Six-Sector Softening Valve Layout for Higher Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-functional softener valves in water treatment systems face issues with low flow rates due to excessive aliquots on the flat valve, which restricts water flow and requires complex designs to accommodate different user needs, such as using raw or soft water during regeneration, while also dealing with high hardness water challenges.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional softener valve with a hermetic head faces construction, featuring a valve body with inlet, outlet, drain, and brine absorption branch of flow channels, and through-holes distributed in six equal parts on the fixed disk, allowing for increased flow rates and separate control of brine refill processes using a brine control valve, enabling the use of soft water for brine tank refilling and raw water during regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flat valve is divided into more equal parts (aliquots) to accommodate multiple functions, then the functional versatility is improved, but the flow path becomes narrower and the flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flat valve is divided into six equal parts (aliquots) instead of the conventional eight or nine parts. This segmentation provides enough functional zones for softening, backwash, regeneration, brine refill, and fast rinse operations while maintaining larger flow path areas. The six-part division optimizes the balance between functional versatility and flow rate by creating sufficiently large sectors that do not overly constrict water flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the valve body are assigned specific functions based on their spatial characteristics. The through-holes are strategically positioned in each of the six aliquots to connect specific inlet/outlet ports to the appropriate functional zones. This local optimization ensures that each sector serves its intended purpose efficiently while maintaining adequate flow capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flat valve is divided into more equal parts to accommodate regeneration and brine refill functions, then the functional completeness is improved, but the water flow capacity of the treatment valve decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into six functional zones that include dedicated areas for softening, backwash, regeneration, brine refill, and fast rinse. This segmentation allows all necessary functions to be accommodated without requiring excessive divisions that would narrow flow paths. The six-part design provides complete functionality while preserving adequate water flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed with multi-functionality, where the same valve structure handles multiple operations including softening, backwash, regeneration, brine refill, and fast rinse. The through-holes and flow channels are configured to enable a single valve to perform all these functions sequentially, eliminating the need for additional specialized valves and maintaining high water flow capacity.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A multifunctional softening valve and a water processing apparatus thereof. The multifunctional softening valve comprises a valve body (1), an ejector, a movable valve plate (4), a fixed valve plate (3), and a saline water control valve (5). The valve body (1) is provided with a water inlet (20), a water outlet (21), a water drainage port (22), and a salt absorbing branch runner (26). The valve body (1) is provided with a through-hole in communication with a filter element upper portion (16), a filter element lower portion (17) and an ejector inlet (24). An ejector outlet (25) is in communication with the filter element lower portion (17). The salt absorbing branch runner (26) is provided with a saline water inlet (23). The saline water inlet (23) is provided with a saline water control valve (5). The fixed valve plate (3) is provided with a plurality of through-holes, and the through-holes are distributed according to a distribution mode of equally dividing the cross section of the fixed valve plate into six parts, and the movable valve plate (4) is fitted to the fixed valve plate (3). In the present application, by means of the distribution of equally dividing the plane softening valve into six parts, water processing functions are implemented.