Connection Shaft with Vertical Check Valve for Vacuum Sewage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection shafts for vacuum sewage systems require significant excavation work due to large diameters and are prone to damage from wastewater impacts, necessitating frequent maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The connection shaft is designed with a manhole base as a closed pipe section and a shut-off valve housing aligned along the shaft's longitudinal axis, allowing for a reduced nominal diameter and integration of a U-shaped connecting element for 180° deflection of suction pipes to prevent wastewater hammers, using sewer base pipes and spun plastic components for cost-effectiveness and ease of laying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the housing of the shut-off valve is oriented horizontally, then the shut-off valve can be installed, but the duct requires a large diameter resulting in considerable excavation work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshut-off valve installationVSAvoidduct diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing of the shut-off valve is oriented vertically instead of horizontally, with the longitudinal axis of the housing aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This inversion of the conventional horizontal orientation allows for a significantly reduced duct diameter while maintaining proper shut-off valve functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the shut-off valve is positioned with horizontal housing, then the valve can function, but waste water hammers directly hit the hose valve causing damage and frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve functionVSAvoidvalve durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By orienting the housing vertically instead of horizontally, the flow direction of waste water is changed. The suction opening faces the bottom and the inlet opening faces the top region, causing waste water to be deflected upward and away from the hose valve, thereby preventing direct impact and reducing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

A U-shaped connecting element is introduced between the suction pipe and the inlet opening of the shut-off valve. This intermediary component deflects the suctioned waste water by 180°, preventing direct impact on the hose valve while maintaining proper flow through the valve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional house connection shaft designs are used, then the shaft can accommodate the shut-off valve, but the nominal diameter is large requiring separate machinery for laying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft functionalityVSAvoidlaying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional horizontal orientation of the shut-off valve housing is inverted to vertical orientation, aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This allows the nominal diameter of the shaft to be significantly reduced from 700-800 mm to 300-450 mm, enabling integration with standard piping laying machinery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft construction is merged with standard sewer base pipe sections, allowing the shaft to be built using the same piping infrastructure and laying machinery already used for vacuum sewage system installation, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2725154B1Connection shaft
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 AQSEPTENCE GROUP GMBH
  • EP2725154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2725154B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2725154B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The connecting shaft (10) has check valve which is arranged in shaft upper portion (16) in a state extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. A suction tube (38) is provided at shaft bottom area. The shaft portion (12) is a tube or a portion cut to length suitable for connection with shaft upper portion. The check valve is integrally formed such that the housing (28) of the check valve extends along the longitudinal axis (32) of the shaft and the inlet opening (36) of the check valve is provided facing front side of housing.