Float Valve Impact Dispersion via Segmented Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing float valve devices risk cracking when the float collides with the valve member during handling or impact, particularly due to increased stress concentrations, and thickening the valve member to enhance strength results in increased size and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A float valve device design featuring a protruding portion on the float with a center hole and periphery that disperses impact force, combined with a receiving portion on the movable valve with a center hole and guiding recessed portions to alleviate stress concentrations and enhance flexibility, preventing breakage without increasing the valve's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the valve member is thickened to enhance strength, then the resistance to impact force is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float is segmented into a body and a separate protruding portion that acts as an impact dispersal element. The protruding portion is positioned to contact the valve member at multiple points (center and periphery), dividing the impact force into separate contact zones rather than concentrating it on a single thickened area of the valve member.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion extends vertically from the float body, adding a dimensional element that allows impact force to be applied at multiple heights and locations on the valve member. This vertical extension enables the impact to be distributed across the center hole and periphery of the valve member simultaneously, resolving the strength issue without increasing overall device volume.
2Reliability
If the protruding portion strongly abuts on the valve member, then the reliability of closing the opening portion is improved, but the risk of cracking in the valve member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion is designed with specific local geometries: a center contact area and a peripheral contact area. This local differentiation allows the impact force to be applied at two distinct locations on the valve member (center hole and periphery), distributing the stress locally rather than concentrating it at a single point, thereby preventing cracks while maintaining closing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion serves as an intermediary element between the float body and the valve member. It mediates the force transmission by contacting the valve member at multiple points (center and periphery), dispersing the impact stress before it reaches the valve member structure, thus preventing cracks while ensuring reliable closure.
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 disperses impact forces and enhances flexibility, preventing cracks in the movable valve even under strong impact conditions, such as during handling or conveying, without the need for thickening or enlarging the valve member.
Implementation Method 1
a float (50) disposed in the lower space (46) of the housing (20) so as to be vertically slidable... and comes up by a liquid flowing through the communication hole (24, 25) of the housing (20)
Data Source
AI summary
A space in a housing is defined into a lower space and an upper space by a partition wall, and an opening portion is provided in the partition wall. A vertically slidable float is housed in the lower space of the housing and on an upper portion of the float, a movable valve is mounted so as to be movable relatively to the float in a vertical direction and a lateral direction. A protruding portion is provided on the upper portion of the float, and a receiving portion on which the protruding portion abuts is provided on a lower surface of the movable valve. A center hole is provided in a center of the receiving portion. When the float comes up, a peripheral portion of a top portion of the protruding portion of the float is adapted to abut on an inner circumference periphery of the center hole.