Rotatable Ball Valve for Hose Outlet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for shutting off or releasing waste water hoses on floor cleaning machines require skill and effort, especially when dealing with pressurized liquids, and are not easily usable by less skilled users.
Innovation Solution
A two-part housing device with a rotatable spherical closure piece and a sealing ring, integrated ball valve, and a bayonet locking mechanism that allows for easy handling and controlled discharge of water, enabling users to operate the device with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a squeeze sleeve made of soft material is used to shut off the hose end, then the device can be simple in structure, but it requires skill and effort to operate especially with pressurized liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical squeezing action with an integrated ball valve mechanism that automatically opens and closes the hose end. The ball valve uses a simple rotational motion to control fluid flow, eliminating the need for users to manually pinch or kink the hose with their hands, thereby solving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service operation where the ball valve automatically performs the shut-off function when activated by the user's simple rotational input. The mechanism is designed to be self-actuating, requiring minimal user effort while reliably controlling the pressurized liquid flow without needing complex external assistance.
2Ease of operation
If a ball valve design is used to shut off liquid flow, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve is segmented into distinct functional components: the spherical closure piece with through-channel, the sealing ring, the clamping ring, and the housing parts. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular design makes the complex ball valve mechanism easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a spherical closure piece (ball valve) where a through-channel runs through the sphere. This spherical geometry provides smooth flow control and reliable sealing surfaces. The curved surfaces of the ball valve work complementarily with the housing parts to create effective sealing while maintaining simple rotational operation, thus achieving ease of operation without excessive complexity.
3Productivity
If a spherical closure piece with through-channel is used, then controlled discharge of waste water is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to complementary concave spherical section surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing concave spherical section surfaces only in the specific regions where the ball valve contacts the housing parts, rather than requiring the entire housing to have spherical precision. The sealing and rotational functions are localized to specific contact areas, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining controlled discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealing ring as an intermediary element between the spherical closure piece and the housing. This sealing ring compensates for minor imperfections in the spherical surfaces and ensures reliable sealing without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision. The clamping ring acts as another intermediary to apply uniform pressure and maintain proper contact between components.
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 device allows for easy and reliable operation, enabling targeted and controlled discharge of waste water, even for less skilled users, by simplifying the process of opening and closing the hose end with a straightforward mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spherical closure piece rotatable through 90° being arranged inside the housing which is provided with a rectilinear through-channel that can be aligned with the hose connection and the outlet spout to release the outflow end
Implementation Method 2
a sealing ring lying against the closure piece being provided in the hose-side housing part
Implementation Method 3
the outer housing part that surrounds and can be locked with the hose-side housing part in a sealing manner and can be pressed to fix the position of the closure piece
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~11
AI summary
The device has a spherical end plate arranged rotatably within a two-piece housing (2) that is rectilinear with a hose (1). A discharge sleeve (5) releases a transit channel that is releasable at outflow ends. The sleeve comprises a housing portion (3) for concavely curved ball portion surfaces that are assigned complementarily. The end plate lying close to a sealing ring is provided in the hose-side housing portions such that the end plate surrounds the housing portion. A lockable clamping ring (13) seals the hose-side housing portions, such that the plate is fixed pressably at a position.