JP6874969B2 - Air chuck - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air chuck connected to a valve of a tire.

Conventionally, in a large vehicle such as a truck or a bus, a so-called double tire, which is a mounting form in which two tires are connected and used like one tire, is known. Such a mounting form is also called a twin tire or a dual tire.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing only the vicinity of the upper part of the tire in a cross section including the axle (not shown) of a general double tire. Here, an example is shown in which a double tire is formed by combining an inner tire Ti located near the center of the vehicle and an outer tire To located away from the center of the vehicle.

Each of the tires Ti and To constituting the double tire having such a configuration has valves Vi and Vo for filling air and measuring the tire pressure. The connection of the air chuck to these valves is realized by inserting the air chuck into the decorative hole K formed in the wheel Wo of the outer tire To.

As shown in the figure, in a general double tire, the tip (that is, the connection port) of the valve Vi of the inner tire Ti located near the center of the vehicle faces the outside of the vehicle and is away from the center of the vehicle. The tip (that is, the connection port) of the valve Vo of the outer tire To located on the side faces the center side of the vehicle.

Therefore, when it is desired to perform the air filling work and the tire pressure measurement with such a double tire mounted on the vehicle, the operator can apply the valve Vi of the inner tire Ti from the outside of the vehicle to the operator. If the connection port of the air chuck is inserted in the direction C1 toward the center (so-called pushing direction), the connection port of the air chuck can be connected to the valve Vi.

On the other hand, for the valve Vo of the outer tire To, as shown in FIG. 10, the operator inserts the connection port of the air chuck into the decorative hole K (pushing direction C1), and then from the inside of the vehicle. By moving the connection port of the air chuck in the direction C2 (so-called pulling direction) toward the outside of the vehicle, the connection port must be connected to the valve Vo.

In particular, in the case of a wheel having a small wheel diameter or a diameter of a decorative hole, it may be extremely difficult to connect the air chuck to the valve of the outer tire of such a double tire.

Furthermore, from the viewpoint of airtightness and safety, the air chuck is equipped with a mechanism that engages with the valve so that the connection port of the air chuck does not separate from the valve when it is connected to the valve. Such an engaging mechanism can be disconnected by the operator operating a movable component for disconnecting provided near the connection port of the air chuck.

However, when connecting the air chuck to the valve of the outer tire of the double tire as described above, the connection port of the air chuck is in the state of being inserted into the decorative hole of the wheel, even if the air chuck can be connected to the valve. However, there are cases where it is very difficult or impossible to operate the moving parts for disconnection as described above.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even when the air chuck is connected to a valve that needs to be connected by a so-called pulling operation and is in a position that is difficult for an operator to reach. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air chuck that does not impair the operability when disconnecting from the valve.

In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present invention, the ventilation pipe and one end of the ventilation pipe are connected to the connection port of the tire valve so as to be visible from the other end side of the ventilation pipe, and the connection is made. When the mouth is connected to the tire valve, the head that allows the inside of the ventilation pipe and the inside of the tire to communicate with each other so as to be ventilated, and the head are elastically pressed toward the first position, and the elasticity It can move to the second position by being pressed against the force, allowing the head to engage with the tire valve at the first position, and allowing the head to engage with the tire valve at the second position. A release member that disengages the tire valve, and at least a part of the release member can be slid along the longitudinal direction of the ventilation pipe by user operation, and the release member is moved by the first slide operation. The present invention relates to an air chuck including a slide member for pressing and moving from the position of the above to the second position.

According to the present invention, even when the air chuck is connected to a valve that needs to be connected by a so-called pulling operation and is in a position that is difficult for the operator to reach, the operability when disconnecting from the valve is impaired. It is possible to provide an air chuck that does not exist.

It is an external view which shows the whole structure of the air chuck which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the basic structure of the air chuck by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation of the slide member in the air chuck by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows the state which the air chuck according to 1st Embodiment of this invention is inserted into the decorative hole of a wheel. It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows the state which connected the air chuck by 1st Embodiment of this invention to the valve of the outer tire in a double tire. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which an air chuck is connected to a valve of an outer tire in a double tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and an air pressure operation or an air pressure measurement is performed on the outer tire. It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows the state of disconnecting with a valve by using the slide member in the air chuck according to 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the state that the air chuck according to 1st Embodiment of this invention is retracted from a valve after disconnection with a valve. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the air chuck by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the valve position in a general double tire.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
First, the air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an external view showing the overall configuration of the air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a basic configuration of an air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The air chuck 1 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a ventilation pipe 110, a head 120, a release member 130, a connection member 140, a grip portion 150, and a slide member 160.

