A 360° rotatable connection valve

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of connection valves that can rotate 360 degrees, applied to valve technical field, comprising: valve body, the side wall of the valve body is equipped with handle, the end of the valve body is equipped with connecting shaft;Joint, one end of the joint is equipped with connecting hole, the connecting shaft is connected in the connecting hole, the connecting shaft and the connecting hole rotate cooperation, the other end of the joint is equipped with interface part for external device connection;Sealing device, the side wall of the connecting shaft or the inner wall of the connecting hole is equipped with sealing recess, the sealing device is located in the sealing recess, to seal the connecting shaft and the connecting hole;Steel wire baffle ring, the side wall of the connecting shaft and the inner wall of the connecting hole are equipped with shaft clamping groove and hole clamping groove respectively, when the connecting shaft and connecting hole are installed in place, the shaft clamping groove and hole clamping groove are aligned, the outer ring of the steel wire baffle ring is clamped into hole clamping groove, inner ring is clamped into shaft clamping groove. After installation, 360 ° position can be adjusted, improve installation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of valve technology, and in particular to a connecting valve that can rotate 360°. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread adoption of liquid-cooled data centers, energy storage containers, and high-density server racks, mini ball valves are extensively used as shut-off components for devices such as exhaust valves, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors. Liquid cooling media have extremely high cleanliness requirements; threaded connections cannot use PTFE tape or glue, and can only be sealed using end-face gaskets. Currently, most mini ball valves use G-threads. After tightening, the starting point of the thread on the equipment differs from the starting point of the mini ball valve's thread, resulting in inconsistent installation orientation and random handle circumferential position, affecting operation and aesthetics. Current compensation methods involve machining gaskets of different thicknesses, but the thickness can only be determined after trial assembly, leading to the need for prefabricating multiple gaskets and complex inventory management. Furthermore, the method of adjustment and adaptation is only known after assembly, impacting assembly progress.

[0003] Therefore, how to design a valve whose handle direction can be adjusted arbitrarily after installation is a technical problem faced by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a 360° rotatable connecting valve, which can be adjusted 360° after installation, thereby improving installation efficiency.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, this utility model provides a 360° rotatable connecting valve, comprising:

[0006] A valve body, wherein a handle is provided on the side wall of the valve body, and a connecting shaft is provided at the end of the valve body;

[0007] The connector has a connection hole at one end, a connecting shaft connected to the connection hole, and the connecting shaft and the connection hole are rotatably engaged. The other end of the connector has an interface for connecting to external devices.

[0008] A sealing device is provided in which a sealing groove is provided on the side wall of the connecting shaft or the inner wall of the connecting hole, and the sealing device is disposed in the sealing groove to seal the connecting shaft and the connecting hole;

[0009] The steel wire retaining ring has a shaft groove and a hole groove respectively provided on the side wall of the connecting shaft and the inner wall of the connecting hole. When the connecting shaft and the connecting hole are installed in place, the shaft groove and the hole groove are aligned, and the outer ring of the steel wire retaining ring is inserted into the hole groove and the inner ring is inserted into the shaft groove.

[0010] Preferably, the wire retaining ring and the sealing device are spaced apart, and the sealing device is provided on both sides of the wire retaining ring.

[0011] Preferably, the sealing groove is disposed on the inner wall of the connecting hole, the outer wall of the sealing device is sealed and fitted with the inner wall of the sealing groove, and when the connecting shaft rotates in the connecting hole, the sealing device and the connecting shaft slide or roll together.

[0012] Preferably, the sealing device is an annular sealing ring;

[0013] Alternatively, the sealing device is a lip seal ring, the lip of which forms a dynamic sealing pair with the connecting shaft, and a spring is provided on the waist of the lip to compensate for the gap between the lip and the connecting shaft.

[0014] Preferably, the pitch circle diameter of the wire retaining ring is equal to the diameter of the connecting shaft. When the connecting shaft and the connecting hole are installed in place, the pitch circle of the wire retaining ring is located at the mating surface of the connecting shaft and the connecting hole. The cross-sectional radius of the wire retaining ring is equal to the depth of the hole groove, and the cross-sectional radius of the wire retaining ring is equal to the width of the hole groove. When the connecting shaft and the connecting hole are installed in place, the outer diameter of the wire retaining ring abuts against the bottom surface of the hole groove, and the inner diameter is inside the shaft groove.

[0015] Preferably, the depth direction of the slot is provided with a clearance space for accommodating the wire retaining ring.

