Clamped Valve Housing Assembly for Compact Valve Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve housing assemblies for gardening or irrigation systems are labor-intensive to mount and remove due to limited space, multiple components, and the lack of a cover, leading to contamination and increased footprint, with existing solutions not effectively addressing these issues.
Innovation Solution
A valve housing assembly with a housing that includes a clamping mechanism allowing for easy mounting and removal of the valve, featuring a pivotally coupled clamping member that can adjust to secure the valve in place and provide a self-sealing arrangement, along with a cover to prevent contamination, utilizing a hinge mechanism and snap-fit design for efficient assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve shaft is made large to provide adequate access to the valve, then the ease of operation is improved, but the volume of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a shaft portion and a bonnet portion that can be separated from each other. The valve can be accessed by removing the bonnet portion, which provides adequate access without requiring a large overall housing volume. This segmentation allows compact packaging while maintaining ease of valve access during operation and maintenance.
2Reliability
If multiple mounting components and coupling components are used to secure the valve, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting components and coupling components are merged into an integrated clamping mechanism. The clamping members simultaneously perform the functions of mounting the valve body to the shaft and coupling the housing to the valve, eliminating the need for separate mounting and coupling components. This integration maintains connection reliability while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping members are designed to perform multiple functions: they clamp the valve body to the shaft, provide sealing surfaces, and enable easy release when actuated. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable connections throughout the operational lifecycle.
3Ease of operation
If the housing includes openings for access, then the ease of operation is improved, but foreign materials can enter and cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The bonnet portion is designed to be removable as a preliminary action to provide access for maintenance. This allows the valve to be accessed and serviced without creating permanent openings that would allow foreign material entry. The removable bonnet provides access when needed while maintaining protection during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonnet portion acts as a flexible protective enclosure that can be removed for access and reinstalled to seal the housing. This flexible shell approach provides protection against foreign material contamination while allowing access for maintenance operations when required.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is added to enclose the valve, then protection from contamination is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover (bonnet) is segmented into a removable portion that can be easily detached for maintenance access. This segmentation maintains protection from contamination during normal operation while enabling easy access to the valve for maintenance activities by simply removing the bonnet portion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve housing assembly (100) includes a housing (102) having a housing inlet (302) and a housing outlet (304). The housing outlet (304) also includes at least one valve seat (312) provided therein. The valve housing assembly (100) also includes a valve (314) adapted to be mounted on the at least one valve seat (312). The valve (314) includes a valve inlet (316) and a valve outlet (318). Each of the valve inlet (316) and the valve outlet (318) is adapted to align with and contact the housing inlet (302) and the housing outlet (304) respectively in a mounted position of the valve (314) on the at least one valve seat (312). The valve housing assembly (100) further includes at least one clamping member (402, 404) adapted to slidably receive the valve (314) such that the valve (314) is removably coupled with the housing (102).