Reed Valve Assembly With Integrated Retainer for Toolless Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly process of reed valve assemblies is complicated by the need for separate inserts to secure the reed cage and petals, increasing manufacturing costs and labor due to additional parts and steps, which can lead to errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The design eliminates the need for separate inserts by using a center retainer that secures the reed cage and petals toollessly, allowing for a simplified assembly process where components can be aligned in a front-back direction, reducing the number of parts and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate inserts are used to secure the reed cage and petals, then the reed valve assembly can be held together, but the assembly process becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate inserts into a single integrated center retainer component. The center retainer simultaneously secures the reed cage and inner reed petals through integrated features including a reed cage groove, reed cage flange, and petal groove, eliminating the need for separate inserts and simplifying the assembly process
2Reliability
If separate inserts are used to secure the reed cage and petals, then the components can be held in place, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The center retainer integrates multiple securing functions into a single component, combining what would otherwise require separate inserts for the reed cage and inner reed petals. This consolidation reduces the total part count while maintaining reliable securing of all components
3Reliability
If separate inserts are used to secure the reed cage and petals, then the components can be held together, but assembly time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple securing functions into the single center retainer component, the assembly process requires fewer steps and less labor. The center retainer can be installed in one operation to simultaneously secure both the reed cage and inner reed petals, significantly reducing assembly time compared to installing multiple separate inserts
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
This solution streamlines the assembly process, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the reliability of reed valve assemblies by eliminating the need for complex side-by-side assembly, while also allowing for more detailed tip geometry and overmolding capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The reed valve assembly 10 is designed such that the reed petals 16 pivot on the base 17 of the w-shaped reed cage 14 to open at the tip 19 of the reed cage 14, allowing airflow moving from the base 17 to the tip 19
Implementation Method 2
The insert 7 applies a compressive force that sandwiches the inner reed petals 16a against the reed cage 14, thereby ensuring that the tabs 13 remain within the holes 15 of the inner reed valves 16b
Implementation Method 3
The retainer 12 includes slots 11 configured to receive tabs 13 formed on the reed cage 14. The outer reed petals 16a include holes 15 configured to allow the tabs 13 to pass through and extend into the slots 11 of the retainer 12, thereby interlocking the retainer 12 to the reed cage 14
Data Source
AI summary
A reed valve assembly includes a retainer, one or more reed cages, and a plurality of reed petals. The retainer includes a flange, first and second openings, and a center retainer separating the first and second openings. The reed cages are configured to be advanced from the bottom of the retainer and partially through the first and second openings of the retainer and have at least two inner openings generally facing each other and at least two outer openings generally facing away from each other. The inner and outer openings are configured to be fluidly coupled to the first and second openings of the retainer. The reed petals are configured to extend over the inner openings and the outer openings. The center retainer and reed cages include one or more reed cage grooves and reed cage flanges configured secure the reed cages to the retainer.