[0016] Preferably, the wire retaining ring is a C-shaped retaining ring, and the C-shaped retaining ring has an opening in the circumferential direction;

[0017] Alternatively, the wire retaining ring may be a helical elastic retaining ring.

[0018] Preferably, the wire retaining ring is provided with felt rings or double-lip dustproof rings on both sides.

[0019] Preferably, the connection hole has a sedimentation ditch at one end near the interface.

[0020] Preferably, the groove of the connecting hole has a beveled surface that gradually narrows towards the hole groove; the end of the connecting shaft has an inclined surface that gradually expands towards the shaft groove.

[0021] Compared to existing technologies, the 360° rotatable connecting valve provided by this invention, due to the action of the wire retaining ring, allows the valve body to rotate continuously 360° around the connecting shaft in the connecting hole of the connector. The handle can be stopped at any circumferential position of the valve body, solving problems such as limited operating space and hose twisting in liquid coolers, while also eliminating inventory and rework issues caused by gasket thickness compensation. During rotation, the sealing device remains compressed, responsible for sealing and preventing media leakage. During this process, the sealing device does not transmit mechanical force; the wire retaining ring bears all axial thrust, preventing the valve body from separating from the connector under pressure pulses.

[0022] The 360° rotatable connecting valve of this application decomposes the valve body and connector into a rotating pair and uses a steel wire retaining ring to achieve axial locking. Combined with a circumferential sealing device, it achieves 360° free rotation function on the basis of end face sealing, eliminating the inventory and rework problems caused by gasket thickness compensation. It is suitable for high-density liquid cooling scenarios such as coolant distribution units, cabinets, and ring networks. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a 360° rotatable connecting valve provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A first schematic diagram of the connection process between the valve body and the connector;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A second schematic diagram showing the connection process between the valve body and the connector;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The third schematic diagram of the connection process between the valve body and the connector;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0029] Figure label:

[0030] 1-Valve body; 110-Connecting shaft; 111-Shaft groove; 2-Gland; 3-First gasket; 4-First valve seat; 5-Valve ball; 6-Second valve seat; 7-Seal; 8-Connector; 81-Connecting hole; 811-Hole groove; 812-Sealing groove; 813-Beveled surface; 82-Interface; 9-Sealing device; 10-Wire retaining ring; 11-Second gasket; 12-Sealing ring; 13-Valve stem; 14-Set screw; 15-Handle. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The core of this invention is to provide a 360° rotatable connecting valve, which can be adjusted 360° after installation, thereby improving installation efficiency.

[0032] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0033] In one specific embodiment provided by this utility model, please refer to... Figures 1-5 The 360° rotatable connecting valve mainly includes valve body 1, connector 8, sealing device 9, and wire retaining ring 10.

[0034] The valve body 1 has a handle 15 on its side wall and a connecting shaft 110 at its end.

[0035] The connector 8 has a connection hole 81 at one end, and a connecting shaft 110 is connected to the connection hole 81. The connecting shaft 110 and the connection hole 81 are rotatably engaged. The other end of the connector 8 has an interface part 82 for connecting to external equipment.

[0036] The sealing device 9 is provided with a sealing groove 812 on the side wall of the connecting shaft 110 or the inner wall of the connecting hole 81. The sealing device 9 is located in the sealing groove 812 to seal the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81.

[0037] The steel wire retaining ring 10, the side wall of the connecting shaft 110 and the inner wall of the connecting hole 81 are respectively provided with shaft groove 111 and hole groove 811. When the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 are installed in place, the shaft groove 111 and the hole groove 811 are aligned, the outer ring of the steel wire retaining ring 10 is inserted into the hole groove 811 and the inner ring is inserted into the shaft groove 111.

[0038] It should be noted that the valve body 1 is a rotating body with a handle 15 connected to the side wall for external operation. The end of the valve body 1 tapers into a connecting shaft 110. The diameter of the connecting shaft 110 is smaller than that of the valve body. A shaft groove 111 is formed on the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110 to accommodate the inner ring of the wire retaining ring 10. The connecting shaft 110 is not a traditional threaded extension, but a short cylindrical journal, long enough to accommodate the sealing groove 812 and the shaft groove 111. The connection process between the handle 15 and the valve body 1 is as follows: the second valve seat 6 is installed into the valve body 1 as component A; the sealing ring 12 is installed into the valve stem 13, and then the second gasket 11 is installed as component B; component A is installed into component B, the valve stem 13 is adjusted to the open state, the valve ball 5 is installed, and then the valve stem 13 is adjusted to the closed state; then the first valve seat 4, the first gasket 3, and the pressure cap 2 are installed in sequence, and the pressure cap 2 is tightened; then the handle 15 is assembled and tightened with the set screw 14, forming component C.

