Ball valve with locking function

Abstract

The invention provides a ball valve with a locking function, which comprises a valve body, an annular block body arranged at the valve body on the lower side of a valve handle, an extension plate fixedly mounted at the left end of the valve handle, an extension column fixedly mounted on the bottom end face of the extension plate and of a circular block structure, and the extension column is in clearance fit with the annular block body. A storage groove of a circular groove structure is formed in the top end face of the extension column, and a threaded through hole penetrating through the extension column is formed in the bottom wall of the storage groove. A set of locking pieces are installed in the threaded through holes in a threaded mode. The twisting slot adopts a special structural design, so that when no matched twisting piece is inserted, common tools such as a screwdriver and an internal hexagonal wrench cannot rotate the stud, interference of non-staff on the locking state of the valve handle is avoided, and the problems that an existing valve handle locking structure lacks effective protective measures and is easily unlocked are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ball valve technology, and more particularly to a ball valve with a locking function. Background Technology

[0002] In industrial production and fluid transportation, valve bodies are widely used as an important flow control component. The valve body controls the opening and closing of fluid channels and regulates flow rate through the rotation of the valve handle. After the flow rate is regulated, a special locking structure is usually provided to prevent the valve handle from being accidentally rotated due to external forces or other factors, thus altering the regulated flow rate. This ensures the valve handle is stably locked. However, current valve handle locking structures lack effective protective measures, allowing unauthorized personnel to easily rotate the valve handle with common tools, interfering with the locking state and affecting the flow rate regulation. Furthermore, in actual operation, personnel may forget to lock the valve handle. If this happens, the regulated flow rate may change due to other factors, causing production accidents or resource waste. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a ball valve with a locking function, which solves the problems of existing valve handle locking structures lacking effective protective measures, being easily unlocked, and failing to provide warning reminders when the valve handle is forgotten to be locked.

[0004] This invention provides a ball valve with a locking function, including a valve body, an annular block located on the lower side of the valve handle; an extension plate is fixedly installed on the left end of the valve handle, and an extension column is fixedly installed on the bottom end face of the extension plate, with the extension column and the annular block having a clearance fit; a receiving groove is opened at the top of the extension column, and a threaded through hole is opened on the bottom wall of the receiving groove; a locking element that mates with the annular block is installed in the threaded through hole, and a torsion element for turning the locking element is also included.

[0005] Furthermore, the locking component consists of a torsion block, a torsion slot, and a stud; the thickness of the torsion block is less than the depth of the receiving groove; a stud is integrally provided at the lower end of the torsion block, and a torsion slot is provided on the top surface of the torsion block, the torsion slot having an elliptical groove structure; the torsion component as a whole has an L-shaped structure, and the lower end of the torsion component has an elliptical structure that matches the torsion slot.

[0006] Furthermore, an annular notch is provided on the side of the outer peripheral surface of the annular block, and the annular notch penetrates the top surface of the annular block; multiple storage slots are provided in an annular array on the bottom wall of the annular notch, and limiting insertion holes are provided on the bottom wall of the storage slots, which penetrate the annular block.

[0007] Furthermore, an annular mating block is slidably installed in the annular notch area, and the structural dimensions of the annular mating block match the structural dimensions of the annular notch; the bottom end face of the annular mating block is provided with multiple limiting posts in an annular array that slide and engage with the limiting insertion holes.

[0008] Furthermore, a return spring is sleeved around each of the limiting pins. The top of the return spring is fixedly connected to the bottom end face of the annular mating block, and the bottom end of the return spring is fixedly connected to the bottom end face of the inner end of the receiving groove. In the natural state, the top end face of the annular mating block is in contact with the bottom end face of the extension pin. In the locked state, the bottom end face of the stud is in close contact with the annular block and the top end face of the annular mating block, and the bottom end face of the annular mating block is in close contact with the bottom end face of the inner end of the annular notch. The return spring is in a compressed state.

[0009] Furthermore, a sensing slot is provided on the left side of the annular notch, and a proximity switch is provided in the sensing slot; an annular mating sensing block that can be sensed and mated with the proximity switch is embedded in the lower side of the inner circumference of the annular mating block.

[0010] Furthermore, in its natural state, the annular mating sensing block corresponds to the sensing groove, and the annular mating sensing block is within the sensing range of the proximity switch. When the bottom surface of the annular mating block contacts the bottom surface of the inner end of the annular notch, the annular mating sensing block is located on the lower side of the sensing groove, offset from its position, and the annular mating sensing block is not within the sensing range of the proximity switch.