The ventilation pipe 110 is a pipe-shaped member formed of a metal material such as iron. A head 120 is connected to one end side of the ventilation pipe 110 via a connecting member 140, and a grip portion 150 is provided on the other end side.

Specifically, the head 120 has a connection port H2 for connecting to the tire valve, and the connection port H2 is connected to one end of the ventilation pipe 110 so as to be visible from the other end side of the ventilation pipe 110. Further, the head 120 has a ventilation path inside the head 120, and when the connection port H2 is connected to the tire valve, the inside of the ventilation pipe 110 and the inside of the tire are made to communicate with each other so as to be able to ventilate.

Note that the connection port H2 of the head 120 is "visible from the other end side", it is necessary that the central axis of the connection port H2 (axis 120x shown in FIG. 2) faces exactly parallel to the ventilation pipe 110. If at least a part of the connection port H2 can be visually recognized from the other end side of the ventilation pipe 110, it is included in the concept of "visible from the other end side".

Here, as an example, a configuration in which the head 120 is held by the connecting member 140 in the ventilation pipe 110 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, one end of the ventilation pipe 110 bent in a U shape. The head 120 may be directly connected to the head 120.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the direction of the connection port H2 of the head 120 is fixed is illustrated as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the head 120 is attached to one end of the ventilation pipe 110. It can be held rotatably, and the direction of the connection port H2 in the head 120 can be arbitrarily changed according to the position of the valve of the target wheel.

Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which only one connection port is provided in the head 120 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which connection ports are provided on both sides of the head 120. It can also be.

The release member 130 is, for example, a resin or metal tubular member. The release member 130 is elastically pressed by, for example, a spiral spring S or the like in the direction of the arrow N2 toward the first position P1 with respect to the head 120 in a state where the vicinity of the tip of the head 120 is located inside the release member 130. It is possible to move to the second position P2 by being pressed in the direction of the arrow N1 against the elastic force. The release member 130 allows the head 120 to engage with the tire valve at the first position P1 and releases the engagement of the head 120 with the tire valve at the second position P2.

As an example of the specific internal configuration (internal mechanism) of the head 120 here, a known general mechanism can be adopted, and for example, a 4-SCM chuck (registered trademark) manufactured by Asahi Sangyo Co., Ltd. (registered trademark) can be adopted. ), Etc. are mentioned. Of course, the configuration of the head 120 is not limited to these examples, and the release member 130 moves between the first position P1 and the second position P2 in conjunction with the slide operation of the slide member 160. Other structures can be adopted as appropriate.

In the head 120 of the present embodiment, the tire valve can be moved by, for example, pushing the connection port H2 into the tire valve in a state where the release member 130 is in the first position P1 and the engagement with the tire valve is allowed. Engage in the connection port H2. The engagement state between the tire valve and the connection port H2 which are pushed and engaged with the tire valve in this way is released by moving the above-mentioned release member 130 to the second position P2. ..

The grip portion 150 is, for example, a rubber tubular member, and is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the other end of the ventilation pipe 110. The grip portion 150 is a handle portion for the operator to grip when holding the air chuck 1, and at the same time, also plays a role of avoiding interference with the wheel by covering the outer periphery of the ventilation pipe 110.

Further, although the present embodiment illustrates a configuration in which the grip portion 150 is provided at the other end of the ventilation pipe 110, it does not necessarily have to be provided at the strict end portion. Further, the grip portion 150 is not an essential component for the air chuck, and if the ventilation pipe 110 can be held as a result, the outer peripheral surface of the ventilation pipe 110 may be subjected to anti-slip treatment, or the air chuck may be subjected to anti-slip treatment. If there is no problem in holding the ventilation pipe, the outer peripheral surface of the ventilation pipe to which no special anti-slip treatment is not provided may be simply exposed without providing the grip portion 150.

The slide member 160 is a tubular member through which the ventilation pipe 110 is inserted, and can be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the ventilation pipe 110 by a user operation. The slide member 160 presses the end portion of the release member 130 with the slide operation, and presses and moves the release member 130 from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

In this way, by adopting the tubular member as the slide member 160, even if a relatively inexpensive soft material such as resin is adopted, the pressing force in the slide direction is surely transmitted to the release member 130, and the first It can be pressed and moved to the position P2 of 2. Needless to say, a tubular metal member can be used as the slide member 160.

