Self-Closing Water Valve Reducing Water Hammer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional self-closing water-saving valve assemblies experience water hammer due to sudden closure, leading to noise and pipe damage, and have a shortened lifespan due to wear from repeated opening and closing, making operation inconvenient and reducing water flow.

Innovation Solution

The self-closing water-saving valve assembly incorporates a casing, seat, pushing rod, closing member, and stand, which slows down the closing movement to reduce pressure waves and wear, using gravity and slight water pressure to move the pushing rod, eliminating direct water pressure on the rod and preventing wear, thus prolonging lifespan and reducing water hammer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the closing gasket seals the inlet suddenly to achieve self-closing effect, then water saving is improved, but water hammer is generated causing noise and pipe damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater savingVSAvoidwater hammer

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a buffer gasket that gradually reduces the gap between the closing gasket and inlet, cushioning the sudden pressure change. The buffer gasket is positioned to progressively close the gap, transforming the sudden closure into a gradual process that prevents water hammer while maintaining water-saving functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer gasket acts as an intermediary element between the closing gasket and the inlet. It mediates the closure process by first occupying the gap and gradually reducing it, thereby preventing direct sudden contact between water and the closing gasket that would cause water hammer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the timing gasket rubs against the timing channel wall to control closing speed, then self-closing effect is improved, but wear occurs shortening lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosing speed controlVSAvoidlifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the timing gasket component entirely and replaces its function with the buffer gasket's gradual closing mechanism. The buffer gasket achieves closing speed control through its progressive gap reduction design without requiring friction-based timing mechanisms, thereby eliminating wear-related reliability issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the timing gasket that was subject to wear and required replacement. The new buffer gasket design is more durable and does not suffer from the same wear limitations, effectively removing a consumable component that limited the valve's lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Force

If direct water pressure is applied to the pushing rod to open the valve, then opening force is improved, but operation becomes difficult and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening forceVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary mechanism between the pushing rod and the valve opening mechanism. The adapter converts rotational motion into linear motion, allowing the user to easily rotate the adapter rather than directly pushing against high water pressure, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining sufficient opening force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces water hammer, prevents noise and pipe damage, and extends the valve assembly's lifespan by ensuring a gradual closure and stable water flow, making operation smoother and more convenient.

Implementation Method 1

the pushing rod is moved down by gravity and slight water pushing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

slight water pressure to move the pushing rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

the closing member and the stand slow down the closing movement into a gradual manner, which can effectively reduce positive and negative pressure waves generated in the water pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure wave reduction: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9222599B2Self-closing water-saving valve assembly

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 NEOPERL AG

AI summary

A self-closing water-saving valve assembly has a casing, a seat, a pushing rod, a closing member and a stand. When said valve assembly is switched off, the closing member and the stand slow down the closing movement into a gradual manner, which can effectively reduce positive and negative pressure waves generated in the water pipe. Noises and damage to the water pipe are also prevented. Besides, the pushing rod is moved down by gravity and slight water pushing, which eliminates the problems of wear and speeded-up movement of the pushing rod. Therefore, the valve assembly has prolonged lifespan. In addition, the water pressure is not directly applied on the pushing rod and only slight water pushes the pushing rod such that it is easier for a user to push the pushing rod to switch on the valve assembly.