Flow Control Valve Stem Design for Mattress Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient handling mattresses lack detailed control over air pressure during inflation and deflation, making it difficult to manage the lifting and repositioning of patients, which can lead to physical strain on caregivers and increased risk of pressure ulcers and other health issues.
Innovation Solution
A flow control valve system integrated into the mattress, comprising a valve seat and stem with adjustable positions, allows for precise control of airflow, enabling selective inflation and deflation to manage pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple valve is used for inflation and deflation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into multiple functional components: a valve body with multiple openings, a stem with coupling elements, and a seat with sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The multiple openings in the valve body enable different flow paths for inflation and deflation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve stem is designed to be movable within the valve body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the valve opening degree. The coupling elements on the stem body enable controlled movement to different positions, providing dynamic pressure control during inflation and deflation processes. This dynamic capability allows precise pressure management without complex control systems.
2Productivity
If rapid inflation and deflation are achieved, then the productivity is improved, but the control precision over air pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable stem with coupling elements provides dynamic control capability, allowing the valve to transition between different opening states. This enables rapid inflation when fully open and controlled deflation when partially closed, achieving both high productivity and precise pressure control through a single dynamic mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve controls airflow parameters by changing the opening degree of the stem. By adjusting the stem position, the valve can modulate the air flow rate and pressure, enabling rapid inflation followed by controlled deflation. This parameter adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between speed and precision.
3Reliability
If detailed pressure control is implemented, then the patient handling safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into simple, discrete components (body, stem, seat, sealing elements) that can be manufactured and assembled using standard techniques. This segmentation achieves detailed pressure control functionality without requiring complex integrated systems, thereby improving patient safety while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design allows for manual operation through the movable stem, enabling caregivers to directly control pressure without complex electronic systems. The self-contained mechanical design with inherent sealing and flow control capabilities provides reliable pressure management for patient safety without adding device complexity.
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 flow control valve system provides detailed control over air pressure, reducing the physical strain on caregivers and minimizing the risk of pressure ulcers by allowing for controlled inflation and deflation of the mattress, enhancing patient handling and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A positive air flow is provided from the air supply hose to the flow control valve. The positive air flow moves a plunger positioned within the channel from a first position to a second position
Implementation Method 2
The plunger moves from the second position to the first position when the positive airflow is removed and is configured to seal the proximal end of the channel in the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a valve seat and a valve stem. The valve seat includes a seat body defining a stem channel and a sealing element. The valve stem includes a stem body sized and configured for insertion into the stem channel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a surface extending therebetween. The stem body defines a channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and defines at least one opening extending through the surface to the channel. A coupling element is formed over at least a portion of the surface of the valve stem and configured to provide advancement of the valve stem within the stem channel in a distal or proximal direction.