Main Valve Insert Thread Geometry for Precise Tap Valve Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing main valve inserts for dispensing nozzles lack precise and easy positioning within the dispensing valve, leading to potential incorrect assembly and damage due to component tolerances and surface finishes influencing friction.

Innovation Solution

The design of the external thread with varying flank angles (25°-70° for outer and <20° for inner) and a large thread pitch (twice the width of projections) facilitates precise positioning by ensuring easy thread entry and defined axial placement, aided by a guide projection for radial and axial alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard or tapered threads with flank angle of 60° are used for threaded connection, then the connection is secure, but precise positioning of the main valve insert is difficult and assembly may be incorrect due to tolerances and surface finishes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The thread profile is divided into two distinct zones: an outer flank section with 25°-70° angle for load-bearing connection security, and an inner flank section with <20° angle for precise motion transmission and positioning. This local differentiation allows each section to optimize its function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thread projection is segmented into outer and inner flank sections with different geometric properties. The outer flank provides friction-based self-locking for secure connection, while the inner flank provides low-friction motion transmission for precise positioning, resolving the contradiction between security and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If standard threads are used, then the threaded connection is simple, but the main valve insert positioning is not precise and damage may occur during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreaded connection simplicityVSAvoidassembly safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the thread profile serve different protective functions: the outer flank with larger angle prevents over-tightening through self-locking, while the inner flank with smaller angle guides precise engagement, collectively preventing assembly damage without complicating the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If large thread pitch is used (more than twice the width of thread projections), then precise positioning and easy thread entry are achieved, but the thread structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidthread structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thread pitch is specifically designed to be more than twice the width of thread projections, creating sufficient spacing for easy entry and precise positioning. This parameter optimization achieves high precision without requiring complex additional structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If friction from component tolerances and surface finishes is present, then assembly is difficult and incorrect assembly may occur, but eliminating it requires more complex precision mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inner flank section with <20° angle creates a low-friction interface that minimizes the impact of tolerances and surface finishes on assembly ease, while the outer flank maintains precision through its geometric self-locking特性.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables secure, precise, and damage-free assembly of the main valve insert, reducing incorrect assembly risks and ensuring optimal force transmission and positioning for effective operation.

Implementation Method 1

The external thread, viewed in cross-section, has a plurality of thread projections, each having an outer flank section and an inner flank section, wherein the flank angle of the thread projections in the outer flank section is in the range between 25° and 70° and in the inner flank section is less than 20°

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

component tolerances and surface finishes influencing friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The flank angle of the thread projections in the outer flank section is in the range between 25° and 70° and in the inner flank section is less than 20°

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP4522552B1Main valve insert for a dispensing valve
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 ELAFLEX HIBY GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4522552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4522552B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4522552B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a main valve insert (20) for a tap valve (10) for dispensing a fluid, having a channel (13) extending through the main valve insert (20), a valve seat (21) designed to cooperate with a main valve body (14) of the tap valve (10) to control a fluid flow through the channel (13), and an external thread (22) for connecting the main valve insert (20) to the tap valve (10). According to the invention, the external thread (22) comprises, viewed in cross-section, a plurality of thread elevations (23) having an outer flank portion (24) and an inner flank portion (25), wherein a flank angle of the thread elevations (23) in the outer flank portion (24) is in the range between 25° and 70° and in the inner flank portion (25) is less than 20°, wherein a thread pitch of the external thread is more than 2 times a width of the thread elevations (23) measured at the junction between the flank portions (24, 25).