Abstract
The invention relates to a valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) for a tubeless wheel, the wheel comprising a rim (1) and a tire (2), which form a tire/rim volume (10) that can be filled with air, and a puncture protection insert (5, 52, 54, 55, 56) positioned inside the tire/rim volume (10), the valve system comprising a valve stem body (82, 84, 86), which extends along a valve axis (A) and has a first end and a second end, and a valve base (72, 73, 74, 75, 76) adjoining said second end, the second end being positioned in the tire/rim volume (10) when the valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) is mounted on the wheel. The purpose of this is to simplify the insertion of a tube-like cannula or hollow needle of a tool for filling or extracting sealing fluid through the valve system into the tire/rim volume. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the valve base has an outer circumference that increases continuously along the valve axis (A) in the direction of the tire/rim volume, forming a thickened valve base end, and the valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) also comprises a sleeve (4, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the sleeve (4, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) connects to the thickened valve base end (72, 73, 74, 75, 76) and the sleeve (4, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) extends from there along the valve axis in a direction oriented away from the valve stem body (82, 84, 86).
Claims
1. A valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) for a tubeless wheel, the wheel comprising a rim (1) and a tire (2), which form a tire/rim volume (10) that can be filled with air, and a puncture protection insert (5, 52, 54, 55, 56) positioned inside the tire/rim volume (10), the valve system comprising: a valve stem body (82, 84, 86), which extends along a valve axis (A) and has a first end and a second end, and a valve base (72, 73, 74, 75, 76) adjoining the second end, the second end being positioned in the tire/rim volume (10) when the valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) is mounted on the wheel; wherein the valve base has an outer circumference that increases continuously along the valve axis (A) in the direction of the tire/rim volume, forming a thickened valve base end; and a sleeve (4, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the sleeve (4, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) connects to the thickened valve base end (72, 73, 74, 75, 76) and the sleeve (4, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) extends from the thickened valve base end (72, 73, 74, 75, 76) along the valve axis in a direction oriented away from the valve stem body (82, 84, 86).
2. The valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) for a tubeless wheel according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the sleeve (4, 42, 44, 45, 46) is positively connected to the valve base (72, 74, 75, 76).
3. The valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) for a tubeless wheel according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the sleeve (4, 42, 44, 45, 46) has a retaining section (21) that tapers conically toward the valve base (72, 74, 75, 76).
4. The valve system for a tubeless wheel according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the sleeve is non-positively connected to the valve base.
5. The valve system for a tubeless wheel according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (43) and the valve base (73) are embodied of one piece.
6. The valve system (6, 64) for a tubeless wheel according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (4, 44) has a second retaining section (22), which is spaced apart from the first end of the sleeve (4, 44) in the direction of the second end of the sleeve (4, 44), with a free cross-section inside the sleeve that is reduced in size with respect to the first retaining section of the sleeve.
7. The valve system (66) for a tubeless wheel according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (46) is stiffened by means of a supporting body (20).
8. The valve system (6, 64) for a tubeless wheel according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the sleeve (4, 44, 45) has a retaining edge (23) that enlarges the outer circumference of the sleeve (4, 44, 45).
