Clamp valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp valves for flexible hoses in beverage machines, such as coffee machines, face challenges in achieving precise flow control with a compact design, often resulting in unreliable end position detection and potential self-locking issues with spindle drives.
Innovation Solution
A clamping valve design featuring an eccentric wheel with internal teeth meshing with external teeth on a motor drive shaft, allowing for high actuating forces and precise movements, utilizing a stepper motor for controlled rotation and an eccentric contour with varying gradients for adjustable clamping forces and accuracy, eliminating the need for complex sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spindle drive is used for the clamping valve, then the actuating force can be generated, but self-locking occurs at end position which cannot be released by motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spindle drive mechanism with a direct motor drive system. The motor shaft is directly connected to the clamping element without intermediate spindle components, eliminating the self-locking issue inherent in spindle mechanisms while maintaining the ability to generate sufficient actuating force for clamping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the spindle component from the drive system entirely. By extracting the problematic spindle mechanism and replacing it with a direct motor drive, the system eliminates the source of self-locking while preserving the essential function of generating clamping force.
2Force
If a spindle drive with spindle nut and axial bearing is used, then actuating force can be generated, but the components become over-dimensionally loaded at end position requiring robust design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the spindle nut and axial bearing components by removing the entire spindle mechanism. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the drive system while avoiding the over-dimensional loading problems that occur with spindle-based actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the complex spindle drive system with a simpler direct motor drive. This replacement eliminates the need for spindle nuts and axial bearings, reducing component count and simplifying the overall mechanical design while maintaining actuating capability.
3Force
If linear motors with spindle drive are used for clamping valves, then actuating force is achieved, but end position detection becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spindle-based mechanical position indication system with a direct motor drive system. This substitution enables more reliable end position detection since the motor's rotational position can be directly correlated with clamping element position without the complications of spindle nut engagement and mechanical play.
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
Enables precise and reliable flow control with robust construction, avoiding self-locking and overloading issues, while simplifying sensor requirements and ensuring accurate positioning in beverage machines.
Implementation Method 1
an eccentric wheel (2) which, depending on the rotational position, actuates a clamping element (3) to different extents, i.e. displaces it linearly and presses it against the flexible hose to different extents
Implementation Method 2
a transmission, in particular a gear, is provided between the drive shaft and the axis of rotation, the eccentric wheel (2) having, for example, an internal toothing (6) to implement a transmission which meshes with an external toothing arranged on the drive shaft of the motor (4, 4')
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The clamp valve (1) has a cam gear (2) which is actuated to different extents to different degrees clamped against the flexible hose based on the rotational position of a clamping element (3). The motors (4,4') drive the cam gear. An internal gear (6) is arranged between the drive shaft of the motors and rotation axis (5) of the cam gear so that the drive shaft of the motor is rotatably offset to the rotation axis of the cam gear.