By adopting a soft tubular member such as resin as the slide member 160, the slide member 160 also partially serves as a cover for the ventilation pipe, and when the ventilation pipe portion of the air chuck is inserted into the decorative hole of the wheel. It is possible to prevent the ventilation pipe from damaging the wheel.

Here, the slide member 160 is not limited to the tubular member, and as a result, at least a part of the slide member 160 can be slid along the longitudinal direction of the ventilation pipe, and the slide member 130 is moved to the second position P2 by the slide. Various shapes that can be pressed up to can be adopted.

By constructing the slide member 160 with an elastic material, for example, even when it is desired to adopt a ventilation pipe bent in relation to the decorative hole of the wheel, the slide member 160 is deformed along the shape of the ventilation pipe. Can be slid.

Specifically, as the material of the slide member 160, a resin-based material such as elastomer, urethane, or nylon, or a rubber-based material can be adopted. Of course, the material is not limited to the specific materials mentioned here, and any material may have good sliding characteristics with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the ventilation pipe 110. Further, when the structure in which the ventilation 110 is bent is adopted, it is desirable that the material is flexibly deformable along the outer shape of the ventilation pipe.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ventilation pipe 110 is at a predetermined position B closer to one end (closer to the head 120) than the central position in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the head 120 is directed from the head 120 side toward the other end side of the ventilation pipe 110. It is bent in a direction away from the central axis 120x of the above (see FIG. 2).

Here, the "center axis of the head" is a shaft 120x passing through the center of the connection port H2 of the head 120, and the moving direction of the head when the head 120 is connected to the valve (arrow C2 shown in FIG. 10). The axis is parallel to the direction).

With such a configuration, when the head 120 is connected to the tire valve, the other end side of the ventilation pipe is in a positional relationship away from the wall surface of the wheel, and it is easy to avoid contact of the air chuck with the wheel. It has become.

Further, as a result, when the slide member 160 made of the elastic member is slid and pressed to the second position P2, the slide member 160 presses the end face of the release member 130 while deforming toward the side away from the head 120. That is, due to factors such as deformation of the elastic member used for the slide member 160, the end portion of the slide member 160 comes into contact not only with the release member 130 but also with the end portion on the connection port H2 side of the head 120, resulting in this. There is no situation in which the release member 130 cannot be slid.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the slide member in the air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the slide member 160 is slid in the direction of the arrow M1 by the operation of the operator, a part of the tip of the slide member 160 in the moving direction of the arrow M1 is a part of the end of the release member 130 near the connection port H2. Contact. When the slide member 160 is further slid in the direction of the arrow M1 from this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the release member 130 is pressed in the direction of the arrow N1 by the end of the slide member 160, and the first position P1 Move from to the second position P2 by the distance D. As a result of the release member 130 being moved to the second position P2 in this way, the engagement state of the head 120 with respect to the valve is released, and the valve can be detached from the connection port H2 of the head 120.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the decorative hole of the wheel. As shown in the figure, when the air chuck 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to the valve Vo of the outer tire To in the double tire, the air chuck 1 is first connected from the head 120 side to the decorative hole K of the wheel Wo in the direction of the arrow C1. Insert in.

Subsequently, by moving the air chuck 1 toward the tire valve Vo in the direction of the arrow C2, the tire valve Vo is inserted into the connection port H2 of the head 120, and the connection port of the head 120 is inserted by a known internal mechanism of the head 120. H2 and the tire valve Vo are in an engaged state.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the valve Vo of the outer tire To in the double tire. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the valve Vo of the outer tire To of the double tire, and is connected to the hose U connected to the opening H1 on the other end side of the ventilation pipe 110. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state of performing the air filling work or the air pressure measurement of the outer tire To.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the position of the connection port H2 in the head 120 in the longitudinal direction is within a predetermined wheel group in which the connection port H2 of the head 120 is defined as a connection target of the air chuck. In the state of being connected to the tire valve of the wheel having the smallest diameter, at least a part of the end E on the head 120 side of the air chuck 1 is set so as not to be located in the space inside the decorative hole K of the wheel having the smallest diameter. ing.

Here, as an example, the "wheel having the smallest diameter in the predetermined wheel group defined as the connection target of the air chuck" includes a 19.5 inch wheel according to the ISO standard.

For example, as a more specific example of "the smallest diameter wheel in a predetermined wheel group", an ISO-compliant 19.5 inch wheel manufactured by ALCOA WHEELS® as of the filing date of the present patent application. Aluminum wheels and the like can be mentioned.