[0039] The connector 8 has an axially connected inner cavity, with one end being an interface portion 82. The interface portion 82 is fixedly connected to external equipment (such as a manifold or coolant distribution unit panel). The interface portion 82 may have external threads, and the external equipment is connected to the interface portion 82 via these threads. The interface portion 82 maintains the original end-face sealing form of the liquid cooling system. The connector 8 forms a stepped surface at the interface portion 82, and an axial end-face static seal 7, such as an ED ring or a rectangular ring, is installed on the stepped surface. The end face of the external equipment abuts against this seal 7, achieving an end-face seal without introducing PTFE tape or adhesive, thus meeting clean liquid cooling specifications.

[0040] The other end of the inner cavity of the connector 8 forms a connection hole 81 for connection with the valve body 1. The connection hole 81 and the connecting shaft 110 form a coaxial clearance fit. The connecting shaft 110 and the connection hole 81 are rotatably fitted, that is, after the connector 8 is connected to the external equipment, its position is fixed, and the valve body 1 can rotate relative to the connector 8.

[0041] The sealing device 9 is placed in the sealing groove 812 on the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110 or the inner wall of the connecting hole 81. The sealing groove 812 can be provided on the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110 or the inner wall of the connecting hole 81. The sealing device 9 is naturally compressed as the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 are fitted together, forming a continuous circumferential barrier to isolate the medium from the external space.

[0042] The wire retaining ring 10 is a fastening element that uses spring steel flat wire wound into a ring and relies on elastic deformation to achieve axial positioning. The side wall of the connecting shaft 110 and the inner wall of the connecting hole 81 are respectively provided with a shaft retaining groove 111 and a hole retaining groove 811. Both the shaft retaining groove 111 and the hole retaining groove 811 are annular grooves with rectangular or slightly chamfered cross sections to facilitate the radial insertion of the wire retaining ring 10. Before connection, the wire retaining ring 10 is connected in the shaft retaining groove 111 or the hole retaining groove 811. When the connecting shaft 110 is pushed into the connecting hole 81 to its position, the shaft retaining groove 111 and the hole retaining groove 811 are aligned to form a complete retaining ring groove. The wire retaining ring 10 is inserted into the retaining ring groove, with the outer ring springing into the hole retaining groove 811 and the inner ring springing into the shaft retaining groove 111, thereby locking the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 into one unit in the axial direction, while maintaining a circumferential free rotation clearance. Preferably, the sum of the groove depths of the shaft retaining groove 111 and the hole retaining groove 811 is greater than the wire diameter of the wire retaining ring 10. This provides space for radial deformation of the wire retaining ring 10 when the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 are fitted together, and also ensures that the wire retaining ring 10 is completely embedded and does not protrude from the mating surface.

[0043] During assembly, the sealing device 9 is installed into the sealing groove 812 as component D; component D is fixed, and the wire retaining ring 10 is placed into the shaft slot 111 or the hole slot 811. Then, component C (valve body 1 and handle 15, etc.) is pressed into component D, that is, the connecting shaft 110 of valve body 1 is inserted into the connecting hole 81 of connector 8, and the sealing device 9 is slightly compressed to establish a seal; during the pressing process, the wire retaining ring 10 gradually shrinks to the retaining ring slot through the connecting hole 81. When the shaft slot 111 and the hole slot 811 are aligned, the wire retaining ring 10 is released and popped out, automatically springing in and completing axial locking, connecting component C and component D; by tightening component D and the equipment interface, the seal 7 can be directly installed on the stepped end face of component D without the need for additional gaskets.

[0044] Due to the function of the wire retaining ring 10, the valve body 1 rotates 360° continuously within the connecting hole 81 of the connector 8, with the connecting shaft 110 as the center of rotation. This means component C achieves 360° stepless directional rotation, and the handle 15 can be stopped at any circumferential position of the valve body 1. This solves problems such as limited operating space and hose twisting within the liquid cooler, while also eliminating inventory and rework issues caused by gasket thickness compensation. During rotation, the sealing device 9 remains compressed, responsible for sealing and preventing media leakage. During this process, the sealing device 9 does not transmit mechanical force; the wire retaining ring 10 bears all axial thrust, preventing the valve body 1 from separating from the connector 8 under pressure pulses.

