Regulation Valve Thermo Element Spring Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regulation valves for liquid circulation systems, such as drinking water systems, fail to accurately regulate flow rates based on temperature, especially at high temperatures where a low flow rate is required, and often suffer from blockages and complex maintenance due to design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A regulation valve design featuring a thermo element and spring elements that adjust the valve plunger's position based on temperature, allowing for precise flow rate control without requiring the spring element to counteract operating pressure, and enabling easy removal and replacement of the valve insert as a cartridge, preventing blockages and simplifying maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second spring element is designed to counteract operating pressure and thermo element force, then the valve can maintain proper sealing and operation, but the spring element becomes complex and expensive with tight tolerances required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system is segmented into two separate spring elements with distinct functions: the first spring element (20) handles the thermo element force and valve plunger operation, while the second spring element (25) is positioned in the first valve inlet sub-chamber (12a) and acts on the mounting support (14) to provide a second spring force that presses the mounting support against a stroke (26) provided by the housing. This segmentation allows each spring to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting support (14) serves as an intermediary element between the second spring element (25) and the valve body. The second spring element acts on the mounting support rather than directly on the valve body, which mediates the force transmission and isolates the valve body from direct spring pressure. This intermediary approach simplifies the spring element design while maintaining proper sealing.
2Productivity
If the valve body moves during operation to regulate flow, then flow control is achieved, but the valve body becomes blocked by containments of the liquid medium
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the valve body moving to regulate flow, the invention inverts the approach: the valve body (18) remains stationary and fixed, while the valve plunger (19) moves to control the flow. The valve plunger is carried by the thermo element (22) and can be lifted up from or pressed against the valve seat (21), thereby regulating flow through the valve body's opening (23) without the valve body itself moving. This inversion prevents blockages while maintaining flow control capability.
3Reliability
If the valve insert requires complex assembly and installation procedures, then proper functionality is ensured, but maintenance and replacement become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into a removable valve insert comprising the valve body (18), first spring element (20), second spring element (25), and subassembly (14, 22, 19) that can be easily removed from the valve housing (11) as a cartridge. This segmentation allows the valve insert to be quickly replaced without complex disassembly procedures, significantly improving ease of repair and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve insert is designed as a complete, self-contained unit that can be extracted from the valve housing as a single cartridge. The subassembly comprising the mounting support, thermo element, and valve plunger is pre-mounted within the valve body, allowing the entire functional assembly to be removed and replaced without disassembling individual components. This extraction approach simplifies maintenance procedures while ensuring proper functionality through pre-assembled units.
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
The solution provides accurate flow rate regulation across varying temperatures, prevents blockages, and simplifies maintenance by allowing the valve insert to be easily removed and replaced, ensuring reliable operation and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
said thermo element provides a thermo element force depending on the temperature of the liquid medium within the valve housing
Implementation Method 2
said first spring element provides a first spring force which tends to lift up said valve plunger from said valve seat
Implementation Method 3
said second spring element provides a second spring force which presses the mounting support against a stroke provided by the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Regulation valve (10) for a liquid medium like water, especially for drinking water, comprising: a valve housing (11) providing a valve inlet chamber (12) and a valve outlet chamber (13); a valve insert being positioned within said valve housing (11), said valve insert comprising a valve body (18), a valve plunger (19) and a first spring element (20) being positioned between the valve body (18) and the valve plunger (19), whereby said valve body (18) provides a valve seat (21) for said valve plunger (19) and whereby said first spring element (20) provides a first spring force which tends to lift up said valve plunger (19) from said valve seat (21); a thermo element (22) being positioned directly in the flow of the liquid medium and carrying said valve plunger (19), said thermo element (22) provides a thermo element force acting on the valve plunger (19) depending on the temperature of the liquid medium within the valve housing (11), whereby said thermo element force provided by said thermo element (22) is acting against the first spring force provided by said first spring element and thereby tends to press said valve plunger (19) against said valve seat (21); a mounting support (14) for said thermo element (22), said mounting support (14) dividing the valve inlet chamber (12) of the valve housing (11) in a first valve inlet sub-chamber (12a) and a second valve inlet sub-chamber (12b), whereby the second valve inlet sub-chamber (12b) in positioned between the first valve inlet sub-chamber (12a) and the valve outlet chamber (13); a second spring element (25) being positioned in the first valve inlet sub-chamber (12a) and acting on the mounting support (14) in such a way that the second spring element (25) provides a second spring force which presses the mounting support (14) against a stroke (26) provided by the housing (11).