Mechanical Two-Way Pressure Relief Valve for Coffee Machine Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines face safety hazards due to hot water splashing and locked mechanisms after brewing, and rely on costly and fragile electromagnetic valves for pressure relief.
Innovation Solution
A two-way pressure relief valve with a mechanical structure, featuring a valve body and cartridge assembly with a flexible sealing member and spring mechanism, allowing for pressure relief through mechanical principles, reducing costs and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromagnetic valve is used for pressure relief, then the pressure relief function is achieved, but the cost increases and the device becomes more fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic valve (electronic system) with a purely mechanical pressure relief mechanism. The spring-loaded piston automatically activates pressure relief when pressure exceeds a certain threshold, eliminating the need for electronic components, control programs, and power supply. This mechanical substitution reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve is designed to automatically activate based on pressure conditions without external control. The spring and piston mechanism self-regulates the pressure relief process, opening when pressure exceeds the spring force and closing when pressure normalizes, eliminating the need for electromagnetic actuation or control systems.
2Device complexity
If a mechanical pressure relief valve is used, then the cost is reduced and durability is enhanced, but the sealing reliability under high pressure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sealing ring made of elastomeric material that conforms to the sealing surface. This flexible sealing element maintains reliable sealing under high pressure conditions while allowing for manufacturing tolerances and wear, ensuring sealing reliability without requiring complex rigid sealing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant and pre-compression force are carefully selected to ensure that the sealing force remains sufficient under all operating pressure conditions. The mechanical parameters of the spring and sealing elements are optimized to maintain sealing reliability across the full pressure range while keeping the structure simple.
3Reliability
If the cartridge body is made tightly fitting, then the sealing is improved, but the assembly and disassembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into modular components: a cartridge body containing the piston and spring assembly, and a valve body housing. The cartridge body can be independently removed and reinstalled, facilitating easy maintenance and assembly. The sealing interface is designed with appropriate clearance and tolerance to allow for tool-assisted assembly while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
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 mechanical pressure relief valve effectively manages high-pressure conditions in coffee machines, preventing hot water splashing and allowing safe operation, while being cost-effective and less prone to damage compared to electromagnetic solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a restoring means, which makes the cartridge body keep a tendency of an upward displacement to leave the inlet end of the pressure relief passage, is provided between the cartridge body and the valve body
Implementation Method 2
the restoring means can be embodied as a spring or an elastic rubber
Implementation Method 3
a space, available for the lower part of the sealing member to expand and deform radially outwards, is present between the outer periphery of the lower part of the sealing member and the outer circumferential wall of the valve cavity
Implementation Method 4
a downward displacement of the cartridge body enables it to fit an inlet end of the pressure relief passage in a sealing manner so as to block the pressure relief passage
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a two-way pressure relief valve, comprising a valve body (1), which valve body is provided with a water inlet passage (121), a pressure relief passage (111) and a water outlet passage (112), and a valve cartridge assembly being provided in a valve cavity (2), which valve cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge body (3) and a sealing member (5), wherein the cartridge body is slidable up and down, a downward displacement of the cartridge body enables it to fit an inlet end of the pressure relief passage in a sealing manner, a spring (4) is supported at the bottom of the cartridge body, and side hole(s) (32) is/are provided in the circumferential wall of the cartridge body; and wherein the sealing member is arranged between the outer circumferential wall of the cartridge body and the inner wall of the valve cavity, with the middle part of the sealing member being fixed to the cartridge body, the outer periphery of the upper part of the sealing member being in contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity, and the lower part of the sealing member covering the side hole(s), wherein a space (S), available for the lower part of the sealing member to expand and deform radially outwards, is present between the outer periphery of the lower part of the sealing member and the inner wall of the valve cavity. Such valve structure enables the pressure relief function of an electromagnetic valve to be realized efficiently, and specifically by means of a pressure relief based on mechanical principles, which involves a small number of simple components, and therefore the cost is far less than that of the electromagnetic valve.