[0045] The 360° rotatable connecting valve of this application decomposes the valve body 1 and the connector 8 into a rotating pair and uses a steel wire retaining ring 10 to achieve axial locking. Combined with the circumferential sealing device 9, it achieves 360° free rotation function on the basis of end face sealing, eliminating the inventory and rework problems caused by gasket thickness compensation. It is suitable for high-density liquid cooling scenarios such as coolant distribution units, cabinets, and ring networks.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the total length of the valve body 1 and the connector 8 after connection is comparable to the length of a conventional mini ball valve, which can directly replace the existing G-thread valve without changing the pipeline spacing.

[0047] In one specific embodiment, the wire retaining ring 10 and the sealing device 9 are spaced apart, and the sealing device 9 is provided on both sides of the wire retaining ring 10.

[0048] It should be noted that the wire retaining ring 10 is located in the middle of the axial direction of the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81. A sealing groove 812 can be left on each side to accommodate the sealing device 9. That is, the sealing device 9 is arranged upstream and downstream of the wire retaining ring 10 respectively. The wire retaining ring 10 is surrounded by the sealing devices 9 on both sides to form a double-sided seal. In other words, the sealing is achieved on both sides of the wire retaining ring 10 at the same time. Medium particles and external dust cannot enter the retaining ring groove, effectively preventing abrasive wear and jamming.

[0049] The number and arrangement of sealing devices 9 can be flexibly adjusted according to the system sealing requirements and the internal pressure of the connecting valve. For example, one sealing device 9 can be set on one side of the wire retaining ring 10, resulting in a simple structure. For operating conditions with strict sealing requirements, the axial width of the sealing device 9 can be widened. Alternatively, multiple sealing devices 9 can be set at intervals along the axis of the connecting shaft 110. For example, two sealing grooves 812 can be set, one of which can be located on the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110, and the other can be located on the inner wall of the connecting hole 81, or vice versa. With the sealing devices 9 arranged on both sides, even if one side is worn, the other side can still maintain a seal.

[0050] The wire retaining ring 10 and the sealing device 9 are spaced apart. That is, when the sealing groove 812 is provided on the connecting shaft 110, the shaft retaining groove 111 and the sealing groove 812 retain a solid wall thickness and are not connected or overlapped; when the sealing groove 812 is provided on the connecting hole 81, the hole retaining groove 811 and the sealing groove 812 also retain a solid wall thickness.

[0051] The partition wall surface can be chamfered or rounded, that is, the openings of the sealing groove 812 and the retaining ring groove are both chamfered or rounded, which can guide the sealing device 9 and the wire retaining ring 10 smoothly into the groove, and prevent metal shavings generated during installation from entering the sealing area.

[0052] This spacing arrangement allows the wire retaining ring 10 and the sealing device 9 to deform independently without interfering with each other; sealing failure does not affect axial force locking, and force locking failure can still be temporarily supported by the sealing device 9, thus improving system reliability.

[0053] As can be seen from the above structure, the sealing compression and the elasticity of the wire retaining ring 10 are independent of each other. The sealing compression is not affected by the installation force of the retaining ring, and a constant sealing force is maintained in the long term. This achieves the separation of axial locking and double-sided sealing functions, ensuring 360° free rotation and providing a double sealing barrier.

[0054] In one specific embodiment, the sealing groove 812 is provided on the inner wall of the connecting hole 81, and the outer wall of the sealing device 9 is sealed and fitted with the inner wall of the sealing groove 812; when the connecting shaft 110 rotates in the connecting hole 81, the sealing device 9 and the connecting shaft 110 slide or roll together.

[0055] It should be explained that the sealing groove 812 is an annular recess that is circumferentially continuous. After the sealing device 9 is placed into the sealing groove 812, its outer wall is tightly fitted with the bottom surface and side walls of the sealing groove 812, forming a static sealing interface that prevents the medium from leaking from the outer periphery. There is no relative movement between the outer wall of the sealing device 9 and the wall of the sealing groove 812. It is fixed after installation, does not bear rotational wear, and is completely surrounded by the sealing groove 812, does not contact sharp edges, and has an intact sealing surface.

[0056] The outer circle of the connecting shaft 110 is a smooth cylindrical surface, without sealing grooves or protrusions. A small gap or interference fit exists between the inner circle of the sealing device 9 and the outer circle of the shaft, forming a dynamic sealing interface. When the connecting shaft 110 rotates within the connecting hole 81, the inner wall of the sealing device 9 and the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110 move relative to each other, which can be sliding or rolling. During sliding, friction is reduced by material self-lubrication or surface plating. Preferably, the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110 can be mirror-polished or hard chrome-plated to reduce dynamic friction. During rolling, micro-shaping or corrugations generate pumping backflow, reducing torque and maintaining oil film stability.

