Gate Valve Seal Structure for Thin-Wall Pipe Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate valve technologies face challenges in effectively blocking fluid flow in reduced-thickness water pipes, as the seal member's deformation is insufficient, leading to gaps between the seal and the pipe wall, even with increased force application, due to the complexity of configurations and precision required for movable parts.
Innovation Solution
A gate valve design featuring a valve body with an elastic seal member and a core member made of a harder material, embedded between the seal member and a holding portion, allowing for distributed pressure and deformation in the diameter direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, ensuring close contact with the pipe wall without requiring excessive force or complex configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member is pressed against the inner wall of the pipe with increased force to improve sealing contact, then sealing reliability is improved, but the complexity of the pressing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core pressing function from a complex movable mechanism and concentrates it in the stationary pressing member that presses against the inner wall of the through-hole. This stationary pressing member is simply pushed by the insertion motion itself, eliminating the need for complex movable pressing mechanisms while maintaining reliable sealing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion motion of the valve body itself generates the pressing force needed for sealing. As the valve body is inserted into the through-hole, the stationary pressing member is automatically pushed against the inner wall of the through-hole by the insertion force, creating a self-service system that does not require additional complex pressing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the seal member is made to undergo elastic deformation in the diameter direction to improve contact with the pipe wall, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the force required for operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the elastic seal member only at specific locations where sealing is needed (at the pressing surface that contacts the inner wall of the through-hole), rather than making the entire valve body elastic. This localized elasticity achieves effective sealing contact with the pipe wall while keeping the overall structure rigid and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the seal member to be elastic, allowing it to deform in the diameter direction under the pressing force to conform to the inner wall of the through-hole. This elastic deformation improves sealing effectiveness without requiring excessive operational force, as the elasticity naturally accommodates the deformation need.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a guide portion is added to prevent seal member protrusion to improve sealing stability, then sealing stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide function with the pressing member itself. The stationary pressing member is designed with a shape that naturally guides the elastic seal member during insertion, preventing protrusion in the insertion direction. This integration eliminates the need for separate guide portions while maintaining sealing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary pressing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it presses the elastic seal member against the inner wall of the through-hole for sealing, and its shape also guides the seal member to prevent protrusion. This multi-functionality achieves sealing stability without adding separate guide components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
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 configuration enables a simple and effective seal in reduced-thickness pipes by distributing pressure and guiding the seal member's deformation, ensuring reliable fluid blockage without increasing operational force or complexity, even when the pipe wall extends orthogonally to the insertion direction.
Implementation Method 1
the seal member is capable of undergoing elastic deformation and is provided on the valve main body in a region that covers a holding portion that protrudes in the insertion direction, and when the valve body is moved in the insertion direction by the movement mechanism such that the seal member comes into contact with an inner wall of the fluid pipe and undergoes elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A gate valve includes a valve body for insertion through a through-hole formed in the fluid pipe, and a movement mechanism for moving the valve body along the diameter direction, and the valve body includes a valve main body and a seal member that is capable of undergoing elastic deformation and is provided on a holding portion of the valve main body. A core member formed from a material harder than the seal member is embedded between an outer face of the seal member, which is on the lower side in the movement direction, and a leading end face on the protruding side of the holding portion.