Offset Double Flanged Valve Assembly for Pump Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies for vehicles, such as those on bobtail trucks, are cumbersome and interfere with the chassis due to space constraints, making pump installations difficult, especially when the width between parallel rails is narrow.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with dual flanges that are offset relative to each other, allowing the pump to be positioned away from the vehicle's rail and providing adjustable offset to accommodate various chassis sizes and shapes, facilitating easier installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pump is mounted directly beneath the internal valve vertically in line, then the valve assembly structure is simple, but the pump interferes with the chassis rail and installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by offsetting the lower flange horizontally relative to the upper flange, transitioning from a vertical alignment to a staggered configuration. This allows the pump to be positioned away from the chassis rail while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the conflict between structural simplicity and installation ease.
2Ease of operation
If the pump is positioned to avoid the chassis rail, then installation becomes easier, but the valve assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into an upper flange portion and a lower flange portion that are offset relative to each other. This segmentation allows the pump to be positioned independently away from the chassis rail, facilitating easier installation while the modular design keeps the overall structural complexity manageable.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed offset design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different vehicle configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly incorporates an adjustable offset mechanism that allows the lower flange to be positioned at different horizontal distances from the upper flange. This dynamic adjustability enables the same valve assembly design to accommodate various vehicle chassis configurations while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the offset distance between the upper and lower flanges to be varied. This adjustable parameter enables adaptation to different vehicle configurations without requiring complete redesign, balancing manufacturing simplicity with configuration versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for mounting a pump to a storage tank of a vehicle includes an upper flange, a lower flange, and a wall extending axially between the upper flange and the lower flange, the lower flange being offset by the wall relative to the upper flange to facilitate installation of the pump on the vehicle.