[0057] This embodiment achieves functional separation of a stationary outer sealing wall and a moving inner wall, ensuring continuous 360° rotation while minimizing friction and facilitating maintenance. It is particularly suitable for liquid-cooled shut-off valves where the handle 15 requires frequent adjustment and is sensitive to particles and torque.

[0058] For valve body 1 with a low rotation frequency, sealing groove 812 can also be provided on the outer circle of connecting shaft 110. The sealing device 9 rotates with valve body 1 and forms a dynamic seal with the inner wall of connecting hole 81, thus achieving separation of sealing and rotation and meeting the sealing requirements of low-frequency rotation conditions.

[0059] In one specific embodiment, the sealing device 9 is an annular sealing ring;

[0060] Alternatively, the sealing device 9 is a lip seal ring, the lip of which forms a dynamic sealing pair with the connecting shaft 110, and a spring is provided on the waist of the lip to compensate for the gap between the lip and the connecting shaft 110.

[0061] It should be understood that the sealing device 9 can be selected from annular sealing rings such as ED rings, rectangular rings or O-rings, or lip sealing rings with spring lips, i.e. oil seals.

[0062] The outer circle of the annular sealing ring is enclosed by the sidewall and bottom surface of the sealing groove 812, and the inner circle forms circumferential contact with the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110. The width of the sealing groove 812 is greater than the diameter of the sealing ring, allowing the sealing ring to move slightly within the groove. The structure is simple and easy to install. Preferably, the bottom of the sealing groove 812 is machined with a micro-chamfer to avoid sharp edges shearing the sealing ring.

[0063] When the sealing groove 812 is located on the inner wall of the connecting hole 81, the outer wall of the sealing ring is statically attached to the sealing groove 812, and the inner wall forms a dynamic sealing pair with the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110. That is, the outer wall of the sealing ring is static, and the inner wall slides with the rotation of the shaft. Relying on its own elasticity and micro-rolling, a thin oil film is formed on the shaft surface to achieve dynamic sealing. The sealing is simple and reliable.

[0064] The outer wall of the lip seal ring is statically fitted with the sealing groove 812, and the inner lip is conical, with the lip opening forming a line contact with the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110; a ring-shaped stainless steel spring is provided on the waist of the lip opening, clamping the lip opening inward. The cone angle of the lip opening faces the medium side, and the back is flat, forming a pump suction backflow effect; the spring can be a seamless 8-spiral ring, embedded in the annular groove of the waist of the lip opening, and installed into the sealing groove 812 together with the lip opening.

[0065] The outer diameter of the connecting shaft 110 can be mirror-finished or hard chrome-plated to reduce lip wear; the two side walls of the sealing groove 812 are machined with micro-cutter angles to guide the lip into the groove and prevent the spring from coming out. The spring continuously provides radial force to compensate for the small gap between the lip and the shaft, achieving wear compensation and a longer seal life; when the shaft rotates, a thin oil film is formed between the lip and the shaft, and the medium is pumped back to the inside by the conical pumping effect to achieve dynamic sealing and more reliable sealing.

[0066] In one specific embodiment, the pitch circle diameter of the wire retaining ring 10 is equal to the diameter of the connecting shaft 110, and when the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 are installed in place, the pitch circle of the wire retaining ring 10 is located at the mating surface of the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81.

[0067] It is important to understand that the pitch circle of the wire retaining ring 10 is its geometric center line, located between the inner and outer rings. The distances from the inner and outer rings to the pitch circle are equal, and the circumference of the pitch circle coincides with the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110. When the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 are installed in place, the pitch circle of the wire retaining ring 10 is aligned with the mating surface, with half of the wire diameter embedded in the shaft groove 111 and half embedded in the hole groove 811, forming an equal-radius inlay state. The gap between the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110 and the inner circle of the connecting hole 81 is small, and the pitch circle of the wire retaining ring 10 falls exactly at the center of the gap, achieving a centering fit.

[0068] The cross-sections of the shaft retaining groove 111 and the hole retaining groove 811 can be semi-circular or rectangular. The radius of the cross-section of the wire retaining ring 10 is equal to the depth and width of the hole retaining groove 811, and the wire diameter just fills the space of the hole retaining groove 811. When installed in place, the outer diameter of the wire retaining ring 10 abuts against the bottom surface of the hole retaining groove 811, and the inner diameter is located inside the shaft retaining groove 111.

[0069] Therefore, half of the wire diameter of the steel wire retaining ring 10 is embedded in the shaft groove 111 and half in the hole groove 811, resulting in the shortest force path, more direct locking, and more precise locking due to the centered force. The steel wire retaining ring 10 has a uniform volume in the hole groove 811 and the peripheral groove, making it less prone to detachment.

