Rotating Sealing Disc Valve for Easier Self-Inflating Mat Deflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-inflating mats face difficulties during deflation due to the cell foam core forcing air into the mat, making the process cumbersome and tedious.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a housing with a sealing disc and handle, where the sealing disc has perforations that allow air to pass through depending on its position within the housing, enabling easy inflation and deflation by controlling air flow through the perforations, with a cover plate to prevent air leaks and a flexible material for the cover plate to ensure efficient air passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a check valve is used in a self-inflating mat, then the mat can be inflated, but the cell foam core forces air into the mat at the same time the user is trying to deflate it, making the deflation process tedious and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing disc is designed to rotate dynamically between different positions (first position for inflation, second position for deflation) rather than being a fixed structure. This rotational movement allows the valve to adapt its flow characteristics based on the desired operation, enabling easy deflation by simply rotating the disc to the second position where the side edge aligns with the second opening to allow unrestricted air escape.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve internal structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the sealing disc with its side edge creates separate flow paths for inflation and deflation. By segmenting the flow control mechanism, the patent enables independent optimization of both inflation and deflation operations, allowing air to be forced in during inflation while easily escaping during deflation through the aligned side edge and second opening.
2Reliability
If the sealing disc side edge engages with the inner surface side of the housing to direct air passage through perforations, then air flow is controlled, but this creates a complex engagement mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing disc's side edge automatically engages with the housing's inner surface through simple rotational movement, creating the engagement mechanism itself rather than requiring separate actuating components. The rotation of the sealing disc to the second position causes the side edge to naturally align with and engage the housing, self-regulating the air passage control without additional complex mechanisms.
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 facilitates effortless deflation of self-inflating apparatuses by directing air flow effectively, reducing the complexity of the deflation process and ensuring minimal air leakage, enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the cover plate may be lifted away from the body member when pressurized air is applied to the second surface side of the body member, such that air may pass through the one or more perforations
Implementation Method 2
the side edge can releasably engage with the inner surface side of the housing such that air passage from the first opening and towards the second opening, or vice versa, is directed through the one or more perforations in the body member
Data Source
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AI summary
Valve for inflatable apparatuses comprising a housing (200) with a first opening (210) and a second opening (220), a sealing disc (300) and a handle (400). The handle is coupled to the sealing disc, and is adapted for rotating the sealing disc within the housing. The sealing disc comprises a perforated body member (310) wherein one or more perforations (318) extend through the sealig disc, a side edge (316) and a cover plate (320) adapted for covering the one or more perforations. At least part of the cover plate may be lifted waway from the body member. The side edge can releasbly engage an inner surface of the housing such that air passing from the first opening towards the second opening, or vice versa, is directed through one or more perforations in the body member.