Coating Pump Intake Valve Assembly for Fast Cleaning Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic pumps for coating product application systems face challenges in simplified cleaning and maintenance due to the need for multiple tools and complex dismantling procedures, especially when deposits form and the pump's screw threads come into contact with the product, making outdoor operations difficult.

Innovation Solution

A pump design featuring a suction valve with a nut and valve support that can be easily removed by unscrewing from the bottom, using non-specific tools and ensuring the nut and valve support are fixed in a non-removable manner, allowing for simplified disassembly and maintenance without exposing threads to the product.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the suction valve is securely fastened to the pump body using screw threads, then the sealing and product flow control are improved, but the disassembly and cleaning operations become complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoiddisassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The suction valve is divided into multiple separable parts: a first part that remains on the pump body and a second part that can be easily removed. The valve support is also segmented into a retained portion and a removable portion. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain secure sealing when assembled while enabling simple disassembly for cleaning by removing only the second part without affecting the first part's connection to the pump body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the valve is securely fastened to the pump body, then the product flow control is improved, but the cleaning time and tool requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct flow controlVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The valve and valve support are segmented into retainable and removable portions, allowing quick removal of only the cleaning-required components (second part of valve, second part of valve support) while leaving the pump body connection intact. This reduces cleaning time significantly compared to complete disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second part of the valve and the second part of the valve support are extracted as separate removable components that can be easily detached for cleaning. This extraction principle allows operators to remove only the necessary parts for cleaning without dismantling the entire valve assembly or requiring multiple tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If the valve components are easily removable, then the maintenance operations are simplified, but the sealing reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaintenanceVSAvoidsealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is segmented into a first part that maintains the sealing connection with the pump body and a second part that is easily removable for maintenance. The valve support is similarly segmented. This ensures that the sealing function is maintained in the retained portions while the removable portions can be easily accessed for cleaning and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3969752B1Pump for a coating application system and use of such a pump
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 EXEL INDUSTRIES
  • EP3969752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3969752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3969752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This pump (2), for a system for applying a coating product, comprises a pump body (4) and an intake valve (6) attached to the pump body (4) and intended to be connected to a source of coating product, the intake valve (6) comprising a valve body (8, 10) and a valve shutter (12) The valve body (8, 10) comprises a first component (8) secured to the pump body (4), and a second component (10) screwed to the first component (8), said second component (10) comprises a valve-shutter support (14) situated radially toward the inside of the first component (8) and forming a seat (142) of the valve (6) intended to collaborate with the valve shutter (12) in order to establish sealing, said second component (10) also comprising a nut (16), attached to the valve-shutter support (14), extending radially around an end part (80) of the first component (8), this end part (80) having an external screw thread (82) collaborating with an internal screw thread (160) of the nut (16), and when the nut (16) has been unscrewed from the first component (8), the second component (10) and the valve shutter (12) can be extracted from the first component (8).