Disc Valve Slide Mechanism for Pressure-Compensated Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk valves in hot beverage devices face challenges in maintaining a tight seal over their service life, particularly due to the preload reduction when pressurized fluid is applied, leading to increased wear and difficulty in switching the unpressurized butterfly valve.
Innovation Solution
A disk valve design where the fluid supply and discharge lines are spatially separated by the valve and control disks, with a pressure transducer applying a fluid-pressure-dependent compressive force to the disk arrangement, and a slide within the housing that moves in the flow direction to enhance sealing by utilizing the fluid pressure for additional compressive force, reducing the need for constant elastic element prestressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic elements are used to apply preload to the valve discs, then sealing is improved, but switching difficulty increases when unpressurized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the elastic preload elements and transfers it to the fluid pressure itself. The fluid pressure acts directly on the valve discs to maintain sealing, while the elastic elements only provide minimal preload to ensure contact. This separation allows the valve to seal reliably under pressure without requiring high elastic preload that would make switching difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the sealing force dynamic by using fluid pressure to actively maintain the seal during operation. Instead of relying on constant elastic preload, the sealing force adapts to the fluid pressure conditions, providing just enough force to maintain sealing without creating excessive resistance to switching.
2Reliability
If higher preload is applied permanently using elastic elements, then sealing under pressure is improved, but preload loss over time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-service by using the fluid pressure itself to maintain the sealing force. The system automatically adjusts the sealing pressure according to the fluid pressure conditions without requiring continuous adjustment of elastic elements. This eliminates the progressive preload loss problem because the sealing force is replenished by the fluid pressure rather than relying solely on elastic element tension that degrades over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of sealing force from being determined by elastic element tension to being determined by fluid pressure. This parameter change allows the sealing force to be maintained at appropriate levels throughout service life without the degradation associated with elastic element relaxation.
3Reliability
If elastic elements are used for preload, then initial sealing is achieved, but wear increases over service life
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the wear-causing function from the elastic elements by removing their primary role in maintaining sealing force. The elastic elements only provide minimal preload for initial contact, while the fluid pressure承担了 the main sealing function. This significantly reduces the wear on valve discs and sealing surfaces that would otherwise result from constant high elastic preload.
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 design ensures a pressure-tight seal is maintained throughout the service life of the device, reducing wear and effort required to operate the control disc, while allowing for easier assembly and repair, and preventing pressure losses.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor that is fluid-permeable, onto which the pressure acting upon it by the fluid pressure in the fluid supply line transmits
Implementation Method 2
When a pressurized fluid is present at the housing, as intended, it first encounters the slide. It presses the slide against the disc assembly consisting of the valve disc(s) and the control disc, which are in turn pressed together.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a disc valve (1), in particular a multi-way valve, with a housing (2) comprising a valve disc (5) and a control disc (6), which has a fluid supply line (3) and a fluid outlet (4) which are separated by the valve disc (5) and the control disc (6), wherein the control disc (6) is rotatably mounted relative to the valve disc (5) and both discs are each provided with at least one through-opening (7), so that when the through-openings (7) of the valve disc (5) and the control disc (6) are superimposed, a fluid flow along a flow direction from the fluid supply line (3) to the fluid outlet (4) is possible.The disc valve is characterized in that the disc valve (1) additionally comprises a slide (8) movable in the flow direction in the housing (2), which is arranged upstream of the valve disc (5) and the control disc (6), which is held rotationally fixed about the axis of rotation (D) and which has through-openings (7) that correspond to those of the valve disc (5).