Pneumatic Valve Noise Reduction via Curved Spring and Flow Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic valves for air mattresses do not adequately reduce noise during operation, despite various design attempts.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic valve design featuring a gas passage tube, a plug member with a blocking portion, and an elastic member, where the plug member is switchable between deflation and non-deflation states, and is positioned to minimize turbulence and oscillation, thereby reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure gas flows through the valve during deflation, then the deflation function is achieved, but noise is generated due to turbulence and oscillation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow guide groove as an intermediary structure between the high-pressure gas source and the discharge path. This groove guides the gas flow in a controlled manner, preventing direct turbulence and oscillation that would otherwise generate noise. The flow guide acts as a mediator that maintains the deflation function while eliminating the harmful noise effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a curved spring structure instead of a straight spring. The curved geometry of the spring allows it to flex and absorb gas pressure oscillations more effectively, reducing the transmission of vibrational energy that causes noise. The spherical/ball component also utilizes curved surfaces to guide gas flow smoothly, minimizing turbulence-induced noise while maintaining the deflation function.
2Speed
If the spring is positioned close to the gas inlet to respond quickly to pressure changes, then pressure regulation responsiveness is improved, but oscillation and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved spring design allows the spring to be positioned closer to the gas inlet while reducing oscillation. The curved geometry provides a more gradual flexing action compared to a straight spring, which dampens the oscillatory movements that generate noise. This enables the spring to respond quickly to pressure changes without transmitting excessive vibration to the valve body.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow guide groove serves as an intermediary between the gas inlet and the spring mechanism. It controls and smooths the gas flow before it reaches the spring, preventing direct impingement that would cause oscillation. This allows the spring to be positioned for rapid response while the flow guide mediates the interaction to reduce noise.
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve components are designed with simple structure for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but noise reduction effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve into distinct functional segments: a flow guide groove section, a spring section, and a discharge section. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function (noise reduction, pressure regulation, gas discharge) while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The modular approach makes the valve easier to manufacture compared to integrated complex designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved spring and spherical ball components are formed using standard manufacturing processes for curved parts. These geometric features, while effective for noise reduction, can be produced efficiently through conventional machining or molding techniques, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the noise reduction objective.
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 design effectively reduces noise by preventing high-pressure gas from passing through the second end of the blocking portion, minimizing turbulence and oscillation, and maintaining a sealed state in non-deflation conditions, thus enhancing operational quietness.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member arranged between the plug member and the adjustment member
Implementation Method 2
high pressure gas may enter the gas passage tube from a gap formed between the blocking portion of the plug member and the inner wall of the gas passage tube
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A pneumatic valve (1) comprises a gas passage tube (10), a plug member (20), an elastic member (30) and an adjustment member (40), wherein the gas passage tube is connected with the adjustment member and has a gas inlet (11) and at least one first opening (12), the first opening being arranged between the gas inlet and the adjustment member; the plug member is disposed in the gas passage tube and has a blocking portion (21), the blocking portion having a first end (21a) proximal to the gas inlet and a second end (21b) distal from the gas inlet, the first end and the second end being located at two sides of the first opening respectively; and the elastic member is arranged between the plug member and the adjustment member.