Adjustable Tire Valve Mounting for Rim Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire pressure monitoring systems face issues with securely fastening the valve to the housing and limiting the adjustability of the angle between the valve and the housing, which can lead to damage and failure when used with different types of rims due to improper installation angles.

Innovation Solution

A tire pressure monitoring system where the tire valve is securely fastened to the enclosure using a hinge joint with a rotatable member and a form-fitting connection, allowing for adjustable angles of up to -90 to +90 degrees, ensuring proper installation on various rim profiles without risk of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed angle connection between sensor housing and valve is used, then the mounting structure is simple, but the sensor can only be mounted on specific rim types and may be damaged on other rims

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different rim typesVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge joint enables dynamic adjustment of the angle between the sensor housing and valve, transforming a static fixed-angle connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the mounting structure to adapt to different rim types while maintaining structural simplicity through a single degree of freedom mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure is segmented into two independent components: the valve assembly and the sensor housing, connected through a hinge joint. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while providing adaptability through the articulated connection, resolving the conflict between simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the valve is merely slid onto the valve connector without form-fitting fastening, then the assembly is simple, but additional measures are needed to secure the assembly and prevent separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsecurity of connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The form-fitting connection design allows the valve to self-secure to the rotatable member through geometric interlocking features. The connection structure itself provides the securing function without requiring additional fastening components, achieving both ease of assembly and reliable connection through self-service mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a hinge joint with form-fitting connection is used, then the valve is securely fastened and angle adjustability is improved, but the mounting structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of fasteningVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge joint and form-fitting connection are merged into a single integrated mounting structure. The rotatable member serves dual functions: providing the hinge joint for angle adjustment and incorporating form-fitting connection features for secure fastening. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while achieving both reliability and adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3532318B1Variable installation angle tyre pressure monitoring system
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 APOLLO TYRES LTD
  • EP3532318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3532318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3532318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An assembly comprising a tyre valve (2) and an enclosure (3), wherein the enclosure (3) is adapted to receive a gas pressure monitoring unit, wherein the enclosure (3) comprises a hinge joint, the hinge joint having at least one stationary member connected to the enclosure (3), an axle (6) and a rotatable member (4) arranged to at least partially rotate around the axle (6) and wherein the tyre valve (2) is connected to the rotatable member (5) of the hinge joint. The tyre valve (2) is connected to the rotatable member (4) of the hinge joint by a form-fitting connection which secures the tyre valve (2) against movement in a direction towards the rotatable member (4) and in a direction away from the rotatable member (5).