Check Valve Interface with Axial Play for Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing check valves for cold or heat circuits face challenges in facilitated installation within connection devices, particularly due to tolerance issues in axial direction, which can lead to difficulties in ensuring proper sealing and flow control.

Innovation Solution

The check valve design incorporates a connecting interface between the valve housing and the base housing with axial play, allowing for tolerance compensation during installation. This interface is facilitated by connecting elements such as rest hooks and grooves, enabling flexible alignment and secure sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the check valve is designed with a fixed rigid interface between valve housing and base housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the installation difficulty increases due to axial tolerance accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface between valve housing and base housing is designed with axial play, allowing the connection to be dynamic rather than rigid. The locking hooks engage with the circumferential groove at a specific axial position, but permit movement within the play range, enabling the interface to adapt to tolerance variations during installation while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The axial play parameter is specifically designed to compensate for tolerance accumulation in the axial direction. By controlling the magnitude of axial play, the invention allows the interface to absorb dimensional variations without compromising the overall structural stability of the check valve assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the check valve interface allows axial play between valve housing and base housing, then the ease of installation is improved through tolerance compensation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into discrete functional elements: locking hooks on the valve housing, circumferential groove on the base housing, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall tolerance compensation mechanism, making the complexity manageable and the assembly process straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The axial play acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rigid valve housing and base housing. It mediates the tolerance mismatch by providing a controlled range of movement, allowing the two rigid components to align properly during installation without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If locking hooks are designed to engage firmly with the circumferential groove, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates due to alignment difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidalignment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism transitions from a rigid fixed-position engagement to a dynamic engagement that accommodates axial movement. The locking hooks can engage with the circumferential groove at various axial positions within the play range, making alignment during installation more forgiving while maintaining strong connection when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3839304B1Check valve and connection device for a check valve
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 OTTO EGELHOF GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3839304B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3839304B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3839304B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a check valve, in particular for a refrigeration or heating circuit, which can be installed in a connection point of a connection device having an inlet opening for supplying a medium and an outlet opening for discharging the medium, with a multi-part housing (12, 14) comprising a valve housing (14) and a base housing (12) which can be connected to each other via an interface (16) by means of connecting elements (41, 42), with a regulating chamber (24) formed between the base housing (12) and the valve housing (14), in which a valve closing element (25) is provided which, in a closed position (54), rests against a valve seat (23) of the valve housing (14) and closes an opening (22) in the valve housing (14) and can be moved into a working position against an actuating force of a return element (33) and releases the valve opening (22).wherein the valve housing (14) and the valve closing element (25) which is slidably arranged in the regulating chamber (24) lie in a common longitudinal axis (64), wherein the interface (16) between the valve housing (14) and the base housing (12) includes an axial clearance by which the distance between the valve housing (14) and the base housing (12) can be changed.