Multi-Port Control Valve for Independent Water Treatment Backwashing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment systems with multiple control valves for multi-stage treatment are costly, occupy large space, have high failure rates, and lack effective rinsing and backwashing capabilities, leading to contamination and reduced cleaning effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A water treatment device with a single control valve that allows for series connection of three treatment devices, enabling separate and individual backwashing or rinsing of each device, with wastewater diversion to prevent contamination, and includes a regenerant solution for softening resin treatment without affecting other devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple control valves are used for each water treatment device, then each device can be independently controlled for treatment and rinsing, but the system complexity, manufacturing cost, space occupation, and failure rate increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent control of each water treatment deviceVSAvoidNumber of control valves
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single control valve is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling water flow for treatment, rinsing, and backwashing operations across three water treatment devices. The valve body includes multiple valve cores that can be rotated to different positions to control different flow paths, enabling one valve to replace what would traditionally require three separate valves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the control functions of three separate control valves into a single integrated control valve assembly. The valve body houses multiple valve cores that work together to control water flow to and from multiple treatment devices, merging previously separate control functions into one unified device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If three filter media tanks are connected in series for multi-stage treatment, then water quality improves through sequential treatment, but rinsing effectiveness deteriorates because wastewater from one tank contaminates the next

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWater quality through multi-stage treatmentVSAvoidCross-contamination during rinsing
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve is designed with separate control paths for each water treatment device, allowing independent rinsing operations. When rinsing one tank, the valve configuration ensures that rinse water and wastewater are directed through dedicated paths that do not intersect with other tanks, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining the series connection for treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve acts as an intermediary that manages water flow between the three treatment devices and the external environment. Through its multiple valve cores and flow passages, it mediates the rinsing process by directing rinse water to the target tank and routing wastewater to discharge, preventing direct communication between tanks during rinsing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single control valve is used to control multiple water treatment devices, then system complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to perform separate backwashing and rinsing operations on each device is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNumber of control valvesVSAvoidSeparate backwashing and rinsing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve incorporates multiple valve cores that can be rotated independently to different positions, dynamically changing the flow paths. This rotational mechanism allows the single valve to adapt its configuration for different operations: treatment mode, rinsing mode, backwashing mode, or combinations thereof, providing the versatility previously requiring multiple valves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve is segmented into multiple independent valve cores within a single valve body, each capable of controlling specific flow paths. This segmentation allows independent control of treatment and rinsing functions for each water treatment device, even though all functions are housed within one valve assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 system achieves efficient multi-stage water treatment with reduced complexity, space, and lower failure rates, ensuring thorough cleaning of all treatment stages while preventing cross-contamination and maintaining water quality.

Implementation Method 1

the valve core forms a first water treatment flow passage, a second water treatment flow passage and a third water treatment flow passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Implementation Method 2

control the raw water to respectively and individually perform backwashing or rinsing on the filter media or softening resin of the corresponding water treatment device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBackwashing:

Implementation Method 3

control the raw water to respectively and individually perform backwashing or rinsing on the filter media or softening resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRinsing:

Implementation Method 4

control the wastewater generated from backwashing or rinsing to flow out separately, preventing the wastewater from contaminating other water treatment devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWastewater diversion:

Implementation Method 5

configured to control a regenerant solution to perform regeneration treatment on the softening resin within a third water treatment device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRegeneration:

Data Source

PatentEP4703611A1Water treatment machine and control valve for water treatment machine
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 YUYAO YADONG PLASTIC
  • EP4703611A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703611A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703611A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Provided in the present invention are a water treatment machine and a control valve for the water treatment machine. The control valve for the water treatment machine of the present invention comprises a valve body and a valve core, wherein the valve body is provided with a valve cavity, a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, a fourth opening, a fifth opening, a first fluid opening, a second fluid opening, and a blow down opening, the valve core being disposed in the valve cavity, and the second fluid opening of the valve body being adapted to be communicated with a raw water source, when the control valve is at a water treatment working position, the valve core of the control valve for a first water treatment flow channel, a second water treatment flow channel and a third water treatment flow channel, the first water treatment flow channel being separately communicated with the second fluid opening and the first opening, the second water treatment flow channel being separately communicated with the third opening and the fourth opening, and the third water treatment flow channel being separately communicated with the fifth opening and the first fluid opening.