Tire Valve Stem Weight Balancing for Secure Wheel Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire valve stems lack a secure fixation mechanism to the tire wheel, which can lead to instability and potential detachment during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve stem with a pipe-shaped stem body containing a valve core, an elastomeric cover member, and a weight adjustment member made of a higher specific gravity material (e.g., iron) embedded in the cover member, positioned closer to the distal end, which engages with the valve mounting hole and adjusts the weight balance for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve stem with elastomeric cover is used, then the manufacturing cost is low and the structure is simple, but the valve stem cannot be securely fixed to the tire wheel and may detach during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the elastomeric cover member with a metal embedding member having different material properties. The embedding member is embedded within the elastomeric cover to provide secure fixation to the tire wheel while the elastomer provides flexibility and sealing. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable fixation without requiring a completely new complex device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the nesting principle by embedding the metal embedding member inside the elastomeric cover member. The embedding member is positioned within the cover such that its outer peripheral surface is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cover, creating a nested configuration. This allows the fixation function to be integrated within the existing cover structure rather than adding external components.
2Reliability
If the valve stem structure is simplified for easy manufacture, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the valve stem lacks the weight balance needed to resist centrifugal forces during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the weight adjustment function in a specific localized region through the embedding member, rather than distributing weight throughout the entire valve stem. The embedding member is positioned at a specific location within the elastomeric cover to provide the necessary counterbalance against centrifugal forces. This localized approach achieves the required mechanical performance without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials to achieve weight balance by embedding a metal member with different density properties within the elastomeric cover. The metal embedding member provides the necessary weight to counteract centrifugal forces during vehicle operation, while the elastomeric material maintains flexibility and sealing properties. This composite approach achieves weight balance without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If a weight adjustment member is embedded in the cover member to improve weight balance, then the fixation security is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming the embedding member with its specific shape and dimensions before embedding it into the elastomeric cover. The embedding member is prepared in advance with the appropriate geometry to engage with the tire wheel valve hole, and then this pre-prepared component is embedded into the cover during the molding process. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to creating the embedded structure in a single complex step.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
[Object] The object is to allow a tire valve to be securely fixed to a tire wheel. [Solution] A valve stem 10, to be mounted to a valve mounting hole 81H of a tire wheel 81, includes a stem body 20 that is pipe-shaped, contains a valve core 11 inside, and has a proximal end to which an electrical circuit unit 90 is fixed, and a cover member 40 made of elastomer and covering an outer side of the stem body. The valve stem 10 includes an engagement groove 41 formed on an outer circumferential surface of a proximal end of the cover member 40 to engage with an opening edge of the valve mounting hole 81H, and a weight adjustment member 50 having a higher specific gravity than the cover member 40 and made of a material different from that of the stem body 20. The weight adjustment member is embedded in the cover member 40 and positioned closer to a distal end of the cover member than the engagement groove 41.