Elastic Cover Speaking Valve Eliminates Reset Springs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaking valves for laryngectomy or tracheostomy care are not very reliable and require additional resetting means like springs, which can complicate production and functionality, especially in maintaining heat and moisture exchange.
Innovation Solution
A speaking valve design featuring a cover part made of elastic material that deforms to close the valve, eliminating the need for springs, with a filter that follows the movement of the controller to maintain heat and moisture exchange functionality, and a housing part with inflow openings for preheating airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional speaking valves use springs or resetting means to return from closed to open position, then the valve can be reliably reset, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cover part serves itself by providing both the closing force (when deformed) and the resetting force (when returning to original shape). The material's inherent elasticity eliminates the need for separate resetting mechanisms like springs, making the system self-sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the cover part from rigid to elastic, allowing it to dynamically change its shape and provide resetting forces through elastic deformation. This parameter change (from rigid to elastic material) enables the valve to reset without additional mechanical components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the filter is fixed rigidly in the housing, then the structure is stable, but the filter compresses during valve operation and loses heat and moisture exchange functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is arranged on the controller in a way that allows it to flex and move with the controller during valve operation. This flexible arrangement prevents compression while maintaining the filter's position stability, preserving its heat and moisture exchange functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is nested on the controller in such a way that it can follow the controller's movement. This nested arrangement allows the filter to move with the controller during valve closing/opening while remaining stable in its relative position, avoiding compression.
3Reliability
If additional resetting means like springs are added to the speaking valve, then the valve can be reset reliably, but the manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cover part provides its own resetting function through its material properties, eliminating the need for separately manufactured resetting components like springs. This self-service capability simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The resetting function is merged into the cover part itself rather than being a separate component. The elastic material of the cover part inherently provides both the closing action and the resetting action, combining multiple functions into a single component.
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 design provides a cost-effective, reliable speaking valve with reduced complexity, maintaining effective heat and moisture exchange while eliminating the need for additional resetting mechanisms, ensuring efficient airflow management.
Implementation Method 1
The cover part (2) is formed at least partially of an elastic material. An at least partial deformation of at least one portion of the cover part (2) takes place as a result of the speaking valve (1) being moved from the open position into the closed position.
Implementation Method 2
The filter (8) is arranged on the controller (3) in such a way that the filter (8) can basically follow the movement of the controller (3), and preferably does follow the movement of the controller (3)... its function of heat and moisture exchange is virtually, if not completely maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to solve the problem of providing a speaking valve which is of simple construction and which is inexpensive to produce, a speaking valve (1) is proposed which has a cover part (2), a controller (3), a housing part (5) and a filter (8), wherein the housing part provides a valve seat arranged proximally therein, wherein the controller comprises a closure part (4), and wherein the closure part cooperates with the valve seat when the speaking valve is moved from an open position into a closed position, wherein the cover part is formed at least partially of an elastic material, wherein an at least partial deformation of at least one region of the cover part takes place as a result of the speaking valve being moved from the open position into the closed position, and wherein the filter is arranged on the controller in such a way that the filter can substantially follow the movement of the controller.