Washer Valve Structure for Freeze-Expansion Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular washing devices with valves that open flow passages can experience malfunction or breakage due to fluid expansion in cold conditions, causing excessive pressure on the valve and surrounding structures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular washing device with an elastically deformable valve that changes diameter in response to pressure differences, featuring a pressing tube part with inclined sections and an urging spring to manage pressure and prevent excessive force on the valve and surrounding structures, and a joint system that allows for easy attachment and detachment without additional members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a valve is used to open and close the flow passage in the vehicular washing device, then the fluid can be sprayed toward the object to be washed, but the valve may be pressed against other structure due to fluid expansion in cold regions, resulting in malfunction or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressing tube part with elastic deformability that acts as a cushioning element between the valve and the flow passage forming body. When fluid expands in cold regions, the elastic material absorbs the expansion pressure through deformation, preventing the valve from being pressed against other structures. This beforehand cushioning mechanism ensures the valve maintains normal operability even under thermal expansion conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the parameter change of elastic materials - specifically the change in diameter of the pressing tube part in response to pressure changes. The pressing tube part is designed to elastically deform in the direction where its diameter changes, allowing it to adapt to pressure variations from fluid expansion while maintaining the valve's functional position and preventing malfunction.
2Strength
If the valve is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the flow passage can be effectively controlled, but excessive pressure from fluid expansion cannot be absorbed, leading to breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pressing tube part made of elastic material that functions as a flexible component within the valve structure. This flexible element can deform under pressure from fluid expansion, absorbing the harmful pressure waves and preventing them from transmitting to rigid structures. The elastic deformability allows the valve to maintain structural integrity while accommodating pressure variations.
3Reliability
If additional members are added to protect the valve from expansion pressure, then the valve malfunction risk is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function into the existing valve structure by making the pressing tube part itself elastic. Instead of adding separate protective members, the elastic deformability is integrated into the pressing tube part that is already part of the valve assembly. This combining approach provides protection against expansion pressure while avoiding additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing tube part provides self-protection through its inherent elastic properties. When fluid expansion occurs, the elastic material automatically deforms to absorb pressure, without requiring external protective mechanisms or additional components. This self-service approach protects the valve from expansion damage while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 ensures normal operation by preventing excessive pressure from fluid expansion, reducing the risk of valve malfunction or breakage and simplifying the device structure by integrating the valve and joint functions.
Implementation Method 1
a valve that has a pressing tube part with an axial direction coinciding with a flow direction of the fluid, is elastically deformable in a direction in which the diameter of the pressing tube part changes, and opens and closes the flow passage according to the state of deformation
Implementation Method 2
an urging spring that urges the pressing tube part in a diameter decreasing direction be provided
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular washing device includes: a nozzle (4); a flow passage forming body (2) of which an internal space is a flow passage of a fluid; and a valve (21) that has a pressing tube part (22) with an axial direction coinciding with a flow direction of the fluid, is elastically deformable in a direction in which the diameter of the pressing tube part changes, and opens and closes the flow passage according to the state of deformation. A first flow passage (2a) and a second flow passage (2b) are formed as the flow passage on opposite sides of the pressing tube part. A shaft (9) with which the pressing tube part is capable of coming into close contact is located inside the valve. The valve deforms elastically according to the magnitude of the pressure of the first flow passage or the pressure of the second flow passage relative to an atmospheric pressure.