Single Top Cover for Multiple Manifold Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiple manifold valves in food-related processors require individual top covers for each valve to withstand high-temperature and high-pressure steam washing, leading to increased manufacturing costs and size limitations due to necessary gaps between covers for sewage collection, which complicates size reduction and cost efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A single, integral-type top cover made of transparent or translucent synthetic resin covers all valves, with positioning pins and reinforcing ribs that distribute external forces to the electromagnetic valves, allowing the top cover to be less robust while the valves compensate for strength during washing, and a reinforcing wall that intervenes between valve groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If individual top covers are provided for each valve to withstand washing by high-temperature and high-pressure steam jet, then the strength and hygiene resistance are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the overall size cannot be reduced due to necessary gaps between covers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength to withstand washingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual top covers are merged into a single integrated top cover that covers all valves. The single top cover is reinforced by the valve bodies themselves, which provide structural support during washing. This merging reduces the number of separate parts, eliminates gaps between covers, and lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining hygiene standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the top cover is made large to cover all valves with sufficient strength, then the strength to withstand washing is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and size reduction is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength to withstand washingVSAvoidoverall size

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The structural support function is shifted from the top cover to the valve bodies in a different dimensional arrangement. The valves are positioned to provide lateral support to the top cover, creating a distributed support structure that allows the top cover to be thinner and smaller while maintaining overall strength during washing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If a single top cover is used to cover all valves, then size reduction is achieved, but the top cover material must be transparent or translucent to check operation indicator lamps, which reduces the strength sufficient to withstand washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall sizeVSAvoidstrength to withstand washing

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The valve bodies serve as intermediary structural elements that provide reinforcement to the top cover. The transparent top cover is combined with the opaque valve bodies that extend laterally to support the cover, creating a composite structure where the transparent material provides visibility and the valve bodies provide the necessary strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If gaps are ensured between adjacent top covers to suppress collection of sewage and water, then hygiene is improved, but the overall size cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesewage and water collectionVSAvoidoverall size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate top covers are merged into a single continuous top cover that eliminates gaps between individual covers. The single cover design prevents sewage and water from collecting in gaps while the valve bodies provide lateral support to maintain the cover's structural integrity during washing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 compact, cost-effective manifold valve design that withstands high-temperature and high-pressure steam washing without requiring excessive strength in the top cover, maintaining hygiene standards while reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The multiple valves are formed by a plurality of electromagnetic valves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the rib is brought into contact with the electromagnetic valves within a range where the top cover is elastically deformed by a pressing force from the outside acting on the top cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8931507B2Multiple manifold valve

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 SMC CORP

AI summary

A plurality of electromagnetic valves are mounted on a manifold base, a single top cover that covers the plurality of electromagnetic valves as a whole is mounted, the top cover is screwed into the manifold base in a state in which a positioning pin on a lower end of a peripheral wall is fitted into a small hole in the manifold base, a reinforcing rib is formed on an inner face of a top plate of the top cover, the rib is arranged so that the rib is brought into contact with the upper faces of the electromagnetic valves all the time or is brought into contact with the electromagnetic valves when the top cover is elastically deformed by a pressing force from the outside acting on the top cover.