Livewell Fill Valve with Rounded Front Wall
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fill valves in livewells are prone to causing injury to fish due to protruding nozzles or knobs that extend from the inside wall, which can be fatal when the fish collide with them during boat motion.
Innovation Solution
A fill valve design featuring a rounded half-sphere shaped front wall with inlet openings and a valve switch that can be rotated between fully-open and fully-closed positions, providing a liquid-tight seal and preventing fish from being harmed by eliminating protrusions, and includes an adapter for hose compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fill valves with protruding nozzles or knobs are used, then water flow control is achieved, but fish injury occurs due to collisions with the protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with a rounded, dome-shaped exterior surface that eliminates sharp edges and protrusions. This curved geometry allows fish to pass by without collision injury while the valve maintains its water flow control functionality through the rounded inlet opening.
2Ease of operation
If the fill valve is positioned above the desired fill line for easy access, then operation convenience is improved, but fish collision risk increases due to protruding components
Solution Approach 1:
The entire external surface of the valve including the dome-shaped body and rounded inlet opening eliminates all sharp edges and protrusions, allowing the valve to be positioned in the water column without creating collision hazards for fish while maintaining operational accessibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a rounded half-sphere shaped valve body is used to eliminate protrusions, then fish safety is improved, but valve structural complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve combines the rounded protective exterior with the functional inlet opening and internal sealing mechanism into a single integrated valve body structure. This merging of functions into one component achieves fish safety without proportionally increasing overall 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
The design ensures fish safety by eliminating harmful collisions and allows for controlled water flow into the livewell, enhancing the livewell's effectiveness and usability during boat motion.
Implementation Method 1
a valve switch positioned in the valve housing to switch between a first position allowing fluid communication between the inlet openings and the intake and a second position providing a substantially liquid-tight seal between the inlet openings and the intake
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a fill valve for use in a livewell of a boat. The fill valve includes an intake and a valve housing coupled to the intake. The valve housing includes a rounded half-sphere shaped front wall coupled to a substantially flat back wall. The front wall includes one or more inlet openings in fluid communication with the intake. The fill valve also includes a valve switch positioned in the valve housing to switch between a first position allowing fluid communication between the inlet openings and the intake and a second position providing a substantially liquid-tight seal between the inlet openings and the intake.