Stepped Check Valve Assembly for Reliable Backflow Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves with disc-type valve members often fail to completely close due to the outer edge hanging on the inner wall during assembly, compromising backchecking capability and making automated assembly difficult.
Innovation Solution
A conical stepped geometry is implemented in the check valve design, preventing the valve member from touching the inner wall and ensuring proper placement through vibration-assisted assembly, with a biasing post aligning the valve member to maintain its position and allow fluid flow in one direction while blocking backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a disc-type valve member is used that floats without constraint during assembly, then the assembly process is simple, but the valve member may not completely close and backchecking capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve incorporates a conical stepped geometry that is pre-formed during manufacturing. This geometry proactively guides the valve member into the correct seated position during assembly, preventing the outer edge from hanging on the inner wall before the valve can close. The preliminary geometric configuration ensures proper valve member placement occurs automatically during the assembly process, resolving the contradiction between simple assembly and reliable closure.
2Reliability
If a conical stepped geometry is implemented to prevent valve member from touching the inner wall, then backchecking capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conical stepped geometry modifies only the local region where the valve member interfaces with the housing, rather than changing the overall valve structure. The stepped features are concentrated at specific locations (the inlet port and valve seating area) to provide the necessary guidance, while the rest of the valve maintains its simple disc-type design. This localized modification achieves reliable backchecking with minimal increase in overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If vibration-assisted assembly is used to ensure proper valve member placement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process incorporates vibration applied to the valve member or housing during the insertion phase. This vibration causes the valve member to oscillate and settle into the precise seated position defined by the conical stepped geometry, ensuring the outer edge does not hang on the inner wall. The vibration is applied temporarily during assembly only, and the simple geometric features guide the valve into place once the vibration stops, achieving high precision without requiring complex assembly equipment.
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 conical stepped geometry ensures complete closure and effective backchecking, preventing backflow and ensuring proper fluid directionality, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and patient safety by preventing undesirable backflow of fluids.
Implementation Method 1
The check valve has a conical stepped geometry that prevents the valve member from touching an inner wall of the upper housing
Implementation Method 2
vibrating the valve member and upper housing until the valve member is fully seated in the upper housing
Implementation Method 3
a biasing post aligning the valve member to maintain its position
Implementation Method 4
when an upstream pressure is applied to the valve member, the valve member is configured to deflect away from the sealing surface to fluidly communicate the inlet and the cavity
Implementation Method 5
when a downstream pressure is applied to the valve member, the valve member is configured to deflect towards the sealing surface to block the fluid communication between the inlet and the cavity
Implementation Method 6
when a downstream pressure is applied to the valve member, the valve member is configured to deflect towards the sealing surface to block the fluid communication between the inlet and the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve includes an upper housing defining an inlet of the check valve, a lower housing defining an outlet of the check valve, and a cavity interposed between and defined by the upper and lower housings for fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet. The check valve further includes a valve member mounted in the cavity to selectively permit fluid flow in a first direction, and prevent fluid backflow in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The valve member includes a valve body and a valve stem portion extending axially through a central axis of the valve body.