[0070] In one specific embodiment, the depth direction of the slot 811 is provided with a clearance space for accommodating the wire retaining ring 10. This clearance space is formed by the depth of the slot 811 being greater than the cross-sectional radius of the wire retaining ring 10, and exists only on the side of the connecting hole 81 of the connector 8. The depth of the shaft slot 111 is not greater than the cross-sectional radius of the retaining ring, thus forming an asymmetrical slot shape.

[0071] During the assembly process, the wire retaining ring 10 is pushed by the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110, and fully sinks into the hole groove 811 by relying on the clearance space, without protruding from the mating surface, thus avoiding interference with the connecting shaft 110 and ensuring that the connecting shaft 110 passes smoothly. When the hole groove 811 is aligned with the shaft groove 111, the wire retaining ring 10 automatically springs back, pops out from the clearance space, with half of it embedded in the shaft groove 111 and half remaining in the hole groove 811, forming a continuous circumferential locking.

[0072] The asymmetrical groove design allows the wire retaining ring 10 to sink completely on the hole side and only partially embed on the shaft side. The deep hole side provides storage, while the shallow shaft side provides support. When the wire retaining ring 10 is under force, both side walls bear pressure simultaneously, resulting in a more balanced locking.

[0073] With its single-sided clearance design where the depth of the 811 slot is greater than the radius of the retaining ring, it provides smooth assembly while maintaining reliable load-bearing capacity. No special tooling is required; assembly and springback can be completed by hand, resulting in high installation efficiency.

[0074] In one specific embodiment, the wire retaining ring 10 is preferably a C-shaped retaining ring. This C-shaped retaining ring is made of spring steel flat wire wound around a circle with a circumferential opening; both the outer and inner circles are complete but have breaks. During installation, the outer circle engages with the hole groove 811, and the inner circle engages with the shaft groove 111, with radial elasticity provided at the breaks. Preferably, the two ends of the opening can be machined with micro-chamfers to avoid sharp edges scratching the groove walls.

[0075] During installation, the gap between the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 compresses the C-shaped retaining ring, reducing its outer diameter and causing it to sink entirely into the hole groove 811. When the shaft groove 111 and the hole groove 811 are aligned, the compression disappears, the opening springs back, the outer circle fits tightly against the hole groove 811, and the inner circle is placed in the shaft groove 111, forming a circumferential lock. Since there is no material at the break point, the axial thrust is borne by the remaining circumference.

[0076] The C-shaped retaining ring has a simple structure and can be installed and removed by hand; the opening provides radial shrinkage allowance, making assembly smooth; however, its load-bearing capacity at the opening is lower than that of a continuous circumference, making it suitable for medium and low load conditions.

[0077] In one specific embodiment, the wire retaining ring 10 is preferably a helical elastic retaining ring. The retaining ring is formed by continuously winding multiple turns of spring steel flat wire to form a closed ring without openings or ears. Its outer circle and inner circle are complete and continuous, and its pitch circle can coincide with the shaft circle. The flat wire has a rectangular cross-section, with the wide side facing radially and the narrow side facing axially, providing high radial elasticity.

[0078] During installation, the gap between the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 compresses the spiral elastic retaining ring, causing the entire circumference to shrink uniformly. The retaining ring can be completely sunk into the hole groove 811. When the shaft groove 111 and the hole groove 811 are aligned, the compression disappears, the retaining ring automatically springs back, and the retaining ring groove is locked 360° simultaneously, achieving continuous circumferential locking without stress concentration.

[0079] Because the helical elastic retaining ring has no openings, it bears load continuously around its circumference, resulting in uniform axial force distribution, making it suitable for high-speed or pulsed load conditions. During high-speed rotation, centrifugal force causes the outer ring to expand slightly, tightening as it rotates, effectively preventing the risk of it flying off. Furthermore, this retaining ring can be installed and removed by hand or with simple tooling, requiring no special tools.

[0080] In one specific embodiment, the wire retaining ring 10 is provided with felt rings or double-lip dustproof rings on both sides.

[0081] It should be noted that the connecting shaft 110 and the connecting hole 81 are respectively machined with annular dustproof grooves on both sides of the retaining ring groove. The dustproof grooves are parallel to and spaced apart from the retaining ring groove. Felt rings or double-lip dustproof rings are installed in the dustproof grooves. The outer circle of the felt ring or double-lip dustproof ring is embedded in the annular groove of the connecting hole 81, and the inner circle is lightly touching or interference with the outer circle of the connecting shaft 110, forming a continuous circumferential barrier.

