Effort-saving flap-type drain valve with dual-pivot actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flap-type drain valves require a large pulling force to open the drain port due to a high ratio of resistance arm to power arm, making them laborious to operate, especially when the pressure of water on the flapper is greatest during initial opening.
Innovation Solution
An effort-saving flap-type drain valve design that uses a connecting rod rotationally connected to the flapper, with an actuator causing the flapper to rotate about a first pivot for initial opening and then together with the connecting rod about a second pivot for further opening, reducing the resistance and power arms, and incorporating limiting structures and an elastic resetting element to control rotation and ensure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the flapper is rotationally connected to the base through a connecting rod with a single rotation pivot, then the structure is simple, but the pulling force required to open the drain port is large
Solution Approach 1:
The opening process is segmented into two distinct phases: initial opening where the flapper rotates relative to the connecting rod about a first rotation pivot, and further opening where the flapper and connecting rod rotate together about a second rotation pivot. This segmentation allows optimization of force requirements at different stages of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between two different rotation mechanisms. Initially, the flapper rotates relative to the connecting rod about the first pivot formed at the contact position between flapper and base. After initial opening, the system switches to rotating together about the second pivot formed at the rotational connection between the connecting rod and base, adapting the mechanical advantage throughout the opening process.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator pulls the flapper directly to open the drain port, then the operation is simple, but the pulling force required is large when water pressure on the flapper is greatest
Solution Approach 1:
The flapper is preliminarily rotated relative to the connecting rod about the first rotation pivot to achieve initial opening of the drain port before the main rotation about the second pivot begins. This preliminary action reduces water pressure on the flapper during the subsequent main opening motion, decreasing the force required.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting rod acts as an intermediary mechanism between the actuator and the flapper. It transmits and transforms the pulling force from the actuator into rotational motion about two different pivots, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the force required to overcome water pressure on the flapper.
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
Significantly reduces the pulling force required to open the drain port by staging the opening process, maintaining a lower pulling force throughout while ensuring adequate water discharge speed and reliable sealing.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic resetting element is provided between the flapper and the connecting rod, and the elastic resetting element is capable of resetting the flapper from the second position to the first position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an effort-saving flap-type drain valve, comprising a base with a drain port, a flapper capable of hermetically covering and connecting to the drain port, an actuator connected to the flapper, and a connecting rod rotationally connected to the base and the flapper at two ends respectively, wherein the actuator is capable of causing the flapper to rotate relative to the connecting rod, and the actuator is capable of simultaneously causing the flapper to rotate about a first rotation pivot formed at a position where the flapper is in contact with the base to initially open the drain port; and wherein the actuator is capable of causing the flapper and the connecting rod to rotate together about a second rotation pivot formed at a rotational connection between the connecting rod and the base to further open the drain port.