EP0163982B1 - Control device for sucessively inflating the individual chambers of a pneumatic sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Control device for successively inflating individual chambers with a gaseous medium, containing a control member (13, 14, 15) with an inlet connection (1) and a desired number of outlet connections (2-11) for the medium, characterised in that a channel (33) defined by annular intermediate discs (32) with an outlet (34-36) at an outer surface of the control member (13, 14, 15) is provided at least for each outlet connection (2-11) in the control member (13, 14, 15) and each outlet (34-36) is covered by a flexible cover membrane (29) covering all outlets (34-36) and applied over the intermediate discs.

Description

The invention relates to a control device for successively filling individual chambers with a gaseous medium, comprising a control body with an inlet connection and a desired number of outlet connections. Control devices of this type are already known from De-A 3009408. The individual chambers can be, for example, flexible, hose-like chambers combined into a sleeve. The cuffs formed in this way are used, for example, for decongesting extremities, for example arms and legs. For this it is necessary that all chambers are filled with the gaseous pressure medium one after the other. The next chamber may only be filled when the previous chamber has reached the desired pressure. Known control devices, which should enable such successive filling of the individual chambers, are very complex and expensive and do not always work satisfactorily.

The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a control device of the type described at the outset, which is extremely simple in construction and yet works absolutely reliably.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a control device of the type described in the introduction in that at least for each outlet connection in the control body there is a channel delimited by annular intermediate webs with an outlet on an outer surface of the control body and each outlet from an outlet which covers all outlets and via the intermediate webs laid flexible membrane is covered. If, for example, compressed air is used to fill the individual chambers of a cuff with such a device on the inlet connection, the compressed air enters the associated channel, which is delimited by intermediate webs, and exits at the outlet, thereby lifting the supple membrane placed over the intermediate webs So work against the back pressure exerted by the membrane. The compressed air then travels under the membrane until it finds a first escape option and this is an outlet which ends with an assigned channel in an outlet connection which in turn is connected to the first chamber of a cuff to be filled. At this point, the pressure immediately drops and flows into the first chamber of the cuff. The chamber is filled until a pressure increase in the supply line and thus also in the assigned outlet connection results from the chamber filling, which continues via the assigned outlet down to the flexible cover membrane and now raises it against the counter pressure exerted by the cover membrane, so that the compressed air can push again under the membrane thus raised until it finds another outlet without counter pressure, through which it can flow out again via the assigned outlet connection, this further assigned outlet connection then being connected to the next chamber of the cuff.

The described path of the compressed air is now repeated again and again until the last existing outlet connection, which is connected to a chamber of the sleeve, is acted upon by the desired pressure. Then there can be a further outlet with an outlet connection, but this last outlet connection is open to the free atmosphere, so that despite further deliveries of compressed air, there is no pressure increase in the chambers of the cuffs. The structure of the invention described guarantees a flawless Function with extremely simple structure of the control device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that each outlet is separated from each other outlet by an intermediate web, the flexible covering membrane being placed over the intermediate webs. In this way, the accuracy of the pressure adjustment can be refined.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the last outlet connection seen from the inlet connection leads into the free atmosphere via the assigned outlet with a channel, while all other outlet connections are each provided for a connection to an assigned individual chamber to be filled. This makes it possible with the simplest of means - as already described above - to have the pressure source for the pressure medium worked through continuously, so that when the desired pressure is reached, the excess medium is conveyed outside via this last outlet connection.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that a plurality of channels with associated outlets open into the last outlet connection. This reduces the outflow resistance so that the desired pressure values can be maintained even more precisely and precisely.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the control body with the covering membrane for the outlets is surrounded by a hollow body, the hollow body to the membrane and the membrane to the control body being sealed on the one hand before the first outlet and on the other hand behind the last outlet of the control body, and the hollow body has an inlet opening for a pressure medium in the area between the front and rear seals. This structure represents a particularly simple and reliable means for arbitrarily and extremely finely regulating the pressure with which the individual chambers of a cuff are inflated will. The structure described makes it possible to apply a control pressure to the membrane from the outside via the inlet opening mentioned, so that the membrane can be more or less pressed with its inner surface against the corresponding counter surface of the control body, so that there is a correspondingly changed pressure of the pressure medium for the individual chambers to be inflated to lift the membrane, which in turn achieves a corresponding pressure control of the chamber pressure of the individual chambers of the cuffs.

