An end element for a substitution air valve, and a substitution air valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing replacement air valves are difficult to assemble and disassemble without tools, require complex sheet folds, and often suffer from leakage issues, necessitating the use of separate gaskets and condensation films.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates end elements with grooves and mounting pieces that allow for tool-free assembly and disassembly, reducing sheet material consumption and eliminating the need for separate gaskets and condensation films by achieving a close fit between the replacement air valve and its base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional replacement air valves are designed with simple structures, then manufacturing is easier, but assembly and disassembly require tools and are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The replacement air valve is divided into modular components: end elements with grooves, mounting pieces, and a central valve body. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled without tools, as the grooved end elements snap onto the mounting pieces for tool-free assembly and disassembly.
2Reliability
If complex sheet folds are used to achieve close fit, then sealing performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex multi-dimensional sheet folds to achieve sealing, the invention uses a dimensional approach with grooved end elements that interface with mounting pieces in a perpendicular dimension. The grooves receive the mounting pieces, creating a close fit through a different geometric dimension, thereby achieving sealing without complex folding.
3Reliability
If separate gaskets and condensation films are added for sealing, then leakage prevention improves, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the structural design of the end elements and mounting pieces themselves. The grooves and mounting piece interface create an integrated sealing solution that eliminates the need for separate gaskets and condensation films, as the close fit between grooved surfaces provides the necessary sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from separate auxiliary components (gaskets, films) and integrated directly into the primary structural elements (end elements with grooves, mounting pieces). This extraction eliminates unnecessary components while maintaining or improving sealing effectiveness.
4Reliability
If more sheet material is used for complex folds, then sealing improves, but material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design uses grooves that extend in a dimension perpendicular to the main valve body surface, allowing sealing to be achieved through the groove-mountain joint geometry rather than through extensive sheet material folding. This dimensional approach reduces material consumption while maintaining sealing integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3k
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an end element (10, 20) for a replacement air valve (1), the replacement air valve (1) comprising at least a first wall (1.1) and a second wall (1.2). The end element (10, 20) comprises an end piece (11, 21) and a mounting piece (30). The end piece (11, 21) comprises at least a first groove (12, 22), in which one end of the first wall (1.1) of the replacement air valve (1) is arranged to be placed, a second groove (13, 23), in which one end of the second wall (1.2) of the replacement air valve (1) is arranged to be placed, and coupling members (18, 28, 31, 32) for connecting the end piece (11, 21) and the mounting piece (30) to each other. The invention also relates to a replacement air valve (1) comprising at least a first wall (1.1), a second wall (1.2), a first end element (10), and a second end element (20).