Sealing system for switchable fluid valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for switchable fluid-flowing water valves in heaters and water boilers face challenges such as high flow resistance, leakage, and spring-back oscillations, due to the hard coupling between motor and valve systems, which require oversized motors and complex, costly designs.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system with a force limiting element, such as spring elements or elastomer rings, is used to provide a defined preload and damping effect, allowing the sealing body to float and maintain contact pressure, reducing spring rate and preventing oscillations, while being easy to assemble and maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid and direct coupling between motor and valve system is used, then the seal determines the majority of system stiffness, but this makes the system very difficult to optimize and requires oversized motors to compensate for power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compliant coupling element as an intermediary between the motor and valve system. This element decouples the rigid direct connection, allowing the seal to maintain its sealing function while the compliant element absorbs mechanical stresses and prevents force losses during motor oscillations, thereby simplifying optimization without requiring oversized motors
2Reliability
If the seal determines the majority of system stiffness, then sealing is maintained, but this causes force losses when the motor reaches its force limit and oscillates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a compliant coupling element that acts as a cushioning mechanism before force losses occur. This element is designed to absorb and dampen motor oscillations and rebound forces, preventing them from being transmitted to the seal and valve system, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while minimizing energy losses
3Reliability
If a precise fit between valve components and precise seating of valve spool is used, then leakage is prevented, but the design is expensive and difficult to manufacture automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function from the precise mechanical fit requirements. The compliant coupling element handles the precise positioning and sealing, while other valve components can be manufactured with standard tolerances using automated processes, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining leakage prevention
4Reliability
If the sealing element is moved a considerable distance into cylindrical sealing surfaces, then sealing is achieved, but the travel distance is relatively long and the design is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical system where the sealing element travels long distances into cylindrical surfaces with a compliant coupling mechanism. This new mechanism achieves sealing through elastic deformation and contact pressure distribution, significantly reducing the required travel distance and simplifying the overall design
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 significantly reduces force losses and ensures a consistent seal with low flow resistance and long service life, preventing spring-back and oscillations, and allowing for efficient operation with fewer parts and less material.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing system with a force limiting element, such as spring elements or elastomer rings, is used to provide a defined preload and damping effect
Implementation Method 2
A sealing system with a force limiting element, such as spring elements or elastomer rings, is used to provide a defined preload and damping effect
Implementation Method 3
When the motor reaches an end stop, a force is generated based on the elastic properties of the stop and the linear stepper motor, corresponding to the system's spring rate
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing system for switchable fluid-flow water valves for use in heating appliances and water boilers. The objective is to create a sealing system for water valves that is structurally simple, consists of few individual parts, can be quickly and automatically assembled, has low flow resistance in the open state, exhibits no leakage, and reliably prevents the sealing element from springing back into its respective stop position.To reliably prevent a sealing element 8 from springing back or oscillating when it comes into contact with a sealing edge or sealing surface 21 in a sealing system for switchable fluid-flow water valves 1, consisting of a valve body 5, a cartridge 2 flanged thereto, and an actuator and adjustment via a valve rod 4 with one or more sealing elements 8 arranged on or in a valve base 7, at least one force limiting element 9 with a defined damping effect or a defined preload effect is arranged within the force transmission path according to the invention. Each sealing surface/sealing edge 21 of the valve body 5 surrounds a sealing element 8 in the closed state. The invention is particularly applicable in diverter valves for supplying heated water to different heating circuits for heating appliances.