Shut-Off Valve Housing With Replaceable Absorbent Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shut-off valves require dismantling and reassembly to replace an absorbent body after it has expanded due to water exposure, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A shut-off valve design with a closable aperture in the housing allows for the removal and replacement of an expanded absorbent body without dismantling, using a displaceable side wall portion with support means for the absorbent body, enabling quick access and reinstallation without disassembling the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the valve housing is made as a single integrated unit, then the structural strength and sealing are improved, but the replacement of the absorbent body requires complete dismantling and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve housing is divided into a main housing body and a separate movable wall portion that can be displaced to open an aperture. This segmentation allows the absorbent body to be accessed and replaced without dismantling the entire housing structure, while the main housing remains intact to maintain structural strength and sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing includes a movable wall portion that can be displaced between a closed position (sealing the aperture) and an open position (exposing the aperture for absorbent body replacement). This dynamic feature enables easy maintenance while preserving the integrity of the overall housing structure.
2Ease of operation
If the aperture remains permanently open for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing and fluid flow control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wall portion is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be opened only when needed for absorbent body replacement and then closed to restore sealing. This dynamic accessibility resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture and its movable wall are extracted as a separate access mechanism from the main sealing structure. This allows the aperture to be opened for maintenance without compromising the sealing integrity of the rest of the housing when closed.
3Manufacturing precision
If the valve requires complete dismantling to replace the absorbent body, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the housing into a main body and a movable wall portion, the replacement process is simplified to only require moving the wall portion rather than dismantling the entire valve assembly. This maintains manufacturing precision while dramatically reducing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable wall portion is pre-configured with support means for the absorbent body, allowing quick access and replacement without requiring complex disassembly procedures. This preliminary design feature reduces maintenance time while preserving assembly precision.
4Ease of repair
If a movable wall portion is added to enable aperture opening, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a main body and a movable wall portion, adding only the minimum necessary complexity to enable easy repair. The segmentation is simple and functional, avoiding unnecessary complexity while achieving the repair accessibility goal.
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
Facilitates the rapid replacement of an expanded absorbent body with a new, unexpanded one, maintaining the valve's functionality without the need for extensive reassembly, ensuring efficient operation and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed absorbent body which expands when in contact with liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A shut-off valve (10) comprises a valve housing (12, 14) having a valve inlet (28), a valve outlet (30), a fluid flow channel (32) extending between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a valve closure member (34) displaceable into the fluid flow channel to prevent fluid flow through the flow channel and a volume within the housing for receiving a compressed absorbent body (42) which expands when in contact with liquid. The compressed absorbent body (42) is configured to displace the valve closure member (34) into the fluid flow channel (32) when expanded, and the housing (12, 14) comprises a closable aperture (52) which allows access to the volume for replacing the absorbent body.