Stepped Valve Bushing Structure for Seal-Safe Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve bushing designs in media filter systems suffer from seal damage and leakage due to seals being placed externally, making disassembly and maintenance difficult and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A valve bushing design with a stepped configuration that allows for single directional installation and axial compression of seals, eliminating the need for external sealing and preventing seal damage during assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seals are placed externally on the bushing for sealing purposes, then sealing function is achieved, but seal damage and leakage occur during assembly and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is nested within a groove on the bushing shaft rather than being placed externally. This nesting configuration protects the seal from external damage during assembly and maintenance while maintaining its sealing function between the bushing and valve body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the seal on the exterior surface of the bushing as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the seal placement by positioning it within an internal groove on the bushing shaft. This inversion protects the seal from damage and eliminates the need for external sealing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the valve bushing uses a straight shaft design, then manufacturing is simple, but seal damage and leaking occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebushing manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bushing shaft features a localized groove structure at specific positions rather than a completely different overall design. This local modification maintains the simplicity of manufacturing the bushing body while providing a protected seal location to prevent leakage and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If seals are placed semi-permanently within the valve, then sealing is maintained, but seal removal and replacement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing stabilityVSAvoidseal replacement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is segmented into a modular component that fits within a dedicated groove on the bushing shaft. This segmentation allows the seal to be easily accessed and replaced by removing the bushing from the valve body, while maintaining stable sealing during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12352370B2Valve with stepped bushing design

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 YARDNEY WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A valve with a bushing is disclosed. The bushing is configured to provide axial pressure towards one or more seals to allow easier assembly and disassembly. The configuration provided allows for easier maintenance and prevent damage to the one or more seals.