Membrane Outlet Valve With Integrated Manual and Solenoid Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water valves are complex in structure due to the need for dual waterways and mechanical switching mechanisms, making them difficult to control and use, especially when solenoid valves fail.
Innovation Solution
An outlet valve design featuring a valve body with a solenoid valve and manual operating member, utilizing a waterproof membrane with a water replenishing hole to control water flow between inlet and outlet cavities, eliminating the need for mechanical action and dual waterways, allowing for simple and convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double waterway switching mode with solenoid valve and mechanical valve is used to control water flow, then reliability is improved (backup control available), but device complexity increases (two waterways and switching mechanism required)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solenoid valve and mechanical valve into a single integrated valve body with a unified waterway structure. The solenoid valve core and mechanical valve core work together in one waterway system, eliminating the need for separate dual waterways while maintaining both automatic and manual control functions. This merging approach preserves reliability through multiple control modes while significantly reducing structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a special switching valve core is arranged between two waterways to enable switching control, then adaptability is improved (switching control capability), but device complexity increases (special switching mechanism required)
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed as a universal structure that can perform multiple control functions through a single waterway system. The solenoid valve provides automatic control while the mechanical valve provides manual control, both operating within the same waterway architecture. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for specialized switching valve cores and separate waterways, reducing complexity while maintaining control versatility.
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 enables solenoid and manual control without mechanical action on the waterproof membrane and eliminates the need for dual waterways, resulting in a simpler, more user-friendly, and structurally less complex outlet valve.
Implementation Method 1
a first plug in the first waterway, the first plug being connected with an output end of the solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
a waterproof membrane for controlling connection and disconnection between the water outlet cavity and the water inlet cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An outlet valve includes a valve body (1), a solenoid valve (2), and a manual operating member (3). The valve body includes a water inlet cavity (11), a water outlet cavity (12), a water storage cavity (13), a drain waterway (16), a first waterway (14), a second waterway (15), and a waterproof membrane (4). The first waterway is coupled to the drain waterway through a first drain opening (141). The second waterway is coupled to the drain waterway through a second drain opening (151). The waterproof membrane is configured to separate the water outlet cavity from the water storage cavity. The first waterway comprises a first plug (5) coupled to an output end of the solenoid valve. The first plug is configured to control the opening and closing of the first drain opening. The second waterway comprises a second plug (6) coupled to the manual operating member. The second plug is configured to control the opening and closing of the second drain opening.