Air Pump Piston Sealing Valve Design for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air pump pistons face issues with complex assembly of the elastic flap, deformation leading to poor sealing, noise generation, and high material costs.
Innovation Solution
A piston design featuring a connecting rod with a seat and sealing valve, where the sealing valve engages the seat securely, preventing deformation and noise, and is made of rubber for improved sealing and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the elastic flap is mounted on the piston seat by a rivet, then the assembly structure is formed, but the combination becomes complex and the elastic flap becomes warped and deformed during use
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic flap is divided into multiple independent elastic elements (first elastic element, second elastic element, third elastic element) that are separately mounted on the piston seat. Each element can be independently installed and functions autonomously, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining sealing reliability even if one element deforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the elastic elements are optimized to maintain flexibility and sealing capability over time. The elastic elements are designed with specific elasticity parameters that prevent warping and deformation during repeated compression cycles, ensuring long-term sealing performance.
2Strength
If the elastic flap is made of metal, then structural strength is achieved, but noise is generated when the elastic flap returns to cover the through hole
Solution Approach 1:
The material of the elastic elements is changed from metal to rubber, fundamentally altering the physical parameters of the component. Rubber provides sufficient elasticity and strength while being inherently quieter during operation, as it dampens impact sounds when returning to cover the through hole, thus eliminating the noise problem.
3Reliability
If the elastic flap is made of metal, then durability is improved, but the material cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal elastic flaps with cheaper rubber elastic elements. While rubber may have different longevity characteristics, the multiple-element design ensures that even if one element wears, the others continue to function, providing effective durability at lower material cost.
4Device complexity
If a single elastic flap is used, then the structure is simple, but the cover area is limited and sealing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single elastic flap is segmented into multiple independent elastic elements (first, second, and third elastic elements) arranged around the through hole. This segmentation increases the total cover area and sealing effectiveness while maintaining relative structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic elements are arranged in a radial pattern around the through hole, utilizing the circumferential dimension to increase total cover area. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple elements to work simultaneously, providing comprehensive sealing around the entire through hole perimeter.
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 design enhances sealing efficiency, reduces noise, and lowers production costs while maintaining effective air compression and inflation performance.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing valve movably engages the seat of the connecting rod and has an engaging ring and a sealing part... the sealing part is connected with the inwall of the engaging ring and sealingly covers the through hole of the seat
Implementation Method 2
When the piston is driven by the motor, the airflow impacts the elastic flap to lift the elastic flap from the through hole, and then the airflow flows through the through hole into the piston cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A piston for an air pump has a connecting rod and a sealing valve. The connecting rod has a seat. The seat has a groove and a retaining surface. The groove is defined in an outer surface of the seat. The retaining surface is adjacent to the groove. The sealing valve movably engages the seat of the connecting rod and has an engaging ring and a sealing part. The engaging ring has an inwall which extends into the groove and has an engaging surface facing the retaining surface. The sealing part is connected with the inwall of the engaging ring and sealingly covers the through hole. The sealing valve is not prone to deformation and warpage during the operation of the piston to prevent any operating noise problem.