A dual-position valve control method utilizing the movement of a steel ball

Abstract

A dual-position valve control method utilizing the movement of a steel ball involves placing a lever in front of a lifting frame. The steel ball is placed within the lifting frame or at the rear end of the lever. By moving the lifting frame, the steel ball rolls between the rear end of the lever and the lifting frame. The change in the steel ball's position causes the lever to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby opening or closing the valve's control switch. This invention features a simple structure, low cost, small size, and minimal space requirements. Furthermore, all components are made of stainless steel, resulting in a robust structure that is resistant to deformation, suitable for use in humid environments, and has a long service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for automatic control of valves, specifically a method for controlling a dual-position valve by moving a steel ball as the height of a lifting frame changes. Background Technology

[0002] Automatic water level control valves are frequently used in many devices. Due to their simple structure and low cost, purely mechanical float control valves are particularly widely used. In wastewater treatment, a sewage discharge valve is needed to control the liquid level in the wastewater tank during the extraction process. However, existing sewage discharge valves generally use sensors and electronic switches to control the sewage extraction and discharge process. Due to humid environments and harsh operating conditions, electronic control of the valve often leads to moisture damage and leakage of the electronic switches, causing them to malfunction. Therefore, it is essential to design a sewage discharge valve with good sealing properties that can operate in humid and complex environments without requiring electrical or chemical energy input. This invention aims to design a passive dual-level control system with the above advantages, mainly for urban drainage projects, domestic sewage, and vacuum collection and drainage of seepage water from underground buildings. It offers advantages such as high reliability, energy saving, and low construction costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is that the structure of the sewage discharge device before the stop is relatively complex, and it needs to be controlled by energy input such as electricity. It is not reliable when used in complex environments such as humid conditions, and the energy consumption and construction costs are high. The invention proposes a method to achieve dual liquid level control of the valve by relying solely on the buoyancy of the float ball.

[0004] In response to the above problems, the technical solution proposed by the present invention is: a dual-position valve control method using the movement of a steel ball, wherein a lever is set in front of the lifting frame, and the steel ball is placed in the lifting frame or at the rear end of the lever. By moving the lifting frame, the steel ball rolls between the rear end of the lever and the lifting frame. The change in the position of the steel ball causes the lever to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby opening or closing the control switch of the valve at the front end of the lever.

[0005] Preferably, side plates are provided on both sides of the lifting frame, the lever is hinged to the side plates, and a folding plate is provided at the front end of one side plate. A transverse spring is provided on the folding plate, and the other end of the transverse spring is hooked to the rear end of the lever, so that the elastic force of the transverse spring pulls the rear end of the lever.

[0006] Preferably, the rear end of the lever is set in an A-shape, with the upper end of the A-shaped lever being the upper side and the lower end of the A-shaped lever being the lower side; the upper side is set at the rear end of the lever, and two or more through positioning holes are opened on the upper side of the lever. By hooking different positioning holes with a transverse spring, the tension and torque of the transverse spring on the lever can be changed.

[0007] Preferably, when the steel ball is in the lifting frame, the lifting frame is moved upward, allowing the steel ball in the lifting frame to roll down to the rear end of the lever. Under the action of the steel ball's gravity, the steel ball drives the lever to rotate clockwise, causing the front end of the lever to separate from the control switch of the valve, thereby opening the valve.

[0008] Preferably, when the steel ball is at the rear end of the lever, the lifting frame is moved downward until the height of the bottom of the lifting frame is less than the height of the bottom of the steel ball. The steel ball will then roll from the rear end of the lever into the lifting frame, causing the lever to rotate counterclockwise. The front end of the lever will press the control switch of the valve, thereby closing the valve.

[0009] Preferably, when the steel ball rolls from the rear end of the lever into the lifting frame, the torque generated by the gravity of the steel ball acting on the lower side disappears, the torque balance of the lever is broken, and the lever rotates counterclockwise under the action of the elastic force of the transverse spring.