Another embodiment of the invention in turn provides that the control body is designed as a cylindrical body. This enables a particularly simple manufacture of the control body.

According to another embodiment, it is again provided that the cover membrane is designed as a piece of hose of approximately the same length as the control body. This is a very simple possibility of producing this membrane, which can be pulled over the control body in the manner of a valve rubber, in particular if the control body is designed as a cylindrical body.

A supplementary embodiment of the invention also provides that the hollow body surrounding the control body is designed as a tubular piece open at both ends, approximately of the length of the control body. This also greatly simplifies the manufacture of the hollow body and it is particularly advantageous to use the hollow body designed as a tubular piece together with a control body designed as a cylindrical body, in which case the covering membrane should then advantageously also be designed as a piece of tubing. Each of these measures is also advantageous on its own, with the advantages of the individual measures complementing one another in the summary.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the control body has annular channels separated by annular intermediate webs on its cylindrical outer surface, at least one outlet opening into each annular channel and only one annular channel being provided for the inlet connection and for each outlet connection. This enables a clean, reliable separation of the individual connections from one another, so that it is possible to achieve a very precise sequence of filling the individual chambers and, at the same time, to adhere very precisely to the preselected filling pressure.

Also according to an embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that an O-ring is provided as the front and rear seal, which is arranged between the hollow body and the membrane. This is a particularly simple and proven sealant and is particularly reliable and simple to use if the control body is designed as a cylindrical body and the hollow body is designed as an open tube piece and the cover membrane as a piece of hose.

According to a supplementary and further development, it is also proposed according to the invention that a channel covered by the membrane is provided for each O-ring on the control body. This makes it easy to axially fix the O-ring and at the same time to seal the membrane very securely against the control body via the channel edges.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the last outlet connection is provided on one end face of the control body, while the remaining outlet connections and the inlet connection are provided on the opposite end face of the control body. In this way, a clearly manageable distribution of the different connections is achieved and the space available is also improved. At the same time, incorrect connection is definitely prevented, which could impair the functionality of the device.

It is further proposed according to an embodiment of the invention that the control body has at one end a connecting disk, on the peripheral surface of which at least some of the connections are provided. Such a circumferential surface permits the radial arrangement of the connections, whereby the space available for the connections can also be improved. This is all the more so since, in addition to the radial connections, further connections can be accommodated in the axial direction on the end face without any problems.

A supplementary embodiment provides that the connection disk is circular cylindrical. This is the simplest manufacturing option, which also allows simple, radial attachment of the connecting pieces.

In addition, it is proposed according to an embodiment of the invention that the connecting disk is provided on an end face of the cylindrical control body. The improved space available for the connecting pieces becomes clear in particular when the connecting disk is used in a cylindrical control body, because otherwise the connection options would be limited to the area of the end face of the cylindrical control body. With the use of the connecting disk in such a cylindrical control body, additional space for the connecting pieces is easily gained.

In addition, it is also proposed that the connecting disks and the cylindrical control body are formed in one piece. As a result, sealing elements between the connecting disk and the control body can be dispensed with.

Also according to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the connecting disk has a larger diameter than the control body and is arranged outside the hollow body surrounding the control body. In this way, an impairment of the hollow body can be avoided

and additional space is still gained for the connectors. The size of the control body can be adapted to the required space for connectors.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the control body be designed as a prismatoid. Such a configuration does not impair the desired function, but makes it possible to design the control device in any adaptation to the necessary installation dimensions of other devices assigned. At the same time, the design as a prismatoid can create space for desired functions at desired locations. For example, this makes it possible to arrange the required connections in a row when, for example, the control body is designed as a cuboid body. The necessary connections can then, for example, be arranged in a row next to one another on the long sides or end faces of this body, as a result of which the functional overview is improved in certain applications. In addition, this design allows the training of the entire facility as a so-called. Plug-in module, so that collaboration with other devices can be achieved in the simplest way and it is also possible to replace the control unit quickly and without complications.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments.

• Figur 1 Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeils A nach
• Figur 2 oder B nach Figur 3 (90° geschwenkt) bei geschnittenem Hohlkörper
• Figur 1a Perspektivische Darstellung einer Steuereinrichtung
• Figur 2 Mögliche Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeils C nach Figur 1
• Figur 3 Mögliche Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeils C nach Figur 1
• Figur 4 Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeils B nach Figur3
• Figur 5 Teilansicht nach Figur 4 jedoch mit veränderter Vorderseite
• Figur 6 Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeils D nach Figur 5.

