Self-Repairing Tire Inflator Nozzle with Piercing Needle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle wheel inflator nozzles are difficult to access due to hubcaps, leading to challenges in accurately inflating or deflating self-repairing tires, which complicates pressure adjustments and may result in air leaks or improper inflation.

Innovation Solution

A new inflator nozzle design featuring a hollow needle with an adjustable protruding part that can be planted in a self-repairing zone of the tire, allowing for precise inflation or deflation, with a body connected to a gas pump and a fluid communication channel, and optionally including a sensor for tire thickness measurement to optimize needle height adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a standard valve on the rim is used for inflation, then the tire can be inflated, but the valve is difficult to access due to hubcaps and requires secure positioning to prevent air leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to valveVSAvoidair leak prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the inflation function from the traditional rim-mounted valve and relocates it to the tire sidewall. The inflator nozzle pierces the tire sidewall directly, eliminating the need for access to the rim valve through the hubcap area. This extraction of the inflation access point from the rim to the tire sidewall resolves the contradiction by making the inflation point accessible while maintaining sealing through the piercing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflator nozzle acts as an intermediary device that pierces the tire sidewall to create a direct fluid communication channel between the inflation source and the tire interior. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for a traditional valve assembly on the rim, providing both easy access (no hubcap interference) and reliable sealing (through the piercing action and nozzle design).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the needle protruding length is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different tire thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to tire thicknessVSAvoidneedle height adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamics by making the needle protruding length adjustable rather than fixed. The needle can be extended or retracted to match different tire sidewall thicknesses, allowing the same inflator device to work with various tire types. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by introducing a controlled degree of flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of needle protruding length from a fixed value to an adjustable variable. By allowing the needle length parameter to be modified according to the specific tire being inflated, the device achieves versatility across different tire thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through straightforward adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Simplifies the process of inflating or deflating self-repairing tires by allowing easy access and adjustment of inflation pressure, reducing air leaks and ensuring accurate pressure settings, while being adaptable to various tire sizes and types.

Implementation Method 1

the body comprising means for connection to a gas pump and comprising a fluid communication channel between the connection means and the needle, so as to allow the circulation of an inflation gas in the needle to inflate or deflate said tire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid communication:

Implementation Method 2

the inflator nozzle includes a sensor capable of measuring the thickness of a tire when the body of the inflator nozzle is placed on said tire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThickness measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3695990B1Inflator tip for self-repairing tyre
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 RENAULT SA
  • EP3695990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3695990B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3695990B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to an inflator nozzle (1) for a self-repairing tire, comprising a body (2) and a hollow needle (3) intended to be inserted into a self-repairing area of ​​a tire (8), the needle (3) comprising a projecting part (31) relative to the body (2), said projecting part (31) being capable of perforating said self-repairing area, the body (2) comprising means for connection (5) to a gas pump and comprising a fluidic communication channel (6) between the connection means (5) and the needle (3), so as to allow the circulation of an inflation gas in the needle (3) to inflate or deflate said tire (8).