[0010] Preferably, a flap is provided in the lifting frame, the flap is hinged to the lifting frame, and the front end of the flap extends out of the lifting frame; when the steel ball is in the lifting frame and the lifting frame is moved upward, the lifting frame drives the flap to rotate counterclockwise, so that the height of the front end of the flap is less than the height of the rear end of the flap, so that the steel ball rolls down from the lifting frame to the rear end of the lever along the flap.

[0011] Preferably, when the steel ball is located at the rear end of the lever, the front end of the flap is against the bottom of the steel ball. When the lifting frame is moved downward, the supporting force of the front end of the flap on the steel ball gradually decreases, causing the rear end of the lever to rotate clockwise under the action of gravity, so that the steel ball rolls from the rear end of the lever along the flap back into the lifting frame.

[0012] Preferably, each side plate is provided with an inwardly protruding stop, which abuts the front end of the flap against the bottom of the stop; when the steel ball is inside the lifting frame and the lifting frame moves upward, the stop will prevent the front end of the flap from moving upward with the lifting frame, thereby causing the flap to rotate counterclockwise.

[0013] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are:

[0014] 1. In this invention, the valve control switch is automatically controlled by the rise and fall of the liquid level in the vacuum well, without the need for personnel intervention. It can automatically control the valve control switch in a timely and effective manner, saving manual labor and labor costs.

[0015] 2. In this invention, the valve's state does not require electrical components to sense it, and the opening and closing of the valve does not require electrical components to control it. That is, the opening and closing of the valve does not require any external power; it is entirely generated by the buoyancy of the water in the vacuum well on the float.

[0016] 3. In this invention, the control switch state of the valve is triggered by the movement of a float along the float rod, where it abuts against the first or second stop at either end of the float rod. However, when the float moves between the first and second stops, it does not change the control switch state of the valve, thus maintaining the control switch state of the valve for a long period.

[0017] 4. The present invention has a simple structure, low cost, and small size, and occupies little space when placed in a vacuum well.

[0018] 5. This invention is made of stainless steel, has a stable structure, is not easily deformed, can be used in humid environments, and has a long service life. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 1;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 1 after removing the automatic moving device;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 1 excluding the automatic moving device and the right-side support plate;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting frame, lever, and valve in Example 1;

[0023] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the three-dimensional structure of the support plate;

[0024] Figure 6 A 3D structural diagram of the lifting frame, steel balls, and flap.

[0025] Figure 7 This is an enlarged view of the 3D structure of the lifting frame;

[0026] In the diagram: Base plate 01, Bottom hole 02, Support plate 1, Support lug 11, Protrusion 12, Folding plate 13, Strip hole 14, Mounting plate 15, Guide plate 16, Lifting frame 2, Bottom frame plate 21, Top frame plate 22, Back plate 23, Positioning groove 24, Horizontal plate 25, Lifting lug 26, Hook 27, Side frame plate 28, Float ball 3, Float rod 4, First stop 41, Second stop 42, Lifting ring 43, Steel ball 5, Flip plate 6, Lever 7, Positioning hole 71, Spacer 72, Upper side 73, Lower side 74, Valve 8, Control switch 81, Front hinge rod 91, Rear hinge rod 92, Vertical spring 93, Horizontal spring 94, Crossbar 95. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings:

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment includes an automatic moving device, a support mechanism, a lifting frame 2, a steel ball 5, and a lever 7. The support mechanism includes a base plate 01, support plates 1, and a crossbar 95. Two support plates 1 are arranged parallel to each other on the base plate 01, and the lower end of each support plate 1 is bent outward to form a mounting plate 15, which is then fixed to the base plate 01. The rear end of each support plate 1 is bent inward to form a guide plate 16, with the length direction of the guide plate 16 being perpendicular to the vertical direction. A crossbar 95 passes through the two support plates 1, fixing both support plates 1 to the crossbar 95.

