Air valve based on memory alloy driving and air valve module

Abstract

The utility model provides an air valve and an air valve module based on memory alloy driving, which comprise a shell, an air cavity is arranged in the shell, and two opposite ends of the air cavity are respectively provided with a normally open air port and a normally closed air port; an actuating piece is arranged in the air cavity and comprises a movable arm, a fixed arm and an elastic part for connecting the movable arm and the fixed arm; the movable arm extends towards one side, a plug is arranged at the free end of the movable arm, the plug is located between the normally-open air opening and the normally-closed air opening and connected with one end of a memory alloy wire, and the other end of the memory alloy wire is connected to the position, close to the elastic part, of the fixed arm. The memory alloy wire deforms after being powered on to drive the plug to move, and therefore opening and sealing closing of the normally-open air opening and the normally-closed air opening are achieved. The air valve has the advantages of being simple in structure, fast in response, accurate in control, low in power consumption, small in size, long in service life and the like, and is suitable for the fields of industrial automation, medical instruments, aerospace and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of air valve technology, and in particular to air valves and air valve assemblies driven by shape memory alloys. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as industrial automation, medical devices, and aerospace, pneumatic valves are widely used as key control components for gas or liquid flow control, direction control, and pressure regulation. Traditional pneumatic valves typically employ electromagnetic, mechanical, or pneumatic actuation methods, but these methods have several limitations: 1. Electromagnetically driven valves offer fast response and high control precision, but are bulky, consume more power, and are prone to overheating under high-frequency operation, affecting their lifespan. 2. Mechanically driven valves offer simple structure and lower cost, but are slower, have limited control precision, require complex mechanical transmission components, and are prone to wear. 3. Pneumatically driven valves are suitable for high-flow, high-pressure applications; however, they require an additional air source and piping system, are bulky, and are complex to install and maintain.

[0003] The advantages of shape memory alloy (SMA) driven valves: Shape memory alloy (SMA) is a smart material with a shape memory effect, capable of recovering its pre-set shape at a specific temperature. Valve driven by shape memory alloys offers the following advantages:

[0004] 1. Simple structure: The shape memory alloy wire directly drives the plug, reducing the complex mechanical transmission components in traditional air valves and simplifying the structure.

[0005] 2. Fast response speed: The shape memory alloy wire can deform rapidly after being energized, driving the air valve to open and close quickly.

[0006] 3. Low power consumption: The shape memory alloy wire consumes energy only when it is powered on, and it can maintain its state without continuous power supply after deformation, resulting in significant energy saving.

[0007] 4. Small size and light weight: The shape memory alloy wire and actuator have a compact structural design, making the entire valve module small in size and light in weight, which is easy to integrate into miniaturized equipment.

[0008] 5. Long lifespan: Shape memory alloy wire has excellent fatigue properties and can withstand multiple deformation cycles without easily being damaged, thus extending the service life of the valve.

[0009] With the development of industrial automation and intelligence, the performance requirements for air valves are becoming increasingly stringent, especially in terms of response speed, control accuracy, power consumption, size, and lifespan. Air valves driven by shape memory alloys can well meet these requirements and have therefore been widely researched and applied in recent years. However, some technical shortcomings still exist, such as: the installation angle and preload of the shape memory alloy wire need to be precisely controlled to ensure the reliability and stability of the air valve; the sealing performance of the air valve needs further optimization to adapt to different working environments and media; and the integration and modular design of the air valve module needs to be strengthened to facilitate mass production and maintenance.

[0010] Shape memory alloy-driven valves and valve modules represent a promising new valve technology that effectively overcomes the limitations of traditional valves and meets the demands of modern industry for high-performance valves. Through continuous optimization of design and manufacturing processes, shape memory alloy-driven valves will find wider application in the future. Utility Model Content

[0011] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, this utility model proposes a gas valve and gas valve module based on shape memory alloy drive.

[0012] This invention proposes a gas valve driven by a shape memory alloy, comprising a housing with an air cavity inside. The air cavity has a normally open air port and a normally closed air port at opposite ends. An actuator is disposed within the air cavity, comprising a movable arm, a fixed arm, and an elastic portion connecting the movable arm and the fixed arm. The movable arm extends to one side, with a plug at its free end located between the normally open and normally closed air ports. One end of the plug is connected to a shape memory alloy wire, and the other end of the wire is connected to a position on the fixed arm near the elastic portion. When energized, the shape memory alloy wire deforms, driving the plug to move, thereby opening and closing the normally open and normally closed air ports.

