V-Shaped Drain Valve for Low-Resistance Backflow Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-return valves for sanitary appliances, such as sinks and urinals, face issues with high opening resistance, reduced flow velocity, and congestion due to their symmetrical design, which obstructs the drain channel and is not effective when placed horizontally.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tubular valve with a V-shaped cross-section that deforms from a closed to an open state in response to fluid pressure, featuring a central point that initiates opening and allows for wider opening while maintaining excellent sealing capabilities, enabling placement both horizontally and vertically without obstructing fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible tube valve is used to close the drain channel, then sealing capability is improved, but opening resistance increases and flow velocity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cross-section is designed as an asymmetric V-shape rather than a symmetric circular or flat shape. This asymmetry allows the valve to open more efficiently in one direction while maintaining sealing capability, reducing the force required to open the valve compared to symmetric designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is constructed as a flexible tubular structure that can deform elastically under fluid pressure. This flexibility allows the valve to transition smoothly between closed and open states, reducing opening resistance while maintaining reliable sealing when closed.
2Reliability
If a tubular valve structure is placed in the drain channel, then backflow prevention is improved, but the drain channel cross-section is obstructed and flow velocity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a static obstruction to a dynamic structure that changes shape based on fluid pressure. When fluid flows through the channel, the flexible tube deforms to accommodate the flow, minimizing obstruction and maintaining flow velocity while still preventing backflow when the flow stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tubular structure allows the valve to conform to the flow conditions, opening wider when flow is needed and closing tightly when backflow prevention is required. This flexibility reduces the permanent obstruction to flow velocity compared to rigid valve structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If a symmetric valve design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to horizontal and vertical placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped cross-section creates an asymmetric valve design that performs differently in vertical versus horizontal orientations. This asymmetry enables the valve to adapt its opening behavior based on placement orientation, allowing it to function effectively in both horizontal and vertical drain channels despite the increased manufacturing complexity compared to symmetric designs.
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 V-shaped valve reduces opening resistance, allows for wider openings, and provides effective sealing, ensuring efficient fluid flow and preventing backflow, even when placed horizontally, with a design that can withstand repeated deformations for a long lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
the tubular structure is adapted to deform from a closed state, in absence of fluid applying a pressure to the interior of the tubular structure, in which the outlet end is closed, to an open state, in response to a pressure of fluid applied to the interior of the tubular structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~4B
AI summary
A valve (2) for a drain channel of a sanitary appliance, comprising: • a flexible tubular structure (6) extending between an inlet end (3) defining an inlet opening (4) for receiving fluid into an interior of the tubular structure, and an outlet end (5) downstream of the inlet opening, the tubular structure defining a flow direction, • wherein the tubular structure is adapted to deform from • - a closed state, in absence of fluid applying a pressure to the interior of the tubular structure, in which the outlet end is closed, to • - an open state, in response to a pressure of fluid applied to the interior of the tubular structure, in which the outlet end is open, defining an outlet opening.