Drain Valve Sleeve Assembly to Prevent Hose Twisting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain valves for water-carrying devices require rotational movement for assembly and disassembly, which can lead to accidental opening and apply torque to connected hoses, complicating the assembly process and potentially causing the actuating element to be removed from the housing body.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve is introduced between the actuating element and the housing body, allowing for independent rotational and axial movements, with the sleeve being fixed non-rotatably in the housing body, enabling axial displacement of the actuating element without rotation, thus decoupling assembly and operation movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating element is rotated for assembly and disassembly, then the valve passage can be opened and closed, but the actuating element may be accidentally removed from the housing body
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into three main components: the housing body, the actuating element, and the intermediate piece. The intermediate piece acts as a mediator that separates the assembly/disassembly function from the valve operation function. By rotating the actuating element within the intermediate piece, the valve opens and closes without the actuating element being removed from the housing body, thus preventing accidental removal while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate piece serves as an intermediary component between the actuating element and the housing body. It provides a threaded connection that allows the actuating element to be securely retained in the housing body while enabling rotational movement for valve operation. The intermediate piece's internal thread engages with the actuating element's external thread, creating a secure connection that prevents accidental removal during operation.
2Ease of operation
If the actuating element is rotated for assembly and disassembly, then the valve passage can be opened and closed, but torque is applied to connected hoses and piping
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the rotational function from the hose connection. The actuating element rotates within the intermediate piece, which remains stationary relative to the housing body. The hoses are connected to the actuating element downstream, and since the rotation occurs within the intermediate piece's internal thread rather than at the hose connection point, minimal torque is transmitted to the hoses, eliminating the harmful effect of torque-induced hose damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate piece acts as a mediator that absorbs the rotational torque through its internal thread engagement with the actuating element. The housing body's external thread on the intermediate piece provides a stationary reference point, allowing the actuating element to rotate without applying significant torque to the connected hoses. This intermediary structure isolates the rotational movement from the hose connection, preventing torque-related damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If further piping or hoses are attached to the actuating element downstream, then the discharge channel can be connected, but assembly is complicated by the need to twist these components
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the connection functions: the intermediate piece handles the threaded connection to the housing body, while the actuating element provides the discharge channel connection for hoses and piping. This segmentation allows hoses to be attached to the actuating element's downstream connection points without requiring twisting during assembly, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining adaptability for various discharge configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate piece serves as an intermediary that provides a stable, non-rotating reference frame for hose and piping connections. Since the intermediate piece's external thread engages with the housing body in a fixed position, hoses connected to the actuating element can be attached without twisting, as the rotation occurs internally within the intermediate piece rather than at the hose connection points. This reduces assembly complexity while maintaining versatile discharge channel connectivity.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The drain valve has a case (6) that is arranged in lower region between an operating element (4) and a housing body in a co-axial manner. The housing body of the operating element is coaxially surrounded in the lower region. The operating element is mounted in the case in rotary and axially displaceable manner. The case is rotary and detachably fixed in the housing body.