Pre-Tensioned Valve Membrane for Reliable Disk Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
In larger milking installations, the membrane of the control valve often fails to efficiently move the valve disk from its first position to the second position, leading to air leakage and inefficient vacuum buildup, which increases service costs.
Innovation Solution
The membrane is designed with an inherent pre-tensioning of its flexible portion, featuring a wavy shape with a circular wave peak and valley, allowing it to exert a force on the valve disk from the first position towards the second, preventing it from getting stuck and facilitating movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coil spring is mounted underneath the membrane to assist the membrane in pulling the valve member away from the first position, then the valve disk can be biased away from the valve disk seat, but the solution increases device complexity and service costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coil spring component from the control valve structure and replaces it with a membrane that has built-in pre-tensioning capability. The membrane's flexible portion is designed with a wavy shape that inherently provides the necessary pulling force without requiring separate spring components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the function of the membrane and the spring into a single integrated membrane structure. The flexible portion of the membrane is designed with a wavy shape that inherently provides pre-tensioning force, merging the previously separate functions of the membrane (sealing and actuation) and the spring (biasing force) into one unified component.
2Reliability
If the membrane is designed with inherent pre-tensioning to exert force on the valve disk, then the valve disk can be reliably moved from the first to the second position, but the membrane structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the membrane's flexible portion by designing it with a wavy shape consisting of alternating wave peaks and wave valleys. This curved geometry creates inherent pre-tensioning in the membrane material, enabling it to exert pulling force on the valve disk during actuation from the first to the second position, while maintaining a relatively simple overall membrane structure.
3Force
If the flexible portion has a wavy shape with wave peaks and valleys, then inherent pre-tensioning is created to exert pulling force, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical parameters of the membrane material and its geometric configuration to achieve the desired pre-tensioning effect. By adjusting the wave shape parameters (amplitude, wavelength, depth) and material properties (elasticity, thickness), the membrane can generate sufficient pulling force while accommodating reasonable manufacturing tolerances.
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 ensures the valve disk can be reliably moved from the first to the second position, preventing air leakage and enhancing vacuum buildup efficiency, reducing service costs and improving system performance.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible portion has a wavy shape, in particular in a cross-section, with a circular wave peak and a circular wave valley... Such a wavy shape may create the inherent pre-tensioning of the flexible portion to exert a pulling force on the central portion
Data Source
AI summary
A control valve and a membrane for a moving a valve disk of a control valve between a first position and a second position are provided. The membrane has a central axis perpendicular to an extension plane of the membrane. The membrane includes an outer annular rim portion, a central portion configured to be connected the valve disk, and a flexible portion that is annular and provided between the central portion and the outer annular rim portion. The membrane is flexible to permit the central portion to move back and forth along the central axis, thereby permitting the valve disk to move to one of the first position and the second position. The membrane is designed with an inherent pre-tensioning of the flexible portion, which permits the membrane to exert a force on the valve disk from the first position towards the second position.