Flow Direction Valve Mechanism for Residual Pressure and Low-Pressure Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve devices with flow direction restriction mechanisms suffer from low fluid flow rates when pressure is close to a predetermined level, which is insufficient for maintaining residual pressure in storage containers.

Innovation Solution

A compact flow direction restriction valve mechanism unit is introduced, featuring a first and second flow direction restriction valve, acting gas flow paths, safety flow paths, and urging portions to manage pressure and flow direction, ensuring a sufficient flow rate and preventing unintended fluid flow into storage containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flow direction restriction valve mechanism is used to maintain residual pressure in storage containers, then the pressure retention function is improved, but the fluid flow rate decreases when pressure is close to the predetermined level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure retention functionVSAvoidfluid flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve mechanism is divided into multiple functional segments: a flow direction restriction valve for pressure retention, a pressure decreasing valve for maintaining flow rate, and a safety valve for overpressure protection. Each segment operates independently at different pressure thresholds, allowing the system to maintain both pressure retention reliability and sufficient fluid flow rate simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a pressure decreasing mechanism is added to maintain sufficient flow rate at low pressure, then the fluid flow rate is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidvalve mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple valve functions (flow direction restriction, pressure decreasing, safety protection) are merged into a single integrated valve mechanism unit that can be attached to the storage container. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously performs flow direction restriction, pressure decreasing, and safety valve functions. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate valves and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If multiple valves are integrated into a compact unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve mechanism structureVSAvoidvalve assembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve mechanism is designed with pre-assembled modules and standardized connection interfaces that allow for precise manufacturing of individual components. The modular design enables quality control at each manufacturing stage, ensuring that when components are assembled, the required precision is maintained without requiring excessive precision in every single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 mechanism ensures a sufficient flow rate even at low pressures, maintains residual pressure in containers, and safely releases excessive pressure, while maintaining container cleanliness and compactness.

Implementation Method 1

retracts toward the first valve open position by a pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

retracts toward the second valve open position by a pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a first urging portion having a spring force that urges the first flow direction restriction valve in a valve opening direction from the first valve close position toward the first valve open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 4

a second urging portion having a spring force that urges the second flow direction restriction valve in a valve closing direction from the second valve open position toward the second valve close position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 5

a third urging portion having a spring force that urges the safety valve in a valve closing direction from the third valve open position toward the third valve close position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3163137B1Conduction direction regulation valve mechanism and valve device
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 NERIKI KK
  • EP3163137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3163137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3163137B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a compact valve device guaranteeing a sufficient flow rate even when the pressure is close to a predetermined level at which the pressure is to be retained, and a flow direction restriction valve mechanism unit attachable to such a valve device. The flow direction restriction valve mechanism unit includes a pressure decreasing valve assembly 200 that is located to be freely advance or retract in a combination valve cassette 100 attached to an in-outlet secondary side flow path 400 formed on the side of an outlet 40 with respect to an intermediate transmission member 54 in a flow path 60, and retracts by a pressure of gas; a first coil spring 210 urging the pressure decreasing valve assembly 200 in a retracting direction; a check valve 110 that is located to be freely advance or retract with respect to the pressure decreasing valve assembly 200, and retracts by a pressure of the gas; and a second coil spring 220 urging the check valve 110 in an advancing direction. A gas induction passage H is formed in which the gas flows and acts on the pressure decreasing valve assembly 200 such that the pressure decreasing valve assembly 200 moves in the advancing direction.