Combination Valve Piston Rod Layout for Low-Force Handle Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combination valves require significant force to turn the handle when the valve element is out of contact with the valve seat, and their structures are complex due to the need for air pressure reduction components.
Innovation Solution
A combination valve design featuring a pilot system that automatically brings the valve element into or out of contact with the valve seat using air pressure, and a manual system that holds the valve element in contact with the seat, with a piston rod that moves independently of the air pressure, allowing the handle to be turned with minimal force without additional flow passages or components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle is turned while the valve element is out of contact with the valve seat, then the valve can be operated, but the air pressure acting on the piston acts on the screw part through the piston rod requiring strong force to turn
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod is divided into two functional sections: an upper section that can move independently relative to the piston when the valve element is separated from the valve seat, and a lower section that remains connected to transmit force when the valve element is in contact. This segmentation allows the air pressure force to act on the piston without being transmitted to the screw part during handle operation, reducing the force required to turn the handle.
2Ease of operation
If operation air is discharged from the pressure chamber to reduce inner pressure for easier handle operation, then the force to turn the handle is reduced, but the structure becomes complicated with additional flow passages and components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the need for additional flow passages and discharge components by utilizing the existing piston rod structure. Instead of adding a separate system to discharge operation air, the solution modifies the piston rod to allow direct movement independent of the piston, thereby eliminating the harmful air pressure transmission without requiring any additional components or passages.
3Reliability
If the piston rod is fixed to transmit air pressure force to the valve element, then the valve element can be reliably brought into contact with the valve seat, but the handle requires strong force to turn when the valve element is out of contact
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the piston rod and the piston is made dynamic rather than fixed. The piston rod is designed to be movable relative to the piston when the valve element is separated from the valve seat, allowing independent movement during handle operation. When the valve element needs to contact the valve seat, the piston rod transmits the air pressure force reliably. This dynamic connection adapts to different operational states, ensuring both reliability and ease of operation.
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 the handle to be turned with a small force through a simple structure while maintaining the valve element's contact with the valve seat, reducing the complexity and force required for operation.
Implementation Method 1
a screw part configured to move the manual stem in an axial direction according to with turning of the handle
Implementation Method 2
the piston pushed by the operation air is caused to move in the seating direction by the urging force of a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A combination valve includes a valve seat, a diaphragm valve element, a pilot system to automatically bring the diaphragm valve element into or out of contact with the valve seat by use of air pressure, and a manual system to hold the diaphragm valve element in contact with the valve seat even while air pressure is supplied. In the combination valve, a piston rod is provided such that, when the handle is turned to move the manual stem in a seating direction while the diaphragm valve element and the valve seat are separated from each other, the piston rod moves in the seating direction relative to a first piston and a second piston that are pushed by the air pressure in a separating direction.