U.S. patent application number 10/430040 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for valve with electromechanical device for actuating the valve.
Invention is credited to Chaffee, Robert.
Application Number | 20050166963 10/430040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29401569 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050166963 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Chaffee, Robert |
August 4, 2005 |
Valve with electromechanical device for actuating the valve
Abstract
The invention relates to an assembly comprising an
electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in
particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In
one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an
opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable
device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to
self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the
inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from
a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and
seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an
electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first
position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing
valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act
upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid
within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low
power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used.
Inventors: |
Chaffee, Robert; (Boston,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWRIE, LANDO & ANASTASI
RIVERFRONT OFFICE
ONE MAIN STREET, ELEVENTH FLOOR
CAMBRIDGE
MA
02142
US
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 0205273 A1 |
November 6, 2003 |
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Family ID: |
29401569 |
Appl. No.: |
10/430040 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10430040 |
May 5, 2003 |
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09859706 |
May 17, 2001 |
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60377798 |
May 3, 2002 |
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60204836 |
May 17, 2000 |
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60280040 |
Mar 30, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/88046 20150401;
Y10T 137/3584 20150401; Y10T 137/7876 20150401; Y10T 137/7898
20150401; Y10T 137/0324 20150401; A61G 7/05776 20130101; Y10T
137/87217 20150401; F16K 15/202 20130101; A47C 27/082 20130101;
Y10T 137/87056 20150401; Y10T 137/7838 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/223 |
International
Class: |
F16K 015/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A valve and electromechanical device assembly, comprising: a
self-sealing valve comprising a housing having a wall defining an
opening through which a fluid is provided and also defining a valve
seat; a flexible diaphragm assembly that positions a flexible
diaphragm adjacent the opening and the valve seat, that is
configured to move at least a portion of the flexible diaphragm at
least partially away from the valve seat under bias of a fluid
provided on a first side of the flexible diaphragm assembly, and
that is configured to close the flexible diaphragm assembly and
maintain a self-seal with the flexible diaphragm against the valve
seat under bias of a fluid on a second side of the flexible
diaphragm assembly; an electromechanical device comprising an
actuator arm, the actuator arm having a first position in which the
actuator arm acts on the flexible diaphragm assembly to urge the at
least the portion of the flexible diaphragm at least partially away
from the valve seat so as to open the self-sealing valve, and
having a second position in which the actuator arm does not act
upon the flexible diaphragm assembly.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electromechanical device is positioned near the first side of the
flexible diaphragm assembly so as to act on the first side of the
flexible diaphragm assembly.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the
flexible diaphragm assembly is hingedly mounted to a portion of the
wall of the valve housing with a hinged mount assembly.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuator arm contacts the
flexible diaphragm assembly at a portion of the flexible diaphragm
assembly opposite the hinged mount assembly.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve housing comprises a
constant diameter portion defining the wall through which the
opening is provided, and the valve housing further comprises an
increased diameter portion with a tapered wall between the constant
diameter portion and the increased diameter portion so as to
provide the valve seat.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical device is
configured to bias the actuator arm to contact the flexible
diaphragm, when in the first position, so as to bias open the
self-sealing valve.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical device
comprises a solenoid.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical device
comprises a motor.
9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid moving
device positioned so as to provide the fluid of the first side of
the flexible diaphragm assembly.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover that covers
the self-sealing valve, the cover having a projecting arm
projecting from the cover and having a surface that is configured
to interact with the actuating arm of the electromechanical
device.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the actuator arm is
positioned so as to interact with the projecting arm of the cover,
in the first position, so as to open the cover.
12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the electromechanical device
comprises a spring assembly maintaining the actuator arm in a
position that does not interact with the cover and the self-sealing
valve.
13. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising an inflate lever,
that is configured to be depressed so as to urge the actuator arm
to interact with cover.
14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a power switch,
positioned with respect to the inflate lever so as to be contacted
by the inflate lever when depressed, that biases on the fluid
moving device to provide the fluid when contacted by the inflate
lever, and that otherwise biases off the fluid moving device.
15. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a deflate lever,
that is configured to be depressed so as to interact with an open
the cover and so as to interact with a portion of the flexible
diaphragm assembly so as to urge the at least the portion of the
flexible diaphragm at least partially away from the valve seat so
as to open the self-sealing valve .
16. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second
self-sealing valve and electromechanical device assembly,
comprising: a second self-sealing valve comprising a second housing
having a second wall defining a second opening through which a
fluid is provided and also defining a second valve seat; a second
flexible diaphragm assembly that positions a second flexible
diaphragm adjacent the second opening and the second valve seat,
that is configured to move at least a portion of the second
flexible diaphragm at least partially away from the second valve
seat under bias of a fluid provided on a first side of the second
flexible diaphragm assembly, and that is configured to close the
second flexible diaphragm assembly and maintain a self-seal with
the second flexible diaphragm against the second valve seat under
bias of a fluid on a second side of the second flexible diaphragm
assembly; and a second electromechanical device comprising a second
actuator arm, the second actuator arm having a first position in
which the second actuator arm urges the at least the portion of the
second flexible diaphragm at least partially away from the second
valve seat so as to open the second self-sealing valve, and having
a second position in which the second actuator arm does not act
upon the second flexible diaphragm assembly.
17. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first
electromechanical device and the second electromechanical device
comprise a motor.
18. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a
rotating arm, responsive to a third actuator device, the rotates
between a first position that seals any fluid from a fluid moving
device from the first side of the flexible diaphragm assembly of
the self-sealing valve, so as to seal the self-sealing valve from
the fluid moving device, and that in the second position seals the
first side of the second flexible diaphragm assembly of the second
self-sealing valve from the fluid moving device, so that only one
of the self-sealing valve assembly and the second self-sealing
valve assembly can be coupled to the fluid moving device at any one
time.
19. The assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first
electromechanical device and the second electromechanical device
comprise a motor.
20. The assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the third
electromechanical device also comprises the motor.
21. The assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of the first
electromechanical device and the second electromechanical device
comprise a solenoid.
22. The assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the third
electromechanical device also comprises a solenoid.
23. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the first
electromechanical device and the second electromechanical device
comprise a solenoid.
24. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid impermeable
bladder coupled to the assembly.
25. A method of regulating an amount of fluid within an inflatable
device comprising a self-sealing valve and an electromechanical
assembly, comprising: biasing open the self-sealing with sufficient
fluid pressure provided from a fluid moving device, so as to
provide the fluid through the opening and the self-sealing valve to
the inflatable device; biasing the self-sealing valve to a closed
position with sufficient pressure from fluid within the inflatable
device and in the absence of fluid from the fluid moving device;
and biasing with the electromechanical device, the self-sealing
valve to at least a partially opened position so as to regulate an
amount of fluid within the inflatable device.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing the
self-sealing valve to the at least partially open position
comprises contacting with an actuator arm of the actuator device, a
flexible diaphragm assembly of the self-sealing valve.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the act of biasing
the self-sealing valve to the at least partially open position
comprises contacting with the actuator arm of the actuator device,
a portion of the flexible diaphragm assembly opposite a hinge point
of the flexible diaphragm assembly to a wall defining the opening
of the self-sealing valve.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing the
self-sealing valve at least partially open with the
electromechanical device comprises contacting a flexible diaphragm
of the self-sealing valve with an actuator arm of the
electromechanical device.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing the
self-sealing valve at least partially open with the
electromechanical device comprises biasing the self-sealing valve
at least partially open with a solenoid.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing the
self-sealing valve at least partially open with the
electromechanical device comprises biasing the self-sealing valve
at least partially open with a motor.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing the
self-sealing valve at least partially open with the
electromechanical device comprises allowing fluid to flow at least
partially out of the inflatable device through the self-sealing
valve.
32. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing open the
self-sealing valve so as to provide the fluid to the inflatable
device comprises not biasing open the self-sealing valve with the
electromechanical device.
33. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing open the
self-sealing valve to provide the fluid to the inflatable device
comprises biasing open the self-sealing valve with the
electromechanical device.
34. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing open the
self-sealing valve so as to provide the fluid to the inflatable
device comprises biasing open a cover that covers the self-sealing
valve.
35. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing open the
self-sealing valve so as to provide the fluid to the inflatable
device comprises biasing on the fluid moving device to provide the
fluid.
36. The method of claim 25, wherein the act of biasing the
self-sealing valve to the at least partially open position
comprises biasing open a cover that covers the self-sealing
valve.
37. The method of claim 25, further comprising: biasing open a
second self-sealing valve with sufficient fluid pressure provided
from the fluid moving device, so as to provide the fluid through a
second opening of the second self-sealing valve to the inflatable
device; biasing the second self-sealing valve to a closed position
under sufficient pressure from fluid within the inflatable device
and in the absence of fluid from the fluid moving device; and
biasing with a second electromechanical device, the second
self-sealing valve to at least a partially opened position so as to
regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising rotating an arm
between a first position that seals any fluid from the fluid moving
device from the first side of the flexible diaphragm assembly of
the self-sealing valve, and a second position that seals the first
side of the second flexible diaphragm assembly of the second
self-sealing valve from the fluid moving device, so that only one
of the self-sealing valve assembly and the second self-sealing
valve assembly can be coupled to the fluid moving device at any one
time.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/377,798,
entitled "VALVE WITH ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE FOR INFLATABLE
DEVICE," filed on May 3, 2002, which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a valve comprising an
electromechanical device and, in particular, to a self-sealing
valve used with an electromechanical device to bias open the valve
to regulate an amount of fluid in an inflatable device.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Inflatable devices are used in a variety of contexts where
buoyancy or a cushioned support is needed, where space is limited,
or portability is desired. For example, inflatable mattresses,
cushions and other body Supports are used for applications such as
camping, hospital bedding, and both occasional and everyday bedding
in the home. Such inflatable devices have the additional advantage
that the degree of inflation of the support can be adjusted to
provide even support of an irregular object, such as a person.
