Chain Valve Container With Funneling Lip for Safe Chain Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain actuated valves pose safety hazards due to poorly stored chains, which can lead to accidents in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A secure container with a container body, peripheral funneling lip, and holding mechanism, along with a pole for maneuvering the container, is designed to safely store and manage chain loops, preventing tangling and ensuring secure attachment to the valve mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chains are stored loosely or improperly, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to tangling and accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The chain storage system is segmented into discrete container units, each capable of holding a complete chain loop. This segmentation allows chains to be stored in organized, isolated units rather than loose configurations, eliminating tangling while maintaining easy accessibility through individual container deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary between the chain and the storage environment. By introducing this intermediate structure, the chain is protected from direct contact with potentially hazardous surfaces or configurations, while the container itself provides a safe, organized storage medium that prevents accidents.
2Reliability
If chains are secured in fixed positions, then safety and reliability are improved, but mobility and ease of operation worsen due to restricted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates dynamic elements including removable lids and detachable chain loops that allow the system to transition between secure storage and active use states. The chain loop can be easily removed from the container when needed, providing mobility while maintaining security during storage through the container's structured design.
3Ease of manufacture
If container structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but functionality and reliability worsen due to insufficient chain retention
Solution Approach 1:
The container applies local quality by providing chain retention features only where necessary - specifically at the opening/perimeter areas where chains could escape or tangle. The bulk of the container structure can remain simple and unadorned, maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring reliability through targeted structural features at critical locations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for safely storing and managing a chain loop used in actuating industrial valves. The system includes a secure container configured to retain and organize the chain loop when not in active use. This container includes a unique triangular prism shape that efficiently utilizes space near the valve and includes an opening surrounded by a peripheral funneling lip to guide the chain loop smoothly back into the container. An interior chain retaining track within the container ensures that the chain is neatly coiled and prevents tangling. Additionally, the container is equipped with locking holes for securing the chain with a lock and a hooking bracket that allows for easy attachment and detachment from a nearby hook. This invention simplifies the operation of chain actuated valves and significantly enhances safety by preventing the chain from becoming a hazard in traffic areas. The system's method of use involves deploying and retracting the chain via a pole with a holding mechanism, making it accessible and efficient in industrial settings.