Claims:1. An automatic tire deflator (100) for deflating tire(s) of a vehicle, said automatic tire deflator (100) comprising:
an actuator (104) comprising at least one movable member adapted to be coupled to a valve pin (105); and
an electronic control unit (102) in communication with said actuator (104),
wherein
said movable member of said actuator (104) is adapted to move the valve pin (105) to an open position for deflating the tire based on instructions from said control unit (102).

2. The automatic tire deflator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automatic tire deflator (100) comprises,
a sensor module adapted to monitor and communicate sensory information to said electronic control unit (102), wherein the sensory information is at least one parameter relevant to deflation of tire,
wherein
said sensor module comprises,
a camera adapted to capture and communicate a media input relevant to deflation of the tire, to said electronic control unit (102); and
a global positioning system adapted to monitor and communicate the geographical location to said electronic control unit (102), wherein said electronic control unit (102) is adapted to identify the terrain of the current geographical location based on the input received from said camera and said global positioning system and accordingly activates said actuator (104) for deflating the tires automatically.
3. The automatic tire deflator (100), as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electronic control unit (102) activates said liner actuator (104) based on the signal received from a wireless user interface device (106).

4. The automatic tire deflator (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electronic control unit (102) is configured with a pre-programmed tire deflation time for deflating the tire at required level in accordance to input received from at least one of said sensor module and said wireless user interface device (106),
wherein
the tire deflation time is at least one of programmable or pre-programmable; and
the tire deflation time values are provided in a look up table which is stored in a memory unit of said electronic control unit (102).

5. The automatic tire deflator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (104) is one of electric linear actuator, hydraulic linear actuator and a pneumatic linear actuator.

6. The automatic tire deflator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automatic tire deflator (100) comprises,
a battery (103) adapted to power at least on of said electronic control unit (102) and said linear actuator (104); and
a holding member (107) adapted to hold said actuator (104),
wherein
said electronic control unit (102), said battery (103), said linear actuator (104) and said holding member (107) are enclosed inside a valve cap (101); and
said battery (103), said liner actuator (104) and said electronic control unit (102) are protected through a silicon conformal coating to protect the components from water and give good thermal dissipation thus making the complete valve cap (101) durable in adverse conditions.

7. A method (200) for automatically deflating tire(s) of a vehicle, said method (200) comprising:
receiving, by an electronic control unit (102), an input signal from at least one of a user interface device (106) and a sensor module;
moving, by a movable member of an actuator (104), a valve pin (105) to an open position for deflating the tire when the actuator (104) receives instruction from the electronic control unit (102);
checking, by a tire pressure sensor, a pressure value of the tire being deflated;
continuously comparing, by the electronic control unit (102), the tire pressure value received from the tire pressure sensor and a pre-defined pressure value programmed in the electronic control unit (102); and
moving, by the movable member of the actuator (104), the valve pin (105) to a closed position once the tire pressure of the tire being deflated and the pre-defined pressure value of the electronic control unit (102) becomes equal.

8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pre-defined pressure value stored in the memory of the electronic control unit (102) is inputted through a wireless user interface device (106).

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the input signal for remotely and manually actuating the actuator (104) is received by the electronic control unit (102) from the wireless user interface device (106).
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a control signal for automatically actuating the actuator (104) is decided by the electronic control unit (102) based on the inputs received from a camera and a global positioning system.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to tire deflating mechanism. Further, embodiments herein relate to an automatic tire deflator in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] In off-road vehicles and all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles tire pressure plays a vital role for different terrains. In slush, sand, rock climbing and snow surfaces, tire pressure is varied (reduced) to gain more traction from the surface. This variation of tire pressure is helpful in improving the vehicle ride and handling parameter in different terrains. In the real world scenario of 4 Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive vehicles, tire deflation is done manually i.e., getting out from the vehicle and use tire deflator kit, or common method used is by using a key, pen or a pin, For example in slush, sand, rock climbing and snow terrain, the standard specified tire pressure from vehicle manufacturer will not provide sufficient traction to the vehicle to crawl out of obstacles, so tire deflation is required. Since the off-road & all-wheel drive vehicles are used in different terrains, possibility of manual deflation of the tire is tough, due to the condition of terrain, environment, and weather harshness. Hence there is a need in the art for an automatic tire deflating system which alleviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