Show it:

• Figure 1 view in the direction of arrow A to
• Figure 2 or B of Figure 3 (90 ° pivoted) with a cut hollow body
• Figure 1a perspective view of a control device
• Figure 2 Possible view in the direction of arrow C of Figure 1
• Figure 3 Possible view in the direction of arrow C of Figure 1
• Figure 4 view in the direction of arrow B of Figure 3
• Figure 5 partial view of Figure 4 but with a modified front
• FIG. 6 view in the direction of arrow D according to FIG. 5.

FIG. 1 shows a control device, from which it is initially to be assumed that the control body used there should be the control body 14, that is to say a cylindrical control body in the illustration according to FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. The entire length of the cylindrical control body 14 is covered with a tubular rubber skin as a membrane 29 (see FIG. 1a). The control body 14 covered in this way with the membrane 29 is inserted with radial play into a tubular hollow body 17 which is approximately the same length as the control body 14. This hollow body 17 has a radially directed inlet opening 37 in the vicinity of the rear end, which is equipped with a hose connector 41. Hose connection piece 41 is connected to a pressure source 42 for a flow medium via a control pressure line 12 and via pressure regulating devices (not shown in more detail). The radial space between the outer surface of the membrane 29 and the inner surface of the hollow body 17 is sealed in the region of the two ends of the hollow body 17 with an O-ring 25 and 26, respectively.

The control body 14 has a number of annular channels 33 on its surface, which are delimited by annular intermediate webs 32. In each of these annular channels 33 there is an outlet opening 34 and 35, each subsequent outlet opening 34 preferably being arranged somewhat offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the previous outlet opening 34.

An inlet connection 1 and the outlet connections 2 to 10 are arranged on the end face 22 of the control body 14 from the end face and distributed in the circumferential direction (see FIGS. 1a and 3). The connections 1 to 10 mentioned are each connected to the outlets 34 and 35 via longitudinal bores in the control body 14. So z. B. (see Figure 1) the inlet port 1 connected to the outlet 34. The inlet port 2 is connected to the lowest outlet 35 in FIG. 1, etc. Behind the last annular channel 33 for the last outlet 35, which is connected to the outlet port 10, a further annular channel is provided in the control body 14, in which a plurality of Exits 36 is arranged, which are all connected to the outlet connection 11 arranged on the rear end face 21 via assigned channels. This outlet connection 11 can lead directly into the free atmosphere 38, or serve as a connection piece to other devices, in the exemplary embodiment with a silencer 43. When sealing via the O-rings 25 and 26, it should be noted that the O-ring 25 is in front of the first outlet, that is to say in front of the outlet 34, and that the O-ring 26 is arranged behind the last outlet, that is to say behind the outlets 36, which lead into the outlet connection 11. Here it is entirely possible to provide 14 annular channels for the O-rings 25 and 26 on the control body, as z. B. is shown in Figure 4, whereby a better axial fixation of these O-rings is achieved and at the same time a better sealing of the membrane 29 with respect to the control body 14 is achieved by clamping the membrane 29 in the channels 30 and 31.

The outlet connections 2 to 10 are each connected to an assigned individual chamber 39 via suitable lines, all of the chambers 39 being combined to form a sleeve 40. These individual chambers can z. B. form annular tubes so that this sleeve 40 z. B. can be placed over an arm or over a leg.

The inlet port 1 is with a pressure source Le 44 connected, which is suitable to fill the chambers 39 and thus the sleeve 40 in the desired manner with pressure medium.

If the inlet connection 1 and the outlet connections 2 to 10 are arranged in the end arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, space problems arise with a larger number of necessary connections. The space conditions can be improved in an embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6. The control body 15 used there essentially corresponds in its construction to the control body 14. However, it does not immediately have the desired connections on its end face 19, like the control body 14, but rather a connection disk 16 is provided there, which is either sealed off from the control body 15 or is formed in one piece with it. The connecting disk 16 is in this case preferably larger in diameter than the control body 15, so that on the one hand a larger circumferential surface 20 is available and on the other hand the hollow body 17 can be pushed from behind against the connecting disk 16 which now acts as a stop. This makes assembly easier.

It is now possible to accommodate a desired number of connections 1 to 10 on the circumferential surface 20 in the radial direction, so that either all connections are arranged there or a further part of the desired connections can now additionally be provided on the end face of the connection disk 16.