[0030] Each support plate 1 is provided with an inwardly protruding stop 12, and the rear end of the stop 12 of each support plate 1 has a vertically oriented strip hole 14. The front end of one support plate 1 is also provided with a folding plate 13, on which a transverse spring 94 is connected. Both ends of the transverse spring 94 are provided with hooks, and the other end of the transverse spring 94 hooks onto the upper side 73 of the lever 7. The upper end of each support plate 1 is provided with an outwardly bent support lug 11, and both ends of the vertical spring 93 are provided with hooks. The upper hook of the vertical spring 93 hooks onto the support lug 11 of the support plate 1, and the lower hook of the vertical spring 93 hooks onto the lifting frame 2.

[0031] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the upper end of the lifting frame 2 is provided with a top frame plate 22, the lower end of the lifting frame 2 is provided with a bottom frame plate 21, and the rear end of the lifting frame 2 is provided with a back plate 23. The upper end of the back plate 23 is seamlessly connected to the top frame plate 22, and the lower end of the back plate 23 is seamlessly connected to the bottom frame plate 21. Side frame plates 28 are provided on both sides of the front end of the lifting frame 2. The upper end of the side frame plate 28 is connected to the top frame plate 22, and the lower end of the side frame plate 28 is connected to the bottom frame plate 21. The top frame plate 22 and the bottom frame plate 21 both have inwardly recessed positioning grooves 24. The guide plate 16 at the rear end of the support plate 1 engages in the positioning grooves 24 of the top frame plate 22 and the bottom frame plate 21, allowing the lifting frame 2 to move along the guide plate 16. The crossbar 95 stabilizes the support plate 1, and the crossbar 95 at the upper and lower ends of the support plate 1 located at the position of the lifting frame 2 also acts as a stop, preventing the lifting frame 2 from detaching from the guide plate 16 when moving upward or downward.

[0032] A flap 6 is provided in the lifting frame 2, with its rear end inside the lifting frame 2 and its front end extending out of the lifting frame 2. Through mounting holes are provided on the side frame plates 28 on both sides of the lifting frame 2, and both ends of the rear hinge rod 92 pass through these mounting holes. The bottom of the flap 6 is fixedly connected to the rear hinge rod 92, so that the flap 6 is hinged inside the lifting frame 2. When the steel ball 5 is located in the lifting frame 2, the steel ball 5 presses against the flap 6, and the steel ball 5 is located at the rear end of the flap 6. A C-shaped opening is provided at the front end of the flap 6, and when the steel ball 5 is at the rear end of the lever 7, the lower end of the steel ball 5 abuts against the front end of the flap 6.

[0033] The bottom frame plate 21 of the lifting frame 2 bends downward and is seamlessly connected to the crossbar 95. The lateral width of the crossbar 95 is greater than that of the bottom frame plate 21. Grooves are formed on the lower sides of both sides of the crossbar 95, forming lifting lugs 26. The lifting lugs 26 on both sides of the crossbar 95 pass through the strip holes 14 on the two support plates 1 respectively. The hook at the upper end of the vertical spring 93 hooks onto the support lug 11 of the support plate 1, and the hook at the lower end of the vertical spring 93 hooks onto the lifting lugs 26 on the bottom frame plate 21 of the lifting frame 2. A hook 27 is connected to the lower middle end of the crossbar 95, and a lifting ring 43 is provided at the upper end of the float 4. The lifting ring 43 is embedded in the hook 27, so that the float 4 can drive the lifting frame 2 to move.

[0034] The front hinge rod 91 passes through the two support plates 1 and the lever 7, hinged between the two support plates 1. The front of the front hinge rod 91 is the front end of the lever 7, and the rear end of the lever 7 is the rear end of the lever 7. The front end of the lever 7 is positioned directly above the control switch 81 of the valve 8. When the lever 7 rotates clockwise, the front end of the lever 7 releases the control switch 81 of the valve 8, thereby opening the valve 8; when the lever 7 rotates counterclockwise, the front end of the lever 7 presses against the control switch 81 of the valve 8, thereby closing the valve 8.

