Pressure-Sealed Channel Switch Valve Without O-Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional channel switch valves for hot-water supply equipment require sealing members like O rings, increasing component and production costs, and are prone to failure due to back pressure from freezing, which complicates piping and connection processes.
Innovation Solution
A channel switch valve design that uses fluid pressure to push the valve element against a valve seat for sealing, eliminating the need for O rings and incorporating a relief function to manage back pressure without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member such as an O ring is disposed between outflow ports to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but component cost, machining cost, and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the sealing member (O ring) from the valve structure by utilizing the valve element's own surface to create the sealing interface with the valve seat, thereby removing the need for separate sealing components and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element serves dual functions: it controls fluid flow direction and simultaneously provides sealing against the valve seat through its own surface, eliminating the need for external sealing members by making the valve element self-sufficient for both control and sealing purposes
2Reliability
If a sealing member such as an O ring is disposed between outflow ports to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but dimensional control precision and machining precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the sealing member and using the valve element's surface directly for sealing, the invention eliminates the need for precise dimensional control of sealing surfaces that would be required if separate sealing components were used
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from relying on precise dimensional parameters of separate sealing members to utilizing the inherent surface properties and geometry of the valve element itself, thereby reducing dimensional control requirements
3Reliability
If a channel bypass and relief valve are added to release back pressure, then pressure relief function is improved, but device complexity and piping labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pressure relief function into the existing valve body structure by utilizing the valve element's movement and the internal chamber configuration, thereby integrating multiple functions (flow control and pressure relief) into a single component without adding external bypass piping or separate relief valves
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element and valve body are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: flow direction control, sealing, and pressure relief, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function and reducing overall system complexity
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 design reduces machining and assembly costs, ensures reliable sealing without precise dimensional control, and effectively releases back pressure, preventing valve or pipe failure, thus lowering equipment costs and simplifying installation.
Implementation Method 1
pushed upward by pressure of fluid flowing into the inflow port, whereby an upper face of the valve element is pushed against the valve seat
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a channel switch valve that can eliminate a sealing member, such as an O ring, to prevent the leakage between a plurality of outflow ports, and does not require strict dimensional control and precise machining and forming technology, and can prevent leakage between the outflow ports reliably and can lower the machining and assembly cost and the production cost. A valve element 40 is disposed integrally with a valve shaft 30 at a lower end of the valve shaft, and the valve element 40 has at least one passage opening 41, 42 to let an inflow port 20 and each outflow port 21, 22 open in a selectable manner, and is configured so that the upper face of the valve element 40 is pushed against valve seats 15A, 15B by fluid pressure in the valve body 6, and in this state, the valve shaft 30 with valve element 40 is rotated, whereby the valve can have a first circulating state, in which fluid flows from the inflow port 20 to the outflow port 21 via the passage opening 41 and a second circulating state, in which fluid flows from the inflow port 20 to the outflow port 22 via the passage opening 42 in a selectable manner.