Inflatable Bladder Valve Assembly With Reinforced Thermal Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air valves for inflatable bodies made from thermoplastic rubber materials lack sufficient strength and durability, especially at the interface with the bounding wall, limiting the effectiveness of air inflation and leading to potential air leakage and valve failure.
Innovation Solution
An air valve assembly with a valve member featuring a radially extending flange, a bore, and an integrally bonded o-ring, which provides enhanced strength and durability during inflation, and a slot valve design that prevents reverse air flow, ensuring secure attachment to the inflatable bladder or bounding wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional air valve with small inside diameter is used, then the valve can be manufactured with standard materials and processes, but the effectiveness of the air pump in delivering air to the inflatable body is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into separate functional components: a valve body, a reinforcement member, and a seal member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and strength at the interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly uses composite construction by combining different materials - the valve body made from elastomeric material, reinforcement members made from rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, and seal members. This composite approach provides both the necessary strength at the interface and the functional requirements for air delivery.
2Productivity
If an air valve with larger diameter and greater cross-sectional area is used, then the effectiveness of the inflation air pump is increased, but the valve may lack sufficient strength and durability at the interface with the bounding wall
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is pre-installed at the valve interface before inflation occurs. This reinforcement member absorbs and distributes the forces generated during inflation, protecting the interface from damage before failure can occur. The protective bonnet similarly provides advance protection against needle puncturing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of elastomeric valve body material with rigid or semi-rigid plastic reinforcement members creates a composite structure that maintains both large diameter for effective air delivery and sufficient strength/durability at the interface with the bounding wall.
3Reliability
If a plug made of compressible material is used to seal the air valve, then air retention is achieved, but the plug may fail after use and allow air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member acts as an intermediary between the valve body and the bounding wall, providing the sealing function. This separate seal member can be optimized for sealing performance while the valve body and reinforcement members handle structural requirements, allowing each component to last longer within its operational limits.
4Device complexity
If the air valve has no protective structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the valve cannot absorb force from the inflating needle
Solution Approach 1:
The protective bonnet serves as an intermediary structure that absorbs the force from the inflating needle before it reaches the valve plug and seal. This protective element is specifically designed to handle the mechanical impact of needle insertion and inflation forces, protecting the more delicate sealing components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to inflatable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a valve assembly for inflatable bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during inflation and while inflated, especially at and around the interface between the air valve assembly and the bounding wall of the inflatable body because of the enhanced strength of the interface through thermal sealing.