[0082] The felt ring is made of compressed, fluffy fibers with micropores inside, which can absorb particles and moisture. The double-lip dustproof ring is made of elastomer, with two thin lips on the inner ring, the tips of which face the retaining ring, forming a double sweeping surface. The fluffiness of the fibers can absorb particles, preventing hard particles from entering the retaining ring area. The outer wall of the double-lip dustproof ring is in static contact with the groove wall, and the two lip tips form line contact with the outer circle of the shaft, forming a cavity between the lips, which can temporarily trap particles. The sweeping action of the lip tips can push the particles outward.

[0083] The felt ring allows for slight oil seepage, reducing friction between the retaining ring and the shaft; the double-lip dustproof ring's lip tip sweeps continuously, cleaning the shaft surface and reducing abrasive wear. This structure both intercepts external particles and prevents the diffusion of wear products, while maintaining the independent locking and rotation functions of the wire retaining ring 10.

[0084] In one specific embodiment, the connecting hole 81 has a sedimentation groove at one end near the interface portion 82. The sedimentation groove is located deep inside the inner hole of the connector 8, between the interface near the interface portion 82 and the sealing groove 812, and is a circumferentially continuous annular recess. The cross-section can be semi-circular, rectangular or trapezoidal, forming a pocket-shaped annular recessed space.

[0085] The coolant flowing in from interface 82 carries particles. At the sedimentation ditch, the flow velocity suddenly decreases, and the particles fall into the ditch under the influence of gravity and centrifugal force, forming a front-end sedimentation barrier and reducing the amount of particles entering the sealing groove 812 and the retaining ring groove. Once particles settle in the sedimentation ditch, the liquid flow velocity decreases, and the particles are no longer suspended, forming a self-retaining sedimentation zone that requires no external cleaning.

[0086] This structure achieves particle self-settling and self-holding in a simple, power-free manner, protecting the sealing device 9 and the wire retaining ring 10 while simplifying maintenance.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall of the connector 8 is provided with an inspection hole, which extends radially or at a small angle. The inspection hole communicates with the slot 811 to form an observation and inspection channel from the outer surface of the connector 8 directly to the installation position of the wire retaining ring 10, constituting an inspection port that is visible or accessible by tools.

[0088] The edges of the inspection holes can be machined with a micro-chamfer to remove burrs and prevent scratches to the wire retaining ring 10 or the operator during assembly. The number of holes can be single or multiple, evenly distributed circumferentially, facilitating multi-angle observation or tool insertion.

[0089] During the insertion of the connecting shaft 110, the wire retaining ring 10 can be directly observed through the detection hole to determine if it has sprung into the retaining ring slot, avoiding the risk of false insertion. The moment the wire retaining ring 10 sprung in, a metallic impact sound propagates outward through the detection hole, forming an audible confirmation signal. A thin rod can be inserted through the detection hole to gently touch the wire retaining ring 10 to confirm whether it has fully sprung in and is firmly against the bottom of the slot. During disassembly, the wire retaining ring 10 can be pressed through the detection hole to confirm whether it has radially contracted, facilitating its complete removal. The entire confirmation process does not require disassembling the connector 8.

[0090] The inspection hole and the hole groove 811 are connected, without increasing the number of parts or weakening the strength of the joint 8. It provides visual, auditory and tactile confirmation means and facilitates maintenance and inspection. It is especially suitable for mini rotary valves that need to be assembled by hand and require reliable confirmation.

[0091] In one specific embodiment, the groove of the connecting hole 81 is provided with a chamfered surface 813 that gradually tapers towards the hole groove 811, forming an inner hole guide cone; the diameter of the chamfered surface 813 at its beginning is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the connecting shaft 110, and the end smoothly transitions with the edge of the hole groove 811. Correspondingly, the end of the connecting shaft 110 is provided with an inclined surface that gradually expands towards the shaft groove 111, forming a shaft end guide cone; the diameter of the inclined surface at its beginning is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the connecting hole 81, and the end smoothly transitions with the edge of the shaft groove 111.

[0092] The beveled surface 813 and the inclined surface are paired to form a double-cone guide structure, which is continuous and uninterrupted in the circumferential direction. This double-cone surface can be a straight cone, a circular arc cone, or a parabolic cone, ensuring gradual contraction and expansion without abrupt steps. The terminations of the beveled surface 813 and the inclined surface smoothly transition to the edges of the hole groove 811 and the shaft groove 111, respectively, preventing sharp edges from shearing the wire retaining ring 10 or the sealing device 9. The double-cone guide structure exists only in the groove area and does not weaken the strength of the joint 8.

