Exhaust Check Valve Segmented Guide for Cleanability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-return valves for exhaust pipes, particularly in combustion devices like gas burners, face issues with contamination, difficulty in cleaning, and restricted flow cross-sections due to design limitations, which impair their functionality and cleanability.

Innovation Solution

The non-return valve design separates the sealing and guiding functions into distinct components, allowing for easy disassembly and cleaning, with a bayonet lock mechanism for secure attachment, a siphon condensate collecting channel to prevent gas penetration, and a guide surface formed from a narrowed tubular section to maximize flow cross-section and prevent tilting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the float is guided on guide webs arranged radially inwards, then the float is properly guided, but the free flow cross section is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding functionVSAvoidfree flow cross section
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The non-return valve is divided into separate components: the valve body, the float, and the guide section. The guide section is integrated with the float rather than being a separate guided element, allowing the float to move freely while maintaining proper guidance during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the guide section is closely surrounded by guide webs, then the float is precisely guided, but contamination risk increases and cleanability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding precisionVSAvoidcleanability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide function is extracted from a separate guide structure and integrated directly into the float's guide section. This eliminates the narrow gaps between guide webs and the float, creating an open design that is much easier to clean and less prone to contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the non-return valve is directly part of the exhaust pipe, then the structure is simplified, but the valve becomes difficult to clean and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcleanability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The non-return valve is designed as a separable component that can be independently removed from the exhaust pipe system. The valve body, float, and guide section form a removable assembly that maintains structural simplicity while enabling easy access for cleaning and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the float is guided downstream of the valve seat, then the structure is simplified, but the float may tilt during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidfloat stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide section of the float is designed with an asymmetric shape that provides stable guidance downstream of the valve seat. The guide section has a contour that matches the valve body's guide surface, creating a stable configuration that prevents tilting while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This design enhances cleanability, maintains a maximized flow cross-section, prevents tilting, and ensures reliable operation by allowing manual disassembly and cleaning of the valve components, while the siphon condensate channel prevents gas penetration and flooding.

Implementation Method 1

a siphon condensate collecting channel to prevent gas penetration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon effect: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP2574842B1Check valve for exhaust lines
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 BAECHLE DIETER
  • EP2574842B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2574842B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The valve (1) has a valve seat (11) attached with a float element (2) that is provided with a guide section, where the guide section is axially adjustable on a guide surface. The valve seat is arranged at a mounting element (3) that is provided with a fixing unit (4) for releasably connected to the guide surface for guiding the guide section of the float element. The mounting element is releasably fixed at a holding element (5). A collecting gutter is provided at the holding element. An axial stopper is formed at the mounting element for limiting axial stroke movement of the float element.