Fluid Actuation System With Toggle Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid actuation systems for tire inflation and sealing lack the ability to provide continuous, intermittent, and controlled flow of high-pressure fluid, and fail to terminate fluid flow when tire pressure exceeds the container pressure, making them inefficient and unsafe for quick tire inflation or sealing in traffic situations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid actuation system with a toggle latch mechanism that allows for manual control of fluid flow, featuring a displaceable toggle latch member and a lock pin to secure the system, enabling continuous, intermittent, or terminated flow, and a check valve mechanism to ensure fluid flow only when container pressure is higher than the tire pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual pushbutton activation is used to control fluid flow, then ease of operation is improved, but the system cannot maintain continuous flow without constant manual pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The operator performs a preliminary action by pressing the pushbutton to engage the spring-loaded actuator, which then automatically maintains continuous flow without requiring constant manual pressure. The spring stores energy during activation and releases it sustainably to hold the valve open.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism serves itself by automatically maintaining the activated state once triggered. The spring's stored energy continuously pushes the actuator to keep the valve open, eliminating the need for ongoing manual intervention while sustaining fluid flow.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a latch mechanism is added to maintain continuous flow, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch function is merged with the pushbutton activation mechanism. The spring-loaded actuator combines the activation button, latching action, and flow control functions into a single integrated component, avoiding the need for separate latch mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator member serves multiple functions: it acts as the pushbutton interface, the latching mechanism, and the flow control valve simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing device complexity while maintaining continuous flow capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual control of intermittent flow is enabled, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional control steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between continuous and intermittent flow modes based on the position of the actuator member. By simply moving the actuator to different positions (fully pressed vs. partially pressed), the operator can switch between flow modes without complex controls, maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
For intermittent flow control, the operator can periodically press and release the actuator to deliver controlled amounts of fluid. This periodic manual action provides precise control over fluid delivery quantity while keeping the interface simple and easy to operate.
4Reliability
If automatic flow termination based on pressure differential is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically terminates flow based on the natural pressure differential between the fluid source and the tire. When tire pressure exceeds source pressure, the pressure difference itself closes the valve without requiring external pressure sensors or complex control systems, achieving reliable automatic termination with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of over-inflation is converted into a beneficial automatic shutdown mechanism. The excessive pressure in the tire, which could be dangerous, naturally becomes the force that closes the valve and terminates flow, eliminating the need for complex pressure sensing and control systems.
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 safe, efficient, and user-controlled fluid flow for tire inflation and sealing, ensuring continuous flow when needed, intermittent flow for precise control, and automatic termination when tire pressure matches or exceeds the container pressure, addressing the limitations of prior art systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded actuator member (26) reversibly displaceable within a cradle member (20)
Implementation Method 2
A displaceable toggle latch member (44) contacts an upper surface (52) of the actuator member (26)
Implementation Method 3
fluid flow is transmitted to the tire when air pressure in the container (12) is greater than the air pressure in the tire
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid actuation system controls fluid flow between a container and the external environment. The fluid actuation system has an actuator housing which houses a cradle member secured to the actuator housing. An actuator member is slidably received within the cradle member with the actuator member having an actuator member flow conduit for communication fluid flow from the container to and external environment. A toggle latch member is moveable to a first position for continuous fluidic transfer, to a second position for manual control of the fluidic flow, or a third position when fluidic flow is blocked.