9. A tubeless wheel with a valve system (6, 62, 64, 66) according to claim 1.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The present invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and associated drawings. In the drawings:
[0030] FIG. 1 shows an overview of the components of a tubeless wheel with a first embodiment of a valve system according to the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a valve system according to the invention;
[0032] FIG. 2.1 shows an enlarged view of a detail from FIG. 2 (second embodiment);
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a valve system according to the invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a valve system according to the invention;
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a valve system according to the invention; and
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a valve system according to the invention, together with tool for filling a sealant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] FIG. 1 shows the components of a tubeless wheel which, in addition to a rim 1 and a tire 2, also comprises a first embodiment of a valve system according to the invention for filling the wheel with air. The rim 1 and the casing of the tire 2 enclose a tire/rim volume 10, which can be sealed from the inside against air leakage by means of a liquid sealant 3. The sealant is filled into the tire/rim volume 10 by means of a tool not shown in FIG. 1 in that a hollow needle of this tool is guided through an air duct on the inside of the valve system until the free tip of the hollow needle enables the sealant, which can be fed through the hollow needle, to exit unhindered into the tire/rim volume 10. In a similar way, sealant that has reached the end of its useful life can also be sucked or pumped back out of the tire/rim volume 10 by means of such a hollow needle. In addition, a puncture protection insert 5 that extends over the entire circumference of the wheel is placed in the tire/rim volume 10 and protects the wheel from punctures that can be caused by heavy impact stresses on the wheel, e.g. when riding over curbs or the like. Such inserts can be of a wide variety of types. The puncture protection insert 5 shown as an example in FIG. 1 not only fills the rim/tire volume 10 in the region of the tire casing, but also extends into the free space between the opposing rim flanges of the rim 1 so that the beads of the tire 2 engaging in the rim flanges are held against the rim flanges from the inside by the insert 5. The valve system comprises a valve stem body 6, a valve base (not visible in FIG. 1), and a sleeve 4, which forms an extension of the valve axis of the valve system that passes through the insert 5 into the free tire/rim volume 10, i.e. the volume not filled by the insert 5.
[0038] FIGS. 2 and 2.1 show a second embodiment of the valve system according to the invention. This is installed in a tubeless wheel, which comprises a rim 1, a tire 2, and a puncture protection insert 52 in the form of an annular torus. The rim 1 and the casing of the tire 2 enclose a tire/rim volume 10, which can be sealed from the inside against air leakage by means of a liquid sealant 3. The puncture protection insert 52 has a cross-section that encloses an internal cavity in annular fashion. Unlike the puncture protection insert shown in FIG. 1, the puncture protection insert 52 does not extend into the region between the rim flanges, leaving this region unoccupied. The valve system 62 comprises a valve stem body 82, a valve base 72, and a sleeve 42, which is guided through the entire cross-section of the puncture protection insert 52 and in this way forms an extension of the valve system along the valve axis through the puncture protection insert 52. For this purpose, the puncture protection insert 52 has through openings whose dimensions are adapted to the dimensions of the sleeve 42. The valve base 72 has an outer circumference that increases continuously along the valve axis in the direction of the tire/rim volume 10, thereby forming a teardrop-shaped outer contour with a first, tapered valve base end oriented toward the valve stem body 82 and a second, thickened valve base end spaced apart therefrom. On the one hand, the tapered valve base end seals the gap between the valve stem body 82 and the surrounding opening of the valve receptacle in the inner rim bed of the rim 1 and on the other hand, it secures the valve stem body 82 against being axially withdrawn from the valve-receiving opening. In addition, the valve stem body 82 is anchored against the rim 1 from the outside under tensile preloading by means of a screwable nut 13. A sleeve 42 that extends the valve system into the tire/rim volume 10 is connected to the valve base 72 at the thickened valve base end. For this purpose, the sleeve 42 is positively connected at its first end by means of a first retaining section 21, which tapers conically toward the valve base 72, to a corresponding first retaining section of the valve base 72, which is positioned approximately in the transition region between the tapered valve base end and the thickened valve base end. This first retaining section 21 prevents the sleeve 42 from detaching from the valve base 72 as a result of a relative movement parallel to the valve axis and oriented away from the valve stem body 82. The inner diameter of the sleeve 42 is equal to or slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter of the valve base 72 at its thickened valve base end. This not only creates a sufficiently large free passage space for a cannula or hollow needle to be inserted, but in particular also increases the stability of the sleeve against bending or buckling in the event of stresses acting radially on the sleeve. This also reduces the forces acting in the contact region between the sleeve and the valve base, which reduces the risk of loosening or breakage in this contact region. This not only increases the stability of the sleeve as such, but also increases the stability and fatigue strength of its connection to the rest of the valve system.
