Low Profile Backwater Valve Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backwater valves face challenges in preventing sewage backflow into homes due to issues with debris and contamination affecting their operation, and there is a need for a mechanism to securely lock the valve in a closed position.
Innovation Solution
A low profile backwater valve design featuring a pivoting buoyant valve member with a locking mechanism, accessible handle, and features like baffles and a hose coupling for debris removal, ensuring the valve can securely close and lock, even in the presence of water, using a locking member that moves between release and locked positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the valve in closed position, then reliability of sewage backflow prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is integrated with the valve member itself, combining the sealing function and locking function into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms while providing secure engagement with the locking surfaces on the valve body, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyant valve member automatically engages with the locking surfaces through its own movement when closing against backflow pressure. The valve member's buoyancy-driven motion naturally positions it to engage the locking surfaces, enabling self-locking without requiring additional actuating mechanisms, thus improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a handle is added for external access to the locking mechanism, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is positioned to extend through the valve body wall, providing external access to the locking mechanism from a different spatial dimension. This allows users to operate the valve from outside the system without requiring disassembly or complex internal mechanisms, improving ease of operation while adding minimal structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the valve member is made buoyant to close automatically, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member incorporates buoyant material that enables it to automatically close when backflow pressure occurs. The buoyancy force naturally drives the valve member to engage with the locking surfaces and seal the inlet without requiring external actuators, motors, or complex control systems, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining device simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents sewage backflow by utilizing buoyancy and inclined planes to close the valve and ensures secure locking, while features like baffles and a transparent top facilitate maintenance and debris removal, enhancing operational reliability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The valve member is buoyant in water
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile backwater valve includes a hollow valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a top and a bottom. A pivoting valve member that is buoyant in water moves between a normally open position along the bottom of the valve body and a closed position sealing the inlet. A locking member is positioned in the hollow valve body. The locking member has a release position below the pivot axis of the valve member that permits the valve member to pivot freely, and a locking position immediately adjacent to the valve member that secures the valve member in the closed position. A handle is attached to the locking member and is accessible from outside and from the top of the hollow valve body. The handle moves the locking member between the release position and the locking position.