Flow Passage Control Valve with Divided Groups
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow passage control valves for ion exchange apparatuses face challenges in facilitating easy arrangement of flow passages, providing large water flow capacity, and simplifying assembly and maintenance, particularly due to the requirement of a diaphragm-like pressure receiving body and complex valve configurations.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a camshaft-operated valve housing with divided valve groups for water passing and regeneration systems, featuring valves such as water passage, bypass, backwash, rinse, and regeneration valves, which allows for easy arrangement of flow passages and increased water flow capacity, along with a simplified configuration that reduces assembly and maintenance complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a diaphragm-like pressure receiving body is used to balance fluid pressure, then the urging force of the spring can be reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure receiving function from a separate diaphragm-like component and integrates it directly into the valve body structure. The valve body itself serves as the pressure receiving body, eliminating the need for additional diaphragms or pressure receiving components while maintaining the pressure balancing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the valve body and pressure receiving body into a single integrated structure. The valve body is designed with internal chambers and passages that directly receive and respond to fluid pressure, combining the functions of valve actuation and pressure balancing into one component, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are arranged to handle different flow passages for water passing and regeneration processes, then the flow passage control capability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs each valve to be multi-functional, where the same valve structure handles both water passing and regeneration flow passages by simply changing its opening/closing state. The valves are positioned and configured to control multiple flow paths without requiring separate specialized valves for each function, thereby reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valve housing into multiple independent valve units, each capable of controlling specific flow passages. This modular segmentation allows for easier assembly and maintenance while providing comprehensive control over different flow paths for both water passing and regeneration processes.
3Productivity
If the valve diameter is increased to provide large water flow capacity, then the water flow capacity is improved, but the space required for valve arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional horizontal valve arrangement to a vertical stacking configuration. Valves are arranged in the vertical dimension rather than spreading out horizontally, allowing large-diameter valves to be accommodated within a compact vertical space. This dimensional change enables high water flow capacity while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where smaller auxiliary valves and components are positioned within or around the larger main valves. This nesting optimization allows multiple valves of different sizes to be compactly arranged, maximizing space utilization while maintaining the required water flow capacity through the larger valves.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a flow passage control valve provided with a plurality of valves in a valve housing formed with set flow passages. A camshaft for operating each of the valves is provided along a right and left direction at the upper part of the valve housing. The respective valves are arranged so as to be divided front and rear into a first valve group and a second valve group with the camshaft as a border therebetween. The first valve group includes a first water passage valve, a second water passage valve, and a bypass valve. The second valve group includes the remaining valves that are not included in the first valve group.