Air Chuck Swivel Head for Motorcycle Valve Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern motorcycles with smaller rim sizes and larger brake rotors present a challenge in accessing the tire valve due to limited space, leading to inefficient air chuck alignment and potential user injury from heat or other hazards.

Innovation Solution

An air chuck with a swivel head that allows for a range of angles, enabling easier access and alignment with the tire valve, reducing the risk of injury and improving sealing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed angle head air chuck is used, then the structure is simple, but the alignment with the valve stem is difficult when rim size is small and brake rotor is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment with valve stemVSAvoidair chuck structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air chuck head is made swivelable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate and adjust to different angles. This dynamic adjustment enables the head to align properly with the valve stem even when access space is limited by small rims and large brake rotors, directly resolving the alignment difficulty without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air chuck is divided into separable components: a handle portion and a head portion connected by a swivel mechanism. This segmentation allows the head to independently rotate and orient itself relative to the handle, providing the necessary flexibility for alignment while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the air chuck head is forced into alignment, then alignment may be achieved, but user injury risk increases due to heat from brake rotor or other hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle to valve alignmentVSAvoiduser injury from heat or hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel mechanism allows the head to dynamically adjust its angle to achieve proper alignment with the valve stem. This eliminates the need for users to force the air chuck into position, thereby avoiding contact with hot brake rotors or other hazardous areas, while still achieving the required nozzle-to-valve alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the air chuck handle is positioned to avoid the brake rotor, then safety is improved, but the head cannot attach squarely to the valve stem

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavoidance of brake rotor interferenceVSAvoidhead to valve stem attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the handle portion from the head portion with a swivel mechanism, the invention allows the handle to be positioned in a safe location away from the brake rotor while the head independently orients itself to attach squarely to the valve stem. This segmentation decouples the positional constraints of the handle from the alignment requirements of the head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The swivel mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the head to rotate and find the correct alignment angle with the valve stem even when the handle is positioned at a safe distance from the brake rotor. This resolves the conflict between safety positioning and proper attachment alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a swivel head mechanism is added, then alignment flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of approach anglesVSAvoidswivel mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A swivel mechanism is incorporated at the connection between the handle and head, allowing the head to rotate freely to achieve various approach angles. This single rotational degree of freedom provides the necessary adaptability for different valve positions while adding minimal structural complexity compared to more complex articulated or telescopic mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3098123B1Air chuck with variable angle swivel head
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 MOTION PRO INC
  • EP3098123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3098123B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3098123B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air chuck with variable angle swivel head, having a head, a handle having a front face having a manufactured angle, and a swivel mechanism, which includes a banjo bolt, an air chuck tip and a pin, which together provide an air passage, whereby the head is connected to the handle by the swivel mechanism, and the manufactured angle of the front face of the handle lies in the range of 15 degrees to 45 degrees.