Valve Bearing Spring-Elastic Section for Reliable Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure medium containers with valves face issues of unreliable closure, contamination, and complexity in design and manufacturing, particularly when used in food processing and dispensing devices, due to the use of coil springs and membrane closures.
Innovation Solution
A valve system consisting of a valve bearing with a flow channel and a valve body, utilizing a spring-elastic region for reliable closure and opening, eliminating the need for coil springs and additional components, allowing for easy connection and refilling, and ensuring secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional check valve with coil spring is used, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the structure becomes complex with at least three components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve body, closure element, and spring mechanism into a single integrated valve unit. The closure element is formed as one piece with the valve body, and the spring is positioned within the valve body to act directly on the closure element, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall complexity while maintaining closure reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves multiple functions: it contains the closure element, houses the spring mechanism, provides the flow channel, and acts as the mounting interface for the pressure medium container. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system
2Reliability
If a diaphragm closure is used, then the pressure vessel can be sealed, but the diaphragm is permanently damaged when pierced with a hollow needle making it impossible to close the pressure vessel again
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a separable unit that can be removed from the pressure medium container. The closure element can be opened by removing the valve body from the container neck, allowing the container to be refilled without permanently damaging any sealing components. The sealing function is maintained through a resealable interface between the valve and container
Solution Approach 2:
The valve transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic open state when the valve body is removed from the container. The closure element can move between closed and open positions, and the entire valve assembly can be detached and reattached, enabling the system to adapt between storage, dispensing, and refilling operations
3Ease of operation
If the pressure in the vessel is insufficient to move the pin sufficiently into a closed position, then the valve can be opened easily, but residual pressure medium escapes from the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-compressed when the valve is assembled, storing elastic potential energy that automatically acts on the closure element to ensure it is fully seated in the closed position. This preliminary action compensates for insufficient pressure in the vessel and guarantees reliable closure without requiring additional operational steps
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides a cushioning force that ensures the closure element is always pushed sufficiently into the closed position against the flow channel. This beforehand cushioning prevents the problem of inadequate closure due to low pressure, as the spring force supplements the pressure force to guarantee complete sealing
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 solution provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable valve system that ensures secure closure and easy connection to devices, preventing contamination and allowing for efficient refilling, while maintaining a robust construction with only two components.
Implementation Method 1
The valve bearing is designed with at least one spring-elastic area which acts on the valve body in such a way that, at least after a movement of the valve body into the passage position, the at least one spring-elastic area is tensioned, i.e. deflected, and generates a pressure force on the valve body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve for a pressure vessel (2) consists exclusively of a valve bearing (6) with a flow channel (25) and a valve body (7) movably mounted in the flow channel. The valve body (7) is movable against a pressure force from a closed position, in which the flow channel (25) is blocked, to a flow position, in which the flow channel (25) is open. The valve bearing (6) is designed with at least one spring-elastic section (15) that acts on the valve body (7) such that, at least after movement of the valve body (7) into the flow position, the at least one spring-elastic section (15) is tensioned and generates a restoring pressure force on the valve body (7).