Ballcock Magnet Protection via Segmented Mounting Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metallic balls for ballcocks are prone to magnet damage due to inadequate protection and have complex, strength-decreasing fabrication processes.
Innovation Solution
A metallic ball design featuring a cylindrical sliding sleeve, a spherical shell with a reinforcing disk, and a mounting bracket that completely covers the magnet, made of magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, or plastic, facilitating easy assembly and protection of the magnet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the magnet is not completely covered by the mounting bracket, then the fabrication is simpler, but the magnet is prone to damage and interaction with magnetic switches is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is divided into two distinct parts: a clamping portion that secures the sliding sleeve and a covering portion that protects the magnet. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the clamping portion provides secure attachment while the covering portion ensures complete magnet protection and enhanced magnetic switch interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering portion of the mounting bracket acts as an intermediary structure between the magnet and the external environment. It completely encloses the magnet while incorporating a through-hole that allows magnetic field interaction with the magnetic switch, thus protecting the magnet from damage while maintaining functional interaction.
2Strength
If the mounting bracket is clamped, welded or riveted on the sliding sleeve, then the magnet is secured, but the fabrication becomes difficult and the strength of the sliding sleeve decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical connection methods (clamping, welding, riveting) with a snap-fit elastic connection system. The elastic element is inserted through the sliding sleeve and engages with the mounting bracket, providing secure attachment without requiring complex fabrication processes or compromising the sliding sleeve's structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter. The elastic element is designed to be inserted in an uncompressed state and then expands to engage with the mounting bracket, creating a secure connection through controlled elastic expansion rather than permanent mechanical fastening.
3Reliability
If the magnet is not completely covered, then the mounting bracket structure is simpler, but the interaction between magnet and magnetic switches is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket exhibits local quality differentiation: the clamping portion has a simpler structure optimized for securing the sliding sleeve, while the covering portion is designed with specific geometric features (through-hole, enclosure) optimized for magnet protection and magnetic field interaction. Each local region of the bracket is optimized for its specific function.
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
The design effectively protects the magnet from damage and simplifies fabrication while maintaining the strength of the sliding sleeve, enhancing the interaction with magnetic switches.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet (55) is mounted around the sliding sleeve (52), is clamped between the annular flanges (530) (530′) of each mounting bracket (53)(53′), is held by the lip (533′) and toggles the corresponding magnetic switch (610) in the top end or the bottom end of the standpipe (61) when the magnet (55) aligns with the switch (610).
Data Source
AI summary
A metallic ball has a sliding sleeve, a shell, at least one magnet and a mounting bracket. The sliding sleeve has an open upper end, an open lower end and an outer surface. The shell is spherical, is mounted securely around the sliding sleeve between the open upper end and the open lower end of the sliding sleeve and has a reinforcing disk mounted around the outer surface of the sliding sleeve and has a top surface and may have a protruding portion. The magnet is on the top surface of the reinforcing disk. The mounting bracket is mounted around the sliding sleeve and on the top surface of the reinforcing disk to cover the magnet and has a wall extending toward and engaging the reinforcing disk and completely covering the magnet to effectively avoid the magnet being broken or damaged.