Line Termination Element for Fluid Container Ventilation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid container valves are complex, costly, and often require large openings in thermoplastic containers, which can lead to undesirable contact with the container's contents and issues like drying out, especially when holding aqueous urea solutions that can clog ventilation outlets.
Innovation Solution
A line termination element with a compact design integrating a spider screen and valve function, featuring a main body with flow passages and a mushroom valve that can be easily fitted onto the ventilation outlet without separate fastening means, ensuring insect barrier and pressure equalization while preventing direct contact with the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valves with valve housing and multiple components are used, then valve functions (pressure equalization, liquid prevention, insect barrier) are ensured, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insect screen function and valve function into a single integrated line termination element. The valve body incorporates both the insect screen with flow passages and the valve mechanism (mushroom valve or diaphragm valve) in one component, eliminating the need for separate valve housing, insect screen, and fastening means, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining all necessary valve functions
Solution Approach 2:
The line termination element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an insect barrier through the screen with flow passages, provides pressure equalization through the valve body, prevents liquid escape through the closure element design, and eliminates drying out by maintaining sealed connections. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed
2Reliability
If large openings are provided in thermoplastic container walls for valve installation, then valve functions are ensured, but container integrity is compromised and contact with contents becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the valve function from the container wall structure by providing a self-contained line termination element that attaches to the ventilation outlet without requiring modifications to the container wall. The valve body with integrated insect screen and closure element functions independently, eliminating the need for large openings in the thermoplastic container walls
Solution Approach 2:
The line termination element is designed to fit onto the existing ventilation outlet of the container, nesting the valve functionality within the existing container structure rather than requiring separate installation space. The closure element fits over the ventilation outlet, creating a nested arrangement that preserves container integrity
3Ease of operation
If moving parts of valves come into contact with liquid inside container, then valve operation is enabled, but drying out and clogging problems occur especially with aqueous urea solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary arrangement where the valve body with its insect screen and flow passages is positioned to control liquid access. The closure element design and valve body configuration create a barrier that prevents moving parts from direct contact with the liquid contents, eliminating drying out and clogging issues while maintaining valve operational capability through the integrated design
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 solution simplifies and cost-reduces the valve function on fluid containers, preventing drying out and clogging, and is easily retrofittable, maintaining the integrity of the container's contents and structure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flow passage as an insect barrier, which flow passage is smaller than a mouth cross section of the ventilation outlet
Implementation Method 2
a valve body, which, in a first position, closes off the mouth cross section of the ventilation outlet and which, in a second position, opens up the mouth cross section of the ventilation outlet
Implementation Method 3
ensures pressure equalization between the volume of the container and the surroundings
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a line termination element (4) for a ventilation outlet of a fluid container (5), having a main body (2) which is formed as a closure element for a free end (3) of the ventilation outlet and which is cross-sectionally matched to the cross section of the ventilation outlet, comprising at least one flow passage as an insect barrier, which flow passage is smaller than a mouth cross section (17) of the ventilation outlet, and also at least one valve body (10), which, in a first position, closes off the mouth cross section (17) of the ventilation outlet and, in a second position, opens up the mouth cross section (17) of the ventilation outlet.