenoid valves and sensor, are connected by appropriate standard air fittings, which then connect to an air compressor or compressed air vessel. Any standard air fitting can be used as long as it doesn't restrict the flow of air.

Industrial Applicability [0014] The Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator is designed to be used in a way that will enhance and optimise vehicle performance according to different driving conditions, environments and surfaces. It would be a useful device for the four-wheel-driving industry, as drivers are often required to decrease a tyre's air pressure to increase the overall tyre footprint. By enlarging a tyre's footprint, the tyre is able to move over difficult surfaces such as sand and rocks, more easily. Using this device to reinflate the tyres after four-wheel-driving is a quick and simple process, saving much of the driver's time and effort. The device is applicable in any industry, where tyres need to be deflated or inflated to a set pressure in a quick, easy and efficient way, or maintaining the pressure levels in tyres during everyday use.

Claims (5)

1. The Automatic Tyre Pressure Inflator Deflator is capable of a dual action, inflation and deflation, as well as reading a tyre's pressure settings, all using the one device.

2. The device uses a fully automatic process, based on a user's input into the device. To meet the tyre pressure entered by the user, the device is capable of automatically switching between an inflating and deflating mode, to meet the desired pressure setting.

3. The inflation process is able to operate effectively when connected to an air compressor, or alternatively, a vessel that contains compressed air, and a 12 volt power supply. The deflation process can operate effectively when the device is connected to a 12 volt supply of power.

4. The invented device includes a failsafe system, ensuring tyres will not be deflated or inflated beyond a tyre's pressure specifications.

5. After the first tyre is inflated or deflated to the desired pressure, the device is able to be immediately connected to the next tyre to engage inflation or deflation mode, in accordance to the original pressure setting entered by the user. Once activated, the device will automatically begin inflating or deflating the next tyre without the need for resetting the device.