Pneumatic Chuck Valve Core Interface for High-Rate Tire Inflation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inflating large vehicular tires poses risks such as valve core propulsion, loss, contamination, overfilling, and improper reinstallation, leading to leakage or bursting.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic chuck with a valve core interface that allows for safe removal and reinstallation of the valve core during inflation, featuring a rotatable and slidable mechanism with a fork for grasping the core, transparent windows for visibility, and a clutch assembly for torque control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve core is removed from the valve stem prior to inflating the tire to increase the fill rate, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of core loss, contamination, and improper reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve core interface assembly acts as an intermediary device between the air chuck and the valve stem. It includes a valve core retainer that holds the valve core during inflation, and a valve core installer that guides proper reinstallation. This intermediary mechanism allows the valve core to be removed for high-speed inflation while ensuring it is securely retained and properly reinstalled, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve core interface assembly incorporates self-contained features such as a spring-loaded retainer that automatically secures the valve core, and a positioning mechanism that ensures correct alignment during reinstallation. The design allows the system to service itself by preventing core loss and contamination without requiring external intervention, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling high-speed operation
2Reliability
If the valve core is retained during inflation, then the reliability is improved by preventing core loss and contamination, but the productivity deteriorates due to reduced fill rate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve core interface assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a valve core retainer for secure holding, a valve core installer for controlled reinstallation, and connection interfaces. This segmentation allows the retainer to maintain the valve core during inflation (ensuring reliability) while the modular design enables quick attachment and detachment (maintaining productivity). The separated functions allow simultaneous achievement of both goals
Solution Approach 2:
The valve core retainer employs dynamic elements such as spring-loaded arms and movable positioning features that can adapt to the valve core during inflation. The dynamic design allows the retainer to securely hold the valve core while permitting quick release when needed, thus maintaining both reliability during inflation and productivity during the overall process
3Device complexity
If manual removal and reinstallation of the valve core is performed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to risk of under-tightening or over-tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The valve core installer replaces manual threading operations with a controlled mechanical system. The installer includes positioning features, alignment guides, and a controlled engagement mechanism that automatically positions and secures the valve core with proper torque. This substitution eliminates the need for user judgment about tightness, ensuring consistent proper installation while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The valve core installer is designed as a self-aligning, self-positioning device that automatically guides the valve core into the correct position and applies appropriate installation force. The mechanism includes built-in stops, guides, and torque-limiting features that ensure proper installation without requiring user skill or judgment, thereby improving ease of operation while keeping the overall device structure simple
Data Source
AI summary
An air chuck includes a body and a valve core interface. The body includes output, interface, and input ports. The body defines a first passageway that extends between the output and interface ports. The input port defines a second passageway that is in fluid communication with the first passageway. The valve core interface is slidably coupled with the body and is slidable between extended and retracted positions. The valve core interface includes a shaft and a knob. The shaft includes proximal and distal ends. The distal end is at least partially disposed in the first passageway. The knob is coupled with the proximal end of the shaft. The shaft is rotatably coupled with the body and is selectively rotatable in either tightening or loosening directions via the knob. The distal end of the shaft comprises a grasping feature that is configured to grasp a valve core of a valve stem.