Elastic Speaking Valve Cover for Reliable Filter Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaking valves for laryngectomized or tracheostomized individuals are not particularly reliable and often require additional reset mechanisms, such as springs, which can compromise the heat and moisture exchange function of the filter.
Innovation Solution
A speaking valve design featuring a cover part with elastic rubber-elastic properties that closes the filter by deformation, eliminating the need for additional reset means and ensuring minimal compression of the filter, thus maintaining its heat and moisture exchange efficiency while preventing whistling noises during inhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring or additional reset mechanism is used to reopen the valve, then the valve can be reliably reset to open position, but the filter compression increases and heat/moisture exchange function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cover part automatically resets the valve to open position after closing, eliminating the need for external spring mechanisms. The elastic material stores deformation energy during closing and releases it to automatically reopen the valve, achieving self-service reset functionality without compromising filter compression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the cover part material, changing its physical state from rigid to elastic. This allows the cover to deform during valve closing and then spontaneously return to its original shape, providing the reset force without requiring additional mechanical components that would compress the filter
2Ease of manufacture
If the valve construction is simplified to reduce cost, then manufacturing expense decreases, but valve reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cover part and closure part are merged into a single integrated component made of elastic material. This eliminates the need for separate reset springs and multiple parts, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable valve closure through the elastic deformation mechanism inherent in the unified structure
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the material parameter from rigid to elastic, the single cover part can perform both protective covering and active valve closing functions. This material parameter change enables one component to replace multiple components, reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable operation
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 achieves reliable closure and reopening of the valve using elastic materials, prevents whistling, and maintains effective air moisturizing and heating, with a simple and cost-effective construction using few components.
Implementation Method 1
The cover part (with the closure part) closes the filter at the distal side by means of deformation, in particular an indenting, of at least one region of the cover part toward the proximal side
Implementation Method 2
its heat and moisture exchanging function remains as good as entirely intact
Implementation Method 3
its heat and moisture exchanging function remains as good as entirely intact
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a speaking valve for laryngectomized or tracheotomized persons, comprising a cover part, a housing part, and a filter arranged in the housing part. The cover part comprises a closure part which is arranged on an inner face of the cover part and which faces the filter. The cover part consists of an elastic material, and the closure part closes the speaking valve distally to the filter by deforming at least one region of the cover part. The closure part has a circular shape and has a central part surface which rises starting from a lower end surface of an outer edge to a centrally arranged securing region.