Membrane Valve Pivot Layout for High-Cycle Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Valves with existing designs face challenges in withstanding a large number of switching cycles due to excessive elastic deformation of flexible membranes, leading to reduced service life and potential wear.
Innovation Solution
The deformation region of the flexible membrane is strategically positioned between two deformation planes aligned parallel to the pivot axis, with the pivot pin partially accommodated within this space, minimizing elastic deformation by ensuring the membrane is only touched and not cut, thereby reducing stress on the membrane during pivoting movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve member is designed with a flexible membrane for sealing, then the valve can achieve effective sealing, but the membrane undergoes excessive elastic deformation during switching cycles, reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the pivot pin from a conventional location to one that is offset from the membrane surface, creating a three-dimensional deformation space bounded by deformation planes. This spatial reconfiguration allows the membrane to deform within a controlled volume rather than experiencing excessive planar stretching, thereby maintaining sealing efficiency while reducing deformation magnitude and extending membrane service life.
2Device complexity
If the pivot pin is positioned closer to the membrane for compact design, then the valve structure is more compact, but the membrane experiences excessive tensile forces and deformation, leading to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces deformation planes as intermediary geometric constructs that define the boundaries of the deformation space. These planes act as virtual guides that constrain the membrane's deformation path, allowing the pivot pin to be positioned optimally without directly contacting or excessively loading the membrane. This intermediary framework enables compact design while protecting membrane integrity.
3Reliability
If the flexible membrane is made thinner for flexibility, then the valve achieves better sealing contact, but the membrane becomes more susceptible to deformation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the deformation space by positioning the pivot pin and defining deformation planes at specific distances from the membrane. This parameter optimization allows the use of thinner, more flexible membranes that can achieve better sealing contact while the controlled deformation space prevents excessive stretching and wear, effectively decoupling the trade-off between flexibility and strength.
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 allows for a high number of switching cycles with minimal elastic deformation, enhancing the valve's service life and preventing undesirable tensile forces that can cause wear, resulting in improved sealing efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation region of the flexible membrane is formed between the sealing region and the circumferential fastening region of the flexible membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for controlling a fluid flow, including a valve housing, which is provided with a first fluid connection, a fluid channel and a second fluid connection, further including a valve member which is pivotally mounted in the fluid channel, and a drive for introducing a movement onto the valve member, the valve member having a rigid carrier and a flexible membrane with a sealing region which is provided for a sealing abutment against a valve seat and which is fixed to the carrier and to the valve housing by a circumferentially formed fastening region, wherein a deformation region of the flexible membrane is located between the sealing region and the fastening region and is arranged between a first deformation plane and a second deformation plane, the first deformation plane and the second deformation plane each being aligned parallel to a pivot axis determined by the pivot pin and delimiting a deformation space, and wherein the pivot pin is accommodated at least partially in the deformation space.