Speaking Valve Closure for Hands-Free Exhalation Speech
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaking valves require manual operation to transition between open and closed positions, limiting natural speech and gesticulation.
Innovation Solution
A speaking valve with a housing and closing mechanism featuring an outer ring, sealing means, and mountings that allow automatic closure via exhalation pressure, enabling hands-free speech initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to transfer the speaking valve between open and closed positions, then the valve can be reliably controlled, but the user cannot initiate speech naturally without hand intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The speaking valve utilizes the user's own exhalation pressure to automatically close the valve and initiate speech, eliminating the need for manual operation. The exhalation pressure itself serves as the actuating force that closes the sealing means against the valve seat, allowing the system to serve itself without external hand intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic pressure from the user's exhalation to actuate the closing mechanism. The exhalation pressure moves the sealing means to close the breathing opening, converting the user's respiratory force into a mechanical closing action without requiring manual manipulation of the valve.
2Force
If the sealing means is positioned close to the valve seat, then the closing pressure is reduced enabling easier speech initiation, but the valve may close unintentionally during normal breathing
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure allows the sealing means to be dynamically positioned at different distances from the valve seat. The cover part can be rotated to adjust the initial gap between the sealing means and valve seat, enabling the system to adapt between requiring low closing pressure (when speech is desired) and maintaining higher reliability (when unintentional closure should be prevented).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables adjustment of the initial distance parameter between the sealing means and the valve seat by rotating the cover part. This parameter change allows optimization of the closing pressure required, balancing between easy speech initiation and prevention of unintentional closure based on user needs.
3Extent of automation
If the cover part is made of elastic material and deformed during closure, then automatic speech initiation is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover part is constructed from elastic material that can deform under exhalation pressure to facilitate automatic closure. This flexible shell approach enables the cover to dynamically respond to pressure changes, allowing the sealing means to move toward the valve seat and initiate speech automatically without complex mechanical actuation systems.
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
Enables hands-free speech by automatically closing the breathing opening during exhalation, allowing air to flow through the larynx or shunt valve for speaking without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a distance between the sealing means and the valve seat is varied by turning the cover part on the insertion part
Data Source
AI summary
A speaking valve comprising at least a housing and a closing means is proposed. The housing comprises an insertion part and a cover part with a breathing opening, wherein the cover part can be arranged on the insertion part, wherein the closing means comprises an outer ring, a sealing means and at least one mounting, wherein the sealing means is disposed on the outer ring by means of the mounting, wherein the cover part forms a valve seat for abutment of the sealing means and the breathing opening can be closed by means of the sealing means.