Valve function group for a liquid-conducting system and liquid-conducting system comprising a household appliance and a liquid tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve function groups for liquid-carrying systems with household appliances and liquid tanks are complex, costly, and require numerous components, making them difficult to produce and maintain efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A simplified valve function group design featuring a coupling socket with a bushing seal that can be moved between closed and open positions through elastic deformation, reducing structural complexity and component count, and allowing for cost-effective production and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valve function groups are used with multiple components, then sealing reliability is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing element and the actuating mechanism into a single integrated bushing seal component. The bushing seal includes an elastic sealing element with an actuating projection that directly interacts with the coupling socket, eliminating the need for separate valves, actuators, and control mechanisms. This merging maintains sealing reliability while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing seal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing between the liquid tank and coupling socket, acts as an actuating mechanism through its elastic deformation, and functions as a flow control element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining reliable operation.
2Productivity
If traditional valve function groups with multiple components are used, then flow control functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sealing element, actuator, and flow control features into a single bushing seal component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried. This integration significantly reduces manufacturing cost and improves production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material properties of the bushing seal allow it to deform under pressure differential, automatically controlling flow without complex mechanical parameters or adjustments. This use of material parameter changes simplifies manufacturing compared to traditional mechanical valve components.
3Device complexity
If elastic deformation mechanism is used for sealing, then component count is reduced, but force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressure differential (hydraulic principle) to actuate the bushing seal. The pressure difference between the liquid tank interior and exterior automatically deforms the elastic sealing element to open or close the flow path, eliminating the need for external actuators or high forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material of the bushing seal changes its physical state through deformation in response to pressure changes. This allows the seal to respond automatically to pressure differential without requiring external force application, reducing the force requirements for actuation.
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 significantly reduces production costs and complexity, improves recyclability, and enhances the sealing efficiency while maintaining robustness and ease of use, allowing for flexible material and dimensional selection.
Implementation Method 1
the flow path can be blocked in its closed position and opened in its open position merely by means of an elastic deformation of the bushing seal
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve functional group (8) for a liquid-carrying system (2) with a household appliance (4) and a liquid tank (6) for selectively connecting the liquid tank (6) to or separating the liquid tank (6) from the household appliance (4) in a flow-conducting manner, comprising a coupling bushing (10) for connecting the valve functional group (8) to the liquid tank (6) in a flow-conducting manner and a coupling nozzle (14) inserted in a flow-conducting position into a nozzle receptacle (12) of the coupling bushing (10) for connecting the valve functional group (8) to the household appliance (4) in a flow-conducting manner.wherein the coupling bushing (10) has a bushing seal (18) that can be moved back and forth between a closed position blocking a flow path (16) connecting the liquid tank (6) to the nozzle receptacle (12) and an open position opening the flow path (16), and the flow path (16) can be blocked in its closed position and opened in its open position solely by means of an elastic deformation of the bushing seal (18). The invention further relates to a fluid-carrying system (2).