[0039] In addition, an intermediate section with a cylindrical outer circumference, which is formed by the region of the maximum outer circumference of the thickened valve base end of the valve base 72, not only frictionally anchors the sleeve 42 against being displaced along the valve axis but also supports it against tilting relative to the valve axis.
[0040] According to a third embodiment of the valve system according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve 43 and the valve base 73 are embodied of one piece, i.e. as an integral component. The sleeve 43 is formed onto the valve base 73 as an element that extends the valve system along the valve axis; the sleeve 43 and valve base 73 can be manufactured in a combined production step in the multi-component injection molding process. In this case, the sleeve 73 has the same outer contour as the valve base 73. Such a one-piece embodiment of sleeve 43 and valve base 73 improves the sealing of the valve system against the passage of fluids.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the valve system according to the invention. It is mounted in a tubeless wheel, which comprises a rim 1, a tire 2, and a puncture protection insert 54. The rim 1 and the casing of the tire 2 enclose a tire/rim volume 10, which can be sealed from the inside against air leakage by means of a liquid sealant 3. The puncture protection insert 54 has a cross-section that is compact, compared to the puncture protection insert 52 shown in FIG. 2, and that also extends into a partial region between the rim flanges and anchors the beads of the tire 2 against the rim flanges there. Similarly to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the valve system 64 also comprises a valve stem body 84, a valve base 74, and a sleeve 44, which is guided through the entire cross-section of the puncture protection insert 54 and in this way forms an extension of the valve system along the valve axis through the puncture protection insert 54. For this purpose, the puncture protection insert 54 has through openings whose dimensions are adapted to the dimensions of the sleeve 44. T he longitudinal span of the sleeve 44 is adapted to the dimensions of the puncture protection insert 54 in relation to the valve axis and is therefore shorter than the sleeve 42 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2. At its first end, the sleeve 44 is positively connected to the valve base 74 by means of a frustoconical first retaining section 21, which tapers toward the valve base 74. This above-mentioned first retaining section 21 prevents the sleeve 44 from detaching from the valve base 74 by means of a first relative movement parallel to the valve axis and oriented away from the valve stem body 84. The inner diameter of the sleeve 44 is equal to or slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter of the valve base 74. In addition, an intermediate section of the valve base 74 with a cylindrical outer circumference not only frictionally anchors the sleeve 44 against displacement along the valve axis, but also supports it against tilting in relation to the valve axis.
[0042] The special feature of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 compared to the above-mentioned embodiments according to FIG. 1 or 2 is that in addition to the first retaining section 21, the sleeve 44 also has a second retaining section 22 which, similarly to the first retaining section, reduces the free cross-section inside the sleeve 44, but has a smaller free cross-section than the first retaining section. This second retaining section cooperates with a corresponding second retaining section of the valve base 74 at the thickened valve base end. With respect to the first retaining section 21, this second retaining section 22 adjoins the distal or opposite second end of the above-mentioned intermediate section of the valve base 74. The first retaining section 21 and the second retaining section 22 thus form a retaining device, which embraces the valve base 74 on both sides in relation to the valve axis, prevents a relative movement between the sleeve 44 and valve base 74 in both axial directions along the valve axis, and thus positions the valve base 74 immovably in relation to the sleeve. The second retaining means 22 consists of a flexible material so that in the context of the mounting of the valve system, the cross-section of the second retaining means initially expands when the sleeve is pulled over the valve base 74 and springs back into its initial shape in the manner of a snap mechanism when the intended positioning of the sleeve 44 with respect to the valve base 74 is reached. Another special feature of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 compared to the above-mentioned embodiments shown in FIG. 1 or 2 is that the sleeve 44 has a third retaining section at its distal second end in the form of a retaining edge 23 that enlarges the outer circumference of the sleeve. This prevents an axial movement of the insert 54 in the direction of the second end of the sleeve.