OBJECTS
[003] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
[004] An object of embodiments herein is to provide an automatic tire deflator in a vehicle which automatically deflates the tire.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide an automatic tire deflator in the vehicle, which is remotely actuatable.
[006] Yet another object of embodiments herein is to provide a tire deflator in vehicle which is integrally formed to the valve cap of the tire.
[007] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[009] Figure 1 represents the schematic view of a valve integrated tire deflator in vehicle according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] Figure 2 represents the schematic view of a remotely actuatable tire deflator according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0011] Figure 3 represents a method of automatically deflating tire of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
[0013] Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to a person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
[0014] The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining an embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a”, "an”, and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises”, "comprising”, “including”, and “having”, are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0015] When an element is referred to as being "mounted on”, “engaged to”, "connected to”, or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element.
[0016] The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another component, region, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
[0017] Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, "beneath”, "below”, "lower”, "above”, "upper”, and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a tire valve integrated automatic deflator in vehicle . Further, embodiments herein achieve an automatic deflator for use in vehicles, which facilitate remote actuation of the deflator. Referring now to the drawings Figures 1 and 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] Figure 1 depicts a schematic view of the automatic tire deflator (100) for a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Figure 2 depicts a schematic view of the automatic tire deflator in vehicles with remote actuation mechanism (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The tire valve cap (101) with integrated tire deflator is assembled on all the tires of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, the tire valve cap (101) is cylindrical in shape. The valve cap (101) comprises an integrated battery (103), a linear actuator (104), a valve pin (105) and an electronic control unit (102). In an embodiment of the invention, the battery (103), the liner actuator (104) and the electronic control unit (102) are protected through a silicon conformal coating to protect the components from water and give good thermal dissipation thus making the complete valve cap (101) durable in adverse conditions. The valve cap (101) is also provided with many additional holes (not shown) which avoids trapping of air within the cap during the deflation process. The electronic control unit (102) is pre-programmed with the time duration for actuating the linear actuator (104). The actuator (104) comprises least one movable member adapted to be coupled to a valve pin (105). The electronic control unit (102) in communication with the actuator (104). The movable member of said actuator (104) is adapted to move the valve pin (105) to an open position for deflating the tire based on instructions from said control unit (102). The automatic tire deflator (100) comprises a sensor module adapted to monitor and communicate sensory information to said electronic control unit (102), wherein the sensory information is at least one parameter relevant to deflation of tire. The sensor module comprises a camera adapted to capture and communicate a media input relevant to deflation of the tire, to the electronic control unit (102). The global positioning system adapted to monitor and communicate the geographical location to said electronic control unit (102), wherein said electronic control unit (102) is adapted to identify the terrain of the current geographical location based on the input received from said camera and said global positioning system and accordingly activates said actuator (104) for deflating the tires automatically. The ECU activates a liner actuator based on the signal received from a wireless user interface device (106). The electronic control unit (102) is configured with a pre-programmed tire deflation time for deflating the tire at required level in accordance to input received from at least one of said sensor module and said wireless user interface device (106). The tire deflation time is at least one of programmable or pre-programmable. The tire deflation time values are provided in a look up table which is stored in a memory unit of said electronic control unit (102). The battery (103) adapted to power at least on of said electronic control unit (102) and said linear actuator (104). The holding member (107) adapted to hold said actuator (104). The electronic control unit (102), said battery (103), said linear actuator (104) and said holding member (107) are enclosed inside a valve cap (101).
[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the linear actuator (104) is an electric linear actuator and a hydraulic linear actuator. In another embodiment of the invention, the linear actuator (104) is a pneumatic linear actuator.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the battery (103) is a 3-volt Lithium-ion battery. In another embodiment of the invention, the battery (103) is a 1.25-volt nickel metal hydride battery. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery is a rechargeable battery.
[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the location of the vehicle is sensed by a Global Positioning System (not shown) and accordingly the user or driver is alerted about the need for actuating the tire deflator.
