Curved Track Status Indicator for Fluid Taps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow control devices, such as taps and pressure reducers, lack a reliable and rapid status indication system that maintains accuracy after multiple actuations, often failing to clearly indicate the opening or closing status, especially for limited rotation angles.
Innovation Solution
A status indicator system featuring a sleeve-shaped support with an axially sliding indicator sleeve, a rotor with a curved track profile, and a track follower, allowing for precise angular adjustment and reliable indication of the device's status through a combination of straight, S-shaped, and extended track portions, enabling clear visibility of the opening or closing status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a linear thread engagement mechanism is used to convert rotation to translation, then the structure is simple, but the indication is not clear for limited rotation angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using an S-shaped curved track instead of a linear thread engagement. The curved profile includes a first straight portion, an S-shaped second portion, and a third straight portion, allowing the indicator sleeve to move rapidly over a short rotation range. This curved geometry transforms the rotational motion into a non-linear translational motion that provides clear status indication within limited rotation angles while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If the indicator sleeve position is linearly related to the rotation angle, then the mechanism is simple, but the indication changes slowly and is not rapid
Solution Approach 1:
The S-shaped curved track in the rotor creates a non-linear relationship between rotation angle and indicator sleeve position. The curved second portion is designed to produce rapid vertical movement of the track follower, which in turn causes the indicator sleeve to move quickly between its extreme positions. This allows the indication to change rapidly in response to small rotations of the actuating wheel, improving response speed without significantly increasing mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics by designing the curved track to produce varying movement speeds during rotation. The S-shaped profile causes the track follower to move slowly at the beginning and end of the rotation stroke, but rapidly through the middle portion. This dynamic movement pattern ensures that the indicator sleeve responds quickly to status changes while maintaining smooth operation throughout the full rotation range.
3Device complexity
If frictional engagement is used between the spindle and rotation ring, then the structure is simple, but the indication becomes unreliable after several actuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple engagement mechanisms into a unified system. The rotor is fixed to the spindle through both threaded engagement (providing precise rotational coupling) and frictional engagement between the actuating wheel and rotor (providing torque transmission). This combined approach ensures that the rotor reliably follows the spindle rotation while maintaining accurate positional relationship, preventing the indication from becoming unreliable after multiple actuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor acts as an intermediary element between the spindle and the indicator sleeve. It receives rotational motion from the spindle through fixed connection, processes this motion through the curved track mechanism, and transmits the transformed motion to the indicator sleeve. This intermediary role isolates the indicator mechanism from direct spindle friction issues, ensuring reliable indication even after several actuations.
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
Provides a rapid and reliable indication of the fluid flow control device's status, ensuring accurate operation even after multiple actuations, with the indicator being easily visible from any position around the device and adaptable to existing designs with precise angular adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor to be fixed to the spindle and comprising at its periphery a least one track with a curved profile; and at least one track follower extending radially from the indicator sleeve through a longitudinal slot in the support and engaging with the at least one track
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to an indicator (22) of the opening and/or closing status of a device controlling the flow of a fluid, such as a tap or a pressure reducer for compressed gas, comprising a sleeve-shaped support (24) to rotatably engage with a protruding portion (18) of a body of the device and from which an actuating spindle (20) extends along a longitudinal axis of said device; an indicator sleeve (26) axially sliding along the support (24); a rotor (28) to be fixed to the spindle (20) and comprising at its periphery a least one track (32) with a curved profile; and at least one track follower (30) extending radially from the indicator sleeve (26) through a longitudinal slot (242) in the support (24) and engaging with the at least one track (32).