Tire Valve Assembly With Self-Aligning TPMS Rotational Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire valves with electronic devices require skilled operations to mount them in a predetermined normal rotational position relative to the tire wheel, considering centrifugal forces.

Innovation Solution

A tire valve design featuring a support ring and guide parts that automatically align the electronic device into a normal rotational position relative to the tire wheel during assembly, using interference avoidance parts and guide slopes to correct misalignments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic device is mounted in a predetermined normal rotational position around the valve mount hole to consider centrifugal force, then the reliability of the tire valve is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as it requires deft skills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of tire valveVSAvoidease of mounting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide parts on the support ring and electronic device enable the components to self-align during assembly. As the nut is fastened and the support ring and electronic device approach each other, the guide parts automatically guide them into the correct rotational position without requiring operator skill or intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide parts are pre-formed on the support ring and electronic device before assembly. These guide parts create predetermined sliding paths that automatically guide the components into the correct rotational position during the fastening process, eliminating the need for skilled manual alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If guide parts are provided to automatically align the support ring and electronic device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mounting operationVSAvoidcomplexity of tire valve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide parts are integrated into the existing structures of the support ring and electronic device rather than being separate components. The guide parts on the support ring and the corresponding guide parts on the electronic device are combined to form a unified alignment mechanism that simplifies the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the support ring and electronic device are automatically guided to the normal rotational position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational position precisionVSAvoidcomplexity of alignment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide parts enable the support ring and electronic device to self-align during assembly through automatic mechanical guidance. The sliding action of the guide parts during fastening automatically positions the components with the required precision without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide parts are pre-formed with specific geometries that create predetermined sliding paths. These pre-formed guide parts ensure that when the nut is fastened and the components approach each other, they automatically follow the correct path to achieve the precise normal rotational position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4173854B1Tire valve
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO LTD
  • EP4173854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4173854B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4173854B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To propose a technique that can facilitate the operation of attaching a tire valve to a tire wheel such that an electronic device is set in a normal rotational position. [Solution] The tire valve 10A of the present disclosure includes: a valve stem 11 passed through a valve mount hole 92 of a rim 91 and screwed with a nut 40, a retaining part 13 extending sideways from a proximal end of the valve stem 11, an electronic device 50 having a connection part 52A that fits onto an outer side of the retaining part 13, and a support ring 30A set on the valve stem 11, the support ring and a portion of the connection part 52A being sandwiched between the retaining part 13 and an opening edge of the valve mount hole 92 by fastening the nut. The support ring 30A and electronic device 50 include guide parts (a pair of guide slopes 35 and a pair of tapered guide surfaces 57), which slide on each other by fastening the nut thereby causing the support ring 30A and electronic device 50 to approach to guide the support ring 30A and electronic device 50 toward the normal rotational position.