WO2010094067A1 - Soupapes pneumatiques - Google Patents

Soupapes pneumatiques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010094067A1
WO2010094067A1 PCT/AU2010/000177 AU2010000177W WO2010094067A1 WO 2010094067 A1 WO2010094067 A1 WO 2010094067A1 AU 2010000177 W AU2010000177 W AU 2010000177W WO 2010094067 A1 WO2010094067 A1 WO 2010094067A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
valve
pressure pad
base
seal
automatic pneumatic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2010/000177
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ralph Edward Lee
Original Assignee
Comfort Concepts Pty Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2009900677A external-priority patent/AU2009900677A0/en
Application filed by Comfort Concepts Pty Limited filed Critical Comfort Concepts Pty Limited
Publication of WO2010094067A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010094067A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A47C27/084—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type self inflating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/088—Fluid mattresses or cushions incorporating elastic bodies, e.g. foam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/14—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays
    • A47C27/18—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays in combination with inflatable bodies
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K15/00—Check valves
    • F16K15/20—Check valves specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres

Definitions

  • This invention relates to pneumatic valves particularly for controlling the inflow and outflow of air into and out of a self inflating cushion.
  • the invention relates to a deformable cushion having a seating surface, a self inflating cushion bladder positioned beneath the seating surface and where the self inflating cushion contains a compressible material and features an automatic pneumatic valve.
  • Existing self inflating adjustable seat cushions are designed to mould exactly to individual body shapes and provide postural support and comfort with the use of manually operated mechanical and electrical valve systems to allow ingress and egress of air.
  • Manually operated systems allow individual adjustment, particularly where a chair is frequently used by the same person.
  • a manually operated system is not always suitable for use in many types of chairs as found in reception areas, conference centres, auditoriums, meeting rooms and transport, where the sitter may not be aware of the existence or benefits of a manually operated valve system or its method of operation.
  • the self inflating seat cushion preflate (reset) after the chair is vacated and before it is reoccupied by a different person.
  • a second object of this invention is to provide a means for reinflating the self inflating cushion after the seat into which it is incorporated is vacated.
  • a pneumatic cushion comprising:-
  • a self inflating cushion bladder positioned beneath the seating surface, the self inflating cushion bladder comprising i. an airtight envelope ii. compressible material contained within the airtight envelope
  • an automatic pneumatic valve comprising:
  • valve base having a passageway therethrough, a valve seat around the passageway, and a resilient seal in the valve seat
  • an automatic pneumatic valve for use in a self inflating cushion bladder incorporating compressible material, the automatic pneumatic valve comprising:-
  • valve base having a passageway therethrough, a valve seat around the passageway, and a resilient seal in the valve seat
  • valve pressure pad overlying the valve base having a valve member adapted to engage the resilient seal, wherein the valve pressure pad is biased against the valve base such that when there is pressure applied to the valve pressure pad the valve member and resilient seal come into contact with each other and seal the valve and when the pressure is removed from the valve pressure pad the valve pressure pad returns to its biased position which opens the valve by lifting the valve member from the resilient seal in the valve seat.
  • valve pressure pad is biased away from the valve base by the inclusion of a biasing member between the valve base and the valve pressure pad.
  • valve pressure pad has an integral biasing mechanism.
  • the biasing member may be comprised of compressible foam or annular metal spring and the valve pressure pad further comprises air passages for the ingress and egress of air through the valve pressure pad.
  • the biasing member is a coil spring. In a still further alternative embodiment the biasing member is a flat beam spring.
  • the resilient seal is an O-ring and the valve member is a conical valve member for engaging the O-ring.
  • the valve further comprises guide members for retaining biasing members in place.
  • the guide members comprise downwardly extending flanges and upwardly extending collar.
  • an automatic pneumatic valve for use in a self inflating cushion bladder incorporating compressible material, the automatic pneumatic valve comprising:-
  • valve base having a passageway therethrough, a valve seat around the passageway, a collar surrounding the valve seal and an O-ring seal in the valve seat
  • valve pressure pad overlying the valve base having a valve member adapted to engage the O-ring seal, a downwardly extending flange surrounding the valve member adapted to co-operate with the collar on the valve base, and (c) a compressible foam member between the valve base at the valve pressure pad normally biasing the conical valve member away from the O-ring seal.
  • an automatic pneumatic valve for use in a self inflating cushion bladder incorporating compressible material, the automatic pneumatic valve comprising:- (a) a valve base having a passageway therethrough, a valve seat around the passageway, a collar surrounding the valve seal and an 0-ring seal in the valve seat,
