Bistable Valve Actuation With Adjustable Open-Position Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve actuating devices lack the ability to adjust the open position of the bistable mechanism effectively, leading to limitations in flow rate adjustment and user-friendly operation, particularly in applications with varying temperature requirements.
Innovation Solution
A valve actuating device with a rotary adjustment part that allows for separate adjustment of the bistable mechanism's open position, enabling independent movement of the manual control element and adjustment part, which can be rotated relative to the manual control element, allowing for adjustable stop positions and flow rate settings without altering the spatial orientation of the manual control element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the manual control element is equipped with an additional degree of freedom to adjust the open position, then the flow rate adjustment capability is improved, but the spatial orientation of the hand control element changes which may make labels illegible
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment function is segmented into a separate rotational adjustment element independent of the manual control element's linear movement. This allows the hand control element to maintain its fixed spatial orientation and label legibility while the adjustment element provides flow rate adjustment through rotation about the actuation direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting element is designed as a sleeve that surrounds the hand control element, with the adjustment mechanism nested within the housing. This nested configuration allows the adjusting element to rotate independently without altering the orientation of the outer hand control element, maintaining label legibility while providing adjustment capability.
2Device complexity
If the adjusting element is integrated with the hand control element, then the device complexity is reduced, but accidental adjustments may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism employs a dynamic locking system with detent positions and a locking element that can engage or disengage based on intentional user action. This dynamic design prevents accidental adjustments while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure, as the locking mechanism only adds minimal components rather than complex separate systems.
3Volume of moving object
If the adjusting element is designed as a sleeve surrounding the hand control element, then space is saved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve-shaped adjusting element is designed to rotate about the same actuation direction axis as the hand control element's linear movement. This equipotential alignment of movement directions allows the use of standard tolerances and simpler manufacturing processes, as the rotational and linear movements share a common reference axis, reducing the need for high-precision complex positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a valve actuating device (1), in which a bistable mechanism (13), by which an auxiliary valve (7) of a pressure-actuatable main valve (2) can be controlled, is set up in such a way that at least one stop point for an open position of the main valve (2) can be adjusted by a rotational movement of a valve element (10) in order to adjust a manual operating element (11) for the auxiliary valve (7).