Air Connector for Schrader and Presta Valves with Dynamic Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air connectors for Schrader and Presta valves fail to securely retain the valves at high pressure, requiring cumbersome two-handed operation to screw male and female threads, leading to inconvenient air inflation.
Innovation Solution
A connector structure with a stopping rod that moves forward or backward to engage or disengage plural locking teeth with a limiting block, allowing easy connection and disconnection of Schrader and Presta valves, using a body with Schrader and Presta inserting holes, a movable groove, and a limiting block with locking teeth, facilitating one-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional air connector uses compression rubber or threaded connection to retain the air valve, then the air connector can be assembled, but the air valve cannot be retained tightly at high pressure and requires cumbersome two-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the driving member with resilient locking segment can move between locked and unlocked positions. The stopping rod dynamically transitions between blocking and non-blocking positions to control the locking segment's engagement with the valve body, enabling both secure retention and easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking segment automatically engages with the valve body when the stopping rod moves to the non-blocking position, providing self-locking functionality. The first spring automatically pushes the driving member to engage the locking segment, eliminating the need for manual threading or compression operations.
2Reliability
If the driven rod is pushed by the Presta valve to rotate the rotating stem, then the locking segment can engage the limiting slot, but the valve end retracts inward preventing proper engagement and reducing inflation pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping rod serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's pressing action and the locking segment. By pressing the stopping rod, the user controls the blocking and non-blocking positions, which in turn controls the locking segment's engagement, eliminating the need for the valve end to retract inward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the connection process. The locking segment is designed to engage the limiting slot through linear movement of the driving member rather than rotation, eliminating the problematic rotating stem mechanism that caused valve retraction.
3Reliability
If the air connector is sprayed away by high pressure during inflation, then the connection fails, but manual screwing with two hands is required to prevent this
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism dynamically responds to pressure conditions. The resilient locking segment maintains engagement under high pressure through the first spring's pushing force, while the stopping rod provides dynamic control to lock or unlock the connection as needed, preventing the connector from being sprayed away without requiring continuous manual tightening.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and secure connection of air connectors to both Schrader and Presta valves, preventing pressure loss during inflation and accommodating various thread lengths, allowing for efficient and convenient air inflation with reduced manual effort.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring 73 mounted in the body 71; a driving member 74 fixed in the body 71 and pushed by the first spring 73 to move outward
Implementation Method 2
a second spring 75 disposed in the driving member 74; a driven rod 76 mounted in the driving member 74 and pushed by the second spring 75 to move toward the resilient locking segment 741
Data Source
AI summary
A connector structure for a Schrader (American) valve or a Presta (French) valve contains an air connector connected with a Schrader (American) valve or a Presta (French) valve. The Schrader (American) valve includes Schrader (American) threads and a Schrader (American) inlet part; the Presta (French) valve includes Presta (French) threads and a Presta (French) inlet part. The air connector contains a body including a Schrader (American) inserting hole with a Schrader (American) screwing section, a Presta (French) inserting hole, a movable groove, an air intake, and at least one through orifice; a limiting block including a retaining segment with plural locking teeth and including a defining segment; a control set disposed on the body and controlling the defining segment; a stopping rod mounted in and limited by the movable groove, the stopping rod including a confining slot and an abutting segment which correspond to the Schrader (American) inserting hole.