[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the terrain in which the vehicle is presently there is sensed by a camera (not shown) mounted near the front end of the vehicle (not shown) and accordingly the user or driver is alerted about the need for actuating the tire deflator (100). In an embodiment of the invention, the tires are automatically deflated based on the location and terrain surface without any manual actuation of the deflating switch.
[0024] In an embodiment referred in Figure 2, the automatic tire deflator (100) system is remotely actuatable through a wireless user interface device (106). The deflator additionally comprises an IoT based electronic control unit (102), a voltage regulator (111), a rechargeable battery unit (114), a battery charger port (112), a linear actuator (104) and a shaft (113). The battery charger port (112) is provided for recharging the battery unit (114) of the deflator system. The voltage regulator is in electrical connection with the battery unit (114) and the linear actuator (104). In one embodiment of the invention the electronic control circuit is a WEMOs D1 IoT. In one embodiment of the invention, the voltage regulator is a 3V3 LDO regulator. The wireless user interface device (106) is pre-installed with a software application for wirelessly actuating the tire deflator (100). The wireless user interface device (106) is provided with a user interface screen (109) for independently actuating different tires in a vehicle. The wireless user interface device (106) maybe a smart phone, vehicle key fob or a smart watch according to different embodiments of the invention. In an embodiment of the Invention, the user or driver of the vehicle need to connect to the deflator module (100) located on the wheel nozzle (not shown) using a Wi-Fi username and a password predefined in the wireless user interface device (106). The user interface screen (110) is provided in the wireless user interface device (106) for selecting the tire to be deflated. Once the button in the user interface is toggled from OFF to ON, the system initiate command to deflate tire for a predefined time. Once deflating period is elapsed, the status will remain ON to indicate the number of deflated tires. When the deflate module battery (103) is charged back, the deflate status is be set to “OFF” and now the deflator (100) is ready for next cycle. In an embodiment of the invention, the user interface screen provides the details on the current pressure of the tire.
[0025] The working of the tire valve integrated automatic deflator (100) according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with the deflation requirements is as follows. During tire deflation, a deflation actuation switch (not shown) is manually pressed by the user or driver of the vehicle. The actuation signal is sensed by the electronic control unit (102) of the tire valve cap (101). The electronic control unit (102) is pre-programmed with the deflation time. The linear actuator (104) is actuated based on the deflation time programmed in the electronic control unit (102). Due to the actuation of the linear actuator (104), the valve pin (105) mechanically connected to the linear actuator (104) move upward and away from the groove (not shown) of the tire. As the valve pin (105) is moved upward, the air from the tire (not shown) start to release through the valve cap (101). The valve cap (101) is provided with multiple holes through which the air from the tire is vented to the atmosphere. At the end of the deflation, the linear actuator (104) is moved downward towards the tire, eventually moving the valve pin (105) inside the groove of the tire and the deflation is stopped. In an embodiment of the invention, multiple actuation switches are provided to independently control the deflation of different tires in a vehicle.
[0026] From, fig. 3, the method (200) of automatically deflating tire(s) of a vehicle. At step (202), the method (200) comprises receiving, by an electronic control unit (102), an input signal from at least one of a user interface device (106) and a sensor module. At step (204), the method (200) includes moving, by a movable member of an actuator (104), a valve pin (105) to an open position for deflating the tire when the actuator (104) receives instruction from the electronic control unit (102). A tire pressure sensor (not shown) senses the tire pressure being deflated which in turn sends the pressure value to the electronic control unit (102). At step (206), checking, by the tire pressure sensor, a pressure value of the tire being deflated. At step (208), the method (200) includes continuously comparing, by the electronic control unit (102), the tire pressure value received from the tire pressure sensor and a pre-defined pressure value programmed in the electronic control unit (102). At step (210), the method (200) includes moving, by the movable member of the actuator (104), the valve pin (105) to a closed position once the tire pressure of the tire being deflated and the pre-defined pressure value of the electronic control unit (102) becomes equal. In one embodiment of the invention, the tire deflation cycle is calculated based on the calibrated data preprogrammed in the electronic control unit (102). The input signal for remotely and manually actuating the actuator (104) is received by electronic control unit (102) from the wireless user interface device (106). The control signal for automatically actuating the actuator (104) is decided by the electronic control unit (102) based on the inputs received from a camera and a Global Positioning System.
[0027] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0028] The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an automatic tire deflator in vehicle, that allows at least for:
Automatically deflating the tires in a vehicle;
Decreasing the driver fatigue of deflating tires;
Avoiding special tool kit for deflation; and
Increasing the clutch life of all wheel drive vehicles.
[0029] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
[0030] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
[0032] Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
[0033] Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
[0034] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.