Background and Technology Approach for Development and Testing of Auto-Tire Inflation System for Reducing Tire Wear in Commercial Vehicle 2018-01-1341

The reduction of tire wear in vehicle is one of the major challenges for engineers. Under-inflated tire can cause reduction in tire life along with decrease in driving stability of vehicle. Efforts have been taken to develop a low-cost auto-tire inflation system integrated in vehicle for reduction in tire wear as well as to avoid periodic checks of tire pressure. This paper deals with the technology and design approach required in the development of auto-tire inflation system for commercial vehicle. This system should have the fundamental role of not only monitoring the tire pressure but also inflating the tire to the recommended level of pressure whenever the pressure is reduced below the recommended level.

Different approaches have been worked out for integration of system on vehicle with least modification in existing design. For system control, cost effective and innovative method of using two-way solenoid valve, pressure transducer and electronic control unit is employed for monitoring and regulating tire pressure. Innovative sealing system has been used for fail safe and leakage free mechanism. Precautions are also taken care to maintain the same strength of the modified parts required during integration of system in vehicle by performing CAE analysis to ensure same strength of knuckle and other parts. Appropriate selection of pneumatic fittings required for providing leak free and durable air passage to tire valve are done in order to avoid air leakage in the system. The system is tested in vehicle on different road conditions with final updated design after several design modifications. The safety issues arising due to integration of auto-tire inflation system in vehicle have also been studied and mentioned in this paper.