Recessed Valve Stem Cap for Safe Rapid Inner Tube Deflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational inner tubes with long metal valve stems pose a safety risk due to the potential for injury and require a separate tool for rapid deflation, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A safety valve stem cap with a recessed valve tool that includes a frustoconical-shaped body and integral planar floor with upright prongs, allowing for secure engagement and quick detachment of the valve stem, made from materials like brass, metal, or plastic, providing a barrier between the user and the valve stem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long metal valve stem is used, then the valve stem can be easily accessed and operated, but it poses a safety risk due to potential injury to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cap as an intermediary component between the user and the valve stem. The cap includes a recessed valve tool that mediates the interaction with the valve stem, allowing operation without direct exposure to the potentially harmful metal stem. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation through the recessed tool while eliminating the injury risk through the protective cap structure.
2Speed
If a separate valve stem tool is used for rapid deflation, then the valve stem can be quickly removed, but it requires an additional separate component that is inconvenient to carry and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve tool and the protective cap into a single integrated component. The valve tool is recessed within the cap body, merging two previously separate functions (protection and deflation operation) into one unified device. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining rapid deflation capability while eliminating the need to carry and manage a separate tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap serves multiple functions: it protects the user from the valve stem, acts as a handle for operation, and houses the valve tool for rapid deflation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating protection and quick-deflation capabilities into a single universal component that users already wear.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a short rubber covered valve stem is used, then user safety is improved by eliminating the metal stem, but deflation time increases significantly requiring a separate tool
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed valve tool acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables rapid deflation of the soft valve stem. The tool's prongs are designed to engage with the internal structure of the soft valve stem, allowing quick release of air without requiring the stem to be hard or metal-based. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining safety through the soft stem while enabling rapid deflation through the specialized tool.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety valve stem cap includes a valve tool that can be used for removing the valve stem and quickly deflating the tube for travel or storage. The valve stem cap has a frustoconical-shaped body with a circular bottom edge and a flat upper surface. The valve tool extends within a recess defined within the cap body. The valve tool includes a planar floor and two upright prongs extending from the floor. In an embodiment, the floor of the valve tool is integrally connected with the cap body. In an embodiment, the valve tool includes a hollow body mounted within the recess. The planar floor and upright prongs extend within the hollow body.