Automatic Shut-Off Device for Flexible Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic shut-off devices for filling vessels with liquid exhibit a steadily decreasing flow rate with increasing filling level and require solid mounting on the vessel wall, which is not feasible for flexible, air-filled walls like inflatable pools.
Innovation Solution
An automatic shut-off device with a housing containing a valve and a closing mechanism that uses a deflector portion and lever system to control the valve based on the liquid level, varying the force of the liquid jet applied to the deflector portion, eliminating the need for a floating entity and allowing flexible mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a floating entity is used to detect water level, then the valve can be controlled to stop liquid flow, but the flow rate decreases significantly at high water levels which increases filling duration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the floating entity from the system. Instead of using a floating ball or buoyant object to detect water level, the patent employs a nozzle that directs a liquid jet at a deflector plate. The deflector plate's position changes with water level, controlling the valve without requiring a separate floating detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a liquid jet as an intermediary between the water level detection and valve control. The liquid jet strikes the deflector plate, and the force of this jet varies with water level, automatically adjusting the valve opening to maintain consistent flow rate throughout the filling process.
2Reliability
If the shut-off device is mounted to the vessel wall, then it can control liquid flow, but it cannot be installed on flexible air-filled walls such as inflatable pools
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs a universal mounting system that can accommodate both rigid and flexible surfaces. The device includes a mounting plate with multiple mounting holes that can be secured using various methods (screws, adhesives, clips) suitable for different wall types including flexible inflatable materials, making the device versatile for both permanent and temporary installations.
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 device maintains a consistent flow rate until the desired filling level is reached, enabling automatic shut-off without the need for solid mounting, thus addressing the limitations of prior devices.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid jet variation means configured to vary the force of the liquid jet applied to the deflector portion depending on the liquid level within the container
Implementation Method 2
said deflector portion being coupled with a lever, said lever being operatively coupled with the valve
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a shut-off device for filling a container with a liquid, the shut-off device (1) comprising: - a housing (2) including a valve (3) for enabling a liquid flow through a liquid path (4) provided within the housing (2); - a control element (5) for opening the valve (3) in order to enable a liquid flow through the liquid path (4); and - a closing mechanism (6) for automatically closing the valve (3) dependent on the liquid level within the container; wherein the closing mechanism (6) comprises a deflector portion (6.1) arranged within the housing for receiving a liquid jet, said deflector portion (6.1) being coupled with a lever (6.2), said lever (6.2) being operatively coupled with the valve (3), wherein the shut-off device (1) further comprises liquid jet variation means (7) configured to vary the force of the liquid jet applied to the deflector portion (6.1) depending on the liquid level within the container and wherein the lever (6.2) is configured to control the valve (3) based on the force of the liquid jet applied to the deflector portion (6.1).