Segmented Mixing Valve Structure for Contamination-Resistant Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing valves are prone to malfunction and failure due to internal contamination, leading to issues like dripping taps and inability to close faucets, as contaminants can jam moving elements and block sealing surfaces, causing fluid flow disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A mixing valve design featuring a multi-part valve body with separate valve body parts for switching and proportional valve functions, utilizing an electromagnetically actuated plunger to allow two-phase operation, reducing contamination risks and incorporating a cleaning extension for residue removal, and a rotation mechanism for enhanced cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated valve body is used for switching and proportional valve parts, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination-related malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into two separate parts: a first valve body part for the switching valve and a second valve body part for the proportional valve. This segmentation allows independent cleaning and maintenance of each part, preventing contamination from affecting the entire valve system. The first valve body part can be removed and cleaned separately without disassembling the second valve body part, thus maintaining reliability while managing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If contaminants are allowed to enter the valve interior, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to jammed moving parts and blocked sealing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The first valve body part containing the switching valve is designed to be extractable from the valve assembly. This allows the switching valve components to be removed for cleaning or replacement without affecting the proportional valve part. Contaminants that may have entered during operation can be completely removed from the switching valve section, preventing jamming and sealing surface blockage while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design enables preliminary cleaning of the first valve body part before reassembly. By providing easy access to remove and clean the switching valve components, contaminants can be eliminated before they cause malfunction. This preliminary maintenance action prevents reliability issues while not affecting the ease of normal operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the valve body is made as one piece, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to cleaning accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into a first valve body part and a second valve body part that can be separately manufactured and assembled. The first valve body part is designed with a removable structure that provides access to the switching valve interior for cleaning. This segmentation maintains manufacturing precision through proper assembly interfaces while dramatically improving ease of manufacture by enabling cleaning operations without complex disassembly procedures.
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 design significantly reduces the risk of contamination-related malfunctions, ensures reliable fluid flow control, and maintains faucet functionality by allowing separate control of fluid streams and incorporating cleaning mechanisms to prevent residue buildup.
Implementation Method 1
The external force can be applied by an electromagnetically actuated plunger
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A mixing valve is proposed, comprising a valve body (2) and a switching valve part (10) and a proportional valve part (11), wherein either a common valve body (6) or a multi-part valve body (6000) is provided for the switching valve part (10) and the proportional valve part (11), and the valve body (6, 6000) has a valve body part (62, 620, 6200) facing the switching valve part (10) and a valve body part (64, 640, 6400) facing the proportional valve part (11), and the valve body (6000) is movable by an external force against the restoring force of at least one spring (7, 70, 71).