Other examples of inflatable devices include boats, rafts and other
devices for use in the water where use of an inflatable device may
benefit support, health, comfort, and safety.
[0004] Inflatable devices typically include valves for inflation
and deflation of the devices. Valves used with inflatable devices
may include self-sealing valves such as those described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,237,621, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety. Inflatable devices may also include mechanisms, such
as manually or electrically powered pumps, to aid in inflating
and/or deflating the devices.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] One embodiment of the invention comprises a valve and
electromechanical device assembly, comprising a self-sealing valve,
a flexible diaphragm assembly and an electromechanical device. The
self-sealing valve comprises a housing having a wall defining an
opening through which a fluid is provided and also defining a valve
seat. The flexible diaphragm assembly positions the flexible
diaphragm adjacent the opening and the valve seat, is configured to
move at least a portion of the flexible diaphragm at least
partially away from the valve seat under bias of a fluid provided
on a first side of the flexible diaphragm assembly and is
configured to close and maintain a self-seal against the valve seat
under bias of a fluid on a second side of the flexible diaphragm
assembly. The electromechanical device comprises an actuator arm
having a first position in which the actuator arm acts on the
flexible diaphragm assembly to urge the at least the portion of the
flexible diaphragm at least partially away from the valve seat so
as to open the self-sealing valve, and having a second position in
which the actuator arm does not act upon the flexible diaphragm
assembly.
[0006] With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle
electromechanical device can be used. In addition, a plurality of
electromechanical devices including, for example, solenoids and
motors can be used in combination with at least one self-sealing
valve. Furthermore, the valve and electromechanical device can
flexibly be used to provide a plurality of adjustment functions,
such as, providing minor inflation/deflation adjustments for
comfort control of an inflatable device, as well as substantial
inflation or deflation of the inflatable device.
[0007] Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of
regulating an amount of fluid within an inflatable device
comprising a self-sealing valve and an electromechanical assembly.
The method comprises biasing open the self-sealing with sufficient
fluid pressure provided from a fluid moving device, so as to
provide the fluid through the opening and the self-sealing valve to
the inflatable device. The method also comprises biasing the
self-sealing valve to a closed position with sufficient pressure
from fluid within the inflatable device and in the absence of fluid
from the fluid moving device. The method further comprises biasing,
with the electromechanical device, the self-sealing valve to at
least a partially opened position so as to regulate an amount of
fluid within the inflatable device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical
component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by
a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a
fluid moving device comprising a valve and an electromechanical
device of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
fluid moving device comprising two valves and a plurality of
actuating devices of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the invention, comprising a fluid moving device, two valves and an
actuator device in a first condition;
[0012] FIG. 3B illustrates the embodiment of the invention of FIG.
3A in a second condition; and
[0013] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate another embodiment of an assembly of
an actuator in combination with a self-sealing valve of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] This invention is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth
in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having," "containing", "involving", and
variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0015] As used herein, "inflatable" is to be understood as able to
be inflated by any fluid such as, for example, a gas, air, a
liquid, and the like. As used herein, an "inflatable device"
comprises at least one fluid impermeable bladder that can be
inflated and sealed, and may comprise many shapes, sizes,
constructions, and materials.
[0016] The invention relates to a self-sealing valve that can be
used in conjunction with an electromechanical device to bias open
the valve. In particular, in one embodiment, the invention relates
to a self-sealing valve that can open under the pressure of a fluid
moving device to inflate an inflatable device, and that can close
under pressure from fluid within the inflatable device, without any
assistance from an electromechanical device. In this embodiment,
the electromechanical device is used to bias open the valve to at
least partially deflate the inflatable device, for example, to
adjust an amount of fluid within the inflatable device, and also to
substantially deflate the inflatable device. For example, the
self-sealing valve can be opened by the electromechanical device
for a short duration to adjust the amount of fluid in the
inflatable device, and can be biased open to substantially deflate
the inflatable device. In another embodiment, the invention
comprises an electromechanical device coupled to a self-sealing
valve, wherein the electromechanical device comprises an actuator
arm that is not connected to the valve, but instead can be biased
into contact with the self-sealing valve to bias open the
self-sealing valve. In this embodiment, in the closed position, or
any position other than an open position, the electromechanical
device and the actuator arm may not be in contact with the
self-sealing valve assembly. Another embodiment of the invention
comprises an electromechanical device and two valve assemblies, one
for each fluid impermeable bladder of an inflatable device
comprising at least two fluid impermeable bladders. In this
embodiment, the electromechanical device can be used to biased open
one self-sealing valve at a time, to adjust an amount of fluid
within the fluid impermeable bladder coupled to the respective
self-sealing valve, or to substantially deflate the fluid
impermeable bladder. Other embodiments of the invention will be
described infra.
