Pressure Diaphragm Venting With Detachable Overpressure Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure diaphragm units have complex designs that complicate mass production and do not effectively integrate pressure switching, reduction, and limiting functions, often requiring additional safety valves and multiple seals.

Innovation Solution

A simplified pressure diaphragm unit design featuring a detachable diaphragm coupling with a diaphragm plunger, a two-component injection-molded diaphragm, and a spring-loaded safety device that limits pressure by detaching at a predetermined limit, allowing for cost-effective mass production and reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex design with multiple safety valves and seals is used, then pressure control reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple safety functions (overpressure relief, pressure control) into a single integrated diaphragm unit. The diaphragm itself acts as both the pressure control element and the safety device, eliminating the need for separate safety valves and multiple seals. This merging reduces component count while maintaining reliability through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the pressure control diaphragm, the safety device, and the sealing element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated safety valves and seals, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive pressure control and safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a complex design with multiple components is used, then pressure control reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control reliabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the safety device, diaphragm, and seal functions into a single integrated unit, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces assembly steps while maintaining reliable pressure control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional diaphragm unit eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate components (safety valve, diaphragm, seals). This universal design approach streamlines manufacturing and reduces assembly complexity while ensuring reliable operation through integrated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional safety valves and seals are added, then overpressure protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverpressure protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the safety valve function and sealing function into the diaphragm itself. The diaphragm is designed to fail safely at a predetermined pressure, providing overpressure protection without requiring a separate safety valve. The same diaphragm also provides the sealing function, eliminating the need for additional seals and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm is designed as a universal component that simultaneously provides pressure control, sealing, and overpressure protection functions. This multi-functionality ensures comprehensive overpressure protection while eliminating the need for additional dedicated safety valves and seals, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simplified design ensures reliable pressure control and overpressure relief with reduced components, enabling cost-effective manufacturing and eliminating the need for additional safety valves and seals.

Implementation Method 1

a diaphragm spring (7) arranged in the vent chamber and acting on the diaphragm (11) with a force towards the valve chamber (13.0)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The detachable coupling between the diaphragm (11) and the diaphragm plunger (8) forms the safety device. At a predetermined pressure, the diaphragm (11) separates from the diaphragm plunger (8), thereby forming an overpressure relief device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-induced separation:

Implementation Method 3

The valve housing (13) defines a pressure chamber (13.2) and a valve chamber (13.0), which are connected by a passage (13.1) that can be sealed by means of a spring-loaded valve head (6.1) arranged in the pressure chamber (13.2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 4

A safety device of the pressure diaphragm unit for limiting the pressure in the valve chamber to a working pressure range below a certain limit pressure has at least one vent hole in the housing cover (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief through venting:

Data Source

PatentEP4425296B1Pressure diaphragm unit
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 FASS FRISCH
  • EP4425296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4425296B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4425296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a pressure diaphragm unit (20) with a valve housing (13) connected to a housing cover (10) and comprising a pressure chamber (13.2) and a valve chamber (13.0) connected by a passage (13.1) which can be sealed by means of a spring-loaded valve head (6.1) arranged in the pressure chamber (13.2). The pressure diaphragm unit (20) includes a diaphragm (11) that delimits the valve chamber (13.0) and separates it from a vent chamber (10.0) which is delimited by the diaphragm (11) and the housing cover (10), a diaphragm plunger (8) that penetrates and is coupled to the diaphragm (11), and a diaphragm spring (7) that is arranged in the vent chamber (10.0) and biases the diaphragm (11) against the valve chamber (13.0). The pressure diaphragm unit (20) has a safety device designed to limit pressure in the valve chamber (13.0) is designed for a working pressure range below a predetermined limit pressure and has at least one vent hole (10.4) in the housing cover (10). The coupling of the diaphragm (11) to the diaphragm plunger (8) is detachable, the detachable coupling of the diaphragm (11) to the diaphragm plunger (8) providing the safety device for limiting the pressure in the valve chamber (13.0). The limit pressure at which the diaphragm (11) is detached from the diaphragm plunger (8) is determined by the diaphragm spring (7), whereby the diaphragm (11), once detached from the diaphragm plunger (8), provides a fluidic connection between the valve chamber (13.0) and the vent chamber (10.0) and the at least one vent hole (10.4).