Right Angle Valve Disc Spring Protection via Bellows Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Right angle valves face issues where disc springs get stuck by foreign objects and impurities, preventing complete position recovery due to exposure during air inflow and outflow.

Innovation Solution

A covering measure is implemented using a sleeve to encase the disc spring when air inflow occurs, preventing exposure to foreign objects and utilizing a heating device to burn off micro-size debris, ensuring the disc spring operates freely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the disc spring is exposed during air inflow and outflow to enable valve operation, then the valve can control air flow, but the disc spring gets stuck by foreign objects and impurities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operationVSAvoiddisc spring position recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A bellows structure is introduced that can expand and contract. When the valve opens, the bellows expands to cover and protect the disc spring from foreign objects. When the valve closes, the bellows contracts to allow the disc spring to be exposed for position recovery. This nesting approach allows the protective covering to be dynamically deployed only when needed, resolving the contradiction between protection and operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows structure provides dynamic adaptability by changing its state between expanded (protective) and contracted (operational) configurations. This dynamic transformation allows the system to switch between two functional states: one where the disc spring is protected from contaminants, and another where it can freely move for position recovery, thus resolving the static contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a covering measure is applied to protect the disc spring, then foreign object attachment is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisc spring position recoveryVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective cover for the disc spring, provides structural support, and enables dynamic state changes. By making the covering structure multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows is implemented as a flexible, collapsible structure that can be integrated into the existing valve body without requiring rigid, complex protective housings. This flexible shell approach allows for a more compact and simpler overall structure compared to rigid protective covers, reducing device complexity while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively prevents disc spring attachment by foreign objects and facilitates complete position recovery, while the heating device ensures foreign objects are eliminated, maintaining valve functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device is further provided for heating the valve body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the micro-size foreign matters or objects are burned by the high temperature heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3287681B1Right angle valve
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 KING LAI HYGIENIC MATERIALS
  • EP3287681B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3287681B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3287681B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A right angle valve (100) includes a valve body (10) having a cavity (11), a first pipe (12) and a second pipe (13) connected therewith; a fixing member (20) fixed to the valve body (10), having a combining end (21) inserted into the cavity (11); a disc spring (30) having one end combined to the combining end (21) and the other end connected with a sealing member (31) for sealing an inner end of the first pipe (12); a cover (40) fixed on one end of the valve body (10) away from the first pipe (12); a piston member (50) slidingly disposed in the cover (40) with one end thereof combined to the sealing member (31), and a covering measure. When the piston member (50) drives the sealing member (31) to move away from the inner end of the first pipe (12) to enable the air flow, the covering measure covers the disc spring (30), preventing the disc spring (30) from exposure to the flowing air, avoiding an obstruction.