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the valve system according to the invention. In this embodiment, in a modification relative to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 45 is extended so far beyond the valve base 75 in the direction of the valve stem body that the sleeve 45 is clamped between the valve base 75 and rim 1 when a valve system is mounted in a tubeless wheel, thus producing a seal of the tire/rim volume 10 against the rim 1 in the region of the valve system.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the valve system according to the invention. This is mounted in a tubeless wheel, which comprises a rim 1, a tire 2, and a puncture protection insert 56. The rim 1 and the casing of the tire 2 enclose a tire/rim volume 10, which can be sealed from the inside against air leakage by means of a liquid sealant 3. The puncture protection insert 56, similar to the insert 54 shown in FIG. 4, has a compact cross-section, which also extends into a partial region between the rim flanges and anchors the beads of the tire 2 against the rim flanges there. Similarly to all of the above-mentioned embodiments, the valve system 66 also comprises a valve stem body 86, a valve base 76, and a sleeve 46, which is guided through the entire cross-section of the puncture protection insert 56 and in this way forms an extension of the valve system along the valve axis through the puncture protection insert 56. For this purpose, the puncture protection insert 56 has through openings whose dimensions are adapted to the dimensions of the sleeve 46. The sleeve 46 is positively connected to the valve base 76 at its first end by means of a frustoconical first retaining section 21 that tapers toward the valve base 76. This above-mentioned first retaining section 21 prevents the sleeve 46 from detaching from the valve base 76 by means of a first relative movement parallel to the valve axis and oriented away from the valve stem body 86. The special feature of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 compared to the above-mentioned embodiments is that the sleeve 46 is reinforced by means of an internal supporting body 20, which is also sleeve-shaped. To increase stability and improve the supporting effect of the supporting body 20, the sleeve 46 has an enlarged longitudinal span. The supporting body 20 consists of a material with a higher modulus of elasticity, e.g. a hard rubber with a Shore hardness of 50D, which exerts a shape-stabilizing action on the (softer) sleeve. By contrast, the sleeve 46 is made of a material with a lower modulus of elasticity, e.g. a soft rubber with a Shore hardness of 45A, which has good form-fitting properties in the contact region with the valve base 76 and enables the sleeve 46 to be easily mounted on the valve base 76.
[0045] FIG. 6 also shows a tool for sucking the liquid sealant 3 out of the tire/rim volume 10. The sealant 3 has collected at the lowest point of the wheel under the influence of gravity; the wheel is shown in a position in which the valve system 66 is approximately at the 6 o'clock position in relation to the wheel circumference (i.e. is likewise at the lowest position). The valve core is removed from the valve system 65 to permit a hollow needle 9 of this above-mentioned tool to pass through it; the valve flaps 15 are secured in the open position by the hollow needle 9 that has been guided through them.
[0046] All the above-mentioned embodiments share the fact that the valve system also comprises a valve core 12 and is locked against the rim 1 in the direction of the valve axis by means of a nut 13 that can be screwed onto an external thread of the valve stem body. In the opposite direction from this, the valve system is held against the rim 1 by the outer contour of the valve base, which thickens along the valve axis A. In addition, the valve system shown in all of the exemplary embodiments has valve flaps 15 made of rubber in a manner known from the prior art, which are provided on the underside of each valve base oriented in the direction of the tire/rim volume 10 and form a safeguard that prevents air loss from the wheel when the valve cores are removed from the valve system.
[0047] One possible procedure for mounting the valve system according to the invention in a tubeless wheel is to push the valve stem body provided with the valve base through the sleeve in a first step and to fasten the sleeve to the valve base (this first step is of course not necessary if the valve base and sleeve are embodied of one piece). In a second step, the valve system (together with the sleeve) is pulled through the opening provided for this purpose in the anti-puncture insert. In the third and final step, the resulting subassembly is inserted into the tire/rim volume of the wheel, with the valve stem body being guided from the inside of the rim through the valve opening of the rim and anchored against the rim there by means of a screwable nut 13 from the outside of the rim. Alternatively, the valve system (together with the sleeve) can be pulled through the opening in a puncture protection insert that is already mounted in the tire/rim volume of the wheel.
