Dental Suction Valve With Non-Return Flow Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dental treatment units experience noise and pressure drops due to the activation of unused suction cannulas when one is withdrawn, and existing suction valves lack a non-return valve, leading to premature failures and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A suction valve with a non-return valve and a diaphragm that maintains a normally closed position, featuring a connecting conduit with a smaller diameter and an arcuate saddle-shaped contact edge, preventing liquid and dirt upwelling and allowing for easier industrial production and flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a suction valve is provided to control suction flow, then noise and pressure drop are reduced, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The suction valve is divided into functionally independent segments: a non-return valve portion with a flap for preventing liquid/dirt upwelling, and a diaphragm portion with selectable openings for controlling suction flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting conduit acts as an intermediary element that links the non-return valve portion and the diaphragm portion, enabling coordinated operation between the two functional segments. The conduit provides a controlled pathway for air flow while isolating the two valve mechanisms from each other structurally.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the connecting conduit has a smaller diameter, then liquid and dirt upwelling is prevented, but the suction flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting conduit has a locally optimized smaller diameter specifically at the section where liquid and dirt upwelling is most likely to occur, while the overall suction pathway maintains adequate diameter through the diaphragm portion's selectable openings. This local quality adjustment prevents contamination without creating excessive flow resistance throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm portion provides dynamically adjustable opening sizes that can be selected based on operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize the balance between preventing liquid/dirt upwelling and maintaining adequate suction flow, adapting to different operating conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve is designed with arcuate saddle-shaped contact edge, then manufacturing is simplified, but sealing precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate saddle-shaped contact edge uses curved geometry that is more amenable to standard manufacturing processes compared to sharp edges or complex profiles. The curved surface naturally distributes contact pressure and can achieve adequate sealing through elastic deformation of the diaphragm material, balancing manufacturability with sealing performance.
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 prevents noise and pressure drops, extends the service life of the valve by preventing liquid and dirt ingress, and allows for flexible installation angles without affecting performance, reducing maintenance downtime.
Implementation Method 1
Said diaphragm is elastically deformable against said contact edge, so as to close the passage between the output conduit and the input conduit
Implementation Method 2
Said suction system generates vacuum, which in turn generates a suction flow that removes saliva, blood and detritus from patient's oral cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A suction valve for a dental treatment unit is connected to a downstream suction system and includes input and output conduits; a valve seat interposed therebetween; a diaphragm defining a chamber by moving between a resting position against the valve seat, blocking flow between the input and output conduits, and an active position distanced from the valve seat, allowing fluids to pass; a connecting conduit between the chamber and the output conduit and having an air entry point; and a pilot valve switched between a resting position, allowing air passage to the chamber through the connecting conduit and having a first portion, a closing point, and a second portion, and an active portion blocking air passage. A non-return valve at the entry point prevents an input flow to the connecting conduit and the upwelling of liquids from the output conduit to the pilot valve and/or the chamber.