[0013] Preferably, the angle between the shape memory alloy wire and the movable arm of the actuator ranges from 10° to 30°.

[0014] Preferably, guide grooves are provided on both sides of the fixed arm of the actuator to limit the lateral displacement of the shape memory alloy wire.

[0015] Preferably, the plug is a bidirectional plug, comprising an upper sealing element at the upper end and a lower sealing element at the lower end. The upper sealing element cooperates with the normally open air port at the upper end of the air cavity, and the lower sealing element cooperates with the normally closed air port at the lower end of the air cavity.

[0016] Preferably, it further includes a connector disposed on the plug to enhance the rigid connection between the plug and the shape memory alloy wire.

[0017] Preferably, the connector includes a U-shaped insert and a protrusion extending outward from the bottom of the U-shaped insert; the U-shaped insert cooperates with the slots provided on both sides of the plug to achieve a fixed connection between the connector and the plug, and the protrusion cooperates with the bent part of the shape memory alloy wire for connecting the connector and the shape memory alloy wire.

[0018] Preferably, the device also includes a circuit board mounted on the fixed arm of the actuator. The circuit board has an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal is used to connect to a power supply, and the output terminal is used to electrically connect to the end of the straight section of the shape memory alloy wire.

[0019] Preferably, it also includes an inflation tube, which is connected to an inflation port located on the air cavity, for outputting airflow to achieve the inflation function.

[0020] This utility model proposes a valve module, including: a fixing plate, which is used to install a plurality of valves driven by shape memory alloy; wherein, the fixing plate is provided with mounting holes, which cooperate with mounting blocks provided on one side of the valves to realize the installation and fixing of the valves and the fixing plate.

[0021] Preferably, the mounting hole of the fixing plate and the mounting block of the air valve are connected by a Morse taper fit.

[0022] The technical advantages of the air valve and air valve module based on shape memory alloy drive provided by this utility model are as follows:

[0023] 1. Simple structure and high reliability: The air valve uses shape memory alloy wire as the driving element, which has a compact structure, reduces the complex mechanical transmission parts in traditional air valves, lowers the failure rate, and improves the reliability of the air valve.

[0024] 2. Fast response speed: The shape memory alloy wire can quickly deform after being energized, driving the plug to move and realizing the rapid opening and closing of normally open and normally closed air ports, which is suitable for occasions requiring high-frequency operation.

[0025] 3. Small size and light weight: Due to the compact structural design of the actuator and shape memory alloy wire, the entire valve module is small in size and light in weight, making it easy to integrate into miniaturized equipment.

[0026] 4. Good sealing performance: The plug is designed with a two-way sealing structure, which can fit tightly with the normally open air port and the normally closed air port respectively, ensuring good sealing performance of the air valve in the closed state.

[0027] 5. High adaptability: The valve structure is flexibly designed, and parameters such as the installation angle of the shape memory alloy wire and the shape of the plug can be adjusted according to specific application scenarios to adapt to different working environments and needs.

[0028] 6. Easy to maintain: The modular design of the air valve makes disassembly and maintenance more convenient, reducing maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the gas valve driven by shape memory alloy according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the gas valve driven by shape memory alloy according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the gas valve driven by shape memory alloy according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the gas valve driven by shape memory alloy based on Embodiment 1 of this utility model from another perspective;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the housing of the gas valve driven by shape memory alloy according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the actuator of the gas valve driven by shape memory alloy according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the gas valve driven by shape memory alloy according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air valve module in Embodiment 3 of this utility model;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the air valve module from another perspective in Embodiment 3 of this utility model;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the fixing plate structure of the air valve module in Embodiment 3 of this utility model.

[0040] Reference numerals: Air valve 100; Housing 1; Air cavity 11; Housing body 12; Cover plate 13; Normally open air port 14; Normally closed air port 15; Inflation port 16; Inflation pipe 17; Assembly block 18; Actuator 2; Movable arm 21; Fixed arm 22; Elastic part 23; Plug 24; Upper sealing part 24a; Lower sealing part 24b; Groove 24c; Memory alloy wire 3; Bending part 31; Straight part 32; Connector 4; U-shaped insert 41; Protrusion 42; Circuit board 5; Air valve module 200; Fixing plate 201; Assembly hole 202 Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the gas valve 100 based on shape memory alloy drive in this embodiment 1 is mainly assembled from a housing 1, an actuator 2, a shape memory alloy wire 3, and a connector 4.

