Inflatable Flap Valve for Hands-Free Deflation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing one-way valves for inflating and deflating inflatable elements are impractical due to their reliance on precise hand manipulation, potential for loose elements, and inclusion of rigid or stiff components, which can be problematic in cold weather or during operation.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring an inflatable flap that is both a flap and a nozzle integrated into a unitary body, allowing for inflation and deflation without manual manipulation, using fluid pressure to control gas flow through a hole in the valve housing, eliminating the need for precise hand operation and solid elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional one-way valves with clappers or flaps are used, then the valve can control gas flow direction, but the valve requires precise hand manipulation and includes rigid elements that are impractical in cold weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pneumatic pressure from the user's breath to directly inflate the inflatable flap through the nozzle, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of rigid clappers or flaps. The pneumatic actuation allows operation while wearing gloves and simplifies the valve structure by removing complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of the flap from rigid to inflatable, allowing it to transition between flat (covering the hole) and inflated (uncovering the hole) states. This parameter change enables the flap to perform its function without requiring precise manual manipulation or rigid mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If traditional one-way valves with loose elements are used, then the valve can open and close, but the loose elements make manipulation less practical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pneumatic pressure to inflate the flap, which then reliably covers or uncovers the hole based on the inflation state. This eliminates loose mechanical elements that could fail or require precise manipulation, providing both ease of operation and reliability through the inflatable mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional one-way valves with rigid elements are used, then the valve structure is stable, but the rigid elements are problematic in cold weather and during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcold weather impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid clappers or flaps with an inflatable flap made of flexible material. This flexible flap can be inflated to provide structural stability when needed and deflated to become flexible and easy to manipulate, eliminating the problems associated with rigid elements in cold weather and during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If an inflatable flap is used to cover the hole during inflation, then the valve prevents air leakage, but the flap must be reliably positioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair leakage preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pneumatic pressure to inflate the flap, which then naturally positions itself to cover the hole during inflation and uncovers it during deflation. This pneumatic positioning mechanism provides reliable air leakage prevention without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Enables simplified inflation and deflation of inflatable elements without precise hand manipulation, reduces the risk of air leakage, and allows for easy folding and storage, while being cost-effective and easy to produce.

Implementation Method 1

the flap is inflatable and is fluid connected with a nozzle disposed outside the valve housing... the inflatable flap, when inflated, uncovers the at least one hole releasing a fluid flow through the at least one hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

using fluid pressure to control gas flow through a hole in the valve housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11512787B2Valve for inflating and deflating an inflatable element

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 HATFIELD MONTY JAMES

AI summary

A valve for inflating and deflating an inflatable element includes a valve housing fluid connected to the inflatable element, an at least one hole extending through the valve housing and accommodated to let a fluid flow in and out the valve housing for inflating and deflating the inflatable element, and a flap disposed next to the at least one hole inside the valve housing, such that the flap covers the at least one hole and behaves as a flap when inflating the inflatable element. The flap is inflatable and is fluid connected with a nozzle disposed outside the valve housing. The inflatable flap, when inflated, uncovers the at least one hole releasing a fluid flow through the at least one hole for deflating the inflatable element.