Another structure, for example according to FIG. 2, is also functional and can be produced without problems. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the control body 13 is designed as a plate-shaped body with a rectangular cross section. The plate-shaped body 13 is also encompassed by the membrane 29. In this case, membrane 29 may well be designed as a piece of hose, since the flexible membrane 29 adapts easily to the body shape of the control body 13.

Parallel to the cross section, straight channels can be incorporated on one side of the control body 13, similar to the channels 33 according to FIG. 1. The illustration according to FIG. 1 can also be seen as a view in the direction of the arrow A according to FIG. 2, so that the figure then 1 shows the course and the arrangement of the channels 33 as they are to be used in FIG. 2. Complete channels are then not required. In these channels of the control body 13, the outlets 34 and 35 assigned to the connections 1 to 10 can again be seen in an arrangement which is shown in FIG. Associated with these exits are the connections 1 to 10 on the end face 23 of the control body 13 in a row-shaped arrangement, as shown in FIG. Each of these connections 1 to 10 is connected to the associated outlet 34 or 35 via a longitudinal bore. The last channel with the outlets 36, which are assigned to the outlet connection 11, is no longer shown in FIG. 2. However, the arrangement can also be seen in FIG. 1 if it is assumed that FIG. 1 represents a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2.

The changed body shape of the control body 13 makes sense to also design the hollow body 18 in accordance with the body shape of the control body 13. Here, too, the inner cross section of the hollow body 18 is again somewhat larger than the outer dimensions of the control body 13, so that the intermediate space can again be provided with a seal in the front and rear area in the position already described for FIG. 1, the seal also in this case can be an O-ring 27 or 28, which is sufficiently elastic to adapt to the shape of the control body 13 and the hollow body 18. In FIG. 2, the hollow body 18 is shown broken off, it expediently completely encompasses the control body 13, but in this case leaves the end cross sections open outside of the seal. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the hollow body 18 is again equipped with an inlet opening 37 in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, this inlet opening 37 again having a hose connector 41 and being connected via a control pressure line 12 to the pressure source 42 already mentioned. This flat design according to FIG. 2 enables it to be designed as a plug-in module and also makes such a control unit stackable in a simple manner. The embodiment according to FIG. 2 also makes it possible, in a particularly advantageous manner, to combine such control units into batteries and to couple them together if necessary. For this purpose, for example, the outlet connection 11 provided on the end face 24 (see FIG. 1 in this regard) is connected to the inlet connection 1 of the next control unit via an intermediate line.

The operation of such a control device will now be described.

So that the individual chambers 39 of the sleeves 40 can be inflated in a sequential order and at the desired pressure, a pressure source 44 suitable for this purpose must first be connected to the inlet connection 1, for example of the control body 14. The pressure medium supplied by the pressure source 44 then exits at the outlet 34 and into the associated ring channel and expands the membrane 29 as soon as the ring channel is filled. Due to the expansion of the membrane 29, the pressure medium can now cross the first annular intermediate web 32 and enter the next annular channel and enter the first outlet 35 there and fill the first individual chamber 39 via the assigned outlet connection 2. Since the pressure generated by the pressure source 44 is now continuously reduced again via the outlet connection 2, the pressure medium does not propagate into further ring channels, since, due to a lack of pressure, it is unable to lift off the membrane 29 present in the other areas. However, as soon as the first single came mer 39 is filled, the pressure rises and a backflow occurs, which continues via the outlet opening 2 into the annular channel of the associated outlet 35 and there raises the membrane 29 again, so that the next annular intermediate web 32 can be exceeded and thereby the pressure medium reaches the next ring channel 33 and can then enter the assigned outlet 35 again, so that the pressure is reduced again, this time via the outlet connection 3, until the individual chamber 39 assigned to the outlet connection 3 fills again, so that in A pressure back pressure occurs again in the line assigned to the outlet connection 3. So far, the first and second individual chambers have now been filled in succession. Here, the pressure has always continued in the direction of arrows 45 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The process described is repeated until the last individual chamber 39 is also filled via the last outlet connection 10. Thereafter, the process described is repeated once more and the pressure medium now passes through the outlets 36, as shown by the arrows there (FIG. 1), into the outlet connection 11 and from there, if necessary. via a silencer 43 into the free atmosphere 38.