[0044] 1. Main structure of the air valve

[0045] Housing 1: Housing 1 consists of a housing body 12 and a cover plate 13. An air cavity 11 is provided inside the housing 1. The upper and lower ends of the air cavity 11 are respectively provided with a normally open air port 14 and a normally closed air port 15. That is, the normally open air port 14 is provided on the cover plate 13, and the normally closed air port 15 is provided on the bottom wall of the housing body 12. An inflation port 16 is also provided at one end of the air cavity 11. The inflation port 16 is connected to an inflation pipe 17. The inflation pipe 17 is used to output airflow to realize the inflation function. An assembly block 18 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 1 for the combination of air valves.

[0046] Actuator 2: Located within the air cavity 11 of the housing 1, actuator 2 includes a movable arm 21, a fixed arm 22, and an elastic part 23 connecting the movable arm 21 and the fixed arm 22. The movable arm 21 extends to one side, and its free end is provided with a plug 24, which is located between the normally open air port 14 and the normally closed air port 15. The movable arm 21, the fixed arm 22, and the plug 24 are integrally injection molded.

[0047] Shape memory alloy wire 3: The plug 24 is connected to one end of the shape memory alloy wire 3, and the other end of the shape memory alloy wire 3 is connected to the fixed arm 22 near the elastic part 23. When the shape memory alloy wire 3 is energized, it deforms, driving the plug 24 to move, thereby realizing the opening and sealing of the normally open air port 14 and the normally closed air port 15.

[0048] 2. Connection between shape memory alloy wire 3 and actuator 2

[0049] The included angle α between the shape memory alloy wire 3 and the movable arm 21 of the actuator 2 ranges from 10° to 30°. Figure 1 As shown, the included angle α is preferably 12° to ensure that the deformation of the shape memory alloy wire 3 can effectively drive the plug 24 to move, that is, to move rapidly between the normally open air port 14 and the normally closed air port 15, so as to realize the opening and sealing of the normally open air port 14 and the normally closed air port 15.

[0050] The fixed arm 22 of the actuator 2 is provided with guide grooves 25 on both sides to limit the lateral displacement of the shape memory alloy wire 3 and ensure that the deformation direction of the shape memory alloy wire 3 is accurate.

[0051] 3. Structure of plug 3

[0052] The plug 3 is a bidirectional plug, including an upper sealing member 24a at the upper end and a lower sealing member 24b at the lower end. The upper sealing member 24a cooperates with the normally open air port 14 at the upper end of the air cavity 11, and the lower sealing member 24b cooperates with the normally closed air port 15 at the lower end of the air cavity 11 to ensure good sealing performance of the air valve in the closed state.

[0053] 4. Structure and assembly of connector 4

[0054] A connector 4 is disposed on the plug 24 to enhance the rigid connection between the plug 24 and the shape memory alloy wire 3. The connector 4 is made of a metal material, such as stainless steel or copper, and includes a U-shaped insert 41 and a protrusion 42 extending outward from the bottom of the U-shaped insert 41. The U-shaped insert 41 mates with the slots 24c provided on both sides of the plug 24 to achieve a fixed connection between the connector 4 and the plug 24. The protrusion 42 mates with the bent portion 31 of the shape memory alloy wire 3 to achieve a connection between the connector 4 and the shape memory alloy wire 3. Preferably, the bent portion 31 of the shape memory alloy wire 3 is fitted onto the protrusion 42 to facilitate the installation or replacement of the shape memory alloy wire 3.

[0055] 5. Structure of inflation tube 17

[0056] The inflation tube 17 is connected to the inflation port 16 located on the air cavity 11, and is used to output airflow to realize the inflation function. The inflation tube 17, the assembly block 18 and the shell body 12 are integrally injection molded.

[0057] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: When the shape memory alloy wire 3 is energized, the heat generated by the current passing through the shape memory alloy wire 3 causes it to deform, driving the plug 24 of the actuator 2 to move. The movement of the plug 24 causes the normally open air port 14 and the normally closed air port 15 to open or close respectively, thereby achieving rapid response and precise control of the air valve.

