Actuator Spacer Kit for Valve Stem Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator assemblies face challenges in accommodating various valve configurations without requiring special tooling or disassembly, and they struggle to maintain a consistent stem length and robust engagement with different valve strokes.
Innovation Solution
The actuator assembly incorporates a housing with a gear train, motor, and circuit board, featuring a spindle that rotates within an output nut, allowing for linear motion and utilizing a spacer kit with flexible ribs for snap-fit engagement with the valve stem, enabling easy assembly and adaptation to various valve configurations without the need for special tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single actuator assembly design is used, then manufacturing costs and time are reduced, but the ability to accommodate various valve configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly is segmented into modular components, with the spacer kit serving as interchangeable segments that can be selected and installed based on the specific valve configuration requirements. This allows a single base actuator design to be adapted to multiple valve types without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer kit enables the single actuator assembly to perform multiple functions by accommodating different valve stroke lengths and configurations. The universal design of the spacer interface allows the same actuator to work with various valve bodies, achieving multi-functionality without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If special tooling is used for different valve configurations, then precise engagement is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer kit is designed to be self-installing through snap-fit engagement mechanisms that do not require special tooling. The flexible ribs with snap-fit features enable precise engagement to be achieved through the inherent design of the components themselves, eliminating the need for external specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary component between the actuator output and the valve stem, providing precise engagement through its designed interface. This intermediary element absorbs the variability in valve configurations while maintaining consistent, precise connection to the actuator.
3Manufacturing precision
If disassembly is required for spacer installation, then proper fit is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are pre-configured with flexible ribs and snap-fit features that enable direct installation without requiring disassembly of the actuator assembly. The preliminary design of the snap-fit mechanism ensures proper fit is achieved during installation itself, eliminating the need for prior disassembly steps.
4Device complexity
If a fixed stem length is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different valve strokes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly transitions from a fixed stem length design to a dynamic configuration where the spacer length can be selected and changed based on the specific valve stroke requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the same basic structure to serve multiple applications with different stroke lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer kit provides different spacer lengths that change the effective stem length parameter of the actuator assembly. By selecting appropriate spacers from the kit, the actuator can be adapted to match various valve stroke parameters without modifying the fundamental structure of the actuator itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
An actuator that includes a housing, an output gear disposed within the housing, a spindle connected to the output gear, an output nut connected to the spindle such that the spindle is rotatable within the output nut to enable linear motion of the output nut. The output nut includes a connector. A spacer is selectively coupled to the connector of the output nut.