[0011] Furthermore, the annular block is equipped with a microcontroller and a timing module electrically connected to it, and the internal circuit of the annular block is powered by an external power source; the timing value of the timing module is ten minutes; the proximity switch is electrically connected to the microcontroller; a set of omission alarms, which are buzzers, are fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the annular block and are electrically connected to the microcontroller.

[0012] Furthermore, when the proximity switch senses the annular contactor, it sends a feedback signal to the microcontroller, which then controls the timing module to start; conversely, when the proximity switch does not sense the contactor, the timing module is turned off. When the timing value of the timing module is reached, it sends a feedback signal to the microcontroller, which then controls the omission alarm to start.

[0013] This invention provides a ball valve with a locking function, which has the following beneficial effects: This invention achieves limiting and locking of the valve body and valve handle through the tight contact between the stud and the annular block. This allows the operator to reliably limit and fix the position of the valve handle after adjusting the flow rate, effectively preventing the valve handle from being rotated before the limit is released, thus ensuring the stability of the adjusted flow rate. Moreover, the twisting slot of this invention adopts a special structural design, so that when no matching twisting part is inserted, commonly used tools such as screwdrivers and Allen wrenches cannot turn the stud, thereby avoiding interference from non-operators with the valve handle locking state, further ensuring that the flow rate adjustment result is not affected, and improving the safety and reliability of equipment operation.

[0014] This invention features a missing operation warning function. If the operator forgets to lock the valve handle after adjusting the flow rate, the missing operation is automatically confirmed based on the feedback from the proximity switch and a specific timer. This triggers the missing operation warning device, which then uses a high-decibel buzzer to alert the operator to the missing operation and ensure that the adjusted flow rate remains unchanged. This improves the intelligence and accuracy of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0016] The accompanying drawings described below are only related to some embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0017] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the top isometric structure of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the torsion member and locking member of the present invention in a disassembled state is shown; Figure 4 The present invention is shown Figure 3 A magnified view of the structure at point A in the middle; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the annular mating block of the present invention in a disassembled state is shown; Figure 6 This diagram shows a partially enlarged isometric view of the bottom end of the annular mating block in its disassembled state according to the present invention. Figure 7 This diagram shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the extension column portion of the present invention. Figure 8 The present invention is shown Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure with the middle annular mating block and locking component removed; Figure 9 A system block diagram of the present invention is shown; List of reference numerals 1. Valve body; 101. Annular block; 102. Extension plate; 103. Extension post; 104. Receiving groove; 105. Threaded through hole; 106. Annular notch; 107. Receiving slot; 108. Limiting socket; 109. Missing device; 1010. Sensing slot; 1011. Proximity switch; 1012. Timing module; 1013. Microcontroller; 2. Annular mating block; 201. Limiting post; 202. Return spring; 203. Annular mating sensing block; 3. Torsion component; 4. Locking component; 401. Torsion block; 402. Torsion slot; 403. Stud. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the described embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Example: Please refer to Figures 1 to 9 : This invention proposes a ball valve with a locking function, comprising: a valve body 1, an annular block 101 located on the lower side of the valve handle; an extension plate 102 fixedly installed on the left end of the valve handle in the valve body 1, an extension column 103 with a circular block structure fixedly installed on the bottom end face of the extension plate 102, the bottom end face of the extension column 103 not contacting the top end face of the annular block 101, with a distance of five millimeters between them; a receiving groove 104 with a circular groove structure is opened on the top end face of the extension column 103, a threaded through hole 105 penetrating the extension column 103 is opened on the bottom wall of the receiving groove 104; a locking member 4 that cooperates with the annular block 101 is installed in the threaded through hole 105, and a torsion member 3 for turning the locking member 4 is also included.

[0020] The locking component 4 is composed of a torsion block 401, a torsion slot 402, and a stud 403. The torsion block 401 has a circular block structure, and its diameter is consistent with the diameter of the receiving groove 104. The thickness of the torsion block 401 is two-thirds of the depth of the receiving groove 104. A stud 403 is integrally provided at the lower end of the torsion block 401. When the bottom end face of the stud 403 is at the same level as the bottom end face of the extension post 103, the top end face of the torsion block 401 is also at the same level as the top end face of the extension plate 102. A torsion slot 402 is provided on the top end face of the torsion block 401. The torsion slot 402 has an elliptical groove structure. The torsion component 3 has an overall L-shaped structure, and the lower end of the torsion component 3 is an elliptical structure that matches the torsion slot 402.

