Valve Diaphragm Angled Sections Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valves in aseptic applications, such as the food industry, face challenges in maintaining aseptic conditions due to complex sealing requirements to prevent bacterial and germ contamination, with existing seals being prone to movement and contamination, leading to increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a membrane with radially outer and inner sections angled relative to each other, providing a positive fit and increased clamping forces, combined with a holding arrangement that includes angled clamping gaps and support surfaces, reduces membrane movement and enhances sealing efficacy, thereby minimizing contamination and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a membrane seal is used in the valve, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the membrane is prone to movement and contamination, leading to increased maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) with different functions. The first section provides sealing at the outer edge, the second section is clamped to prevent movement, and the third section allows product flow. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability while reducing maintenance needs through targeted design.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane sections are pre-formed during manufacturing with specific geometries and angles that enable self-positioning and self-sealing when installed. The first section is pre-formed to seal against the outer edge, and the clamping arrangement is designed to automatically position the membrane correctly, reducing the need for adjustment and maintenance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the membrane is clamped in the holding arrangement, then positional stability is improved, but membrane movement still occurs, allowing product contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the membrane have different local qualities and functions. The first section at the outer edge is designed for sealing with high friction engagement, the second section in the middle is clamped for positional stability, and the third section allows product flow. This local differentiation ensures that sealing and anti-contamination functions are concentrated where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane design allows for controlled movement in specific areas while maintaining stability in critical areas. The third section is designed to move with product flow while the first and second sections remain stationary through sealing and clamping, respectively. This dynamic design prevents contamination while allowing necessary operational movement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the membrane is made of dimensionally stable plastic, then geometry constancy under operating conditions is improved, but sealing effectiveness against the outer edge decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system combines dimensionally stable plastic membrane with complementary sealing mechanisms. The membrane provides geometry constancy and structural stability, while the sealing effectiveness is achieved through the interaction with the holding arrangement, friction engagement, and support surfaces. This composite approach allows each material to contribute its strengths without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding arrangement and support surfaces act as intermediaries between the dimensionally stable membrane and the sealing requirement. These intermediary elements provide the necessary sealing engagement and friction forces that the rigid membrane alone cannot provide, while the membrane maintains its geometry constancy and structural integrity.
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 angled membrane sections and support surfaces ensure the membrane remains stationary, preventing contamination and reducing maintenance needs by enhancing the sealing effectiveness and extending the service life of the valve.
Implementation Method 1
By clamping the first section, the clamping forces that bring about the positioning of the membrane are increased overall and larger surface areas of the membrane are fixed via clamping, so that in cooperation slippage of the membrane in the clamping gap is greatly reduced.
Implementation Method 2
The angle between the sections is dimensioned such that there is a positive fit between the holding arrangement and the sections.
Implementation Method 3
The outer edge of the membrane is also sealed very well and better than in the prior art via the force fit of the first section and holding arrangement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (100) having a valve housing (160), which has a first port (102) and a second port (104), having a closing member (106), which is movable along an axial direction and which can be placed into a closed position in which the closing member (106) interacts sealingly with a valve seat (108) arranged between the first port (102) and second port (104), whereby a fluid connection between the first and second ports (102, 104) is blocked, and having a diaphragm (200) which is impermeable to fluid, comprises a central opening (212) through which a closing member arrangement (126) comprising the closing member (106) extends, comprises a clamping section (206) which runs in a clamping gap oriented obliquely with respect to the axial direction, and is held with sealing action at one side on the closing member arrangement (126) and at the other side on a holding arrangement (120) on the valve housing. To provide a valve that has a reduced need for maintenance, it is proposed that the diaphragm (200) has a first section (202) situated at an outer edge and has a second section (204) adjoining the first section (202) radially to the inside, that the first section is held in the holding arrangement with a force fit, that the second section is guided in the holding arrangement, and that the first and second sections (202, 204) are arranged at an angle (V) with respect one another and the holding arrangement is configured such that a form fit is generated by the first section (202), second section (204) and holding arrangement (figure 2). The invention also relates to a diaphragm for a valve.