Valve Closure Element Curved Sealing and Spring Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional valves face challenges in achieving reliable sealing, especially under high pressures and temperatures, and fail to meet hygienic requirements due to limitations in mobility and alignment of closure elements, leading to incomplete fluid shut-off and potential misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing, movable arm, and prestressed spring element ensures high mobility and defined alignment of closure elements, utilizing curved sealing surfaces and a through-hole design for flexible movement, allowing for precise sealing and pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber sealing surfaces are used to achieve tight sealing, then sealing quality is improved, but resistance to high pressure and temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sealing surface from rubber to metal, which fundamentally alters the temperature and pressure resistance characteristics while maintaining sealing functionality through precise geometric design of the curved sealing surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines metal sealing surfaces with a pre-tensioned spring element to create a composite sealing system that achieves both high temperature/pressure resistance and reliable sealing through the synergistic effect of rigid metal surfaces and elastic spring force
2Ease of manufacture
If metallic sealing surfaces are used to meet hygiene requirements, then ease of cleaning is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the metallic sealing surfaces by designing them with curved profiles, which enables metal surfaces to conform to each other and achieve reliable sealing while maintaining the hygiene and ease of cleaning advantages of metal materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curved sealing surfaces instead of flat surfaces, allowing the rigid metal closure element to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and deformations through the geometric advantage of curved contact, thereby achieving both hygiene compliance and sealing reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If closure elements are rigidly mounted to achieve precise alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but mobility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid mounting connection into a dynamic connection by introducing a pre-tensioned spring element that allows the closure element to move and adapt its position while maintaining precise alignment through the spring's elastic restoring force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spring element as an intermediary between the arm and closure element, which mediates between the need for precise alignment and the need for mobility, allowing the closure element to follow the arm's movement while maintaining accurate positioning through elastic pre-tension
4Adaptability or versatility
If closure elements are made highly mobile to compensate for tolerances, then adaptability is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the closure element connection from rigid to elastic by using a pre-tensioned spring, which provides controlled mobility for tolerance compensation while the spring's restoring force maintains precise alignment through defined elastic deformation
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 reliable sealing, high mobility, and improved alignment of closure elements, ensuring complete fluid shut-off and protection against excessive pressure, while meeting stringent hygienic requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-tensioned spring element arranged between the arm and the closure element
Implementation Method 2
the pre-tensioned spring element arranged between the arm and the closure element
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
A device (1) for controlling or regulating the flow rate and/or flow direction of fluids is shown and described, said device comprising: a housing (2) having at least two inlets (3) and/or outlets (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b', 4c), at least one arm (8, 8', 8'') which is movably arranged inside the housing (2), and at least one closure element (10a, 10b, 10a', 10b', 10c) which is arranged inside the housing (2) and is movably connected to the arm (8, 8', 8''), wherein the arm (8, 8', 8'') and the closure element (10a, 10b, 10a', 10b', 10c) connected thereto are arranged and connected to one another in such a way that at least one inlet (3) and/or outlet (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b', 4c) can be shut off by the closure element (10a, 10b, 10a', 10b', 10c), and wherein the closure element (10a, 10b, 10a', 10b', 10c) and/or at least one inlet (3) and/or outlet (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b', 4c) has a curved sealing face (12a, 12b) for sealing off the inlets (3) and/or outlets (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b', 4c). In order to achieve a high degree of mobility of the closure element (10a, 10b, 10a', 10b', 10c) in the loaded state while at the same time having a defined orientation of the closure element (10a, 10b, 10a', 10b', 10c) in the unloaded state, it is proposed to arrange a pretensioned spring element (11a, 11b) between the arm (8, 8', 8'') and the closure element (10a, 10b, 10a', 10b', 10c).