Plastic Flat Spring Pressure Valve for MRI-Compatible Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure limiting valves for medical assisted-ventilation equipment are not compatible with diagnostic equipment using magnetic fields, are structurally complex and costly, and lack precision in adjusting maximum insufflation pressure, posing risks to patients.
Innovation Solution
A pressure limiting valve with a hollow cylindrical body, a flat spring, and a flow control element made of plastic materials, allowing precise adjustment of the pressure threshold using a spiral wall and abutment element, ensuring safe and accurate operation without interfering with magnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal helical spring is used to keep the flat element closed, then the valve can effectively limit pressure, but it interferes with magnetic fields used in diagnostic equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metal helical spring with a flat spring made of plastic material that has elastic memory properties. This substitution eliminates the harmful magnetic field interference while maintaining the pressure limiting function through the elastic deformation and recovery of the plastic flat spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a plastic flat spring with elastic memory properties, combining the benefits of plastic material (non-magnetic) with elastic recovery capabilities. This composite approach allows the valve to function reliably in pressure limiting while being compatible with magnetic diagnostic equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex structure with numerous components is used, then the valve can provide precise pressure control, but the manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single flat spring component that combines pressure sensing, actuation, and sealing functions. The flat spring itself serves as both the actuating element and the sealing element, eliminating the need for separate metal springs and reducing the overall component count while maintaining precise pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat spring performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the actuating element that opens the valve at the pressure threshold, serves as the sealing element that closes the intake port, and provides the elastic memory for repeated operations. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If a faucet-type valve with angular positioning is used, then the structure is simple and cheap, but the adjustment precision is insufficient and patient safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic flat spring mechanism that automatically adjusts to the precise pressure threshold through its elastic properties. Unlike static angular positioning, the flat spring provides continuous, smooth pressure control with high precision by deforming elastically at the exact threshold pressure, combining manufacturing simplicity with precise control.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a plastic flat spring with elastic memory is used, then the valve is compatible with magnetic fields and easier to manufacture, but the pressure adjustment mechanism must be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The flat spring with elastic memory automatically performs the pressure threshold adjustment function through its inherent elastic properties. The spring's deformation and recovery characteristics naturally provide the pressure control without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms, allowing the valve to self-regulate at the designed pressure threshold.
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 provides safe and precise control of insufflation pressure, ensuring patient safety and compatibility with magnetic diagnostic equipment, while being simpler and less costly to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a flat spring (7), which is accommodated within the hollow body (2) and has one end rigidly associated with said hollow body (2) and supports a flow control element (8) for the intake port (3). The flat spring (7) can further flex in the direction in which the flow control element (8) moves away from the intake port (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A pressure limiting valve (1), particularly for medical assisted-ventilation equipment, comprising a hollow body (2) provided with an intake port (3) and a discharge port (4) for a fluid and a flow control element (8) for controlling the intake port (3), a flat spring (7) which is accommodated within the hollow body (2), is arranged substantially at right angles to the input stream of the fluid and has at least one end which is rigidly associated with the hollow body (2) and rigidly supports the flow control element (8), the flat spring (7) being flexible in the direction in which the flow control element (8) moves away from the intake port (3) at a presettable threshold value of the pressure applied by the fluid entering from the intake port (3).