Inflatable object and valve therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable object valves require substantial effort to inflate due to one-way flow mechanisms that can cause user fatigue and dizziness from the volume of air needed, as they often require direct mouth engagement and high airflow speeds to overcome the closing force of the valve.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a one-way flap that is biased to a closed position with a selected closing force, allowing airflow speeds less than 48 m/s and pressures lower than 1 atmosphere to overcome the bias, enabling inflation without direct mouth engagement and incorporating a cover for sealing and deflation assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-way flow mechanism is used to prevent air leakage during inflation, then air retention is improved, but the effort required to inflate increases causing user fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of closing force to be overcomable by normal human blowing effort (airflow speed less than 48 m/s and pressure lower than 1 atmosphere), transforming an previously excessive force into a manageable one that maintains sealing while allowing easy inflation
2Reliability
If direct mouth engagement with the valve body is required to form a seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in proper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cover as an intermediary component that forms the seal with the valve body instead of requiring direct mouth engagement. The cover acts as a mediator between the user's blowing action and the valve mechanism, eliminating the difficulty of proper mouth-seal formation while maintaining effective sealing
3Productivity
If high airflow speed is required to overcome the closing force, then inflation effectiveness is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to dizziness and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the closing force parameter to be overcome by natural human breathing capabilities without requiring high airflow speeds. By adjusting the force parameter to be overcomable by normal blowing effort, the system eliminates the harmful effects of high-speed airflow while maintaining sufficient inflation effectiveness
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
Facilitates easier inflation by allowing airflow from a distance, reducing user fatigue and enabling the use of ambient air, while the cover ensures efficient sealing and deflation of the inflatable object.
Implementation Method 1
The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force
Implementation Method 2
The closing force is selected to be overcomable so as to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure that is lower than 1 atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
a cover that is removably mountable on the outside end to form a cover seal against fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment
Implementation Method 4
The cover includes a deflation projection that projects sufficiently far from a remainder of the cover to permit the cover to be inserted into the passageway to a deflation position in which the deflation projection drives the one-way flap to the open position to permit deflation of the inflatable object
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.