Check Valve Assembly With Hollow-Tube Shaft Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves for fluid flow control in compressor and vacuum pump systems have complex structures, leading to high manufacturing and maintenance costs, risk of breakage, and inefficiencies due to improper reinforcement and support of the shaft, resulting in potential back rotation and damage to system components.
Innovation Solution
A check valve assembly with a robust design featuring an elongated hollow tube for shaft insertion and bearings within the tube for enhanced support, reducing the risk of breakage and allowing for a simpler, cost-effective assembly with reduced maintenance needs, while preventing back rotation and fluid flow reversals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a complex structure with multiple bearings and a dumper is used to mount the valve disk, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plate is segmented into a flat closure surface and an integrated hollow elongated area that serves as a self-contained mounting structure. This segmentation allows the shaft to be mounted directly through the hollow area without requiring external dumpers or multiple bearings, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow elongated area is merged directly into the valve plate structure, combining the valve closure function and the shaft mounting function into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate dumpers and multiple bearings, reducing device complexity while providing robust shaft support.
2Reliability
If a complex structure with numerous nonstandard components is used, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plate is manufactured as a homogeneous cast component with the hollow elongated area integrated into its structure. This homogeneous construction using standard casting processes eliminates the need for assembling multiple nonstandard components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while ensuring connection reliability through the robust integrated design.
3Device complexity
If the shaft is improperly reinforced along its length, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft reinforcement is achieved by transitioning from a simple linear mounting to a three-dimensional hollow elongated area that surrounds and supports the shaft along its length. This dimensional change provides distributed support throughout the shaft length, significantly reducing breakage risk without adding complex external reinforcement structures.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple design is used, then the manufacturing and maintenance costs are reduced, but the risk of breakage and unwanted displacements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plate combines the flat closure surface material with the integrated hollow elongated area structure, creating a composite design that serves multiple functions simultaneously. This composite structure provides both the simple design needed for easy manufacturing and the robust shaft support required for high reliability, eliminating the need for separate complex 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 solution significantly increases the valve's lifespan, reduces maintenance and manufacturing costs, and ensures efficient operation by preventing back rotation and fluid flow reversals, thereby protecting compressor and vacuum pump components and optimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a valve plate (6) adapted to pivot between a first open position in which fluid can flow through said check valve (4) and a second closed position in which fluid cannot flow through said check valve (4)
Implementation Method 2
the check valve assembly (4) further comprises a shaft (9) and at least one bearing (10) mounted within said hollow tube for connecting the valve plate to the valve body (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a check valve assembly for a compressor (1) or a vacuum pump (100) comprising : - a valve body (5) adapted to receive a valve plate (6), said valve plate (6) pivoting between a first open position and a second closed position; - said valve body (5) being connected to a discharge port (3) of a compressor unit (1) or to the intake port (300) of a vacuum pump (100); - a second fluid conduit (8) attachable to the valve body (5), said second fluid conduit (8) being connected to an external network (2); - a shaft (9) and at least one bearing (10) for connecting the valve plate (6) to the valve body (5); characterised in that the valve plate (6) comprises an elongated area (11) having a hollow tube through which the shaft (9) is inserted for rotatably mounting said valve plate (6) in the valve body (5) and, in that, said at least one bearing (10) is positioned on said shaft (9) and within said hollow tube.