  • valve pressure pad overlying the valve base having a valve member adapted to engage the O-ring seal, a downwardly extending flange surrounding the valve member adapted to cooperate with the collar on the valve base, and
  • an automatic pneumatic valve for use in a self inflating cushion bladder incorporating compressible material, the automatic pneumatic valve comprising:- (a) a valve base having a passageway therethrough, a valve seat around the passageway and an O-ring seal in the valve seat,
  • valve pressure pad overlying the valve base having a conical valve member adapted to engage the O-ring seal and a collar around the conical valve member adapted to engage the valve base when the valve is closed,
  • a beam type spring mounted by its ends on the valve base and connected by its central portion to the valve pressure pad, the beam type spring normally biasing the conical valve member away from the O-ring seal and deformable upon pressure being applied to the valve pressure pad to move the conical valve member towards the O-ring seal.
  • an automatic pneumatic valve for use in a self inflating cushion bladder incorporating compressible material, the automatic pneumatic valve comprising:- (a) a valve base having a passageway therethrough, a valve seat around the passageway and an O-ring seal in the valve seat, (b) a valve pressure pad overlying the valve base, and wherein the valve pressure pad further comprises a hairpin type spring having a lower portion and an overlying upper portion, the lower portion having an aperture that surrounds the valve seat and the upper portion having a valve plunger adapted to engage the O-ring seal, the upper portion of the hairpin spring normally biasing the valve plunger away from the O-ring seal and being deformable upon pressure being applied to the valve pressure pad to move the valve plunger towards the O-ring seal.
  • Fig.1 is an exploded cutaway view of a first embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention taken along Section A-A of Fig. 3,
  • Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a pneumatic valve according to a second embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 5 is a cutaway view of the valve shown in Fig. 4 in its open position
  • Fig. 6 is a cutaway view of the valve shown in Fig. 4 in its closed position
  • Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a pneumatic valve according to a third embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the valve shown in Fig. 7 in its open position
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the valve shown in Fig. 7 in its closed position.
  • Fig. 10 is a cutaway exploded view of a pneumatic valve according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 11 is a plan view of the valve shown in Fig. 10,
  • Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of Fig. 11 ,
  • Fig 13 is a perspective view of an annular spring
  • Fig 14 is a an exploded cutaway view of the first embodiment of the invention incorporating a annular metal spring
  • Fig 15 is a partial cutaway side view of a pneumatic cushion incorporating the automatic pneumatic valve of the first embodiment incorporating a compressible foam member and showing the cushion system in its inflated state before use
  • Fig 16 is a partial cutaway side view of a pneumatic cushion incorporating the automatic pneumatic valve of the first embodiment incorporating a compressible foam member and showing the cushion system in its partially deflated state during use
  • Fig 16 is a partial cutaway side view of a pneumatic cushion incorporating the automatic pneumatic valve of the first embodiment incorporating a compressible foam member and showing the cushion system in its partially deflated state during use
  • Fig 17 is a partial cutaway side view of a pneumatic cushion incorporating the automatic pneumatic valve of the first embodiment incorporating a compressible foam member and showing the cushion system in its inflated state after use.
  • the pneumatic valve 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a valve base 11 and an overlying valve pressure pad 12.
  • the valve base 11 has a passageway 13 therethrough having a valve seat 14.
  • a collar 15 surrounds the valve seat 14.
  • An outer annular flange 17 provides a means of attaching the valve to the underside of a self inflating cushion bladder using a welding process or an adhesive.
  • the valve pressure pad 12 has conical valve member 20 adapted to engage an O-ring seal 16.
  • the valve pressure pad 12 also has two downwardly extending flanges 18 and 21 which are adapted to ensure correct engagement between the valve member 20 and the O-Ring 16.
  • An annular compressible foam member 100 (which may be replaced by an annular metal compression spring 120 of Fig 13 as shown in Fig. 14) is located between the valve base 11 and valve pressure pad 12, and outside of collar 15.
  • the compressible foam member 100 does not need to be annular and can be any size or shape that is adapted to bias the conical valve member 20 away from the O-ring seal 16.
  • Figs 15 to 17 show the sequence of events when a person sits on a pneumatic cushion incorporating a self inflating cushion bladder positioned beneath the seating surface of the pneumatic cushion and where the pneumatic cushion contains an automatic pneumatic valve in accordance with the present invention.
  • the pneumatic cushion 150 in this case is comprised of a self inflating cushion bladder comprising airtight envelope 125 containing a compressible material 130 such as open celled foam, and wherein the airtight envelope 125 is contained within a cavity formed in pneumatic cushion 150 having a seating surface 120.
  • a self inflating cushion bladder comprising airtight envelope 125 containing a compressible material 130 such as open celled foam
  • the airtight envelope 125 is contained within a cavity formed in pneumatic cushion 150 having a seating surface 120.
  • Depicted in the figures in the wall of airtight envelope 125 is the valve of Fig. 1 in which valve pressure pad 12, valve base 11 , passageway 13 and compressible foam member 100 are shown.
