Ball Valve Control Handle with Integrated Spanner Tool
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid conveyance and distribution systems face challenges in accessing and manipulating ring nut connections due to limited space, making it difficult to efficiently assemble, dismantle, and maintain valves, especially in industrial and military settings where space is restricted.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conveying device with a housing and control handle featuring a detachable and snap-connection mechanism, incorporating a ring-nut spanner tool housed within the control handle that can expand for easier access and manipulation, allowing the control handle to be used as a tool for tightening and loosening ring nuts, facilitating rapid assembly and disassembly in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control handle is permanently fixed to the valve body, then the valve structure is simple and stable, but the control handle obstructs access to the ring nut connection portions
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle is divided into two separate components: the handle itself and the integrated spanner tool. The spanner tool can be detached from the handle, allowing the handle to remain mounted on the valve body for operation while the spanner tool can be removed for accessing the ring nut connection portions. This segmentation resolves the obstruction problem without requiring complete disassembly of the control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control handle is designed with multi-functionality by integrating a spanner tool that serves dual purposes: it functions as a control handle for valve operation and as a tightening/loosening tool for the ring nut connection portions. This eliminates the need for separate tools and reduces the number of components while improving accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the ring nut connection portions are made accessible by removing the control handle, then access to connection portions is improved, but the unmounting and remounting operations become time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle assembly is segmented into the handle body and the integrated spanner tool, allowing the spanner tool to be independently removed while the handle remains mounted. This enables access to the ring nut connection portions without requiring complete removal of the control handle, significantly reducing the time and complexity of maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the spanner tool and the handle is designed to be dynamically adjustable - the spanner tool can be quickly attached to or detached from the handle as needed. This dynamic configuration allows operators to have the spanner tool available when needed for tightening or loosening operations, and to store it in the handle when not needed, providing flexibility without permanent obstruction.
3Ease of operation
If a separate spanner tool is provided for tightening ring nuts, then the ring nut manipulation is facilitated, but the device requires additional tools and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spanner tool is merged with the control handle to form an integrated multi-functional assembly. The spanner tool is housed within or attached to the control handle, combining the functions of valve control and connection tightening/loosening into a single device. This eliminates the need for separate tools and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation for both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control handle assembly is designed as a universal tool that performs multiple functions: it controls the valve operation and simultaneously serves as a spanner tool for tightening and loosening the ring nut connection portions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate tools needed and simplifies the overall device while improving operational ease.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A ball valve (1) comprises a valve body (2) with connection portions (7), one or more threaded ring-nuts (9) screwable to the connection portions (7) to connect them, a control handle (4) and a ring-nut spanner tool (36) suitable for engaging the ring-nut (9) to screw and unscrew the ring-nuts (9) from the connection portions (7), wherein the ring-nut spanner tool (36) is housed in a rest position in the control handle (4) and can be moved from the rest position to a working position outside the control handle (4), and wherein in the working position the ring-nut spanner tool (36) can engage the ring-nut (9).