Valve Assembly Redundant Inner Seal for Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements are vulnerable to malfunctions due to damage of outer seals, which can allow moisture and contaminants to penetrate, potentially impairing the functionality, especially when handled carelessly.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inner seal, positioned at a distance from the outer seal and surrounding the signal transmission channel, provides redundant sealing protection, ensuring the signal transmission channel and fluid channels remain shielded from external media even if the outer seal is damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer seal is placed directly adjacent to the outer edge of the joining surfaces, then the sealing effectiveness and ease of cleaning are improved, but the risk of damage due to careless handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inner seal positioned between the outer seal and the signal transmission channel as a protective buffer. This inner seal absorbs the impact of potential damage to the outer seal, ensuring that even if the outer seal is compromised, the signal transmission channel remains protected. This beforehand cushioning approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining sealing effectiveness while reducing the harmful impact of outer seal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested sealing structure where the inner seal is positioned within the space between the outer seal and the signal transmission channel. The inner seal is framed by the outer seal at a distance, creating a nested configuration where the inner seal is protected by the outer seal's positioning while simultaneously providing an additional sealing barrier. This nesting arrangement allows the outer seal to be placed optimally for cleaning while the inner seal provides backup protection.
2Device complexity
If a single outer seal is used to frame both signal transmission channel and fluid channels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability against moisture penetration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into two separate sealing elements: an outer seal that frames the signal transmission channel and fluid channels, and an inner seal that provides additional protection. This segmentation of the sealing function into multiple specialized seals improves reliability against moisture penetration while maintaining manageable device complexity through clear functional differentiation of each seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different sealing qualities at different locations: the outer seal provides primary sealing and structural framing, while the inner seal provides secondary, redundant sealing closer to the signal transmission channel. This local differentiation of sealing quality and function allows each seal to be optimized for its specific role, improving overall reliability without excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The arrangement (1) has a valve support passage fluid channel (58) in fluid connection with valve units (3) i.e. 5/2-way valve. An external sealing (82) is arranged between valve support modules (2a) in a lining direction. The external sealing surrounds a signal transfer channel (64) and the valve support passage fluid channel in a circumferential manner. An inner sealing (83) is arranged between the valve support modules supplementary to the external sealing. The inner sealing surrounds at spacing of the external sealing and the signal transfer channel in the circumferential manner.