When the head 120 of the air chuck according to the present invention is connected to the valve of the wheel having the smallest diameter in the predetermined wheel group defined as the connection target of the air chuck as described above, the head side of the air chuck is connected. At least a part of the end E of the wheel is designed not to be located in the space inside the decorative hole of these wheels (that is, the distance from the end on the head side of the entire air chuck to the connection port H2 of the head 120 is long). It has become.

Therefore, even if the size of the air chuck near the end E on the head 120 side becomes large due to design reasons, at least a part of the portion is inside the decorative hole when the air chuck is connected to the tire valve. Since it does not exist, the problem of interference between the vicinity of the end portion E on the head side of the air chuck and the decorative hole does not occur. This not only prevents the wheel from being damaged due to the interference between the decorative hole and the head 120, but also alleviates the dimensional restriction near the end E of the air chuck on the head 120 side, resulting in a degree of freedom in design. Can be enhanced.

In addition, the "predetermined wheel group specified as a connection target" is explicitly or implicitly assumed to use the air chuck regardless of whether it is clearly expressed in the catalog or specifications. It means a group of wheels to be used.

Further, the "space in the decorative hole" means the space of the portion of the target wheel that has been removed for the formation of the decorative hole. In other words, it means the space obtained as the difference between the wheel in the state where the decorative hole is not formed and the wheel in the state where the decorative hole is formed.

That is, the position of the connection port H2 in the head 120 in the longitudinal direction is the tire of the wheel having the smallest diameter in the predetermined wheel group in which the connection port H2 of the head 120 is defined as the connection target of the air chuck 1. In the state of being connected to the valve, at least a part of the end E on the head 120 side of the air chuck 1 penetrates the decorative hole of the wheel having the smallest diameter and is located on the opposite side (center side of the vehicle) of the wheel. There is.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the air chuck according to the first embodiment of the present invention is disconnected from the valve by using a slide member.

The operator slides the slide member 160 in the direction of the arrow M1 in order to release the engaged state shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and separate the connection port H2 of the head 120 of the air chuck 1 from the tire valve Vo. Along with this, the release member 130 provided on the head 120 moves to the second position P2 in the direction of the arrow N1. When the release member 130 is moved to the second position P2, the engagement state of the head 120 with the tire valve Vo is released by the action of the release member 130. Therefore, the air chuck 1 is shown in FIG. By moving in the direction of the arrow C3 shown, the connection port H2 of the head 120 can be separated from the tire valve Vo.

In this way, when releasing the engagement state of the head 120 with the tire valve Vo, while pushing the slide member 160 in the direction of the arrow M1, the entire air chuck 1 also faces the same direction as the arrow M1. Just push it in the direction. That is, for example, by continuing to push the slide member 160 in the direction of the arrow M1, the operator can realize both the disengagement state of the head 120 with the tire valve Vo and the separation of the head 120 from the valve Vo. ..

When the slide member 160 is composed of a tubular elastic member, the slide member 160 is deformed at the bending position B, so that a strong frictional force acts between the slide member 160 and the ventilation pipe 110, and the operator operates. The slide member 160 may hold the release member 130 in a state of being pressed to the second position P2 (disengaged state) even if the slide member 160 is released from the slide member 160. it can.

In this way, when the connection port H2 of the head 120 is separated from the tire valve Vo and pulled out from the decorative hole K, the end 120e (FIG. 2) on the connection port H2 side of the head 120 of the air chuck 1 according to the present embodiment is formed. , Since it is located near the bending position B of the ventilation pipe 110 (the ventilation pipe 110 is bent near the connection position of the head 120 to the tire valve Vo), the center is near the connection position of the head 120 to the tire valve Vo. When the posture of the air chuck 1 is changed, the interference with the wheel wall surface, the inner wall of the decorative hole K of the ventilation pipe 110, and the edge portion can be minimized.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ventilation pipe 110 exemplifies a configuration in which the ventilation pipe 110 is bent at one place, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ventilation pipe 110 may be a pipe that is bent at a plurality of places. Further, as for the bending method of the ventilation pipe, a configuration in which the ventilation pipe is bent so as to draw a gentle arc or a configuration in which the ventilation pipe is bent at an acute angle can be adopted.

