Pilot Valve Offset Port Layout for Leak-Resistant Main Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements require different pilot valve designs for various embodiments, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential leakage issues due to the need for high contact pressure at the coupling point between the pilot valve and its seat.
Innovation Solution
The pilot valve inlet and outlet are offset from each other, allowing for a simpler and reliable seal through a radial or transverse sealing element, eliminating the need for axial seals and enabling a structurally identical pilot valve to be used across different embodiments, with a lockable and releasable connection that allows for easy detachment and reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pilot valve is firmly connected to the pilot valve seat using a screw connection or fixed connection, then the seal between the pilot valve inlet and inlet and between the pilot valve outlet and outlet is reliable, but the pilot valve cannot be detached without tools and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the pilot valve base body and pilot valve seat is segmented into a detachable coupling system with a coupling element on the base body and a corresponding receptacle on the seat, allowing the pilot valve to be separated into two independent components for easy removal and installation without tools
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling element acts as an intermediary between the pilot valve base body and the pilot valve seat, providing both mechanical connection and sealing function. This intermediary component enables reliable sealing while allowing tool-free detachment, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If different pilot valve designs are used for different valve arrangement embodiments, then each embodiment is optimized for its specific configuration, but manufacturing costs increase due to producing multiple different pilot valve types
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot valve is designed with universal features including a standardized base body with offset inlet and outlet positions, and a coupling element that can accommodate different insertion directions (parallel, oblique, or perpendicular to the main valve). This universal design allows a single pilot valve type to be used across multiple valve arrangement embodiments, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability to different configurations
3Reliability
If the pilot valve inlet and outlet are positioned aligned with the insertion direction, then the coupling point requires high contact pressure to prevent leakage, but this increases the risk of water damage to surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot valve inlet and outlet are offset from each other in the insertion direction, changing the spatial arrangement from a collinear configuration to a staggered configuration. This dimensional change creates a more favorable flow path that reduces contact pressure at the coupling point, preventing leakage while eliminating the risk of water damage to surrounding components
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve arrangement (1) having a main valve (2) and a pilot valve (8) which is provided for controlling the main valve and is inserted into a pilot valve receptacle (12) in an insertion direction (13), wherein a pressure can be built up within a pressure chamber (7) which is closed by way of a diaphragm (6) by way of closure of the pilot valve (8), as a result of which a valve seat (3) between a main valve inlet (4) and a main valve outlet (5) can be closed, wherein, by way of opening of the pilot valve (8), a relief of pressure within the pressure chamber (7) can be set by way of an outflow of water via a feed line (14) of the pilot valve receptacle (12), which feed line (14) is connected to the pressure chamber, and via an adjoining pilot valve inlet (10) which is configured through a main body (9) of the pilot valve (8), a pilot valve outlet (11) which is configured through the main body (9) of the pilot valve (8), and an adjoining drain (15) into the main valve outlet (5), wherein the drain (15) opens on the outflow side of the diaphragm (6) into the main valve outlet (5), wherein the pilot valve inlet (10) and the pilot valve outlet (11) are arranged offset with respect to one another along a longitudinal axis of the pilot valve (8).