[0017] As will be disclosed herein, some of the advantages of the
various embodiments of the invention include substantially reduced
power requirements for the electromechanical actuation device and
substantially reduced cycles of operation for the electromechanical
actuation device, compared with conventional valve and solenoid
combinations. Another advantage is that a plurality of
electromechanical devices including, for example, solenoids and
motors can be used in combination with at least one self-sealing
valve. Still another advantage is that the valve and
electromechanical device of the invention can flexibly be used to
provide a plurality of adjustment functions, such as, providing
minor inflation/deflation adjustments for comfort control of an
inflatable device, as well as substantial inflation or deflation of
the inflatable device.
[0018] In contrast, Solenoids have been used in conjunction with
valves for inflatable devices. In such inflatable devices, the
valves typically employ a spring to maintain the valves in a
normally biased closed position. A solenoid is typically provided
with the valve and is typically sized and arranged to overcome the
force of the spring biasing the valve closed so as to open the
valve. Such solenoids are typically center mounted with the
diaphragm of the valve. In such arrangements, the force of the
spring biasing the valve closed has to be greater than a maximum
internal air pressure within an inflatable device, so as to
maintain the valve in a closed position when the inflatable device
is inflated. Accordingly, the solenoid has to be sized and arranged
to provide a force greater than the force provided by the spring in
order to open the valve. In addition, since the spring normally
biases the valve closed, the solenoid typically has to be energized
to open the valve both for the purpose of inflating an inflatable
device and also for the purpose of exhausting air from the
inflatable device. This arrangement results in a long operating
cycle of the solenoid to either inflate the inflatable device or
deflate the inflatable device, since the solenoid must be energized
for the entire time of inflation or deflation. In addition, the
solenoid has to be sized so as to provide enough force to overcome
the force provided by the spring maintaining the valve in a closed
position, and therefore is typically a large, power consuming, and
expensive solenoid device. In addition, this arrangement suffers
from the infirmity that the amount of fluid that can be provided to
the inflatable device and exhausted from the inflatable device are
typically the same, since the valve can typically only be opened to
a single position or closed by the solenoid. Further, the solenoid
typically restricts the fluid pathway, thus requiring a substantial
inflation or deflation time for the inflatable device. For example,
Select Comfort makes an inflatable mattress with this typical
arrangement that takes on the order of about 10 minutes to inflate.
Thus, this arrangement suffers from the infirmity of not being able
to control an amount of fluid within the inflatable device in
sufficient time frames. In particular, the time to fine tune the
level of inflation of an inflatable device by this arrangement is
typically too long.
[0019] It is to be appreciated that the valve and electromechanical
device combination of the invention can be used as an alternative
or a replacement to the stand alone valve of an inflatable device.
For example, the valve and electromechanical device of the
invention can be used within the fluid moving device and valve
combination disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,363 (hereinafter the
"'363 Patent") and U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,726 (hereinafter the
"'726"), which are herein expressly incorporated by reference, to
inflate and control an amount of fluid within an inflatable
mattress. It should also be appreciated that although the valve and
electromechanical device combination of the invention is
illustrated and can be used to inflate, deflate and control an
amount of fluid within generally an inflatable device, the
combination can be used with any inflatable device, such as, for
example: inflatable furniture, or sporting items such as chairs,
mattresses and pillows; inflatable safety devices, such as life
preservers, barriers, bumpers, and pads; inflatable medical
devices, such as supports, casts, and braces; inflatable luggage
devices such as, padding and luggage lining material; inflatable
recreational devices, such as swimming aids, floats, tubes, and
rings; inflated vehicles and vehicle components, such as boats,
rafts, and tires; inflatable support structures, such as buildings,
portable enclosures, platforms, ramps, and the like; inflatable
body support devices, such as seats, back supports, body pillows,
and the like.
[0020] It should also be appreciated that any of the valve and
electromechanical device combinations of the invention, as
disclosed infra, can be used in conjunction with any fluid moving
device, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,653 herein
incorporated by reference; that disclosed in pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/859,706, herein incorporated by reference;
and that disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/1
13,836 herein incorporated by reference.
