Adjustable Pressure Valve for Self-Inflatable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure controlled valves are not economical or easily adjustable for use in self-inflatable objects and require multiple parts, making them unsuitable for applications needing a compact and inexpensive solution that can accommodate different pneumatic pressures and handle two different fluids.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable pressure controlled valve with a housing, pressure chamber, inlet, and outlet, featuring a movable valve member and resilient biasing member that responds to pneumatic pressure, along with an external adjustment mechanism for biasing force adjustment, allowing for easy external adjustment and reduced parts, suitable for use with two different fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pressure controlled valve is made adjustable to accommodate different pneumatic pressures, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure control function and adjustment mechanism into a single integrated valve body structure. The adjustment member is incorporated directly into the housing, allowing pressure adjustment without adding separate external components. This merging approach maintains adaptability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with universal applicability for different pneumatic pressure requirements through a single adjustable unit. The adjustment member enables the same valve to serve multiple pressure control needs, eliminating the requirement for multiple specialized valves or complex replacement mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If an adjustable pressure controlled valve is designed to be compact and economical, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adjustment capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into distinct functional components (housing, valve member, biasing member, adjustment member) that can be manufactured separately using standard machining processes and then assembled. This segmentation allows for economical production while maintaining adjustment capability through the modular adjustment member design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes pneumatic pressure and resilient biasing members to achieve adjustment functionality without complex mechanical systems. The biasing member provides automatic reset and pressure equalization, reducing the need for additional actuators or control systems, thereby maintaining compactness and cost-effectiveness.
3Reliability
If a pressure controlled valve uses multiple separate components for pressure control, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure control function and adjustment mechanism into a single integrated valve body structure. The adjustment member is incorporated directly into the housing, allowing pressure adjustment without adding separate external components. This merging approach maintains adaptability while minimizing device complexity.
4Reliability
If the pressure chamber is separated from the fluid pathway, then reliability is improved by preventing fluid mixing, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diaphragm as a flexible barrier to separate the pressure chamber from the fluid pathway. The diaphragm responds to pressure differential while maintaining fluid isolation, achieving reliable separation with a simple, elegant structure that avoids complex rigid partitions or multiple sealing mechanisms.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, compact, and easily adjustable valve that can accommodate various pneumatic pressures, reducing the number of parts and ensuring proper pressure control in self-inflatable devices, while maintaining separation of pneumatic supply and control sources.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient biasing member mounted in the housing and providing an opening biasing force on the valve member
Implementation Method 2
the valve member being constructed to respond to pneumatic pressure within the pressure chamber from the pneumatically pressurized control source that provides a closing bias force
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure controlled valve having a housing with a first pressure chamber for communication to a pneumatically pressurized control source. The housing has an inlet for communication with a pneumatic supply source and outlet selectively in fluid flow with the inlet. A movable valve selectively opens and closes with respect to a valve seat for selectively opening a pathway from the inlet to the outlet and closing the pathway between the inlet and outlet. The pressure chamber may be sealingly and fluidly separated from the pathway between the inlet and the outlet. The pressure chamber provides a closing biasing force on the movable valve and a resilient spring mounted in the housing provides an opening biasing force on the movable valve.