Diving Exhaust Valve Cover With Particle-Blocking Discharge Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhaust valves for inflatable diving equipment are prone to malfunction due to the infiltration of foreign particles through open passages in the cover cap, which can compromise sealing and prevent correct shutter displacement, leading to leakage and gas outflows.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an interception screen, such as a net or grid, over the discharge passages in the cover cap, which allows fluid to escape while preventing particle entry, and a diaphragm shutter that closes the openings to prevent foreign material from entering the valve compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cover cap is provided with open passage openings for fluid discharge, then the discharge function is improved, but foreign particles can penetrate into the valve compartment causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
A protective screen is introduced as an intermediary element between the external environment and the valve compartment. The screen is positioned within the cover cap's passage openings, allowing fluid to pass through while blocking foreign particles. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by enabling discharge functionality while preventing particle infiltration that would compromise valve reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover cap is designed with differentiated local properties: certain regions contain open passage openings for fluid discharge, while other regions incorporate protective screening structures. This local quality differentiation allows the same component to simultaneously enable fluid flow and prevent particle entry, resolving the contradiction between discharge efficiency and contamination prevention.
2Reliability
If particles enter between the shutter and valve seat, then sealing condition is compromised causing leakage, but adding protective structures increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screening function is merged with the existing cover cap structure rather than being implemented as a separate independent component. The screen is integrated into the cover cap's passage openings, combining the protective function with the existing structural element. This merging approach improves sealing reliability by preventing particle entry while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If particles prevent correct shutter displacement, then valve operation is compromised, but adding protective measures increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A protective screen is introduced as an intermediary element within the cover cap's passage openings. This screen allows fluid to pass through while blocking foreign particles from entering the valve compartment and interfering with shutter displacement. The screen is positioned to protect the shutter mechanism without requiring complex additional components or manufacturing processes, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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
Ensures effective fluid outflow during discharge while preventing the entry of particles, thus maintaining the valve's functionality and preventing malfunctions caused by foreign material infiltration.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element which is interposed between a wall of the cover cap and the facing side of the shutter, while optional means for moving the shutter against the action of said elastic element
Implementation Method 2
an interception screen, such as a net or grid, over the discharge passages in the cover cap, which allows fluid to escape while preventing particle entry
Implementation Method 3
a diaphragm shutter that closes the openings to prevent foreign material from entering the valve compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Exhaust valve for inflatable diving equipment comprising - A valve body (21) with an annular peripheral flange (321) for sealing stable connection with a band of material along the edge of a passage opening in the delimiting wall of a hollow body (22); a cylindrical collar (210) surrounded by said annular flange and provided with coupling members to corresponding coupling members of a cover cap (212) of said valve body (21), said cylindrical collar internally carries an annular valve seat (23) which surrounds an opening communicating with the hollow body (22) and which cooperates with a shutter provided on the side of the valve seat opposite the internal space of the hollow body (22) and which shutter is stably stressed, in the closed position, against the valve seat (23), by an elastic element (26) which is interposed between a wall of the cover cap (212) and the facing side of the shutter, optionally displacement organs for moving the shutter from the stable closed position of the valve to an open position, the cover cap (212) covers the valve seat and the shutter towards the outside and is provided with at least one passage opening to which there is associated an interception and/or a deflection screen of particles or other suspended material, which screen leaves a discharge passage free or openable. In one embodiment, the said interception screen is constituted by a shutter for closing said at least one opening, which shutter is of the "non-return" type.