Integrated Air Valve Layout for Intake, Exhaust, and Pressure Hold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air valves using shape memory alloy members lack a maintenance state and are not conducive to quick release of large amounts of air, often leading to structural fatigue and increased volume due to the design of the support member and valve body.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air valve design featuring two lever members and two shape memory alloy members, allowing independent control of air inlet and exhaust holes, with each lever member driven by a separate shape memory alloy member to achieve air intake, exhaust, or pressure maintenance, while minimizing the overall volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single valve body is used to control both air inlet and exhaust holes, then the structure is simplified, but the air valve cannot maintain a state and the single valve body is prone to structural fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single valve body into two separate lever members, each controlling one air hole independently. This segmentation eliminates the structural fatigue problem of the single valve body while maintaining functional simplicity.
2Productivity
If the height of the support member or the length of the valve body is increased to accelerate air release, then air can be released quickly, but the overall volume of the valve is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the two air holes at opposite sides of the valve installation space rather than at the ends along the support member height. This spatial rearrangement allows rapid air release through optimized flow paths without increasing the support member height or valve body length, thus maintaining compact dimensions.
3Device complexity
If the two air holes are provided at the two ends of the valve body, then the structure is simple, but air cannot be released quickly if the support member height is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of air holes from being positioned at the ends along the height direction to being positioned at opposite sides of the valve installation space. This dimensional reconfiguration enables rapid air release while keeping the support member height compact.
4Device complexity
If a single valve body is used for switching between air intake and exhaust, then the control mechanism is simple, but the air valve cannot realize the maintain state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control mechanism into two independent lever members, each controlled by its own shape memory alloy member. This independence enables three distinct operational states: air intake (first lever opens air inlet), exhaust (second lever opens exhaust hole), and maintain (both air holes closed). The segmented design provides the versatility to realize the maintain state while keeping each control mechanism simple.
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 independent control of air intake, exhaust, and pressure maintenance functions without structural fatigue, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the control mechanism of the above-mentioned air valves is implemented by utilizing the shape memory effect (SME) produced by the shape memory alloy members at different temperatures. When the shape memory alloy is below the phase transition temperature (for example, at room temperature), it has a martensite structure. This metallographic structure enables the shape memory alloy to deform after receiving an exogenic action, and the shape memory alloy can continue to maintain the deformation after the external force is removed. When the shape memory alloy is heated to a temperature higher than the phase transition temperature, the metallographic structure of the shape memory alloy changes from a martensite structure to an austenite structure. The shape memory alloy releases stress and returns to its original state before deformation through changes in metallographic structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated air valve includes a hollow shell formed with a valve installation space, two air holes respectively an air inlet hole and an exhaust hole communicated to the space, and two support members; two lever members; and two shape memory alloy members. The lever member uses one of the support members as a fulcrum. The lever member includes an actuating end, and an action end capable of closing the air hole. A part of the shape memory alloy members are hung on the actuating ends of the lever members, and capable of driving the lever members based on an energized state. One of the lever members determines conduction of the air inlet hole to achieve air intake, the other lever member determines whether the exhaust hole communicates to an external space to achieve exhaust, and the lever members determine whether the integrated air valve enters air pressure maintenance.