Electronic Control Unit for Frost-Resistant Outlet Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frost-proof outlet fittings are inconvenient to handle and lack effective protection against frost damage and water theft, as they often require manual operation and lack secure access control.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electronic control unit with an actuator and user interface that automatically controls the valve position, includes access authorization checking, and provides features for secure operation and usage management, such as access rights and fluid quantity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of the valve is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation is reduced and security against water theft is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with an electronic control system. The electronic control unit receives control signals and automatically actuates the valve body, eliminating the need for manual handling while providing enhanced security features and operational control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is designed to automatically respond to control signals without requiring manual intervention. The electronic control unit autonomously manages valve positioning and operation, enabling the system to serve itself and providing features like usage monitoring and security protection against water theft.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the intermediate spindle and intermediate tube are made long to achieve thermal insulation, then the frost protection is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to greater dead volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive thermal insulation through extended mechanical components with active electronic control. The electronic control unit monitors valve position and operates the valve to prevent water stagnation, thereby preventing frost damage without requiring long intermediate spindles that would increase dead volume and substance loss.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If automatic drain function is implemented, then the frost protection is improved, but the reliability decreases when pressurized components are connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the automatic mechanical drain function with an electronically controlled valve system. The electronic control unit actively manages valve positioning based on control signals, providing reliable operation even when pressurized components like garden hoses or irrigation equipment are connected, while maintaining frost protection capabilities.
4Reliability
If key locks are used to prevent water theft, then the security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to risk of losing keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical key locks with an electronic control system. The electronic control unit responds to control signals for authorized operation, eliminating physical keys and their associated risks of loss or theft. This provides both security through controlled access and ease of operation through signal-based activation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a frost-proof outlet fitting comprising a valve housing (10) forming a valve seat (26), an outlet housing (30), and an intermediate spindle (50) positioning a valve body (52) relative to the valve seat (26). The intermediate spindle is housed in an intermediate tube (80) connecting the outlet housing (30) to the valve housing (10). To improve handling and protection against frost damage, the outlet fitting according to the invention includes an electronic control unit (94) that monitors the position of the valve body (52).