Sliding Valve Surfaces With Acute Slopes to Prevent Dry-Out Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valve devices face issues with residual components solidifying in the flow passages, leading to interference with the sliding movement of valve elements when the liquid is drained, causing dry-out and potential operational failures.
Innovation Solution
The valve device incorporates sloped surfaces with acute angles on the sliding surfaces to prevent solidification by forming puddles through surface tension, reducing the likelihood of interference during liquid drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the liquid is drained from the flow passage, then the valve device can be maintained or replaced, but residual components solidify and interfere with the sliding movement of valve elements
Solution Approach 1:
The sloped surfaces are designed in advance to guide residual liquid toward collection areas before drainage occurs. This preliminary arrangement of liquid pathways ensures that when drainage happens, residual components are directed to designated collection zones rather than settling in the sliding contact areas, preventing solidification interference with valve element movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve device incorporates localized sloped surfaces with specific acute angles in critical areas where liquid drainage occurs. These localized geometric features create specific flow paths that differ from the general flow passage structure, directing liquid away from sliding surfaces and toward collection areas, thereby protecting the sliding interface from residual component solidification.
2Reliability
If sloped surfaces with acute angles are added to prevent solidification, then sliding movement is protected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sloped surfaces and liquid collection areas are merged with the existing valve body structure rather than being separate components. The sloped surfaces are integrated into the flow passage walls, and collection areas are formed as recesses within the valve body, combining multiple functions (flow guidance, liquid collection, and solidification prevention) into a unified structure that minimizes additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sloped surfaces are designed with smooth curved transitions rather than sharp angles, creating gradual slopes that effectively guide liquid flow. The collection areas feature rounded contours that facilitate liquid accumulation and drainage. These curved geometric features are easier to manufacture using standard machining or molding processes compared to sharp angular features, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining functional effectiveness.
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
This configuration effectively delays the evaporation of puddles and reduces the solidification of residual components, minimizing interference with the sliding movement between valve elements and ensuring smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
forming puddles through surface tension
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device includes a first valve element and a second valve element. The first valve element has a first sliding surface which is opposed to the second valve element. The second valve element has a second sliding surface which is opposed to the first valve element. The first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are configured to slide relative to each other to change an opening degree of an opening between a first flow passage and a second flow passage. An edge portion of at least one sliding surface among the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface is joined to a sloped surface which is sloped by an acute angle relative to a mating sliding surface which is another sliding surface among the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface and mates with the at least one sliding surface.