To set a desired pressure of the individual chambers 39, the membrane 29 can be acted upon from the outside with control pressure via the control line 12 and the inlet opening 37 in the hollow body or 18. As a result, a greater internal pressure is required to lift the membrane off so that the pressure medium supplied by the pressure source 44 reaches the next channel in each case. With this control pressure, the desired internal pressure of the individual chambers 39 can thus be easily adjusted. The setting is extremely precise.

If the connections of a single control unit are not sufficient, it is easily possible to combine several control units into one functional unit. It is only necessary to connect the outlet port 11 of a previous device to the inlet port 1 of a subsequent device. The following device can also be acted upon with the same control pressure. The same process then takes place in the following device as already described, so that further individual chambers or further individual chambers of a next cuff can then be subsequently filled with the subsequent device.

To relieve the pressure on the cuffs, if the membrane 29 is sufficiently soft, it is only necessary to lower the control pressure or to drive to the value 0. If a membrane 29 with considerable internal stress is used, this is not sufficient and either special ventilation must be provided or the control line 12 must be supplied with a vacuum of a suitable size.

Overall, it was possible to create a particularly simple and absolutely reliable control unit for the desired purpose.

Claims (17)

1. Control device for successively inflating individual chambers with a gaseous medium, containing a control member (13,14,15) with an inlet connection (1) and a desired number of outlet connections (2-11) for the medium, characterised in that a channel (33) defined by annular intermediate discs (32) with an outlet (34-36) at an outer surface of the control member (13, 14, 15) is provided at least for each outlet connection (2-11) in the control member (13, 14, 15) and each outlet (34-36) is covered by a flexible cover membrane (29) covering all outlets (34-36) and applied over the intermediate discs.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the last outlet connection (11) as seen from the inlet connection (1) leads via the associated outlet (36) with its channel into the free atmosphere (38), whereas all the other outlet connections (2-10) are provided for connection with as associated individual chamber (39) to be inflated.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that several channels with associated outlets (36) discharge into the last outlet connection (11).

4. Device according to at least one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the control member (13, 14, 15) with the cover membrane (29) for the outlets (34, 35, 36) by a hollow body (17,18), the hollow bodies (17,18) being sealed to the membrane (29) and the membrane (29) to the control member (13, 14, 15) on the one hand before the first outlet (34) and, on the other hand, behind the last outlet (36) of the control member (13, 14, 15), wherein the hollow bodies (17, 18) have an inlet opening (37) for a pressure medium in the region between the forward and rearward seals.

5. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the control member (14,15) is constructed as a cylindrical body.

6. Device at least according to claim 5, characterised in that the cover membrane (29) is constructed as a sleeve member approximately equal in length to the control member (14, 15).

7. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the hollow body (17) surrounding the control member (14, 15) is constructed as a tubular section open at both ends approximately having the length of the control members (14,15).

8. Device at least according to claims 1 and 5 to 7, characterised in that, on its cylindrical outer surface, the control member (14, 15) has annular channels (33) separated by annular intermediate discs (32), at least one outlet (34, 35, 36) discharges into each annular channel (33) and only one annular channel (33) is provided for the inlet connection (1) and for each outlet connection (2-11

9. Device according to at least one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that an 0-ring (25, 27; 26, 28) is provided as the forward and rearward seal, which is arranged between the hollow bodies (17, 18) and the membrane (29).

10. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a channel (30, 31) covered by the membrane (29) is provided on the control member (14, 15) for each 0-ring (25, 26).

11. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the last outlet connection (11) is provided on one end (21, 24) of the control member (13, 14), whereas the other outlet connections (2-10) and the inlet connection (1) are provided on the opposite end (22, 23) of the control member (13,14).

12. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the control member (15) has a connecting disc (16) on one end (19), on the peripheral surface (20) of which at least some of the connections (1-10) are provided.

13. Device at least according to claim 12, characterised in that the connecting disc (16) is constructed as a cylinder.

14. Device at least according to claim 13, characterised in that the connecting disc (16) is provided on one end (19) of the cylindrically-shaped control member (15). 15. Device at least according to claim 14, characterised in that the connecting disc (16) and the cylindrical control member (15) are constructed in one piece.

16. Device at least according to claim 14, characterised in that the connecting disc (16) has a greater diameter than the control member (15) and is arranged outside the hollow body (17) surrounding the control member (15).

17. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the control member (13) is constructed as a prismatoid.

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