Check Valve Design for Complete Fluid Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport and storage containers for fluids often require extensive rinsing and cleaning due to incomplete drainage, especially when used for substances like pesticides, leading to contamination and disposal issues with residual fluids.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design with a valve housing and valve neck that extends into the inflow area of the draining neck, featuring a valve body that closes against a valve face upstream of the outflow direction, minimizing return volume and utilizing a valve flap with a pendulum bearing and ballast weight for enhanced closing force, along with a stop device to prevent jamming and ensure complete drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closing device is positioned far from the outflow opening to ensure complete closure, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the return volume of fluid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve acts as an intermediary component positioned between the closing device and the outflow opening. It provides a sealing function at a location closer to the outflow opening than the closing device, thereby reducing the return volume while maintaining sealing reliability through the valve body's direct engagement with the valve face near the outflow area.
2Productivity
If the valve neck extends deep into the draining neck to minimize return volume, then the drainage efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve neck is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first section extending into the draining neck to minimize return volume, and a second section providing structural support and connection. This segmentation allows the valve to achieve deep positioning for drainage efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
3Loss of substance
If the valve face is positioned upstream in the outflow direction to minimize return volume, then the fluid loss is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve face is pre-positioned upstream in the outflow direction during manufacturing, establishing the optimal sealing location before the container is filled and drained. This preliminary positioning action ensures minimal return volume while the associated precision requirements are managed through standardized manufacturing processes for the valve 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 check valve enables complete emptying of containers, reducing the need for extensive rinsing and cleaning, and facilitating efficient reuse by minimizing residual fluid volume and ensuring reliable operation even with small amounts of fluid remaining.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body (45), which closes against a valve face (32) contrary to the outflow direction
Implementation Method 2
its outer edge is supported so as to be pivotable in a pendulum bearing (34) relative to the valve face
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a valve flap with a pendulum bearing and ballast weight for enhanced closing force
Data Source
AI summary
A transport and storage container for fluids having a check valve that allows the contents of the storage container to be substantially completely emptied. A valve housing of the check valve has a valve face against which a valve flap rests against in its closed state.