Ball Valve Insert Locking for Linear Heating Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valves in heating or cooling systems do not provide a linear relationship between the supplied medium and the released heat or cold, as the heat or cold release is non-linearly dependent on the medium supplied, requiring an adaptive characteristic to achieve desired linearity.
Innovation Solution
The ball valve incorporates an insert with axially extending teeth that form grooves in the insert when pressed into the housing, allowing for simple and secure locking against rotation, ensuring precise positioning without strict angular tolerances, and featuring a cylindrical configuration for effective control and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insert is fixed using traditional methods (screwing or groove connection with locking ring), then the insert can be securely mounted in the valve housing, but the mounting process becomes complex and requires precise angular tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The housing part is segmented with axially extending teeth that engage with the insert, dividing the locking function into discrete engagement points rather than requiring a continuous complex connection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The insert automatically locks into position through the tooth engagement mechanism during the pressing operation, eliminating the need for separate locking rings or complex fastening procedures - the system locks itself through the inherent tooth-insert geometry
2Reliability
If traditional fixing methods with projections or tongue and groove connections are used, then the insert can be locked against rotation, but narrow tolerances are required for angular position
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using protrusions that require precise fitting into grooves, the solution uses recessed teeth in the housing that actively engage with the insert material, inverting the traditional approach and eliminating tight tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism changes from a geometry-dependent precision fit to a material-dependent deformation fit, where the insert material deforms to lock onto the teeth, transforming the critical parameter from angular position to material properties and pressing force
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures a linear relationship between valve position and heat or cold release, providing a laterally reversed characteristic that matches the system's requirements, enhancing control and stability of the medium flow.
Implementation Method 1
the teeth form grooves in the material of the insert
Implementation Method 2
The legs, which are slightly resilient, jump out behind the axial wall of the recess when the insert is pressed into position
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve (10), in particular for controlling the amount of medium supplied to a heating or cooling system, is adapted such that the characteristic of the valve may be determined so that it may be adapted to its use in the heating or cooling system. The ball valve consists of a housing having a ball valve body (4) which is rotatable in two cups (3, 5) of a corresponding ball shape. An insert (7) is arranged at the discharge side of the housing, said insert having a concave ball face which corresponds to that of the ball valve, and which is provided with a slot or recess (10) which, together with the through bore of the ball, defines the outlet opening of the valve. A desired characteristic of the valve may be provided by imparting a suitable shape to the slot (10). The insert is fixed in a holder (6) in the valve housing by means of axially extending teeth (13) in the face of the housing which receives the insert. The teeth generate grooves in the cylindrical contact face of the insert when the insert (7) is pressed into position, whereby it is fixed securely in the circumferential direction. It may be secured in the axial direction by means of rearwardly directed resilient legs (11) which, when the insert is inserted, jump in on the rear side of a recess in the holder. This results in a simple and secure fixing of the insert.