[0035] The rear end of lever 7 is A-shaped. The upper side of the A-shaped lever 7 is called the upper side 73, and the lower side of the A-shaped lever 7 is called the lower side 74. An arc-shaped partition 72 is also provided between the upper side 73 and the lower side 74. When the steel ball 5 is located at the rear end of lever 7, the steel ball 5 presses on the lower side 74, and the front end of the steel ball 5 abuts against the partition 72. At this time, the two sides of the front end of the flap 6 abut against the two sides of the lower end of the steel ball 5.

[0036] The lever 7 has two or more positioning holes 71 on its upper side 73, which are evenly distributed along the length of the upper side 73. One end of the hook of the transverse spring 94 is hooked onto the folding plate 13, and the other end of the hook of the transverse spring 94 is hooked into the positioning hole 71 on the upper side 73 of the lever 7. This ensures that the torque generated by the elastic force of the transverse spring 94 can balance the weight of the steel ball 5 and the rear end of the lever 7, as well as the torque generated by the supporting force of the control switch 81 of the valve 8.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the automatic moving device includes a float 3, a float rod 4, a first stop 41, and a second stop 42. The first stop 41 is installed at the upper end of the float rod 4, and the second stop 42 is installed at the lower end of the float rod 4. The first stop 41 and the second stop 42 are firmly connected to the float rod 4 and will not move relative to the float rod 4. The float 3 has a through hole in the middle, through which the float rod 4 passes, so that the float 3 is fitted onto the float rod 4, and the float 3 is located between the first stop 41 and the second stop 42. The bottom plate 01 has a through bottom hole 02, through which the upper end of the float rod 4 passes, and a lifting ring 43 is provided at the upper end of the float rod 4. The lifting ring 43 is engaged in the hook 27 at the lower end of the lifting frame 2, so that the float rod 4 can drive the lifting frame 2 to move.

[0038] The first stop 41 and the second stop 42 have the same structure, both including a main body and a screw. The main body has a through mounting hole through which the float 4 passes, allowing the main body to fit onto the float 4. The main body also has a threaded hole that communicates with the mounting hole. The screw is installed in the threaded hole via a threaded engagement, with the tip of the screw abutting against the float 4. Tightening the screw secures the first stop 41 and the second stop 42 firmly to the float 4.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the specific principle of this embodiment is as follows: the entire device is fixedly installed in a vacuum well, and the lifting frame 2, steel ball 5, lever 7, and other components in the device are enclosed by a shield, leaving only the automatic moving device exposed outside the shield. In other words, the water in the vacuum well will not come into contact with the components inside the shield, but can only come into contact with the automatic moving device outside the shield.

[0040] As the water level in the vacuum well rises, the float 3 moves upward along the float rod 4 under the buoyancy of the water. Since the steel ball 5 automatically falls into the lifting frame 2 when the water level is low, it is currently in the lifting frame 2. As the water level gradually rises, the float 3 abuts against the first stop 41 on the float rod 4. The lifting frame 2 is also subjected to an upward pulling force from the vertical spring 93. At this time, the sum of the buoyancy force on the float 3 and the pulling force of the vertical spring 93 is greater than the weight of the steel ball 5, the lifting frame 2, and the automatic moving device. This allows the float 3 to drive the float rod 4 upward through the first stop 41, and the float rod 4, in turn, drives the lifting frame 2 upward along the guide plate 16 via the hook 27. The flapper 6 and the steel ball 5 in the lifting frame 2 move upward together with the lifting frame 2.