Further, according to the air chuck according to the present embodiment, the wheel wall surface having a free curved surface and having a high design property is formed without damaging the wheel surface that emphasizes the aesthetic appearance such as mirror finish. It is possible to reliably connect and disconnect the tire valve while avoiding interference with the tire valve.

(Second Embodiment)
Subsequently, the air chuck according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The air chuck according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the air chuck according to the first embodiment described above, and the shape of the ventilation pipe is the air chuck according to the first embodiment. It's different. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given to the parts having substantially the same functions as the constituent parts described in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the air chuck 1'according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the ventilation pipe 110'in the air chuck 1'according to the second embodiment is a linear tubular member. Since the structure has no bending point in the middle like the tubular member 110'in the present embodiment, the slide member 160 does not need to be deformed along the outer shape of the ventilation pipe 110 with the sliding operation. Therefore, the shape member 110'in the present embodiment is not limited to the elastic material, and can be formed of a highly rigid material such as a metal material.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the following air chuck can be provided.
(1) Vent pipe and
A connection port with a tire valve is connected to one end of the ventilation pipe so as to be visible from the other end side of the ventilation pipe, and when the connection port is connected to the tire valve, the inside of the ventilation pipe and the inside of the tire With a head that allows ventilation to communicate with
The head is elastically pressed toward the first position with respect to the head, and can be moved to the second position by being pressed against the elastic force, and the head can be moved to the second position at the first position. A release member that allows the head to engage with the tire valve and disengages the head from the tire valve at the second position.
A slide member that can slide at least a part along the longitudinal direction of the ventilation pipe by a user operation and presses and moves the release member from the first position to the second position in accordance with the slide operation. And with an air chuck.
(2) The position of the connection port of the head in the longitudinal direction of the air chuck is the smallest diameter wheel in a predetermined wheel group in which the connection port of the head is defined as a connection target of the air chuck. It is characterized in that at least a part of the end portion of the air chuck on the head side is not positioned in the space in the decorative hole of the wheel having the smallest diameter when connected to the tire valve. The air chuck according to (1).
(3) The air chuck according to (1), wherein the slide member is a tubular member through which the ventilation pipe is inserted.
(4) The air chuck according to (3), wherein the slide member is made of an elastic material.
(5) The ventilation pipe is bent in a direction away from the central axis of the head from the head side toward the other end side of the ventilation pipe at a predetermined position closer to one end than the central position in the longitudinal direction thereof. The air chuck according to (1).
(6) The air chuck according to (5), wherein the end portion of the head on the connection port side is located near the predetermined position.

The present invention can be practiced in various other forms without departing from its spirit or key features. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be construed in a limited way. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, and is not bound by the text of the specification. Moreover, all modifications, modifications, substitutions and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

1,1'air chuck, 110,110' vent pipe, 120 head, 130 release member, 140 connection member, 150 grip part, 160 slide member.

Claims (6)

Vent pipe and
A ventilation path that is folded back toward the other end of the ventilation pipe by connecting a connecting member to one end of the ventilation pipe or by providing a U-shaped portion in the ventilation pipe.
Connection port to other ear valve is connected to the folded vent channel so as to be visible from the other end of the vent pipe, and the vent pipe inside and the tire when the connection port is connected to the tire valve With a head that allows ventilation to communicate with
The head is elastically pressed toward the first position with respect to the head, and can be moved to the second position by being pressed against the elastic force, and the head can be moved to the second position at the first position. A release member that allows the head to engage with the tire valve and disengages the head from the tire valve at the second position.
By user operation, at least a part of the ventilation pipe can be slid along the longitudinal direction of the ventilation pipe, and by sliding toward one end side of the ventilation pipe, the release member is moved to the tip side portion of the first release member. An air chuck comprising a slide member that can be pressed and moved from the position of the above to the second position. The folded portion of the ventilation path is formed in a state where the connection port of the head is connected to the tire valve of the wheel having the smallest diameter in a predetermined wheel group defined as a connection target of the air chuck . The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a portion having a maximum width in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction penetrates a decorative hole of the wheel having the smallest diameter and is connected to the head so as to be located on the opposite side of the wheel. The described air chuck. The air chuck according to claim 1, wherein the slide member is a tubular member through which the ventilation pipe is inserted. The air chuck according to claim 3, wherein the slide member is made of an elastic material. The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the ventilation pipe is bent in a direction away from the central axis of the head from the head side toward the other end side of the ventilation pipe at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction thereof. Air chuck. The air chuck according to claim 5, wherein the end portion of the head on the connection port side is located near the predetermined position.

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