Valve Housing Enclosure with Stepped Walls for Water Ingress Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve housings with pressure balancing mechanisms face issues with thermal aging leading to seal failure and water ingress during high-pressure washing, due to mechanical stresses and improper handling.
Innovation Solution
The housing design features upper parts taller than the valve to prevent unclipping and lower parts with stepped or beveled enclosures to prevent water jets from reaching the seal gap, ensuring effective sealing and protection against water retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wall height is increased to protect against unclipping, then the reliability of valve retention is improved, but water retention in the enclosure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is divided into two distinct parts: a first part extending from the opening edge to a first height level, and a second part extending from the first part to a second height level. This segmentation allows each part to serve different functions - the first part prevents water retention while the second part prevents unclipping, resolving the contradiction between water drainage and valve retention.
2Reliability
If the seal is compressed to ensure sealing, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but thermal aging causes force release and seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is positioned specifically at the base of the first wall part, where it compresses against the opening edge. This local positioning ensures effective sealing at the critical interface while allowing the rest of the enclosure to maintain its protective functions. The seal's strategic placement at the junction between the opening and the first wall part optimizes both immediate sealing effectiveness and long-term durability by reducing stress concentration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the enclosure is designed to prevent water jet ingress, then the protection against water ingress is improved, but the complexity of the enclosure structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex lateral barriers or seals to prevent water jet ingress, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by creating a second wall part that extends above the first part. This vertical arrangement allows the enclosure to deflect water jets away from the seal area while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The stepped configuration naturally redirects water flow without requiring additional complex components.
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
This design enhances the durability of the seal over time, prevents water ingress, and maintains the pressure balancing function by controlling water flow and handling risks effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a silicone or EPDM O-ring is then generally provided to be compressed between the body of the capsule and the wall of the housing to ensure sealing
Implementation Method 2
in the event of washing using a high-pressure water jet, this water jet can then cause a slight tilting of the valve causing an entry of water
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a housing which comprises: a wall (104) having an upper surface directed towards the top in a bottom-to-top direction (B-H), and in which an opening (112) is made, the opening (112) being intended for receiving a pressure-balancing valve (132), the opening (112) being surrounded by a portion of the upper surface (106) which constitutes an edge (114) of the opening (112), and connecting an inner space (106) of the housing, located below the wall (104), with an outer space (108) of the housing, located above the wall (104); a enclosure (120) intended for protecting the valve (132) received in the opening, the enclosure (120) being crenellated (120) and surrounding the edge (114) of the opening (112), the enclosure (120) rising from the edge (114) of the opening (112), and the enclosure (120) including at least two upper portions (124, 126) alternating with at least two lower portions (128, 130), the enclosure (120) including a low wall forming the upper (124, 126) and lower (128, 130) portions of the enclosure (120).