[0093] When the connecting shaft 110 is inserted, the inclined surface of the shaft end first contacts the oblique cut surface 813 of the connecting hole 81, forming a continuous circumferential line contact, guiding the shaft center to automatically align. As the insertion depth increases, the double conical surface gradually reduces the gap between the shaft and the hole, and the wire retaining ring 10 is uniformly compressed without sudden jamming. When the shaft retaining groove 111 and the hole retaining groove 811 are aligned, the wire retaining ring 10 is released from the gap and springs into the retaining ring groove as a whole, forming a continuous circumferential locking without local stress concentration.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, both sides of the shaft groove 111 and the hole groove 811 are machined with relief grooves, forming tiny recesses. The relief grooves are arc-shaped or rectangular, with a depth shallower than the groove depth and a width slightly greater than the groove width, forming an end release area. This prevents the sharp edge of the groove from directly contacting the wire retaining ring 10 or the sealing device 9, thereby effectively reducing the risk of shearing and preventing damage to the wire retaining ring 10 or the sealing device 9 from sharp edges. The relief grooves also disperse stress at the groove ends, reducing local stress concentration and improving the fatigue life of the groove.

[0095] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0096] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A 360° rotatable connecting valve, characterized in that, include: The valve body (1) has a handle (15) on its side wall and a connecting shaft (110) at its end. The connector (8) has a connection hole (81) at one end, and the connecting shaft (110) is connected to the connection hole (81). The connecting shaft (110) and the connection hole (81) are rotatably engaged. The other end of the connector (8) has an interface (82) for connecting external devices. The sealing device (9) is provided with a sealing groove (812) on the side wall of the connecting shaft (110) or the inner wall of the connecting hole (81). The sealing device (9) is located in the sealing groove (812) to seal the connecting shaft (110) and the connecting hole (81). The steel wire retaining ring (10) has a shaft retaining groove (111) on the side wall of the connecting shaft (110) and a hole retaining groove (811) on the inner wall of the connecting hole (81). When the connecting shaft (110) and the connecting hole (81) are installed in place, the shaft retaining groove (111) and the hole retaining groove (811) are aligned. The outer ring of the steel wire retaining ring (10) is inserted into the hole retaining groove (811), and the inner ring is inserted into the shaft retaining groove (111).

2. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire retaining ring (10) and the sealing device (9) are spaced apart, and the sealing device (9) is provided on both sides of the wire retaining ring (10).

3. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing groove (812) is provided on the inner wall of the connecting hole (81). The outer wall of the sealing device (9) is sealed and fitted with the inner wall of the sealing groove (812). When the connecting shaft (110) rotates in the connecting hole (81), the sealing device (9) and the connecting shaft (110) are in sliding or rolling cooperation.

4. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing device (9) is an annular sealing ring; Alternatively, the sealing device (9) is a lip seal ring, the lip of the lip seal ring and the connecting shaft (110) form a dynamic sealing pair, and the waist of the lip is provided with a spring to compensate for the gap between the lip and the connecting shaft (110).

5. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pitch circle diameter of the wire retaining ring (10) is equal to the diameter of the connecting shaft (110). When the connecting shaft (110) and the connecting hole (81) are installed in place, the pitch circle of the wire retaining ring (10) is located at the mating surface of the connecting shaft (110) and the connecting hole (81). The cross-sectional radius of the wire retaining ring (10) is equal to the depth of the hole groove (811), and the cross-sectional radius of the wire retaining ring (10) is equal to the width of the hole groove (811). When the connecting shaft (110) and the connecting hole (81) are installed in place, the outer diameter of the wire retaining ring (10) abuts against the bottom surface of the hole groove (811), and the inner diameter is inside the shaft groove (111).

6. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The hole slot (811) has a clearance space in the depth direction for accommodating the wire retaining ring (10).

7. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire retaining ring (10) is a C-shaped retaining ring, and the C-shaped retaining ring has an opening in the circumferential direction; Alternatively, the wire retaining ring (10) may be a helical elastic retaining ring.

8. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire retaining ring (10) is provided with felt rings or double-lip dustproof rings on both sides.

9. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The connecting hole (81) has a sedimentation ditch at one end near the interface (82).

10. The 360° rotatable connecting valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The groove of the connecting hole (81) is provided with a chamfered surface (813) that gradually narrows toward the hole groove (811); the end of the connecting shaft (110) is provided with an inclined surface that gradually expands toward the shaft groove (111).

Images