[0021] It is further to be appreciated that the valve and
electromechanical device combination of the invention is typically
used over the pressure range anywhere from approximately 0 to 1
pound per square inch (hereinafter "psi"). However, it should also
be appreciated that the valve and electromechanical device
combination of the invention can be used at any pressure above
about 1 psi and at which the valve and electromechanical device
still function properly such as, for example, to provide a seal of
the inflatable device which can be biased open by the
electromechanical device, and that such pressure ranges are within
the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that as used
herein, a range of approximately 0 to about 1 psi is understood to
be a low pressure range, a range of approximately 1 to 2 psi is
understood to be a medium pressure range, and a range of
approximately 2 to 5 psi is understood to be a relatively high
pressure range.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a
cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a valve and
electromechanical device combination of the invention. In
particular, there is illustrated a fluid moving device 100 that can
be at least partially within an inflatable device 12 or coupled to
the inflatable device 12 having an outer wall 14 that is a fluid
impermeable bladder. In particular, the fluid impermeable bladder
14 separates an exterior of the inflatable device from an interior
16 of the inflatable device. In this embodiment, the valve 10
comprises an outer wall 20 and a valve wall 24 defining a circular
opening 26 through which a fluid may be transferred to and from the
interior 16 of the inflatable device. The circular opening
preferably has a diameter of about 1" or greater. However, it
should be appreciated that the diameter can also be less than
approximately 1", such as, in the range of 1/2" to 3/4" so as to be
coupled to a tubing having a diameter in this range. The valve also
comprises a tapered wall from the opening 26 of diameter 25 to the
outer wall 20 of increased diameter 30, to create a tapered valve
seat 28. The self-sealing valve also comprises a diaphragm 40 that
is generally circular, deformable, flexible, and for this
embodiment has a diameter that is less than the larger diameter
region 30, and greater than the smaller diameter 25 of opening
26.
[0023] However, it should be appreciated that according to the
invention, the diaphragm 40 can be of any shape, material, size and
construction so long as it provides a sufficient seal of the
inflatable device. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 10
comprises a self-sealing valve, in which the diaphragm 40, in the
closed position, mates with the valve seat 28 to seal the opening
26. In one embodiment, a flexible diaphragm assembly comprises
diaphragm 40 which is supported by a diaphragm support 42. In the
illustrated embodiment, the diaphragm support 42 is hingedly
connected to a wall 24, so that it can be opened and closed about a
hinge point connection. However, it should be appreciated that the
diaphragm support 42 in combination with the diaphragm 40 of the
valve 10, can be any of a plurality of structures that may be
self-sealing, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,621, herein
incorporated by reference. In other words, the flexible diaphragm
assembly may be constructed in any manner that allows the diaphragm
to open under the influence of fluid provided by the fluid moving
device 110, and to close at a suitable fluid pressure within the
inflatable device 16, in the absence of fluid from the fluid moving
device. It should further be appreciated that the self-sealing
valve 10 can comprise many different variations, as known to those
of skill in the art such as, for example, a flexible diaphragm
without a diaphragm support. Typically, the diaphragm support 42 is
constructed from a relatively rigid plastic material, and the
diaphragm 40 may be connected to the diaphragm support in any
manner that permits the diaphragm 40 to be positioned within the
opening 26, and to open from the influence of a fluid provided by
the fluid moving device 110 and also from an influence provided by
the electromechanical device 50.
[0024] Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
valve 10 is a self-sealing valve that opens under the influence of
a fluid from the fluid moving device 110 to pressurize the
inflatable device 16, and that closes to retain fluid within the
inflatable device 16 in the absence of such fluid. In this
embodiment, the self-seal is accomplished by a fluid pressure
within the inflatable device 12 biasing the diaphragm 40 against
the valve seat 28.
[0025] It is to be appreciated that the electromechanical device 50
may be any device that is capable of biasing the self-sealing valve
10 to an open position. Some examples of electromechanical devices
that may be used with the invention include solenoids and
electrical motors, such as motors that have at least two positions,
which can be arranged to correspond to an open position and a
closed position of the self-sealing valve 10. For example, as will
be discussed in further detail infra, an electric motor can be used
to bias open the self-sealing valve in a first position, and in a
second position to allow the self-sealing valve 10 to close.
Alternatively, another example is an electric motor comprising a
suitable arrangement of gears having at least two positions, that
can be adapted with the self-sealing valve to bias open and allow
the valve 10 to close.
