Dual-Float Water Inlet Valve Structure for Leak Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water inlet valves often fail to prevent water leakage over time, leading to continuous water flow and resource wastage due to a design flaw where the float loses buoyancy and fails to close the back-pressure hole effectively.
Innovation Solution
A leak-proof device for a water inlet valve is introduced, featuring an outer and inner water tank, a leak-proof float, and a lever system that controls the water inlet channel, allowing the valve to stop feeding water when leakage is detected by blocking the water-passing channel, utilizing a control valve with a valve stem, water plugging stopper, and drive mechanism to manage water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional water inlet valve uses a single float and back-pressure hole mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the valve fails to prevent water leakage over time leading to continuous water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water tank into two separate tanks (first water tank and second water tank) with independent float mechanisms. The first float controls the back-pressure hole while the second float controls the water inlet channel. This segmentation allows independent monitoring of water levels in both tanks, preventing leakage by ensuring proper sealing in either tank without requiring a complex integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water-passing channel as an intermediary element that connects the two water tanks. This channel is controlled by the second float mechanism, allowing water to pass from the first tank to the second tank only when needed. The intermediary channel enables coordinated control between the two tanks while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
2Reliability
If the float loses buoyancy in conventional valves, then the valve cannot close the back-pressure hole effectively, but adding more components to detect and respond to this failure increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses two separate float mechanisms (first float and second float) that independently monitor water levels. If one float loses buoyancy, the other float can still detect the water level and trigger the appropriate sealing action. This segmented approach provides redundancy without requiring complex detection electronics or additional sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the system with built-in redundancy where the second float and water-passing channel mechanism serve as a backup system. If the primary float mechanism fails, the secondary mechanism is already in place to detect water level changes and initiate sealing, providing beforehand cushioning against float failure without adding complex real-time monitoring systems.
3Reliability
If the valve continues to feed water when leakage occurs, then water resources are wasted, but stopping water flow requires additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water control function into two independent pathways: one controlled by the first float and back-pressure hole, and another controlled by the second float and water inlet channel. This segmentation allows each control mechanism to independently manage water flow to its respective tank, improving control accuracy by eliminating cross-interference while maintaining relatively simple mechanical control structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements mechanical feedback mechanisms where each float directly responds to water level changes in its tank and automatically triggers the corresponding sealing action. The first float provides feedback on the first tank's water level to control the back-pressure hole, while the second float provides feedback on the second tank's water level to control the water inlet channel, ensuring accurate water flow control through direct mechanical feedback without complex electronic systems.
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 device effectively stops water inlet to the tank when leakage occurs, preventing further water wastage by ensuring the control valve closes the water inlet channel, thus conserving water resources.
Implementation Method 1
the outer float (5) disposed in the outer water tank (2), another end (82) of the lever (8) is connected to the inner float (6) disposed in the inner water tank (3)
Implementation Method 2
The leak-proof float (7) disposed in the leak-proof water tank (4)... When the leak-proof float (7) rises, the control valve (9) is driven to close the water inlet channel (11)
Implementation Method 3
The inner water tank (3) is disposed in the outer water tank (2)... Water overflows from the outer water tank (2) to the inner water tank (3)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a leak-proof device for a water inlet valve. A control valve is installed in a valve body for opening and closing a water inlet channel and a water outlet channel. An outer water tank and a leak-proof water tank are installed on the valve body. An inner water tank is disposed in the outer water tank, with the height of the inner water tank being lower than that of the outer water tank. The leak-proof water tank is in communication with the inner water tank via a water-passing channel A lever is pivotally connected to the valve body. Two ends of the lever are connected with an outer float and an inner float. The inner float is provided with a plug that is movable to block the water-passing channel. The leak-proof float is connected to the control valve.