Rotary Valve Path Reversal for Scale Control in Electrolyzed Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrolyzed water generation devices, continuous selection of electrolytic hydrogen water leads to scale precipitation in the outer flow path due to the fixed communication of the first electrolyzed water drain outlet with the outer flow path, causing deposition issues.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a rotatable valve body having multiple switching positions that alternates the communication paths between inner and outer flow paths, allowing fluid flow to be switched between the inner and outer paths without changing the discharge ports, thereby preventing scale deposition by reversing the flow through the paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the first electrolyzed water drain outlet always communicates with the outer flow path, then the discharge port can continuously provide electrolytic hydrogen water, but scale precipitates and deposits in the outer flow path causing deposition issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flow path configuration changeable through rotation of the cylindrical valve body. The valve body can rotate between a first position where the first drain outlet communicates with the outer flow path, and a second position where it communicates with the inner flow path. This dynamic switching allows the system to alternate between using the outer and inner flow paths, preventing scale deposition while maintaining continuous discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between two operational states: periodically switching the valve body between first and second positions to alternate which flow path (outer or inner) is used for discharge. This periodic switching ensures that while one flow path is being used for continuous discharge, the other flow path can rest and be flushed, preventing scale accumulation in any single path over time.
2Reliability
If polarity switching is performed to clean scale from electrodes, then electrode cleaning is achieved, but the fixed communication of the first drain outlet with the outer flow path still causes scale deposition in that path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the flow path system into two separate paths: an inner flow path and an outer flow path. The valve body configuration creates distinct communication routes, allowing the system to segment the flow paths so that scale deposition in one path does not affect the other. This segmentation enables independent management of each flow path, preventing the harmful effect of scale accumulation while maintaining cleaning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body acts as an intermediary component that controls communication between the drain outlets and flow paths. By rotating the valve body to different positions, it mediates which flow path connects to which drain outlet, enabling the system to switch between using the inner and outer flow paths. This intermediary mechanism allows flexible routing that prevents scale deposition while maintaining electrode cleaning capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device 3 includes a housing 2 and a valve body 4. The valve body 4 has a first switching position where a first supply port 31 and a first discharge port 33 communicate via an inner flow path 44 and a second supply port 32 and a second discharge port 34 communicate via an outer flow path 45, a second switching position where the first supply port 31 and the second discharge port 34 communicate via the outer flow path 45 and the second supply port 32 and the first discharge port 33 communicate via the inner flow path 44, a third switching position where the first supply port 31 and the first discharge port 33 communicate via the outer flow path 45 and the second supply port 32 and the second discharge port 34 communicate via the inner flow path 44, and a fourth switching position where the first supply port 31 and the second discharge port 34 communicate via the inner flow path 44 and the second supply port 32 and the first discharge port 33 communicate via the outer flow path 45.