Dual-Valve Stepper Mechanism for Backflow-Resistant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valve devices with elastic members for closing fluid flow passages are prone to fluid backflow and potential damage when the elastic member is overwhelmed by reverse fluid pressure, leading to leakage and deformation.
Innovation Solution
A valve device design featuring a drive source, a base with valve seat holes, a case body, a first valve body for the outflow hole, and a second valve body for the inflow hole, where both valve bodies are driven by a common stepping motor mechanism to ensure precise control and prevent backflow by closing the inflow hole when reverse pressure is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic member is used to urge the valve body to closely contact the outflow hole, then fluid leakage is prevented, but the valve body may be damaged or plastically deformed when backflow pressure exceeds the elastic member's urging force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single valve body into two separate valve bodies: a first valve body for the outflow hole and a second valve body for the inflow hole. This segmentation allows each valve body to be independently controlled by separate elastic members, enabling the first valve body to maintain strong sealing against backflow pressure while the second valve body handles the inflow control, thus preventing damage to any single valve body from excessive backflow pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a partition wall as an intermediary structure that divides the valve chamber into a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. This partition wall creates separate pressure zones, preventing direct transmission of high backflow pressure to the second valve body, and allowing each elastic member to operate within controlled pressure ranges that prevent plastic deformation.
2Reliability
If the elastic member presses the valve body with high force to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but the opening and closing operation of the valve body may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the valve body into two independently controlled valve bodies, each with its own elastic member, the patent allows each elastic member to be optimized for its specific function. The first elastic member can provide strong urging force for sealing the outflow hole against backflow, while the second elastic member controls the inflow hole with appropriate force, preventing obstruction of either valve's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different urging forces from two separate elastic members to different locations (first valve body and second valve body). This allows each elastic member to be tailored with appropriate spring constants and pre-compression forces suited to the specific sealing requirements and operational characteristics of each valve location, achieving good sealing without obstructing operation.
3Device complexity
If a single valve body is used for both inflow and outflow holes, then device complexity is reduced, but backflow control precision and protection against damage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve system into two independently controllable valve bodies, each dedicated to a specific function (outflow control and inflow control). This segmentation provides precise backflow prevention capability by allowing the first valve body to seal the outflow hole while the second valve body controls inflow, with each having its own elastic member for independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Both valve bodies are constructed with similar structures and are accommodated within the same valve chamber, allowing the device to handle both inflow and outflow control functions with a unified design approach while maintaining the benefits of separate control mechanisms for enhanced reliability.
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 design effectively reduces backflow into the device and prevents damage to the elastic member by ensuring the first valve body is closely contacted with the outflow hole and the second valve body closes the inflow hole, maintaining flow control accuracy and preventing fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body is urged to the outflow hole side by an elastic member such as a plate spring or a coiled spring
Implementation Method 2
the first valve body is turned by driving force of the drive source to be switched between a state that the outflow hole is closed and a state that the whole or a part of the outflow hole is opened
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device including: a drive source; a base having a valve seat surface in which a fluid inflow hole and outflow hole are formed; a case body covering the valve seat surface-side of the base, and a valve chamber together with the base; a first valve body for opening and closing the outflow hole; and a second valve body for opening and closing the inflow hole is provided. The output part of the drive source, the first and second valve bodies are housed in the valve chamber. The first valve body is a substantially cylindrical member, one end surface of which is in sliding contact with the peripheral edge of the outflow hole in the valve seat surface, receives the driving force of the drive source and pivots such that the outflow hole is switched between a closed state and a fully or partially opened state.