Hinged Valve Disc Locking for Leak-Free Low-Torque Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinged valves for intermediate bulk containers suffer from poor sealing and high resistance forces due to friction, leading to unintentional opening or leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A hinged valve design incorporating a valve body, stem, disc, actuator, and sliding member with a locking mechanism, where the valve disc is rotatable around a hinge, and the actuator converts rotational stem movement into disc rotation for opening and closing, utilizing a locking post and hook system for secure closure, along with reinforcing features to enhance structural integrity and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a butterfly valve with a rotating shaft and valve disc is used, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the sealing is poor and the resistance force is great due to friction between the sealing ring and valve body
Solution Approach 1:
The valve disc is segmented into a fixed portion (connected to hinge) and a movable portion (rotating with valve stem), separating the sealing function from the actuation function. This allows the sealing surface to remain stationary while the valve opens/closes, eliminating friction between moving sealing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the rotating valve disc and placed on a stationary sealing surface in the valve body. The valve disc becomes solely responsible for blocking or allowing flow, while the sealing ring remains stationary against the valve body, eliminating the harmful friction between moving sealing parts.
2Volume of moving object
If a butterfly valve with internal valve disc and rotating shaft is used, then the valve structure is compact, but the flow is affected by the valve disc and rotating shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shaft and its supporting structures are extracted from the valve body interior. The hinge connection is positioned at the valve disc periphery, allowing the valve stem to rotate externally without occupying valuable internal flow space, thus improving flow efficiency while maintaining compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation axis is moved from the center of the valve disc to the periphery, changing the dimensional arrangement. This peripheral hinge configuration allows the valve stem to rotate in a different spatial plane, reducing interference with the central flow path and improving flow characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If existing hinged valves with lower opening/closing resistance are used, then the operational force is reduced, but the valve may be unintentionally opened or suffer unintentional sealing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A locking mechanism is introduced that preemptively prevents unintended opening by engaging a locking post on the valve disc with a locking element on the valve stem. This preliminary anti-action counteracts any forces that might cause accidental opening or sealing damage, while allowing intentional operation when the lock is released.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism engages automatically when the valve reaches the closed position, performing a preliminary securing action before any operational forces are applied. This ensures the valve remains securely closed until intentionally opened, preventing accidental movement or sealing damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinged valve is provided. The hinged valve includes a valve body, a valve stem, a valve disc, an actuator and a sliding member. The valve body is a housing, which is provided with a valve stem hole for partially accommodating the valve stem. The valve body has a passage with an inlet and an outlet. The valve disc is connected to the valve body through a hinge, so that the valve disc is able to rotate around the rotation axis of the hinge.