Coating Valve Profile for Single-Tool Mounting and Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating product application systems face challenges in efficiently assembling and disassembling valves due to complex access conditions, requiring multiple tools and increasing the risk of valve drops during manipulation.

Innovation Solution

A valve design with protruding or hollow forms on its peripheral portion, configured to cooperate with a dedicated tool, allowing for rotational movement and secure attachment, enabling both assembly and disassembly with a single tool and reducing the risk of the valve falling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple tools are used for assembly and disassembly, then the valve can be manipulated in complex access conditions, but the handling time increases and the risk of valve drops increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidhandling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single multi-functional tool that can perform both assembly and disassembly operations. The tool includes a bore with flat peripheral surfaces for engaging the valve's flat surfaces during screwing operations, and a radial withdrawal groove with an elastic element that provides bayonet-style engagement for secure attachment and extraction. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools, reducing handling time while maintaining ease of operation in complex access conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple tools are used for assembly and disassembly, then the valve can be manipulated in complex access conditions, but the number of tools needed increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidnumber of tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single multi-functional tool that can perform both assembly and disassembly operations. The tool includes a bore with flat peripheral surfaces for engaging the valve's flat surfaces during screwing operations, and a radial withdrawal groove with an elastic element that provides bayonet-style engagement for secure attachment and extraction. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools, reducing handling time while maintaining ease of operation in complex access conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the valve is manipulated without secure attachment, then the manipulation is simpler, but the risk of valve drops increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidrisk of valve drops
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by designing the tool with a radial withdrawal groove and elastic element that creates a secure bayonet-style engagement before manipulation begins. The elastic element exerts an axial elastic force that maintains firm contact between the tool and valve, preventing accidental drops during assembly or disassembly operations in difficult access conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3785802B1Valve, system for applying a coating product comprising such a valve and dedicated installation and removal tool
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 EXEL INDUSTRIES
  • EP3785802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3785802B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This valve (4) for a coating product application system (2) has protruding or recessed features on a peripheral portion, configured to cooperate with protruding or recessed features of a dedicated mounting and dismounting tool (52). These protruding or recessed features of the valve are configured to transmit a rotational motion (R1, R2) to the valve (4) and to become fixed to the tool (52). The protruding or recessed features of the valve include a first peripheral profile (542) having at least one flat surface (542A), and a second peripheral profile (544) located behind the first profile (542) relative to an external end (546) of the valve (4).The second profile (544) has at least one first flat surface (544A) aligned with the flat surface (542A) of the first profile (542) and at least one second flat surface (544B) offset angularly with respect to the flat surface (542A) of the first profile (542) so that the second flat surface (544B) of the second profile (544) forms a shoulder (545) with respect to the first profile (542).