[0021] An annular notch 106 is formed on the side of the outer circumference of the annular block 101, penetrating the top surface of the annular block 101. Four circular slots 107 are arranged in a ring array on the bottom wall of the annular notch 106, each with a limiting insertion hole 108 penetrating the annular block 101. An annular mating block 2 is slidably installed in the area of ​​the annular notch 106, the dimensions of which match those of the annular notch 106. Four limiting posts 201 are fixedly installed in a ring array on the bottom surface of the annular mating block 2, each corresponding to a different position on the annular notch 106. Four limiting insertion holes 108 are slidably inserted; a return spring 202 is sleeved around each of the four limiting insertion pins 201. The top of the return spring 202 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the annular mating block 2, and the bottom of the return spring 202 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the inner end of the receiving groove 107. In the natural state, the top surface of the annular mating block 2 is in contact with the bottom surface of the extension post 103. In the locked state, the bottom surface of the stud 403 is in close contact with the annular block 101 and the top surface of the annular mating block 2. At this time, the bottom surface of the annular mating block 2 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the inner end of the annular notch 106, and the return spring 202 is in a compressed state.

[0022] The annular notch 106 has a sensing slot 1010 on its left side. A set of proximity switches 1011 is fixedly installed on the right side of the inner end of the sensing slot 1010, with the sensing end of the proximity switches 1011 facing to the left. An annular mating sensing block 203, which can sense and mate with the proximity switches 1011, is embedded in the lower side of the inner circumference of the annular mating block 2. In the natural state of the return spring 202, the annular mating sensing block 203 is positioned corresponding to the sensing slot 1010, and at this time, the annular mating sensing block 203 is within the sensing range of the proximity switches 1011. When the bottom surface of the annular mating block 2 contacts the bottom surface of the inner end of the annular notch 106, the annular mating sensing block 203 is located below the sensing slot 1010, offset from its position, and at this time, the annular mating sensing block 203 is not within the sensing range of the proximity switches 1011. The annular block 101 has a micro The controller 1013 and its electrically connected timing module 1012 are included. The internal circuit of the annular block 101 is powered by an external power source. The timing value of the timing module 1012 is ten minutes. The proximity switch 1011 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 1013. A set of omission alarms 109, which are buzzers, are fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the annular block 101 and are electrically connected to the microcontroller 1013. When the proximity switch 1011 senses the annular sensing block 203, the proximity switch 1011 sends a feedback signal to the microcontroller 1013, and the microcontroller 1013 controls the timing module 1012 to start. Otherwise, the timing module 1012 is turned off. When the timing value of the timing module 1012 is reached, the timing module 1012 sends a feedback signal to the microcontroller 1013, and the microcontroller 1013 controls the omission alarms 109 to start.

[0023] The working principle of this embodiment: Before locking, the bottom surface of stud 403 and the bottom surface of extension post 103 are at the same horizontal plane, which does not affect the rotation of the valve handle in valve body 1. When the operator turns the valve handle to adjust the flow rate, and needs to lock the valve handle, the operator can insert the torsion member 3 into the torsion slot 402 and then rotate the torsion member 3, thereby synchronously driving stud 403 to rotate downward along the threaded through hole 105. As a result, stud 403 extends out from the bottom opening end of the threaded through hole 105, and stud 403 will synchronously press against the current extension post 103. The annular mating block 2, with its bottom surface in contact with the limit plug 201, moves downward synchronously through the sliding insertion of the limit plug 201 and the limit plug hole 108. The return spring 202 is gradually compressed until the bottom surface of the stud 403 contacts the top surface of the annular block 101. At this time, the annular mating block 2 is also completely pressed into the annular notch 106. Meanwhile, the annular mating sensing block 203 is located on the lower side of the sensing groove 1010, and it is out of the sensing range of the proximity switch 1011, causing the timing module 1012, which is in the start state, to shut down synchronously. Based on the close contact between the bottom end face of the stud 403 and the top end face of the annular block 101, the current position of the valve handle is limited and fixed, so that the valve handle cannot be rotated before the limit is released. Furthermore, the present invention, through the special structure design of the torsion slot 402, makes it impossible to rotate the stud 403 with common tools such as screwdrivers and Allen wrenches without the matching torsion part 3. This effectively prevents non-staff members from affecting the locking of the valve handle and ensures that the adjusted delivery flow rate is not affected. If the operator forgets to lock the valve handle, the annular contactor 203 will be within the sensing range of the proximity switch 1011 in its natural state. The proximity switch 1011 will send a feedback signal to the microcontroller 1013, which will then control the timing module 1012 to start. The timing module 1012 has a timing value of ten minutes, which is generally greater than the time limit for the operator to adjust the valve body 1 (generally around three to four minutes). This avoids false alarms during the adjustment operation. Furthermore, the timing value of the timing module 1012 can be changed as needed. Therefore, if the operator forgets to lock the valve handle, when the timing module 1012 reaches its timing value, the timing module 1012 sends a feedback signal to the microcontroller 1013. The microcontroller 1013 then activates the buzzer alarm 109, thereby alerting the operator to the missed lock operation through the high-decibel buzzer of the buzzer 109, reminding them to perform the lock operation in time to ensure that the adjusted delivery flow remains unchanged.

