Fuel Cutoff Valve Spherical Support Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cutoff valves experience unstable sealing due to tilting of the upper valve body, leading to reduced sealing ability over time, especially when the supporting projection becomes worn.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cutoff valve design featuring a float mechanism with a valve body supported by a convex shape on a flat surface, where the center of gravity is below the support point, maintaining stability and sealing even if the float tilts, and incorporating a two-stage valve structure with a smaller connecting hole to reduce closing force and enhance reopening characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper portion valve body is supported on a conical projection of the float, then the valve body can tilt with the float to maintain sealing contact, but the supporting point becomes worn over time causing loss of restoring force and unstable attitude
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conical projection support with a spherical support point on the valve body that contacts a curved surface on the float. This spherical geometry allows the valve body to pivot smoothly while distributing wear across a curved contact area rather than a single point, maintaining the self-centering effect and restoring force over extended service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a counterweight mechanism where the spherical support point is positioned to create a restoring moment that automatically returns the valve body to its centered position after tilting. This counterbalancing approach compensates for wear and maintains stable attitude without relying solely on the original conical projection geometry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper portion valve body is point-supported to enable tilting compensation, then sealing can be maintained during float tilt, but the point support becomes unstable when displaced from center causing one-sided contact and reduced sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric positioning of the spherical support point relative to the valve body's center of gravity, creating a self-correcting mechanism. When the valve body tilts, the asymmetric geometry generates a restoring moment that automatically centers the valve, ensuring stable attitude and consistent sealing contact even during float tilting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a static point support to a dynamic spherical support system that actively responds to tilting forces. The spherical geometry enables smooth rotational movement while the associated restoring forces dynamically adjust to maintain optimal sealing contact, providing both adaptability to tilt and stability during operation.
3Shape
If a conical projection is used to stabilize the valve body attitude, then horizontal positioning is achieved, but wear at the distal end reduces the restoring force over extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conical projection with a spherical support interface where the valve body contacts a curved surface. This spherical geometry maintains the horizontal positioning function while distributing contact stresses across a curved area, preventing the localized wear that occurs at the distal end of conical projections and preserving restoring force over extended service periods.
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 ensures high and extended sealing ability by maintaining a stable attitude of the upper valve body, reducing wear effects and improving valve reopening, thus preventing fuel leakage and maintaining effective sealing during vehicle tilts and vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a float that rises and falls according to a fuel level in the valve chamber
Implementation Method 2
a valve mechanism that is disposed above an upper portion of the float and opens and closes the connecting passage through rising and falling of the float
Data Source
AI summary
The fuel cutoff valve comprises a float and a valve mechanism situated within the valve chamber of a casing. The float has a supporting portion disposed in the upper portion of the float for supporting the valve mechanism, and having a supporting face formed with a flat surface or concave surface. The valve mechanism comprises a comprises a first valve main body having a supported part of convex shape supported on the supporting face, and a seat portion disposed on the first valve main body for opening and closing a connecting passage. The center of gravity of the valve mechanism is established below the point of support, when the supported part is supported on the supporting face so as to be balanced with the supported lower end portion as the point of support.