Drain Valve Tooth Ring Elastic Deformation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drain valves for pressurized fluid tanks are prone to installation mistakes, such as over-tightening or misalignment, leading to leakage and manufacturing inefficiencies, and require costly external and internal screw threads, as well as additional machining and complex mounting processes.

Innovation Solution

A drain valve with a tooth ring featuring elastically deformable teeth that self-fits into the bore of the tank, eliminating the need for screw threads and complex installation procedures, using a tooth ring that deforms to secure the valve body in place with a strong grip, preventing reverse movement and ensuring a tight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If external screw threads and internal screw threads are provided for securing the drain valve, then the drain valve can be firmly fixed in the bore, but the manufacturing costs increase and the overall weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex screw thread structure from the drain valve design. Instead of using external and internal screw threads, the invention uses a simple snap connection where the valve body directly engages with the bore through elastic deformation of the valve body material, eliminating the need for threaded connections and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the valve body by making it elastically deformable. The valve body is designed to elastically deform during installation to expand and engage with the bore, providing firm fixation without requiring screw threads. This parameter change from rigid to elastically deformable resolves the contradiction between fixation strength and manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If external screw threads and internal screw threads are provided for securing the drain valve, then the drain valve can be firmly fixed in the bore, but the installation process becomes more complex and prone to installation mistakes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex screw thread structure from the drain valve design. Instead of using external and internal screw threads, the invention uses a simple snap connection where the valve body directly engages with the bore through elastic deformation of the valve body material, eliminating the need for threaded connections and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body is designed to automatically engage with the bore through its own elastic deformation. During installation, the valve body elastically deforms to expand and lock into the bore, providing self-fixation without requiring manual threading or additional fastening operations. This self-service mechanism eliminates installation mistakes associated with manual screw thread engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the drain valve is pushed into the bore without additional fixing means, then the installation is simple, but the valve body may move in reverse direction under inner pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the valve body by making it elastically deformable. The valve body is designed to elastically deform during installation to expand and engage with the bore, providing firm fixation without requiring screw threads. This parameter change from rigid to elastically deformable resolves the contradiction between fixation strength and manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution simplifies installation, reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes the risk of leakage, and eliminates the need for additional machining, providing a secure and cost-effective installation process without the risk of common installation mistakes.

Implementation Method 1

the ends of the teeth of the tooth ring contact the inner surface of the bore so that they are slightly deflected against the insertion direction of the valve body. Because of this deflection, the valve body can be further inserted into the bore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the valve body is pressurized from the inner portion of the pressurized fluid tank to be moved against this insertion direction, the valve body is fixed in its installation position by the deformed teeth that engage the inner surface of the bore with a strong grip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2966332B1Drain valve for a pressurised fluid tank and pressurised fluid tank comprising the same

Publication Date: 2018.05.02 IVECO MAGIRUS AG

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a drain valve (12) for a pressurised fluid tank, comprising a valve body (16) to be fitted into a bore of the pressurised fluid tank. This drain valve comprises a tooth ring (36) fitted onto an outer circumferential surface of the valve body and comprising a plurality of elastically deformable teeth (39) protruding from the valve body.