Ball Valve Sealing Member Geometry for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball valves with lip sealing members have complex structures that complicate manufacturing and installation, leading to high costs and time-consuming processes, while maintaining effective sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve design featuring a sealing member with a convex polygon, ellipse, circle, D-shape, or waist shape, which is easily installed and manufactured, utilizing a sealing groove and elastic member for support and stability, and connected via ultrasonic welding or hot melt connections for quick assembly and strong bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lip sealing member is used to improve sealing performance, then the sealing performance of the valve port is improved, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lip sealing member from the valve body and makes it a separate, independently replaceable component. This allows the sealing function to be maintained while simplifying the overall valve structure and reducing manufacturing complexity, as the sealing member can be produced separately and installed without complex integration into the valve body.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is segmented into distinct components: the valve body, the sealing member, and the valve ball. The sealing member itself is segmented into a body portion and a lip portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective sealing performance.
2Reliability
If a lip sealing member with complex structure is used to achieve self-sealing effect, then the sealing performance is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lip sealing member is extracted as a separate component that can be manufactured independently using simple molding processes. The body portion and lip portion are designed to be formed in one or two simple molding steps, avoiding complex machining or assembly processes, thus significantly improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining the self-sealing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member utilizes material elasticity and deformation characteristics to achieve sealing. The lip portion is designed with specific geometric parameters that allow it to deform elastically under pressure, creating the self-sealing effect without requiring complex mechanical structures or multiple manufacturing steps.
3Reliability
If a lip sealing member is installed to improve sealing, then the sealing performance is enhanced, but the installation process becomes inconvenient and time consuming due to needing to distinguish front and back sides
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member incorporates asymmetric features including a protrusion on the body portion that engages with a corresponding groove in the valve body, and a beveled edge on the lip portion. These asymmetric design elements provide visual and tactile cues that guide correct installation orientation, eliminating the need for installers to memorize or distinguish front and back sides through complex markings or instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member's asymmetric geometry enables self-aligning installation. The protrusion fits into the groove and the beveled edge naturally guides the lip portion into the correct orientation as it is inserted, allowing the component to self-correct its orientation during installation without requiring external alignment tools or complex procedures.
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 design facilitates time-saving and cost-effective installation of the sealing member while maintaining a normal pressing contact for a good sealing effect, enhancing the sealing performance and service life of the valve.
Implementation Method 1
The valve body structure further includes an elastic member, wherein the elastic member supports the sealing component of the valve, so as to enable the sealing component of the valve to move
Implementation Method 2
connected via ultrasonic welding or hot melt connections for quick assembly and strong bonding
Implementation Method 3
connected via ultrasonic welding or hot melt connections for quick assembly and strong bonding
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~12
Figure 13~14
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ball valve (101). The ball valve (101) includes a valve body structure (30) and a driving structure (40). The valve body structure (30) includes a valve body (31), a sealing component of a valve (100), and a sealing member (32). The valve body (31) is provided with a valve port (311). The sealing component of the valve (100) is installed in the valve body (31). At least a part of the driving structure (40) is capable of extending into the valve body (31) and is connected to the sealing component of the valve (100). The sealing member (32) surrounds the valve port (311) and configured to cooperate with the sealing component of the valve (100) to seal the valve port (311). A longitudinal cross section of the sealing member (32) is in a shape of any one of a convex polygon, an ellipse, a circle, a D-shape, or a waist shape.