Valve Core Gripper with Collet for Stuck Tire Valve Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valve cores often become stuck in tire or refrigeration systems, making it difficult to remove or insert them without damaging the surrounding area, requiring specialized tools and posing challenges during maintenance or service.
Innovation Solution
A valve core gripper device with a grasping collet that extends from the remover end to securely grip the valve core, utilizing a bias spring and retractor assembly for easy insertion or removal, and can be made from high-impact materials like stainless steel for strength and anti-friction properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tools are used to remove or insert valve cores, then the operation can be performed, but the valve core often becomes stuck and damages the surrounding area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized gripper tool as an intermediary device between the operator and the valve core. This tool features a collet with gripping surfaces that securely hold the valve core, allowing for controlled removal and insertion without direct manual manipulation that could cause damage to the housing or surrounding area.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper tool is divided into distinct functional segments: a collet portion with multiple gripping surfaces that can independently contact the valve core, and a handle portion. This segmentation allows the gripping surfaces to conform to the valve core geometry while distributing applied forces to prevent housing damage.
2Ease of operation
If specialized tools are used to remove stuck valve cores, then the valve core can be removed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper tool is designed with universal applicability to work with various valve core types and sizes. The collet features adjustable or conformal gripping surfaces that can accommodate different valve core geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper incorporates a dynamic gripping mechanism where the collet can expand or contract to securely hold the valve core. This dynamic adjustment allows the tool to adapt to different valve core dimensions and grip strengths, simplifying operation while maintaining effectiveness on stuck valves.
3Force
If force is applied to remove a stuck valve core, then the valve core can be extracted, but damage to the housing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper tool serves as a force-transmitting intermediary between the operator and the valve core. The collet is designed to contact only the valve core body, isolating the housing from direct force application. This allows sufficient extraction force to be applied to stuck valve cores without transmitting damaging forces to the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping surfaces of the collet are locally optimized to contact specific portions of the valve core that can withstand extraction forces. The gripping geometry is designed to concentrate forces on the valve core body while avoiding contact with or transmission of forces to the more fragile housing structures.
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
Enables safe and efficient removal or insertion of valve cores from tire or refrigeration systems without damaging the housing, facilitating maintenance and service operations while ensuring durability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a bias spring and retractor assembly
Implementation Method 2
made from high-impact materials like stainless steel for strength and anti-friction properties
Data Source
AI summary
A valve core gripper device is capable of providing a gripping and a grasping collet, that extends out of the remover end and clips onto the small ball end of a valve core, to insert or remove a valve core. This device has many uses due to available modifications including, but not limited, a tire valve, a refrigerator, and a high pressure tire valve. The device may permit the valve to receive or expel gas.