Double-Valve Pressure-Wave Device for Variable Impact Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for generating mechanical pressure waves using pneumatic systems for treating the human or animal body lack flexibility in controlling the forward and backward movement of projectiles, leading to fixed impact velocities and limited control over impact physics.
Innovation Solution
A device with a double valve system allows for variable control of the activation times in both directions, enabling independent adjustment of the second activation time to vary impact velocity without changing pneumatic pressure, and includes a control device to manage these valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single switching valve is used for pneumatic acceleration, then the device structure is simple, but the control flexibility over impact velocity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single switching valve is segmented into two separate switching valves: a first switching valve for controlling the acceleration phase and a second switching valve for controlling the deceleration phase. This segmentation allows independent control of each phase, providing flexibility to adjust impact velocity by varying the duration of each valve's activation without changing the pneumatic pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static valve configuration to a dynamic dual-valve system where the activation times of both valves can be independently adjusted. This dynamic control enables real-time modification of projectile motion characteristics, allowing the impact velocity to be varied by changing the temporal parameters of valve activation.
2Speed
If the pneumatic pressure is increased to achieve higher impact velocity, then the impact velocity increases, but the device cannot provide variable impact velocities without changing pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The second switching valve is activated in advance during the acceleration phase to prepare for the deceleration phase. By controlling when the second valve activates relative to the first valve, the system can pre-set the impact velocity characteristics before the projectile actually impacts the applicator.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-valve system creates a periodic control pattern where the first valve activates for a first duration to accelerate the projectile, then the second valve activates for a second duration to decelerate it. By varying the durations and timing of these periodic valve activations, different impact velocities can be achieved at the same pneumatic pressure.
3Ease of operation
If the projectile return movement is controlled by a counter-pressure chamber, then the return movement is achieved, but the control over return acceleration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The passive counter-pressure chamber system is replaced with an active pneumatic control system using the second switching valve. Instead of relying solely on pressure differentials in a chamber, the second valve directly controls the pneumatic pressure applied to the projectile during its return movement, enabling variable acceleration control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a second switching valve is added for projectile return, then the return movement control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both switching valves are part of the same pneumatic control system and can potentially serve multiple functions. The first valve primarily controls acceleration but can influence return characteristics, while the second valve primarily controls return but can affect acceleration phase characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate control systems.
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
This approach provides additional control over impact velocity and return movement, allowing for reduced impact velocities and varied acceleration without altering pressure, enhancing the device's adaptability and efficiency in treating with mechanical pressure waves.
Implementation Method 1
A proven and widely described technique for accelerating the projectile is pneumatic. This technique involves applying pneumatic overpressure to a volume on one side of the projectile as it moves along a path
Implementation Method 2
the return movement is carried out with the help of a counter-pressure chamber, i.e. a storage volume into which the projectile moving towards the applicator displaces the air in front of it, thus essentially inflating this storage volume
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for treating the human or animal body with mechanical pressure waves, the device comprising: a projectile guided in the device along a movement path, an applicator (6) at one end of the movement path, a pneumatic device for applying pneumatic pressure to the projectile (8) to move it along the movement path, wherein the projectile (8) is designed to strike the applicator (6) to generate the mechanical pressure waves, the pneumatic device comprising a double valve assembly (1, 2) for applying pneumatic pressure to the projectile (8) in the direction of the applicator (6) during a first activation period and for applying pneumatic pressure to the projectile (8) in the reverse direction during a second activation period, and a control device (54) for controlling the double valve assembly (1, 2), wherein the device is designed toto vary the second switch-on time.