Dual-Motion Piston Valve Assembly for Water Sprayer Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water sprayer equipment is complex in construction, design, and manufacture, and lacks ease of use and effective flow control.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a one-piece, solid piston-valve mechanism that integrates axial and rotary movements for on-off switching and flow control, utilizing a cylindrical piston with a groove and lands to provide dual functionality, and annular seals for sealing, allowing easy handling and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate components (levers, rotary knobs, multiple valves) are used for on-off switching and flow control, then flow control functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate control components (levers for on-off switching and rotary knobs for flow control) into a single integrated piston valve mechanism. The piston can perform both axial movement for on-off switching and rotary movement for flow rate control, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single piston component serves multiple functions: it acts as both an on-off valve through axial movement and a flow control valve through rotary movement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the device while maintaining full control capabilities.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for on-off switching and flow control, then flow control functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple control functions into a single piston component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. The piston is manufactured as a single piece with integrated features for both axial and rotary control, simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Manufacturing precision
If a solid piston with groove and lands is used, then flow control precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is designed with segmented features including a groove and lands that create distinct sealing zones and flow control sections. This segmentation allows for precise flow control while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a valve assembly (3) for a watersprayer equipment (1), comprising a valve housing (11) comprising a tubular valve chamber (14) with an inlet port (10) and an outlet port (13), and cylindrical piston (15) with a solid piston body (16) as a valve body axially reciprocally as well as rotatably received within the valve chamber (14), a piston groove (20) of the piston (15) being delimited at its opposite axial ends by two piston lands (21, 22), the piston body (16) comprises at least one piston bar (23, 24) extending, between the two piston lands (21,22); wherein the piston lands (21, 22) and piston groove (20) define a sliding piston valve functionality, in which in a first axial position of the piston (15), the inlet and/or outlet port (10, 13) is/are sealingly closed by one of the lands (21,22), and in which in response to an axial sliding movement of the piston (15), the inlet or out-let port (10, 13) is gradually released to enable fluid passing via the groove (20) from the inlet port (10) to the outlet port (13); and wherein the lands (21, 22) and the least one piston bar (23, 24) define a rotary piston valve functionality, in which a free passage width between the inlet port (10) and outlet port (13) is modifiable by at least one of the bars (23) in response to a rotary movement of the piston (15).