  • valve pressure pad 12 is biased away from the valve base 11 by compressible foam member 100. This results in passageway 13 being open. As soon as someone sits on the cushion, air is expelled through passageway 13 in the direction indicated by the large arrow in Fig. 15.
  • the compressible foam member 100 is replaced with a coil spring 23 in valve 110.
  • the coil spring 23 is located within the collar 15 of the valve base 11 and normally biases the conical valve member 20 away from the O-ring seal 16.
  • the bias of the spring 23 is overcome so that the valve member 22 seals against the O-ring seal 16 so as to close the valve 10 when sufficient air has been displaced from the self inflating cushion bladder in which the valve is incorporated and the bladder has moulded to the seated person's body shape to facilitate correct rotation of the pelvis and provide postural support.
  • the automatic pneumatic beam valve 40 shown in Fig. 4 includes a valve base 41 having a passageway 42 therethrough, and a collar valve seat 43 around the passageway 42 and an O-ring seal 44 which seats in the valve seat 43.
  • a valve pressure pad 45 overlying the valve base 41 has, as can be seen in Figs. 5 and 6, a conical valve member 46 adapted to engage the O-ring 44, a collar 47 around the conical valve member 46 which is adapted to engage the valve base 41 when the valve 40 is closed as shown in Fig. 6.
  • a beam type spring 48 is mounted on the valve base 41 by means of slots 49 at each end which receive the projections 50 on the mountings 51.
  • the beam type spring 48 is also mounted on the valve pressure pad 45 by means of the aperture 52 which sits above the collar 47.
  • the valve base 41 has a peripheral flange 53 by means of which it is secured to a self inflating cushion.
  • the upper surface of the valve base 41 has posts 54 to prevent excessive pivotal movement of the valve pressure pad 15 about the axis of the beam type spring 48.
  • the normally open position of the valve 40 is shown in Fig. 5 and air can flow between the valve base 41 and the valve pressure pad 45 and through the passageway 42.
  • the conical valve member 46 engages and seals against the O-ring seal 44 and at the same time the beam type spring 48 is deflected downwardly as shown in Fig. 6.
  • the beam type spring 48 returns the valve pressure pad 45 to the open position as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the automatic pneumatic valve 70 shown in Figs. 7 to 9 includes a valve base 71 having a passageway 72 therethrough, a valve seat 73 around the passageway 72 and a collar 74 around the valve seat 73.
  • the O-ring seal 75 seats in the valve seat 73.
  • the hairpin type spring 76 has a lower portion 77 and an overlying upper portion 78.
  • the lower portion 77 has an aperture 79 for receiving the collar 74 of the valve base 71.
  • a valve plunger 80 has an upper mounting plug 81 which extends through aperture 83 where it is attached or fixed to the upper portion 78 and a conical valve seat 82 which engages the O-ring seal 75.
  • the valve 70 is shown in its open position in Fig. 8 and its closed position in Fig. 9.
  • Upper portion 78, when fixed to valve plunger 80 acts as a pressure pad or alternatively a separate pressure pad can be fixed to its upper surface to receive the pressure in order to actuate the valve in the manner described with reference to pressure pad 12 of the alternate embodiments of the invention.
  • the mode of operation is substantially similar to that of the earlier described embodiments.
  • a locking mechanism comprising lock member 120 and aperture 130 are shown in respect of the first and fourth embodiments in Figs. 1 , 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12 and 14. In these embodiments the aperture 130 of pressure pad 12 is placed over the lock member 120 of valve base 11 and rotated until the pressure pad 12 is secured or locked.
  • valves such as the O-ring seal
  • various parts of the present valves can be substituted by over moulding or inserting a resilient seal, or in the case of the embodiment described in figure 7, forming the valve plunger 80 integral with hairpin spring 76.
  • the pneumatic valves as described in various forms and embodiments . in the specification automatically close after air is displaced from a self inflating cushion and provide a means for reinflating the self inflating cushion after the seat into which it is incorporated is vacated.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une soupape pneumatique automatique (10) pour une utilisation dans un coussin pneumatique incorporant une vessie étanche à l'air auto-gonflable contenant un matériau compressible. La soupape pneumatique automatique (10) a une base de soupape (11) ayant un passage (13) à travers celle-ci, un siège de soupape (14) autour du passage (13), et un joint élastique (16) dans le siège de soupape (14). La soupape pneumatique automatique (10) a également un tampon de pression de soupape (12) chevauchant la base de soupape (11) ayant un élément de soupape (20) apte à venir en prise avec le joint élastique (16), le tampon de pression de soupape (12) étant sollicité à l'opposé de la base de soupape (11) par un élément en mousse compressible (100). Lorsqu'il y a une pression appliquée sur le tampon de pression de soupape (12), l'élément de soupape (20) et le joint élastique (16) viennent en contact l'un avec l'autre et rendent étanche la soupape (10). Lorsque la pression est retirée du tampon de pression de soupape (12), le tampon de pression de soupape (12) retourne à sa position sollicitée qui ouvre la soupape (10) par élévation de l'élément de soupape (20) à l'opposé du joint élastique (16) dans le siège de soupape (14).
PCT/AU2010/000177 2009-02-18 2010-02-18 Soupapes pneumatiques WO2010094067A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009900677A AU2009900677A0 (en) 2009-02-18 Pneumatic valves
AU2009900677 2009-02-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010094067A1 true WO2010094067A1 (fr) 2010-08-26

