Bi-Stable Venting Valve for Controlled Enclosure Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional venting valves for pumps often result in uncontrolled release of substances due to difficulty in ensuring the connection is oriented correctly, leading to additional hose length and space requirements, and are complex with multiple parts, making them inefficient and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A bi-stable venting valve design with a valve housing, displaceable member, and bi-stable elements or membrane that ensures controlled venting by moving from a closed to open state upon activation, featuring a snap action mechanism for fluid-tight operation, and can be manufactured as a single unit using additive manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional venting valve design with radial connector and nut is used, then the valve can be assembled with multiple parts, but it is difficult to ensure correct orientation leading to uncontrolled venting and additional hose length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (valve body, connector, and mounting features) into a single integrated valve housing. This eliminates the need for separate nuts and radial connectors, ensuring correct orientation is built into the design while reducing the number of parts and assembly steps required.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the venting pathway, includes integrated mounting features for correct orientation, and incorporates the connector for hose attachment. This multi-functionality ensures controlled venting while reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a traditional venting valve with multiple parts is used, then assembly is possible, but manufacturing efficiency is reduced and reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separately manufactured components into a single valve housing that can be manufactured as one piece using additive manufacturing. This integration improves manufacturing efficiency by reducing assembly steps while enhancing reliability through fewer potential failure points from connections and joints.
3Ease of operation
If a venting valve requiring correct orientation is used, then controlled venting is achieved, but additional hose length and space are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve housing combines the venting mechanism with built-in mounting features and directional guidance. This ensures correct orientation is inherent to the design, allowing shorter hose lengths and reduced space requirements compared to traditional valves that require separate orientation components.
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 controlled venting of toxic or dangerous substances, reduces complexity and part count, and allows for a more compact and efficient manufacturing process, ensuring safe and reliable operation by preventing unintended opening and simplifying orientation-independent hose connections.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-stable venting valve design with a valve housing, displaceable member, and bi-stable elements or membrane that ensures controlled venting by moving from a closed to open state upon activation, featuring a snap action mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a venting valve (2) for venting an enclosure (4). The venting valve (2) comprises a valve housing (8) comprising a valve seat (9) having a first opening (10). A displaceable member (7) is arranged longitudinally displaceable through the first opening. The displaceable member comprises a valve plug (12), engageable with the valve seat, and a discharge channel (20). The venting valve has a bi-stable annular disc (21) or a combination of a membrane (27) and at least one bi-stable element (28). The displaceable member can assume a closed position in which the valve plug is in sealing engagement with the valve seat so that there is no fluid communication between the enclosure and the discharge channel, and an open position in which the valve plug is out of engagement with the valve seat so that the enclosure is in fluid communication with the discharge channel. The displaceable member is configured to move from the closed to the open position upon application of an activation force.