Elastomeric Diaphragm Valve Eliminates Compression Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure regulating devices using elastomeric diaphragms suffer from material aging due to continuous shearing forces and require separate moulding and assembly of components, leading to increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating device with a housing and diaphragm assembly where the diaphragm itself acts as a spring, eliminating the need for a separate compression spring, and is integrated with a throttle head and stem, made from a single piece of gas-tight plastic material, allowing for simplified production and mass manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate compression spring is used to compensate the high compressing force exerted by the pressurized fluid, then the pressure regulation function is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the diaphragm and spring into a single integrated elastic diaphragm component made of elastomeric material. This elastic diaphragm performs both the flexible sealing function and the spring compensation function simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate compression spring and reducing device complexity while maintaining pressure regulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic diaphragm is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a flexible barrier separating high and low pressure zones, provides the sealing interface, and simultaneously functions as a spring to compensate for high compressing forces. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device structure
2Reliability
If the diaphragm is stretched in the space within the valve housing in its initial position, then the pressure sensing function is achieved, but separate moulding and assembly are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the diaphragm and housing into a single molded component where the elastic diaphragm is integrally formed as part of the housing structure. The diaphragm is stretched within the housing space during a single molding process, eliminating the need for separate molding and assembly operations while maintaining the pressure sensing function
3Ease of operation
If an adjuster exerts a steady pushing force to the diaphragm's upper surface along a circular line, then the desired lower pressure can be set, but continuous shearing force causes faster aging of the elastomeric diaphragm
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying force along a circular line that creates shearing stress, the patent inverts the approach by using a plunger that applies force along the central axis of the diaphragm. This axial loading eliminates continuous shearing forces, reducing material fatigue and extending diaphragm service life while still enabling pressure adjustment through controlled deflection
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 solution reduces material aging, simplifies design, and enables low-cost, disposable, and recyclable pressure regulating valves with precise pressure regulation, suitable for various fluid applications, including gases and liquids.
Implementation Method 1
the diaphragm itself incorporates such a spring function due to its appropriate material selection and dimensioning
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The pressure regulating device (10) is adapted to be interposed between a pressurized fluid supply and a fluid receiving space into which the pressurized fluid is discharged at a regulated reduced pressure. The device (10) comprising a housing (12) and a diaphragm assembly (30), wherein said housing (12) comprises a means for coupling to said pressurized fluid supply in a sealed manner, and a diaphragm chamber (18) adapted to communicate with said fluid receiving space through a fluid discharging passage (23) and being separated from said pressurized fluid supply by a barrier wall (26) having a central port (28) extending therethrough, wherein said diaphragm assembly (30) comprises a elastic diaphragm (31) connected to a throttle head (34) by a stem (32), said stem (32) extending through said central port (28) to define a flow passage therein, and said diaphragm (31) being secured along its periphery to said housing (12) so that in its initial position, the diaphragm (31) rests on a planar upper surface of said barrier wall (26), and wherein said housing (12) is made of a rigid gas-tight plastic material, and wherein said diaphragm (31), said stem (32) and said throttle head (34) are integrated into one piece as a diaphragm assembly, said integrated piece being made of a gas-tight elastomeric material.