Claims

1. A ball valve with a locking function, characterized in that, The valve body (1) is provided with an annular block (101) located on the lower side of the valve handle; an extension plate (102) is fixedly installed on the left end of the valve handle, and an extension column (103) is fixedly installed on the bottom end face of the extension plate (102). The extension column (103) and the annular block (101) are in clearance fit; a receiving groove (104) is opened at the top of the extension column (103), and a threaded through hole (105) is opened on the bottom wall of the receiving groove (104) through the extension column (103); a locking member (4) that cooperates with the annular block (101) is installed in the threaded through hole (105), and a torsion member (3) for turning the locking member (4) is also included.

2. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking component (4) is composed of a twisting block (401), a twisting slot (402), and a stud (403); the thickness of the twisting block (401) is less than the depth of the receiving groove (104); a stud (403) is integrally provided at the lower end of the twisting block (401), and a twisting slot (402) is provided on the top surface of the twisting block (401), and the twisting slot (402) has an elliptical groove structure; the twisting component (3) has an overall L-shaped structure, and the lower end of the twisting component (3) is an elliptical structure that matches the twisting slot (402).

3. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 2, characterized in that, An annular notch (106) is provided on the side of the outer circumference of the annular block (101), and the annular notch (106) penetrates the top surface of the annular block (101); a plurality of storage slots (107) are provided in an annular array on the bottom wall of the annular notch (106), and a limiting insertion hole (108) is provided on the bottom wall of the storage slot (107) that penetrates the annular block (101).

4. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 3, characterized in that, An annular mating block (2) is slidably installed in the annular notch (106) area. The structural dimensions of the annular mating block (2) match the structural dimensions of the annular notch (106). The bottom surface of the annular mating block (2) is provided with multiple limiting posts (201) that slide and engage with the limiting insertion hole (108) in an annular array.

5. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the limiting inserts (201) is fitted with a return spring (202). The top of the return spring (202) is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the annular mating block (2), and the bottom of the return spring (202) is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the inner end of the receiving groove (107). In the natural state, the top surface of the annular mating block (2) is in contact with the bottom surface of the extension post (103). In the locked state, the bottom surface of the stud (403) is in close contact with the top surface of the annular block (101) and the annular mating block (2), and the bottom surface of the annular mating block (2) is in close contact with the bottom surface of the inner end of the annular notch (106). The return spring (202) is in a compressed state.

6. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 5, characterized in that, A sensing slot (1010) is provided on the left side of the annular notch (106), and a proximity switch (1011) is provided in the sensing slot (1010); an annular mating sensing block (203) that can be inductively mated with the proximity switch (1011) is embedded in the lower side of the inner circumference of the annular mating block (2).

7. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 6, characterized in that, In its natural state, the annular mating sensing block (203) corresponds to the sensing groove (1010), and the annular mating sensing block (203) is within the sensing range of the proximity switch (1011). When the bottom surface of the annular mating block (2) contacts the bottom surface of the inner end of the annular notch (106), the annular mating sensing block (203) is located on the lower side of the sensing groove (1010) and is offset from its position. At this time, the annular mating sensing block (203) is not within the sensing range of the proximity switch (1011).

8. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 7, characterized in that, The annular block (101) is equipped with a microcontroller (1013) and a timing module (1012) electrically connected to it. The internal circuit of the annular block (101) is powered by an external power source. The timing value of the timing module (1012) is ten minutes. The proximity switch (1011) is electrically connected to the microcontroller (1013). A set of omission alarms (109) is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the annular block (101). The omission alarms (109) are buzzers and are electrically connected to the microcontroller (1013).

9. A ball valve with a locking function according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the proximity switch (1011) senses the annular mating sensing block (203), the proximity switch (1011) sends a feedback signal to the microcontroller (1013), and the microcontroller (1013) controls the timing module (1012) to start. Otherwise, the timing module (1012) is turned off. When the timing value of the timing module (1012) is reached, the timing module (1012) sends a feedback signal to the microcontroller (1013), and the microcontroller (1013) controls the omission alarm (109) to start.

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