SMA Air Valve Layout for Compact Assembly Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air valves using shape-memory alloy (SMA) wires have a complicated structure and cannot be specifically shrunk, limiting their assembly space and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air valve structure with a base, an air chamber, and an air plug, where a shape-memory alloy wire is used to control a driving member that applies a non-parallel force to the air plug, reducing assembly space and simplifying the structure by using a conductive member to manage the SMA wire's state, allowing the air plug to switch between open and closed states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional execution assembly with vertical arrangement is used, then the valve can be controlled by SMA wire, but the height of the valve housing cannot be specifically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement dimension of the execution assembly from vertical (parallel to SMA wire) to horizontal (perpendicular to SMA wire). The driving member is arranged horizontally on the circuit board, and the air plug moves horizontally to open/close the valve hole, reducing the height requirement of the valve housing while maintaining the SMA wire control function.
2Device complexity
If a mechanical driver with wedge member and control rod is used, then the valve can be controlled by SMA wire, but the structure becomes complicated and assembly is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical driver components (wedge member, control rod) from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified execution assembly where the driving member directly converts SMA wire contraction into air plug movement through a horizontal arrangement, significantly reducing structural complexity and improving assembly ease.
3Volume of moving object
If the driving member applies force parallel to the air plug axis, then the air plug can be moved effectively, but the assembly space cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the force application direction from parallel to the air plug axis to perpendicular. The driving member applies force horizontally to the air plug, which then moves horizontally to open/close the valve hole. This dimensional change optimizes the assembly space layout while maintaining effective force transmission.
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 solution reduces the required assembly space and simplifies the structure of the air valve, enabling efficient operation with a compact design while maintaining the shape-memory effect for opening and closing air holes.
Implementation Method 1
When the SMA is heated above the phase transition temperature, the metallographic structure of the SMA changes from martensite structure to austenite structure. Due to the change of the metallographic structure, the stress of the SMA is released, and the SMA returns to an original state before deformation.
Implementation Method 2
The metal alloy wire shrinks after being energized and heated, so that the valve assembly can open or close a valve port according to the electrification state of the metal alloy wire.
Data Source
AI summary
An air valve structure arranged on a base comprises an air plug and a state-switching component. The air plug is arranged in an air chamber in an axial direction. The air plug includes a closing state to close the air hole, and an opening state to open the air hole. The state-switching component comprises a driving member that links the air plug, a shape-memory alloy (SMA) wire connected with the driving member, and at least one conductive member connected with the SMA wire. The driving member exerts an acting force to the air plug based on a condition of electricity provided by the conductive member for the SMA wire. The direction of the acting force is non-parallel with the axial direction and the air plug is moved and changed between the closing state and the opening state by the acting force.