Elastic Throttle Body Flow-Volume Regulator for Low Pressure Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate regulators are ineffective at maintaining a consistent maximum flow rate across varying pressure conditions, particularly at low pressures, which can lead to inadequate water supply and functional issues in downstream jet regulators, and are not suitable for regions with extreme pressure fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate regulator with an annular throttle body made of elastic material that changes its relative position with respect to a control profile under fluid pressure, maintaining a larger clear flow cross section at low pressures and adjusting to limit the flow rate as pressure increases, ensuring consistent flow and preventing dirt particles from affecting the control function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow rate regulator is used to limit maximum flow rate, then flow rate control is improved, but water volume availability deteriorates at low pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate regulator employs a dynamic throttle body made of elastic material that automatically adjusts its position based on pressure conditions. At low pressures, the throttle body remains in an initial position with a larger clear flow cross section, allowing sufficient water volume. At high pressures, the throttle body deforms under pressure difference to reduce the control gap and limit flow rate, thus resolving the contradiction between flow control reliability and water volume availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator changes the physical state and position of the throttle body based on pressure parameters. The elastic material of the throttle body allows it to deform and change its geometric parameters (clear flow cross section) in response to pressure differences, enabling automatic adaptation between low-pressure high-volume and high-pressure controlled-flow conditions.
2Reliability
If pressure difference is increased to improve flow control, then flow rate limitation is improved, but pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic throttle body automatically adjusts the control gap size based on the actual pressure difference. At high pressures, it reduces the gap to limit flow rate while minimizing unnecessary pressure losses. The elastic deformation allows the system to adapt to varying pressure conditions, maintaining efficient flow control only when necessary.
3Reliability
If a throttle body is used to control flow rate, then flow regulation is improved, but dirt particle interference deteriorates control function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect of dirt particles by providing a bypass channel that allows particles to be diverted away from the control gap. The bypass channel enables dirt particles to pass through the regulator without entering the critical control area between the throttle body and control profile, thus protecting the control function while maintaining flow regulation capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the throttle body is made of elastic material to enable pressure response, then automatic pressure adaptation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle body is constructed from elastic material that functions as a flexible element, allowing it to deform under pressure differences. This flexibility enables automatic pressure adaptation without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, while the overall geometry and control characteristics are maintained through precise design of the elastic component's initial shape and mounting configuration.
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 regulator ensures a high level of functional reliability across all pressure ranges by maintaining a consistent maximum flow rate and preventing dirt particles from interfering with the control function, even at low pressures, and is suitable for use in areas with extreme pressure differences.
Implementation Method 1
the clear flow cross section of which is changed by the throttle body deforming under the pressure difference that forms when the fluid flows through
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~12
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow-volume regulator (1) having an annular throttle body (6) made of elastic material which, in the position of use, delimits, between itself and an internal and/or external regulating profile (21), a control gap (8), which control gap (8) can have its unrestricted flow cross-section changed by the throttle body (6), which deforms under the pressure difference which forms when the fluid flows through. A characteristic of the inventive flow-volume regulator (1) is that the relative position of the throttle body (6) and the regulating profile (21) can be changed and can be moved against a restoring force into the position of use from a starting position with a relatively large unrestricted flow cross-section in comparison with the control gap (8) as a result of the oncoming or flowing fluid. Since the flow-volume regulator (1), in its starting position, offers only comparatively low resistance to oppose the oncoming fluid, the flow-volume regulator (1) can also be used advantageously in areas in which pressure differences which are extreme in their timing and/or location and low pressures are prevalent (cf. Figure 1).