Inflatable Valve With Spring-Biased Stem Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves for inflatable objects, such as dunnage bags, are complex, costly, and difficult to manufacture and assemble, while also having limitations in gas flow rates and durability.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a housing with a sealing lip and a stem assembly that includes a shaft, a retaining element, and a sealing element, biased by a spring to maintain a closed configuration, allowing for efficient gas flow control through a gas passageway, with a cap assembly for attachment and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing valve designs are used, then sealing function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into distinct functional modules: a stem assembly with sealing element, a biasing element for automatic closing, and a housing with gas passageway. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element automatically returns the stem assembly to the closed position after manual opening, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The valve self-regulates its state based on pressure differential and user input, reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If existing valve designs are used, then sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is integrated directly onto the stem assembly, and the biasing element is combined with the housing structure. This merging of functions into fewer components reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Strength
If existing valve designs are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with optimized material properties and geometric parameters to withstand repeated compression cycles. The biasing element uses spring steel with specific hardness and elasticity parameters that maintain structural integrity while accommodating numerous open-close cycles, thereby enhancing overall valve durability.
4Volume of moving object
If valve size is reduced, then space efficiency increases, but gas flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas passageway is designed with a three-dimensional optimized path that maximizes flow cross-section within the compact valve body. The passageway transitions from a simple linear channel to a multi-dimensional flow path that maintains high flow velocity and reduces pressure drop, enabling high gas flow rates in a small valve package.
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 valve is simpler, less expensive to manufacture, more durable, and maintains or increases gas flow rates, enabling efficient inflation and deflation of inflatable objects while ensuring hands-free deflation.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element biasing the stem assembly to the closed configuration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a valve for an inflatable object. The valve is attached to the inflatable object and usable to control the flow of gas (such as air) into (or out of) the interior of the inflatable object to enable inflation (or deflation) of the inflatable object.