[0041] As the lifting frame 2 and the flip plate 6 move upward together, the front end of the flip plate 6 abuts against the stop protrusion 12 on the inner side of the support plate 1 during its forward movement, thus obstructing the front end of the flip plate 6. Meanwhile, the rear end of the flip plate 6 continues to rise, therefore, the flip plate 6, hinged within the lifting frame 2, will rotate counterclockwise. (From...) Figure 3 or Figure 4 (From the perspective of the angle) the height of the rear end of the flap 6 is greater than the height of the front end of the flap 6, and the steel ball 5 rolls forward along the flap 6 to the rear end of the A-shaped lever 7 under the action of gravity.

[0042] Under the influence of gravity on steel ball 5, the rear end of lever 7 rotates downwards, i.e., lever 7 rotates clockwise. At this time, the front end of lever 7 rotates upwards, causing the front end of lever 7 to release the control switch 81 of valve 8, thus opening the control switch 81 of valve 8. Simultaneously, the transverse spring 94 is stretched, and the torque generated by the elastic force of the transverse spring 94 balances the torque generated by the gravity of steel ball 5 and the rear end of lever 7. After the control switch 81 of valve 8 is opened, the vacuum well begins to drain water, causing the water level in the vacuum well to continuously decrease.

[0043] As the water level drops, float 3 moves downward along float rod 4. During this period, before float 3 abuts against the second stop 42, the lifting frame 2 remains above the guide plate 16 due to the tension of the vertical spring 93. The horizontal spring 94 hooks into a positioning hole 71 on the upper side 73 of lever 7, causing the rear end of lever 7 to tilt only slightly downward. At this time, the bottom of steel ball 5 presses against the lower side 74 of lever 7, and steel ball 5 tends to roll backward, but its rear end abuts against the front end of flap 6, so steel ball 5 remains at the rear end of lever 7 and will not fall. At this time, the elasticity of vertical spring 93 is used to balance the weight of lifting frame 2 and automatic moving device, as well as the downward pressure of steel ball 5 on flap 6. During this process, the control switch 81 of valve 8 remains open.

[0044] As the water level continues to drop, the float 3 comes into contact with the second stop 42. Under the influence of gravity, the float 3 drives the float rod 4 and the lifting frame 2 downwards in sequence, stretching the vertical spring 93. As the lifting frame 2 moves downwards, the supporting force of the front end of the flap 6 on the steel ball 5 gradually decreases. Until the height of the rear hinge rod 92 of the hinged flap 6 is less than the height of the rear end of the lower side 74 of the lever 7, the steel ball 5, under the influence of gravity, rolls down along the lower side 74 of the lever 7 and the flap 6 into the lifting frame 2.

[0045] After the steel ball 5 enters the lifting frame 2, the weight of the steel ball 5 pressing on the lever 7 disappears. Under the elastic force of the transverse spring 94, the lever 7 rotates counterclockwise, causing the front end of the lever 7 to press against the control switch 81 of the valve 8 under the elastic force of the transverse spring 94, thereby closing the valve 8. After the valve 8 is closed, the vacuum well stops draining water.

[0046] After the steel ball 5 enters the lifting frame 2, under the action of the weight of the steel ball 5, the rear end of the flap 6 sinks down and abuts against the bottom frame plate 21, while the front end of the flap 6 tilts upward. Since the height of the end of the flap 6 near the back plate 23 of the lifting frame 2 is less than the height of the rear hinge rod 92 of the flap 6, the steel ball 5 can be relatively stably positioned inside the lifting frame 2.

[0047] When external water flows into the vacuum well, causing the water level to gradually rise, and during the period before the float 3 abuts against the first stop 41, the float 3 does not exert an upward force on the float rod 4. Therefore, the lifting frame 2 remains at the lower end of the guide plate 16 and does not rise with the float 3. During this period, the torque generated by the elastic force of the transverse spring 94 balances the weight of the rear end of the lever 7 and the torque generated by the upward supporting force of the control switch 81 of the valve 8, ensuring that the front end of the lever 7 remains pressed against the control switch 81 of the valve 8, thus maintaining the valve 8 in its original closed state.

