Valve Self-Cleaning Control to Prevent Sticking and Scale Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central air-conditioning systems face high valve failure rates due to sticking and scaling issues, which are not adequately addressed by existing maintenance technologies, and temperature control panels lack flexible energy-saving features, leading to inefficient temperature settings and energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A valve control method and self-cleaning device that periodically trigger self-cleaning actions for valves, using a control center or terminal to repeatedly open and close valves, and a temperature control terminal with flexible switching modes and temperature locking functions to prevent sticking and optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve is controlled by traditional temperature control panel, then the temperature control function is achieved, but the valve is easily stuck due to scale accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a self-cleaning mechanism that automatically opens and closes the valve at predetermined intervals. This periodic operation prevents scale accumulation by continuously moving the valve core, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and maintenance while improving valve reliability in central air-conditioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the valve to clean itself through automatic opening and closing operations controlled by the temperature control panel. The system performs maintenance functions autonomously without requiring external intervention or disassembly, resolving the contradiction between operational reliability and scale accumulation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the valve cleaning is performed by disassembling the valve body, then the scale can be removed, but the maintenance becomes very difficult due to hundreds of valves installed in ceiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the valve to perform self-maintenance through automatic opening and closing operations controlled by the temperature control panel. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual disassembly and cleaning, making maintenance feasible even when hundreds of valves are installed in inaccessible ceiling locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical maintenance approach (manual disassembly and cleaning) with an automated control system. The temperature control panel executes predetermined programs to automatically open and close valves, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical control system that can access remotely located valves.
3Reliability
If the valve maintains flexibility through periodic opening and closing, then the valve failure rate is reduced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the temperature control panel to perform multiple functions: both temperature control and valve self-cleaning maintenance. By integrating these functions into a single device, the patent avoids increasing overall system complexity while achieving improved valve reliability through periodic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by having the existing temperature control panel execute predetermined programs to automatically open and close valves for maintenance. This approach leverages existing system capabilities rather than adding new complex control mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve control method comprises: configuring a condition for periodically triggering self-cleaning; and when a valve is continuously in an opened or closed state, or a preset time point is reached, repeatedly opening and closing the valve several times within a short period of time, such that dirt on a contact surface of a valve element is automatically removed by means of vertical or rotational movement of the valve element so as to prevent the case in which the valve is in a static state for a long period of time which causes impurities in a pipeline to be deposited on the surface of the valve element, and thereby causing the valve element to jam or have increased movement resistance. In addition, the resilience of mechanical parts such as a spring and a rubber member in the valve is not reduced as a result of the valve being in the closed or opened state for a long period of time, and the flexibility thereof is maintained. Also disclosed is a valve control terminal. In the control method and the control terminal, a valve body does not need to be disassembled, and no hardware needs to be added. The invention is easy to implement, and greatly improves the reliability of a valve.