Valve Top Lip Seal Deformation via Flow Restrictor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing upper valve parts for fittings suffer from deformation of the lip seal under fluid pressure, which impairs the sealing effect and fails to maintain a constant water volume flow in household applications.

Innovation Solution

An upper valve part featuring a flow restrictor with an annular web and cup-shaped flow part, incorporating axially running channels and an elastic element that adjusts the channel cross-section in response to pressure, preventing undesirable deformation of the lip seal and ensuring a constant volume flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lip seal is used to seal the inlet disk and valve seat, then sealing is achieved, but the lip seal deforms under fluid pressure which impairs the sealing effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidshape stability of lip seal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restrictor is designed to counteract the harmful effect of fluid pressure on the lip seal before the pressure can cause deformation. By creating a pressure-balancing structure that applies preliminary counter-pressure to the lip seal, the seal maintains its shape and sealing effectiveness even under high fluid pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The flow restrictor acts as an intermediary element between the fluid pressure source and the lip seal. This intermediate structure absorbs and redistributes the fluid pressure, preventing direct transmission of pressure to the lip seal that would cause deformation and sealing failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If fluid pressure varies, then flow rate changes, but maintaining constant volume flow requires active control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume flowVSAvoidflow control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restrictor is designed as a self-regulating device that automatically adjusts the flow rate in response to pressure variations without requiring external control systems. The elastic element deforms with pressure changes, automatically modifying the flow channel cross-section to maintain constant volume flow, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes changes in the physical parameters of the flow restrictor structure in response to pressure variations. The elastic element's deformation under different pressure conditions automatically changes the flow channel geometry, transforming pressure variations into corresponding flow rate adjustments that maintain constant volume flow without requiring active parameter control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the flow channel cross-section is fixed, then manufacturing is simple, but flow rate cannot be adjusted with pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow channel structureVSAvoidflow rate adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flow channel cross-section is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The elastic element allows the flow channel geometry to change automatically in response to pressure variations, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture. The dynamic adjustment occurs through passive elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively maintains a constant water volume flow by adjusting the flow channel cross-section with pressure, preventing lip seal deformation and ensuring reliable sealing across varying fluid pressures.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic element, in particular an elastic ring, which is arranged in the flow part in such a way that upon application of pressure it widens in the area of the through-flow channels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

axially running flow channels are arranged, the effective cross section of which can be changed via an elastic element depending on the applied fluid pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The ring-shaped web can be inserted into the lip seal and holds it in position radially

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2549156B1Valve top for fittings
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 FLUHS DREHTECHN GMBH
  • EP2549156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2549156B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The valve bonnet has head piece (1) through which center of a spindle (2) is passed, to actuate valve structure, so that valve structure rests against the valve seat of housing. A sealing device is arranged between valve structure and valve seat. The sealing device comprises a sealing ring which is in the form of a lip seal (6) held in position by a support element which is constructed as a flow limiter (9).