Valve Block Alignment Structure for Pipe-Free Fluid Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Solenoid and electric valves require separate inlets and outlets that necessitate a connecting pipe, increasing the size of the valve device and requiring additional space.
Innovation Solution
The valve device is designed with blocks having equal dimensions from a reference surface to both the inlet and outlet, allowing direct alignment and connection without a pipe, and incorporates a control unit to adjust fluid flow and an elastic seal ring to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solenoid valves and electric valves are connected via a pipe, then the inlet and outlet can be linked, but the device size increases and additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inlet and outlet of adjacent valve blocks by forming a through-hole that passes through both blocks, eliminating the need for a separate connecting pipe. This integration directly reduces the overall device volume while maintaining reliable fluid flow connection between blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting hole is nested within the valve blocks themselves rather than being an external pipe. The hole passes through the blocks, allowing the connection to be embedded within the structure of the valve device, thereby reducing external dimensions and overall device size.
2Ease of manufacture
If the dimension from reference surface to outlet in one block equals the dimension from reference surface to inlet in another block, then direct alignment connection is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric positioning of the through-hole within each block, where the hole is offset from the centerline. This asymmetric design, combined with the equal dimension requirement, creates a self-aligning feature that guides the blocks into correct positional relationship during assembly, reducing the impact of manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
By setting equal dimensions from the reference surface to the inlet/outlet interfaces, the patent creates equipotential alignment surfaces. This ensures that when blocks are assembled, the interfaces are at the same level, enabling direct face-to-face connection without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving ease of manufacture.
3Volume of stationary object
If multiple valve blocks are connected without a pipe, then device size is reduced, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing rings (such as O-rings) that can deform to conform to the mating surfaces of adjacent blocks. These elastic sealing elements compensate for minor surface irregularities and ensure reliable sealing at the interfaces between blocks, maintaining sealing performance while enabling direct connection without external pipes.
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 design achieves downsizing by eliminating the need for a connecting pipe and ensures efficient fluid flow with minimal leakage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic seal ring capable of being in close contact with the first surface of the other of the plurality of blocks or the second surface of the one of the plurality of blocks
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve device includes: plural blocks each including a first surface at which an inlet of a fluid is formed and a second surface at which an outlet is formed for flowing out of the fluid that flows in from the inlet, the second surface being provided on a side that is different from the first surface; a control unit provided between the inlet and the outlet at at least one of the plural blocks and configured to control the flow of a fluid; an inflow-side passage configured to link the inlet and the control unit; and an outflow-side passage configured to link the outlet and the control unit, and the dimension from a lower surface to the inlet and the dimension from the lower surface to the outlet are set to be equal in each block.