[0026] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the electromechanical device 50
includes an actuator arm 52, that is biased by the
electromechanical device 50 to open the valve 10 (as illustrated)
by acting on a portion of the valve. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in
one embodiment of the invention, the actuator arm 52 is coupled to,
is directly connected to, or is a portion of a moving portion of a
solenoid 50, which can be energized to bias the actuator arm to
open the valve 10, by biasing the diaphragm 40 away from the valve
seat 28. It is to be appreciated that the actuator arm 52 may act
on any portion of the valve 10, so as to bias the valve 10 open,
such as against the diaphragm 40 or against the diaphragm support
42. It is also to be appreciated that according to this embodiment
of the invention, there is a reduced force required to bias open
the valve 10. Since the diaphragm support 42 is mounted by a hinge
point to the frame 20, the actuator arm 52 can act on a portion of
the diaphragm 40 or the diaphragm support 42 opposite the hinge
point. In particular, the actuator arm 52 acts on a portion of the
diaphragm 40 or the diaphragm support 42 remote from the hinge
point of the valve 10 to the wall 24. Accordingly, the combination
of the solenoid 50 and the self-sealing valve 10 have the advantage
that there is less force needed to actuate the valve to the open
position at the portion of the valve remote from the hinge point,
than at the hinge point. In particular, the further away from the
hinge point that the actuator arm contacts the diaphragm 40 or the
valve arm 42, the smaller the force that is needed to bias the
valve 10 to an open position with the electromechanical device.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the
electromechanical device 50 and the actuator arm 52 are energized
to move either of the diaphragm 40 and the support arm 42 away from
the valve seat 28, so as to break the seal of the self-sealing
valve 10, so as to either regulate or substantially alter an amount
of fluid within the inflatable device 12. In particular, a shaded
portion 53 of the actuator arm 52 illustrates the valve arm in a
first position which is used to substantially bias open the
self-sealing valve 10. In addition, a darkened portion of the
actuator arm 52 illustrates the valve in a second position, in
which it has been allowed to close by the solenoid 50 and the
actuator arm 52, such that the actuator arm no longer is biasing
the diaphragm 40 or the diaphragm support 42 substantially away
from the valve seat. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the
first position of the actuator arm of the solenoid 50 can be used
to substantially open the self-sealing valve, and that the second
position of the actuator arm can be used to allow the valve to
operate under its normal condition, so as to open under the
influence of fluid provided by fluid moving device 110, and so as
to close upon sufficient fluid within the inflatable device 12. It
is to be appreciated that the first position of the actuator arm
can be configured so as to substantially open the valve for a
longer duration so as to substantially deflate the inflatable
device 12, or it can be configured to substantially open the valve
for a short duration so as to regulate an amount of fluid within
the inflatable device 12. In other words, to provide for controlled
fluid pressure within the inflatable device, for example, to adjust
a comfort level of the inflatable device.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated in cross section
another embodiment of a self-sealing valve in combination with an
electromechanical device of the invention. It is to be appreciated
that like reference numbers in FIG. 2 to FIG. 1, correspond to like
parts and that for the sake of brevity the description of each part
will not herein be repeated. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the
combination of the self-sealing valve and electromechanical device
of the invention are part of a fluid control device 100 that
inflates, deflates and regulates an amount of fluid within an
inflatable device. The fluid control device 100 includes a pump 110
and multiple self-sealing valves 10, in combination with respective
electromechanical devices 50. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each
combination of a self-sealing valve and an electromechanical device
operates independently, however it is to be appreciated that a
plurality of self-sealing valves may operate in combination with
one or more electromechanical devices such as illustrated in FIGS.
3A-3B, and that such combinations may also operate independently or
dependently.
[0029] As is illustrated in FIG. 2, in one illustrative condition,
the lower valve is biased to a substantially opened position by
actuator arm 52 and solenoid 50, so as to at least partially
exhaust air from a fluid impermeable bladder coupled to the lower
valve. In addition, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, in another
illustrative condition, the upper valve 10 can be opened under the
influence of fluid provided by the pump 110, while the actuator arm
is in a position allowing the valve 110 to operate in a normal
manner (illustrated as opening up under the influence of fluid from
the fluid moving device 110), so as to inflate the fluid
impermeable bladder coupled to the upper valve. It is to be
appreciated that in the illustrated condition of the upper valve,
operating in a normal manner (not under influence from the
electromechanical device) that the valve 1 10 can also close to
self-seal the fluid impermeable bladder, in the absence of fluid
form the fluid moving device, and with sufficient fluid in the
impermeable bladder. It is also to be appreciated that either
self-sealing valve and electromechanical device combinations can
operate in either manner, and that the conditions of the valves
illustrated in FIG. 2 are for illustration purposes only. With this
arrangement, the fluid control device 100 is used to inflate,
deflate, and adjust an amount of fluid within two fluid impermeable
bladders, each coupled to a respective one of the upper and lower
self-sealing valves. Accordingly, the embodiment of the invention
as illustrated in FIG. 2 is useful for inflatable devices with at
least 2 bladders such as, for example, a double inflatable mattress
with separate comfort zones for two different users, each zone
having a separate bladder.
[0030] The embodiment of FIG. 2 may also comprise a third
electromechanical device 60, which biases a control arm 105 to one
of two positions to either allow air to be provided to or exhausted
from a fluid impermeable bladder coupled to the upper valve, or the
fluid impermeable bladder coupled to the lower valve. In
particular, third electromechanical device 60 biases rotating arm
105 so as to seal off one of the self-sealing valves from the fluid
moving device, so that fluid can only be provided to or exhausted
from one fluid impermeable bladder at a time. For example, the
upper fluid impermeable bladder may be filled with fluid from the
fluid moving device 110, wherein the self-sealing valve opens up
under pressure of fluid provided by the fluid moving device 110.
