Flow Control Valve Structure for Precise Mattress Air Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient handling mattresses lack precise control over air pressure during inflation and deflation, making it difficult for caregivers to safely and efficiently move and reposition patients, leading to physical and psychological challenges for both patients and caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A flow control valve system is integrated into the mattress, featuring a valve seat and stem with adjustable positions, allowing for controlled airflow through the mattress, enabling precise inflation and deflation management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple valve structure is used for inflation and deflation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into distinct functional components: a valve body with a vertical passage, a movable plunger with horizontal passages, and a seal member. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The plunger can be moved independently to control airflow, providing precise pressure control without requiring a complex valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger acts as an intermediary element between the vertical passage and the horizontal passages. By moving the plunger within the vertical passage, it selectively opens or closes the horizontal passages, thereby controlling airflow. This intermediary mechanism provides fine pressure control while keeping the overall valve structure simple and easy to manufacture.
2Ease of operation
If airflow control is not precisely managed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of patient handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates a spring-loaded seal member that automatically seals the horizontal passages when the plunger is in its resting position. This self-sealing mechanism ensures reliable pressure control without requiring complex locking mechanisms or multiple components. The spring provides continuous force to maintain the seal, enhancing reliability while keeping the operation simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler spring-based sealing mechanism. The plunger's movement directly controls airflow by opening or closing passages, while the spring automatically maintains the sealed state. This mechanical substitution provides reliable pressure control with minimal operational complexity, ensuring patient safety during handling.
3Productivity
If rapid inflation and deflation are implemented, then the productivity is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve enables dynamic control of airflow by allowing the plunger to be moved to different positions within the vertical passage. By adjusting the plunger's position, the opening area of the horizontal passages can be varied, thereby controlling the airflow rate. This dynamic adjustment capability allows for both rapid inflation/deflation when needed and controlled, slow pressure changes when patient safety is the priority, eliminating the need for separate valves for different operations.
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 flow control valve system provides detailed control over air pressure, enhancing the safety and efficiency of patient handling by allowing caregivers to manage airflow rates, reducing the risk of injury and improving patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A positive air flow is provided from the air supply hose to the flow control valve. The positive air flow moves a plunger positioned within the channel from a first position to a second position to establish an airflow path between a proximal opening of the channel and the at least one opening formed through the surface of the stem body
Implementation Method 2
The plunger moves from the second position to the first position when the positive airflow is removed and is configured to seal the proximal end of the channel in the first position
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve includes a valve seat and a valve stem. The valve seat includes a seat body defining a stem channel and a sealing element. The valve stem includes a stem body sized and configured for insertion into the stem channel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a surface extending therebetween. The stem body defines a channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and defines at least one opening extending through the surface to the channel. A coupling element is formed over at least a portion of the surface of the valve stem and configured to provide advancement of the valve stem within the stem channel in a distal or proximal direction.