Drain Valve Assembly With Clamp Bracket Cable Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain valve assemblies face challenges in ensuring precise alignment between the override cable and the drain valve, leading to improper closure and potential leakage or wear.
Innovation Solution
The proposed drain valve assembly incorporates a clamp bracket system with two attachment points to secure the cable and/or drain valve relative to the assembly housing, preventing rotation and ensuring vertical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the drain valve is assembled without precise alignment features, then the assembly process is simpler and faster, but the cable and valve may become misaligned leading to improper closure and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A clamp bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable assembly and the drain valve housing. The clamp bracket features a channel that guides cable movement and a flange with attachment points that secure the cable assembly to the housing, ensuring precise alignment without complicating the overall assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp bracket is pre-configured with a channel oriented in the correct vertical direction and attachment points positioned to ensure proper alignment. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during final assembly, as the bracket already establishes the correct geometric relationship between components
2Ease of operation
If the cable is allowed to move freely without constraints, then the cable operation is smoother, but the cable may become misaligned with the valve during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp bracket acts as a mediating structure that constrains cable movement to a precise vertical path through its channel, while still allowing smooth cable operation. The channel walls guide the cable without excessive friction, ensuring both smooth operation and reliable alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp bracket design allows the cable to move dynamically within the channel while maintaining alignment. The channel provides constraints in horizontal directions but allows free movement in the vertical direction, adapting to the cable's operational needs while preventing misalignment
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
This solution enhances the alignment between the cable and the drain valve, preventing misalignment issues that can cause improper valve closure, leakage, or wear, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of the drain valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
The moveable part is biased by e.g. a spring to this default position
Implementation Method 2
as the cable is pulled away from the valve, the moveable part is pulled relative to the valve housing, against the force of e.g. the spring
Data Source
AI summary
A drain valve assembly comprising: an assembly housing; a drain valve having a valve housing through which a flow channel is defined from an inlet port and an outlet port, and a moveable valve part moveable relative to the valve housing between a closed position between the inlet port and the outlet port and an open position displaced from between the inlet port and the outlet port; an override cable having a first end attached to the moveable valve part and a second end remote from the drain valve, the cable positioned to move in a substantially vertical direction when a pulling force is applied, to move the moveable valve part to the open position, and being biased to return the moveable part to the closed position when the pulling force is removed from the cable.