With this condition, the rotating arm 105 is rotated under
influence from the electromechanical device to a position to seal
of the lower self-sealing valve from the fluid moving device, such
that fluid is prevented from being provided to the fluid
impermeable bladder coupled to the lower self-sealing valve. It is
to be appreciated that with this arrangement, the rotating arm can
also be rotated to a second position to seal off the upper
self-sealing valve from the fluid moving device, such that fluid is
prevented from being provided to the fluid impermeable bladder
coupled to the upper self-sealing valve. In the second position of
the rotating arm, fluid can be exhausted from or provided to the
impermeable bladder coupled to the lower self-sealing valve. In
other words, in one embodiment of the fluid controller device 100
of FIG. 2, only one of the two fluid impermeable bladders may be
inflated or exhausted at any one time. It is thus to be appreciated
that with the arrangement of FIG. 2, one fluid impermeable bladder
can not be inflated at the same time that the second bladder is to
be deflated.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, there is illustrated
in cross section another embodiment of the invention having at
least two different operating positions. In particular, although
the electromechanical device of the invention can comprise a
solenoid as discussed above, it may also comprise a motor 62 that
can be used to bias the actuator arm 64. It is to be appreciated
that like reference numbers in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B to that of FIGS.
1 and 2, represent like parts, and the description of each part is
not necessarily repeated for the sake of brevity. In the embodiment
of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the motor and actuator arm have at least
two positions that can each be used to operate on a respective
self-sealing valve 10. In particular, as is illustrated in FIG. 3A,
in a first position the motor biases the actuator arm 64 so as to
substantially move the flexible diaphragm of the lower self-sealing
valve away from the valve seat 28 so as to substantially open the
fluid pathway, to at least partially exhaust air from an inflatable
bladder coupled to the lower self-sealing valve. In addition, the
motor can move the actuator arm to a second position so as to allow
the lower valve to operate under normal self-sealing conditions,
such as to self seal with sufficient fluid within the fluid
impermeable bladder coupled to the lower self-sealing valve, and so
as to open under sufficient pressure of fluid provided by the fluid
moving device 110. In one embodiment, in the second position of the
motor 62, the actuator arm is configured to bias the upper valve to
a substantially open position (with the flexible diaphragm at least
partially moved away from the valve seat 28), so as to at least
partially exhaust air from an inflatable bladder coupled to the
upper self-sealing valve. Alternatively, in another embodiment of
the invention, the second position of the motor and actuator arm
may be a position in which neither self-sealing valve is biased
open by the actuator arm, as is illustrated in FIG. 3B. In this
embodiment, the motor may also comprise a third position, in which
the motor can bias the actuator arm to a position so as to
substantially open the upper self-sealing valve, so as to at least
partially exhaust air from a fluid impermeable bladder coupled to
the upper self-sealing valve.
[0032] In one embodiment, the motor can also be used to rotate a
rotating arm 105 so as to seal off one of the self-sealing valves
from the fluid moving device, so that fluid can only be provided to
one fluidly impermeable bladder at a time. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 3A, the upper fluid impermeable bladder may be
filled by fluid from the fluid moving device 110, wherein the
self-sealing valve opens up under pressure of fluid provided by the
fluid moving device 110. For this position, the rotating arm 105 is
rotated under influence from the motor to a position to seal off
the lower self-sealing valve from the fluid moving device, such
that fluid is prevented from being provided to the fluid
impermeable bladder coupled to the lower self-sealing valve. It is
to be appreciated that with this arrangement, the rotating arm can
also be rotated to a second position to seal off the upper
self-sealing valve from the fluid moving device, such that fluid is
prevented from being provided to the fluid impermeable bladder
coupled to the upper self-sealing valve. In this second position of
the rotating arm, fluid can be exhausted from or provided to the
fluid impermeable bladder coupled to the lower self-sealing
valve.
[0033] With any of the embodiments discussed above, a method of
inflating and deflating at least one fluid impermeable bladder and
regulating an amount of fluid within the at least one fluid
impermeable is provided by the invention. In particular, in one
embodiment, the self-sealing valve can be biased open under the
influence of fluid provided by the fluid moving device so as to
inflate the inflatable device. Upon sufficient fluid pressure
within the inflatable device, the self-sealing valve is biased to
the closed position by the fluid pressure within the inflatable
device. An electromechanical device is used to regulate an amount
of fluid within the inflatable device or to substantially deflate
an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. In addition, for
embodiments of inflatable devices comprising at least two bladders,
the above acts can be supplemented by providing fluid through a
second electromechanical device and self-sealing valve to a second
fluid impermeable bladder, and the second electromechanical device
and self-sealing valve can be used so as to either regulate an
amount of fluid within the inflatable device or to substantially
alter the amount of fluid from within the second fluid impermeable
bladder.
