Check Valve Overflow Channels for Low-Resistance Backflow Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves used in the food sector, such as those in coffee machines, face challenges due to complex structures leading to high manufacturing costs and contamination risks, as well as high flow restriction and potential for kickback-induced deformation in duckbill valves.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring an elastically deformable closure part with a conical shape and overflow channels that allow fluid to flow around the closure part wall, reducing the risk of contamination and flow resistance, and preventing twisting through rotational asymmetry and targeted deformation areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded valve stem design is used, then backflow prevention is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the spring component from the check valve design. Instead of using a spring-loaded valve stem, the patent employs a simple hinged closure part that opens and closes purely under fluid pressure and gravity, thereby simplifying the structure while maintaining backflow prevention functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional check valve mechanism by replacing the active spring force with a passive hinged closure that relies on fluid pressure differential and gravitational force to achieve automatic opening and closing, thus simplifying the overall structure
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded valve stem design is used, then backflow prevention is achieved, but contamination risk increases in hygiene-sensitive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the spring component that creates dead zones and contamination risks, replacing it with a hinged closure design where fluid flows freely through the hinge area, eliminating hidden spaces where contamination could occur in hygiene-sensitive applications
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary mechanism that allows the closure part to open and close smoothly while maintaining a clean, simple structure without complex mechanical components that could harbor contaminants
3Ease of manufacture
If a duckbill valve design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow restriction increases and backflow resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic hinged closure mechanism that can fully open to allow maximum flow during forward flow conditions, unlike the static duckbill valve design that inherently restricts flow. The hinge allows the closure to move freely and open completely, eliminating flow restriction while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
4Ease of manufacture
If a duckbill valve design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the valve can invert under high backflow loads
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses an asymmetric hinge design where the hinge axis is positioned offset from the center of the closure part. This asymmetric positioning creates a stabilizing moment that prevents the valve from inverting under backflow loads, while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of the hinged design
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 allows for cost-effective production, minimizes contamination risks, reduces flow resistance, and maintains high positional stability and alignment, preventing twisting and backflow while ensuring efficient fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable closure part arranged between the inlet and the outlet, which closure part is designed to prevent backflow of the fluid from the outlet to the inlet
Implementation Method 2
the fluid flows around the closure part wall from the inlet over a partial length and is guided through the overflow channels onto the closure part wall, so that this closure part wall is deformed at least partially by the fluid pressure and thus lifted from the valve seat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a check valve comprising an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) and an elastically deformable closure element (5) arranged between the inlet (2) and the outlet (3), which is designed to prevent backflow of the fluid from the outlet (3) to the inlet (2), wherein a first valve section (4) forms a valve seat for the closure element (5), wherein the closure element (5) is cap-shaped and has a closure element base (5.1) and a closure element wall (5.2) with a closure element rim (5.3) opposite the closure element base, wherein overflow channels (7) are provided in the first valve section (4) and wherein the overflow channels (7) are designed such that the closure element wall (5.2) is partially surrounded by the fluid from the inlet (2) and guided through the overflow channels (7) onto the closure element wall (5.2), so that this closure element wall (5.2) is at least partially deformed and thus lifted off the valve seat.