Family

ID=42633351

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2010/000177 WO2010094067A1 (fr) 2009-02-18 2010-02-18 Soupapes pneumatiques

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2010094067A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012103645A1 (fr) * 2011-02-04 2012-08-09 Promat Inc. Système de soupape
US9573428B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2017-02-21 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Valve assemblies and methods of inflating or deflating a tyre
US10030781B2 (en) 2014-06-30 2018-07-24 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Valve assembly for a tire pressure management system
US10214059B2 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-02-26 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Tire pressure management system and method of decreasing tire pressure
US10259272B2 (en) 2014-01-03 2019-04-16 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Assembly for a central tire inflation system
US10836220B2 (en) 2015-08-06 2020-11-17 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Control and supply valve assembly for a tire pressure management system
US10843511B2 (en) 2015-08-06 2020-11-24 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Channel valve assembly for a tire pressure management system
US10864783B2 (en) 2016-01-29 2020-12-15 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Valve assembly for a tire inflation system
WO2021055804A1 (fr) * 2019-09-18 2021-03-25 President And Fellows Of Harvard College Commande non électronique utilisant une logique à transistors à actionnement pneumatique

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB277097A (fr) *
GB708759A (en) * 1950-12-18 1954-05-12 Wetzell Gummiwerke Ag Improvements in inflatable hollow bodies and inflator bellows therefor
EP0846871A2 (fr) * 1996-12-04 1998-06-10 Innovative Air Products, Inc. Distributeur universel à 3 voies
US20030014821A1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2003-01-23 Dennis Boyd Airbed valve system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB277097A (fr) *
GB708759A (en) * 1950-12-18 1954-05-12 Wetzell Gummiwerke Ag Improvements in inflatable hollow bodies and inflator bellows therefor
EP0846871A2 (fr) * 1996-12-04 1998-06-10 Innovative Air Products, Inc. Distributeur universel à 3 voies
US20030014821A1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2003-01-23 Dennis Boyd Airbed valve system

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012103645A1 (fr) * 2011-02-04 2012-08-09 Promat Inc. Système de soupape
US9573428B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2017-02-21 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Valve assemblies and methods of inflating or deflating a tyre
US10259272B2 (en) 2014-01-03 2019-04-16 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Assembly for a central tire inflation system
US10030781B2 (en) 2014-06-30 2018-07-24 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Valve assembly for a tire pressure management system
US10836220B2 (en) 2015-08-06 2020-11-17 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Control and supply valve assembly for a tire pressure management system
US10843511B2 (en) 2015-08-06 2020-11-24 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Channel valve assembly for a tire pressure management system
US10214059B2 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-02-26 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Tire pressure management system and method of decreasing tire pressure
US10864783B2 (en) 2016-01-29 2020-12-15 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Valve assembly for a tire inflation system
WO2021055804A1 (fr) * 2019-09-18 2021-03-25 President And Fellows Of Harvard College Commande non électronique utilisant une logique à transistors à actionnement pneumatique
US20220341442A1 (en) * 2019-09-18 2022-10-27 President And Fellows Of Harvard College Non-electronic control using pneumatically-actuated transistor logic

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