Patent ID: 11950702
Assignee: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  F | IPC A  F

Claim 17:
18. A valve comprising:
a solenoid coil;
a plunger having a core configured to respond to a magnetic field generated by the solenoid coil, wherein the core defines a receptacle at a tail end of the core and wherein the receptacle includes an annular groove that has a larger diameter than portions of the receptacle forward and rearward of the annular groove;
a valve disc positioned at a head of the core and configured to cushion impact when the valve is closed; and
a projection positioned and configured to cushion impact when the valve is opened, wherein the projection comprises a bumper positioned partially within and fully retained within the receptacle and partially extending outside of the receptacle in a rearward direction, wherein a rearmost portion of the projection extends further rearward than a rearward-most portion of the core, wherein the bumper includes an annular rim positioned in the annular groove of the receptacle, wherein the annular groove of the receptacle is larger than the annular rim of the bumper and has a shape that differs from the annular rim of the bumper such that the annular groove defines space that is not filled by the annular rim, wherein the projection is configured to move in unison with the core, wherein the valve disc defines a receptacle, wherein the head of the core is positioned in the receptacle, and wherein a front surface of the head of the core and an opposing surface in the receptacle of the valve disc are shaped to space at least part of the front surface from the opposing surface.