Bicycle Pump Head Ball-Retained Coupling for Leak-Safe Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic valve systems for tires and tubes are difficult to attach and detach, often leading to leaks and inaccurate pressure readings due to poor sealing and cumbersome locking mechanisms, which can cause discomfort and inefficiency during inflation.
Innovation Solution
A novel pneumatic valve system featuring a miniature ball check valve mechanism and a ball and groove retaining mechanism, allowing for easy axial attachment and detachment without external threaded connections or levered locking chucks, using a valve coupler with an inflation pin and elastic sleeve for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking lever mechanism is used to secure the pump-head to the valve stem, then the pump-head can be held in place against internal pressure, but the device becomes difficult and awkward to operate requiring two hands and considerable finger strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the locking lever mechanism from the pump-head design. Instead of using a separate locking component that requires manual engagement, the patent uses a simple friction-fit interface where the pump-head is held in place by the friction between its outer surface and the valve stem, combined with the deformation of a rubber seal. This removes the complex locking mechanism while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump-head design allows itself to be secured to the valve stem through automatic friction engagement when inserted. The rubber seal deforms upon insertion to create a friction fit that self-secures the connection without requiring external locking actions. The system uses its own structural features (friction surface area, rubber seal deformation) to achieve retention automatically.
2Reliability
If the seal is made on the outside of the valve stem with large internal surface area, then sealing is achieved, but the internal pressure exerts significant force that can blow the pump-head off without a locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating the sealing function at a specific location (the rubber seal at the interface between pump-head and valve stem) rather than relying on the entire internal surface area. The rubber seal is positioned to create a localized friction fit that resists the force generated by internal pressure, allowing sealing and retention without requiring a locking mechanism.
3Productivity
If conventional pneumatic valves are used, then air pressure can be increased in the tire, but the connection requires awkward positioning and creates physical discomfort during inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The pump-head design allows the user to attach and operate it with one hand. The friction-fit interface and automatic sealing mechanism enable the device to service itself during attachment, eliminating the need for the user to maintain awkward positions or use complex locking actions. The simple push-on/pull-off interface improves ergonomics while maintaining inflation functionality.
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
The system provides a reliable, ergonomic, and efficient method for inflating tires, reducing the need for excessive force and allowing single-handed operation, while maintaining a secure seal and preventing leaks, thus improving user experience and reducing physical discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a valve coupler with an inflation pin and elastic sleeve for secure sealing
Implementation Method 2
a ball and groove retaining mechanism, allowing for easy axial attachment and detachment without external threaded connections or levered locking chucks
Data Source
AI summary
A pump-head configured to couple with a bicycle inner tube valve stem or tubeless valve stem is provided. The pump-head includes a housing, inflation pin, a plurality of members and a biasing member. The housing has an attachment member that couples with an air source, the attachment member having an air inlet passage and a collar with a plurality of passages disposed about a periphery of the collar, the plurality of passages extending from an outer diameter of the collar to an inner bore. The inflation pin is coupled to the housing and the air inlet passage, the inflation pin having an end disposed within the inner bore. The members are associated with, and at least partially disposed in, one of the plurality of passages. A biasing member is disposed about the periphery of the plurality of members to biasing each of the members towards the inflation pin.