Sanitary Drain Valve Sealing Ring Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary outlet fittings face challenges in production efficiency, maintenance complexity, and sealing issues due to the need for precise machining and separate components, making them difficult to produce and service without specialized tools.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary outlet fitting design featuring a sleeve-shaped outlet mouthpiece with an external thread for easy screwing into the outlet fitting, a tool engagement surface for handling, and a sealing ring for radial and axial sealing, eliminating the need for an annular flange and allowing for a constant clear opening cross-section, enhancing maintenance and production efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an insertable cartridge is screwed directly into the outlet opening with its entire length, then the sealing area is improved, but the ease of maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidmaintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet fitting is divided into distinct segments: the outlet opening, the insertable cartridge, and the outlet mouthpiece. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be removed and replaced independently while maintaining proper sealing through the mouthpiece structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the outlet opening is machined with precise clear cross sections, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclear opening cross sectionVSAvoidproduction effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet mouthpiece is pre-formed with the precise clear opening cross section and external threading during the molding process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent machining operations, achieving high manufacturing precision while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If an annular flange is provided to seal the area between the cartridge and inner peripheral wall, then the sealing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function and the structural support function are merged into the outlet mouthpiece. The mouthpiece simultaneously provides the sealing surface against the inner peripheral wall and supports the insertable cartridge, eliminating the need for a separate annular flange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet mouthpiece serves multiple functions: it seals the area between the cartridge and the fitting body, provides structural support for the cartridge, and offers tool engagement surfaces for maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.

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

4Ease of operation

If the outlet mouthpiece protrudes with tool engagement surfaces, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoidoptical matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet mouthpiece has different surface qualities in different regions: the sealing surface maintains high precision for tight sealing, while the protruding portions with tool engagement surfaces have lower precision requirements, allowing for easier manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2580397B1Sanitary drain valve
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 NEOPERL GMBH
  • EP2580397B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2580397B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP2580397B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanitary drain valve (7) having a water drain comprising a drain opening (6) bounded by an inner circumferential wall (4) of the drain valve (7), at which inner circumferential wall (4) an internal thread (3) or similar receptacle is provided, in which a sleeve-shaped drain orifice (5) having an external thread (2) or similar mating receptacle can be threaded in or attached, an insertion cartridge (9) being inserted and/or threaded into the discharge orifice (5), said cartridge comprising an jet regulator. The drain valve (7) according to the invention is characterized in that the drain orifice (5) supports at least one sealing ring (18) on the circumferential wall thereof, said ring radially or axially sealing between the outer circumferential wall (1) of the drain orifice (5) and the inner circumferential wall (4) of the drain valve (7). The drain valve (7) according to the invention is characterized by a reduced production effort and easier maintenance, without sacrificing functionality and seal tightness in the area of the outlet opening (6).