[0048] In this embodiment, when the lifting frame 2 is at the lower end or the upper end of the guide plate 16, the vertical spring 93 applies an upward pulling force to the lifting frame 2; similarly, when the front end of the lever 7 is pressed against the control switch 81 of the valve 8 or when the front end of the lever 7 releases the control switch 81 of the valve 8, the horizontal spring 94 applies a pulling force to the lever 7 in the front direction.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] The difference from Embodiment 1 is that the automatic moving device is removed in this embodiment. It is not limited to using the buoyancy of the float 3 to push the lifting frame 2, nor is it limited to being placed in a liquid environment. Instead, the lifting frame 2 is controlled by an external power source, such as a servo motor or a lead screw and nut mechanism, which drives the steel ball 5 and the lever 7 to make corresponding movements, opening or closing the control switch 81 to achieve dual-station control.

[0051] Obviously, any improvements or modifications made without departing from the principles described in this invention should be considered within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a dual-position valve using the movement of a steel ball, characterized in that, A lever is installed at the front of the lifting frame. A steel ball is placed in the lifting frame or at the rear end of the lever. By moving the lifting frame, the steel ball rolls between the rear end of the lever and the lifting frame. The change in the position of the steel ball causes the lever to rotate, thereby opening or closing the control switch of the valve at the front end of the lever. Side plates are installed on both sides of the lifting frame, and the lever is hinged to the side plates. A folding plate is installed at the front end of one side plate, and a transverse spring is installed on the folding plate. The other end of the transverse spring is hooked to the rear end of the lever, and the spring force of the transverse spring pulls the rear end of the lever. An upper side is installed at the rear end of the lever, and two or more through-holes are opened on the upper side of the lever. The transverse spring... The spring hooks onto different positioning holes, changing the tension and torque of the transverse spring on the lever. When the steel ball is in the lifting frame, moving the lifting frame upwards causes the steel ball to roll down to the rear end of the lever. Under the weight of the steel ball, it causes the lever to rotate clockwise, separating the front end of the lever from the valve's control switch, thus opening the valve. When the steel ball is at the rear end of the lever, moving the lifting frame downwards until the bottom of the lifting frame is less than the bottom of the steel ball causes the steel ball to roll down from the rear end of the lever into the lifting frame. Under the force of the transverse spring, the lever rotates counterclockwise, and the front end of the lever presses against the valve's control switch, thus closing the valve.

2. The dual-position valve control method using the movement of a steel ball according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the steel ball rolls from the rear end of the lever into the lifting frame, the torque generated by the weight of the steel ball on the lower side disappears, the torque balance of the lever is broken, and the lever rotates counterclockwise under the action of the elastic force of the horizontal spring.

3. The dual-position valve control method using the movement of a steel ball according to claim 2, characterized in that, A flap is installed in the lifting frame and hinged to the lifting frame, with the front end of the flap extending out of the lifting frame. When the steel ball is in the lifting frame and the lifting frame is moved upward, the lifting frame drives the flap to rotate counterclockwise, so that the height of the front end of the flap is less than the height of the rear end of the flap, thereby causing the steel ball to roll down from the lifting frame to the rear end of the lever along the flap.

4. The dual-position valve control method using the movement of a steel ball according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the steel ball is at the rear end of the lever, the front end of the flap is against the bottom of the steel ball. When the lifting frame is moved downward, the supporting force of the front end of the flap on the steel ball gradually decreases, causing the rear end of the lever to rotate clockwise under the action of gravity, so that the steel ball rolls from the rear end of the lever along the flap back into the lifting frame.

5. The dual-position valve control method using the movement of a steel ball according to claim 4, characterized in that, An inwardly protruding stop is provided on each side plate, so that the front end of the flap is against the bottom of the stop. When the steel ball is inside the lifting frame and the lifting frame moves upward, the stop will prevent the front end of the flap from moving upward with the lifting frame, thereby causing the flap to rotate counterclockwise.

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