Magnetic Stepping Valve for Multi-Outlet Water Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-carrying household appliances face inefficiencies in routing fresh water flow through multiple paths due to high energy consumption, complex control efforts, and instability in valve positioning, particularly in laundry treatment appliances, where two magnetic coils are required for a single valve closing body and step-by-step flow control is energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A valve system with a stepping mechanism using a magnetic element to adjust spherical valve closing bodies within a valve chamber, where the number of valve closing bodies is less than the number of outlets, allowing for efficient selection of output paths with a single magnet, reducing energy consumption and control complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two magnetic coils are used to actuate a single valve closing body, then the valve can be actuated in three possible operating modes, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve closing body is segmented into multiple spherical valve closing bodies (first, second, third valve closing bodies) that can be independently actuated. Each sphere can be positioned separately by individual magnetic actuators, enabling multiple operating modes without requiring a single complex multi-position actuator. This segmentation allows the system to achieve three-way valve functionality through coordinated positioning of multiple simple spherical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spherical valve closing bodies perform multiple functions: each sphere can independently seal different outlets, and their combined positioning enables various flow patterns (single outlet sealing, dual outlet sealing, selective opening). This multi-functionality allows a single valve chamber to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate valves or a complex three-position actuator system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spherical valve closing body is positioned in the central position with flow exiting both sides, then eddies and vortices are created causing instability, but the valve can control bidirectional flow
Solution Approach 1:
The single spherical valve closing body is divided into multiple independent spherical valve closing bodies. This segmentation allows the system to achieve bidirectional flow control without requiring any single sphere to occupy an unstable central position. Instead, multiple spheres can be positioned at stable outlet interfaces, eliminating the vortex problem while maintaining flow control versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spherical valve closing bodies act as intermediaries between the inlet and multiple outlets. Rather than one sphere attempting to mediate bidirectional flow through a central position, each sphere mediates flow at its own stable outlet interface, eliminating the need for unstable central positioning while achieving the same bidirectional control function.
3Productivity
If step-by-step flow control is implemented using multiple magnetically actuable valves, then the throughput can be increased or decreased incrementally, but the energy consumption and control effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple spherical valve closing bodies are merged into a single valve chamber and controlled by a coordinated magnetic actuation system. This merging allows the system to achieve step-by-step flow control through cooperative positioning of multiple spheres rather than requiring multiple separate magnetically actuable valves. The unified control approach reduces energy consumption and simplifies the control architecture while maintaining incremental throughput adjustment capability.
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 enables targeted routing of fresh water flow with optimized effort, reducing energy consumption and control complexity, while maintaining stable valve positioning, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of water distribution in household appliances.
Implementation Method 1
the stepping mechanism has at least one magnetic element and wherein the stepping mechanism adjusts the valve closing body to the free outlet by means of the magnetic element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (1) used in particular for a water-bearing household appliance, comprising a valve chamber (3) and a plurality of valve closing bodies (5-8, 35). The valve closing bodies (5-8, 35) are arranged together in the valve chamber (3). The valve chamber (3) has a plurality of outlets (9-13, 36) and exactly one inlet (17). The number of outlets (9-13, 36) is higher than the number of valve closing bodies (5-8, 35). The valve closing bodies (5-8, 35) are arranged at the outlets (9-13, 36) of the valve chamber (3) for the purpose of occupying the outlets (9-13, 36). Furthermore, a step-by-step mechanism (25) is provided for displacing a valve closing body (5-8, 35) arranged on one occupied outlet to an unoccupied outlet. The step-by-step mechanism (25) comprises a least one magnetic element (27), wherein the step-by-step mechanism (25) displaces the valve closing body (5-8, 35) to the unoccupied outlet by means of the magnetic element (27).