Valve Seat Segmentation for Reopening Pressure and Ventilation

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing valve devices face challenges in maintaining air permeability while increasing valve reopening pressure, as the slit-shaped outlet opening reduces air permeability but increases the risk of the float being stuck to the valve seat.

Innovation Solution

A valve device with a valve seat having a first opening and multiple second openings extending outward in a slit shape from the outer periphery of the first opening, allowing for enhanced air permeability and easier reopening by the elastic seal part when the float valve is lowered.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the opening width of the valve seat is increased, then air permeability is increased, but the float is easily stuck to the valve seat and the valve reopening pressure is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening width of valve seatVSAvoidvalve reopening pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve seat opening is divided into two separate openings: a first opening and a second opening. The seal part has a first seal portion corresponding to the first opening and a second seal portion corresponding to the second opening. This segmentation allows the first seal portion to maintain reliable sealing contact with the valve seat for high reopening pressure, while the second seal portion provides additional sealing without increasing the overall opening width, thus maintaining air permeability without reducing valve reopening pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the seal part have different functional characteristics. The first seal portion is designed to contact the valve seat at a location that ensures high reopening pressure and reliable sealing. The second seal portion is designed to contact the valve seat at a different location that provides additional sealing while allowing air permeability through the first opening. This local differentiation of sealing functions resolves the contradiction between maintaining air permeability and ensuring high valve reopening pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the opening width of the valve seat is decreased, then valve reopening pressure is increased, but air permeability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve reopening pressureVSAvoidopening width of valve seat

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve seat opening is divided into two separate openings: a first opening and a second opening. The seal part has a first seal portion corresponding to the first opening and a second seal portion corresponding to the second opening. This segmentation allows the first seal portion to maintain reliable sealing contact with the valve seat for high reopening pressure, while the second seal portion provides additional sealing without increasing the overall opening width, thus maintaining air permeability without reducing valve reopening pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve seat with multiple openings serves multiple functions simultaneously: the first opening provides the primary sealing surface for high reopening pressure, while the second opening provides additional sealing capability and maintains air permeability. The seal part with multiple seal portions universally seals both openings, achieving both high reliability and adequate air permeability through a single integrated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 secures ventilation volume between chambers and increases valve reopening pressure, ensuring easy air permeability and effective reopening even under high internal tank pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a seal part (65) having elasticity that contacts with and separates from the valve seat (31) to close and open the first opening (34) and the second opening (35)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the fuel sloshes and buoyancy is applied to the float valve, the float valve is lifted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11733718B2Valve device

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 PIOLAX INC

AI summary

There is provided a valve device, including: a housing in which, via a partition wall, a valve chamber is provided below the partition wall and a vent chamber is provided above the partition wall, and a vent hole through which the valve chamber and the vent chamber communicate with each other is provided in the partition wall; and a float valve. A valve seat is formed on a side of the valve chamber of the partition wall, and an opening is provided on an inner side of the valve seat. The opening includes a first opening and a second opening extending outward in a slit shape from an outer periphery of the first opening. A seal part having elasticity that contacts with and separates from the valve seat to close and open the first opening and the second opening, is disposed above the float valve.