[0034] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate another embodiment of an assembly of
an electromechanical device in combination with a self-sealing
valve of the invention. This embodiment comprises a self-sealing
valve assembly 80, such as, as has been described infra. The
self-sealing valve assembly comprises a flexible diaphragm 40 and a
diaphragm support 42 that positions the diaphragm within an opening
through which fluid can be supplied to or exhausted from an inside
16 of fluid impermeable bladder 14. The self-sealing valve assembly
also includes a projecting arm 82 from the diaphragm support 42,
that is configured to interact with a portion 86 of an actuator arm
84. The assembly also comprises a cover 81 having a surface 83 that
also interacts with the portion 86 of the actuator arm 84. The
actuator arm 84 and portion 86 are configured to bias the cover 81
upward so as to open the cover, and are also configured to bias the
projecting arm 80 so as to push the diaphragm support 42 and
diaphragm 40 at least partially away from valve seat 28, as
illustrated in FIG. 4B, when a deflate lever 88 is depressed, for
example, by a finger 90 of a user. The assembly also comprises an
inflate lever 92, which can also be depressed by the finger 90 of
the user so as to urge the actuator arm into contact with the
surface 83 of the cover 81 so as to open the cover, as illustrated
in FIG. 4C. The inflate lever is also configured, when depressed,
to contact and bias a power switch 94 to energize a fluid moving
device to supply fluid from the fluid moving device to the
self-sealing valve 80, as is also illustrated in FIG. 4C.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4C, the actuator
arm also comprises spring assembly 96, which maintains the actuator
arm 84 in an at rest position, which is disengaged from the cover
81 and the self-sealing valve 80. By depressing the deflate lever
88, the actuator arm is urged into contact with the surface 83 of
the cover 81 and the projecting arm 82 of the self-sealing valve
assembly, so as to bias open the cover and to bias open the
self-sealing valve 80 for the purpose of deflating the inflatable
device, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. By depressing the inflate level
92, the actuator arm 84 is urged into contact with the surface 83
of the cover 81 so as to bias open the cover to inflate the
inflatable device as illustrated in FIG. 4C. As illustrated in FIG.
4C, the inflate lever both turns on the fluid moving device to
provide fluid to the inflatable device and also biases open the
cover for the purpose of providing fluid to the inflatable
device.
[0036] In this embodiment, the self-sealing valve is configured to
open under sufficient fluid pressure from the fluid moving device,
when the cover is biased open by depressing the inflate lever, in
the absence of any biasing open of the self-sealing valve from the
actuator arm 84. The self-sealing valve is also configured to close
in the absence of such fluid pressure from the fluid moving device
and in the absence of any bias from the actuator device, with
sufficient fluid pressure within the fluid impermeable bladder 16,
to a closed position. The self-sealing valve is further configured
to at least partially open to allow fluid to escape through the
self-sealing valve from the inflatable device to regulate an amount
of fluid within the inflatable device, when the cover and the
self-sealing valve is biased open by the actuator arm, by
depressing the inflate lever.
[0037] It should be appreciated that although FIGS. 4A-4C
illustrate an embodiment of a actuator device and valve assembly
comprising a single self-sealing valve, there may be provided a
plurality of such self-sealing valves, for example along a row
within a common housing 96, all coupled to the fluid moving device,
and all provided with a respective deflate lever 88, inflate lever
92, and spring assembly 96 comprising actuator arm 84, so as to be
able to respectively bias open and close each self-sealing valve
assembly for the purpose of inflating and deflating a plurality of
fluid impermeable bladders within an inflatable device. In other
words, the assembly of FIGS. 4A-4C can be used to fill, deflate and
control a fluid level within an inflatable device that comprises a
plurality of fluid impermeable bladders, each having a respectively
assembly as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, so as to be able to control
the fluid pressure within each fluid impermeable bladder
independently, and with the added advantage of only having to use a
single fluid moving device. It is to be appreciated that the fluid
moving device may be located remotely from the self-sealing valve
and the electromechanical assembly.
[0038] Having thus described several aspects of at least one
embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various
alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to
those skilled in the art. For example, it is to be appreciated that
for any of the above described embodiments, the fluid moving device
can be provided remotely from, for example, the self-sealing
valves, and also that the controls to bias on and off the fluid
moving device and any of the electromechanical devices can be
located remotely from the fluid moving device and the
electromechanical devices. In addition, it is to be appreciated
that there may be some embodiments or applications where the
electromechanical device may also be used to open the self-sealing
valve of any of the embodiments described infra for the purpose of
aiding the inflating of the inflatable device such as, for example,
where the self-sealing valve is not opened appreciably by the fluid
moving device upon inflation. Such alterations, modifications, and
improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of
example only.
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