[0058] Technical advantages: Simple structure, high reliability, reducing the number of complex mechanical transmission components found in traditional air valves, thus lowering the failure rate. Fast response speed: The shape memory alloy wire deforms rapidly upon energization, driving the plug to move. Precise control: The deformation of the shape memory alloy wire is directly related to the energizing current and temperature, enabling precise displacement control. Small size and light weight, facilitating integration into miniaturized devices.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] like Figure 7 As shown, the main difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that a circuit board 5 is provided on the fixed arm 22 of the actuator 2. The circuit board 5 is provided with input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals pass through the housing 1 and are connected to an external power supply. The output terminals are used to electrically connect to the end of the straight section 32 of the memory alloy wire 3 to achieve precise control of the memory alloy wire 3. The circuit board 5 is easy to install and the operation of electrically connecting to the end of the straight section 32 of the memory alloy wire 3 is simple, which helps to reduce costs.

[0061] Example 3

[0062] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the valve module 200 includes a fixing plate 201 for mounting a plurality of shape memory alloy driven valves 100. The fixing plate 201 is provided with mounting holes 202, which are connected to the mounting block 18 located on one side of the housing 1 of the valve 100 through a Morse taper fit, so as to realize the installation and fixation of the valve 100 and the fixing plate 201.

[0063] The technical advantages of the valve module in this embodiment are: multiple valves driven by shape memory alloys are assembled into a valve module, and the assembly is simple, making it suitable for industrial automation, medical devices, aerospace and other fields.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A gas valve based on shape memory alloy actuation, characterized in that, The device includes a housing (1), which has an air cavity (11) inside. The air cavity (11) has a normally open air port (14) and a normally closed air port (15) at opposite ends. An actuator (2) is provided inside the air cavity (11). The actuator (2) includes a movable arm (21), a fixed arm (22), and an elastic part (23) connecting the movable arm (21) and the fixed arm (22). The movable arm (21) extends to one side and has a plug (24) at its free end. The plug (24) is located between the normally open air port (14) and the normally closed air port (15). One end of the plug (24) is connected to a shape memory alloy wire (3), and the other end of the shape memory alloy wire (3) is connected to a position on the fixed arm (22) near the elastic part (23). When the shape memory alloy wire (3) is energized, it deforms and drives the plug (24) to move, thereby realizing the opening and sealing of the normally open air port (14) and the normally closed air port (15).

2. The air valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the shape memory alloy wire (3) and the movable arm (21) of the actuator (2) ranges from 10° to 30°.

3. The air valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The actuator (2) has guide grooves (25) on both sides of the fixed arm (22) for limiting the lateral displacement of the shape memory alloy wire (3).

4. The air valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plug (24) is a bidirectional plug, including an upper sealing member (24a) at the upper end and a lower sealing member (24b) at the lower end. The upper sealing member (24a) cooperates with the normally open air port (14) at the upper end of the air cavity (11), and the lower sealing member (24b) cooperates with the normally closed air port (15) at the lower end of the air cavity (11).

5. The air valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a connector (4), which is disposed on the plug (24) to enhance the rigid connection between the plug (24) and the shape memory alloy wire (3).

6. The air valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connector (4) includes a U-shaped insert (41) and a protrusion (42) extending outward from the bottom of the U-shaped insert (41); the U-shaped insert (41) cooperates with the slots (24c) on both sides of the plug (24) to achieve a fixed connection between the connector (4) and the plug (24); the protrusion (42) cooperates with the bent part (31) of the memory alloy wire (3) for connecting the connector (4) and the memory alloy wire (3).

7. The air valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a circuit board (5), which is mounted on the fixed arm (22) of the actuator (2). The circuit board (5) is provided with an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal is used to connect to the power supply, and the output terminal is used to electrically connect to the end of the straight part (32) of the shape memory alloy wire (3).

8. The air valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes an inflation tube (17), which is connected to an inflation port (16) located on the air cavity (11) and is used to output airflow to realize the inflation function.

9. A pneumatic valve module, characterized in that, include: A mounting plate (201) is used to install a plurality of shape memory alloy driven air valves (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; The fixing plate (201) is provided with an assembly hole (202), which cooperates with the assembly block (18) located on one side of the air valve (100) to realize the installation and fixing of the air valve (100) and the fixing plate (201).

10. The air valve module according to claim 9, characterized in that, The mounting hole (202) of the fixing plate (201) and the mounting block (18) of the air valve (100) are connected by a Morse taper fit.

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