Ball Valve with Integrated Rotation Stop to Reduce Assembly Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valves in refrigerant circuits of air-conditioning systems require numerous complex parts, leading to increased assembly effort, higher costs, and susceptibility to faults, with external stop mechanisms occupying space and requiring additional assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve design with a mechanical rotation stop integrated within the housing, using a stop geometry and lugs on the valve stem to limit rotation, eliminating the need for external components and simplifying assembly, and utilizing a sliding sleeve fastened by crimping and self-locking rings for sealing and mounting, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external stop mechanisms (stop disc and stop elements) are used to limit valve stem rotation, then rotation limitation is achieved, but device complexity increases and assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the stop mechanism directly into the housing structure by forming stop elements as integral parts of the housing bore. The stop disc is eliminated and its function is merged with the housing features, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining the rotation limitation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop disc is completely removed from the design. Only the essential stop elements are retained and integrated into the housing, extracting unnecessary components while preserving the core function of rotation limitation.
2Ease of operation
If external stop mechanisms are used, then rotation limitation is achieved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop elements are nested within the housing bore structure itself. The stop mechanism is contained within the existing housing volume rather than requiring external space, effectively nesting the limiting function within the housing geometry.
3Ease of manufacture
If bearing assembly is fastened with screw-on flange and multiple screws, then mounting is achieved, but assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw-on flange and multiple screws are completely removed from the bearing assembly mounting. The bearing assembly is directly press-fitted into the housing bore, extracting unnecessary fastening components and simplifying the mounting process to a single insertion operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple screws are used to fasten bearing assembly, then mounting security is achieved, but number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is merged into a single press-fit operation without separate fastening components. The bearing assembly itself serves as the mounting element through interference fit with the housing bore, eliminating the need for separate screws and flanges.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve having a housing with at least one fluid passage which connects at least one inlet to at least one outlet, a valve ball, which has a through-hole, arranged between valve ball sealing seat elements in the fluid passage, a valve stem which is coupled to the valve ball for transmitting torque, which, supported by a sliding sleeve, is received in a housing opening and is sealed with a sealing ring on the valve stem circumference, and a mechanical rotation stop which is formed to limit a rotational movement of the valve stem in the interior of the housing.