Plastic Snap-in Valve for Rubber Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snap-in valves for rubber wheels made of brass are heavy, costly, prone to corrosion, and difficult to recycle, leading to increased fuel consumption, mechanical stress on the tire, and risk of breakage during installation or removal.
Innovation Solution
A snap-in valve with a hollow cylindrical valve body made partially or entirely of plastic, featuring shaped annular ribs and longitudinal reinforcing ribs for enhanced retention and mechanical strength, along with internal grooves for increased air passage, and a thicker section for improved resistance to pressure and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the valve body is made of brass, then the valve has sufficient mechanical strength and durability, but the weight increases and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from brass to plastic, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining structural integrity through design modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining plastic valve body with rubber sealing elements and metal fastening components, optimizing the weight-strength balance by using each material where it provides the most benefit
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the valve body is made of brass, then the valve is durable, but corrosion resistance deteriorates due to sensitivity to atmospheric agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition from metal (brass) to polymer (plastic), fundamentally altering the chemical resistance properties to withstand atmospheric corrosion, saline environments, and acid liquids without degradation
3Strength
If the valve body is made of plastic with ribs, then the retention for rubber ring increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the rubber ring as a flexible sealing element that conforms to the ribbed plastic surface, creating an effective seal and retention mechanism without requiring complex rigid structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved and rounded rib profiles on the plastic valve body that work synergistically with the flexible rubber ring to achieve secure retention through geometric interlocking and elastic deformation
4Weight of moving object
If the valve body is made of plastic, then the weight decreases and fuel consumption reduces, but the mechanical strength may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite valve assembly where the plastic body provides lightweight structure, while rubber rings and metal fasteners contribute their superior elasticity and strength properties respectively, achieving overall mechanical adequacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for reduced material strength by introducing geometric dimensions - longitudinal and annular ribs that increase structural rigidity and load-bearing capacity through shape rather than material properties
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed are valves for inflating the tires of rubber wheels, in particular of vehicles, where the term vehicles is intended as motor vehicles, trucks, motorcycles or in general road transport vehicles. More in detail, the a valve (1) of snap-in type for rubber wheels includes: a hollow valve body (2) of cylindrical shape arranged for connecting the inside of the rubber wheels with the outside environment and allowing passage of air; an actuating mechanism (3) of the valve (1) arranged inside the valve body (2); a rubber ring (4), suitably shaped, arranged for partially covering the valve body (2), wherein the valve body (2) includes at least one portion (20) made of plastic material.