Push Valve Assembly With Self-Flushing Rinse Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container washing methods often fail to effectively remove residual chemical contaminants and prevent buildup within the washing apparatus, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage over time.
Innovation Solution
A push valve assembly that includes a movable piston within a valve body, allowing for selective control of fluid flow through primary and secondary paths to ensure thorough rinsing and flushing of the container and the valve assembly itself, preventing contaminant buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single flow path is used in the valve assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but contaminant buildup occurs within the valve body leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into a primary flow path for rinsing and a secondary flow path for flushing. The primary flow path transports rinse water from the inlet through the piston to the outlet, while the secondary flow path allows rinse water to flush the valve body interior. This segmentation enables independent flushing function without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly performs preliminary flushing action during the rinsing operation itself. By configuring the secondary flow path to allow rinse water to contact and flush the valve body interior during normal operation, contaminant buildup is prevented before it can cause reliability issues, eliminating the need for separate flushing operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the valve piston only provides a single flow path, then the manufacturing precision requirements are simplified, but the rinsing effectiveness is reduced due to inability to flush contaminant buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The flow paths are segmented into primary and secondary paths with distinct functions. The primary flow path handles main rinsing flow, while the secondary flow path handles flushing of the valve body. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function without requiring extremely tight tolerances across the entire valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinse water serves multiple functions by flowing through both the primary flow path (rinsing the container) and the secondary flow path (flushing the valve body). This multi-functionality increases rinsing effectiveness without requiring separate flushing systems, maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision requirements.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the valve assembly lacks a flushing mechanism, then the device complexity is minimized, but contaminant buildup occurs leading to reduced operational lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly performs self-flushing using the same rinse water that flows through it during normal operation. The secondary flow path is configured to allow rinse water to contact and flush the valve body interior, enabling the system to clean itself without external intervention or additional flushing mechanisms, thereby extending operational lifespan without significant structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing function is merged with the rinsing operation. By configuring the secondary flow path to utilize the existing rinse water flow, the flushing function is combined with the primary rinsing function, eliminating the need for separate flushing mechanisms and extending valve lifespan without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a push valve assembly. The push valve assembly includes a valve piston that is movable within a valve body between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, passing through an intermediate rinsing position, to selectively provide pressurized fluid through flow paths defined by the position of the valve piston.