Flow Control Switch Knob Stop Structure Against Unintended Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow control switches often inadvertently stop gas or liquid supply when subjected to unexpected forces, causing unnecessary damage to downstream equipment due to the inability to limit rotation effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a position-limiting structure with grooves on the tubular body and a detachable position-limiting element on the knob structure to limit the rotation of the rotatable element, preventing unintended closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the knob structure is made rotatable to control flow, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unexpected rotation causing forced stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the position-limiting element detachable and replaceable. The position-limiting element can be removed and reinstalled at different position-limiting grooves to change the rotation limit angle, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to different operational requirements while maintaining protection against unexpected rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of rotation limit angle by providing multiple position-limiting grooves at different angular positions. By selecting different grooves for the position-limiting element, the maximum rotation angle can be adjusted to balance ease of operation with protection against unintended closure
2Device complexity
If no position-limiting structure is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to unexpected force causing forced stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protection function into a separate detachable position-limiting element that can be independently installed or removed. This element works with the position-limiting grooves on the knob structure to prevent rotation beyond safe limits, protecting downstream equipment without requiring complex integrated safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The position-limiting element acts as an intermediary component between the user's rotation action and the flow control function. It mediates by physically blocking rotation at predetermined angles, preventing the transmission of unexpected forces to the flow control mechanism while maintaining normal operational flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a flow control switch including a pipeline structure, a rotating structure, a position-limiting structure and a knob structure. The pipeline structure includes a tubular body and a ball body rotatably disposed in the tubular body. The rotating structure includes a rotatable element connected to the ball body for driving the ball body to rotate. The position-limiting structure is disposed on the tubular body. The knob structure is liftably disposed on the rotating structure for cooperating with the rotatable element. The position-limiting structure has a first and a second position-limiting groove. The knob structure includes a knob body liftably disposed on the rotatable element and a position-limiting element detachably disposed on the knob body. The position-limiting element is optionally disposed in one of the first and the second position-limiting groove, so as to limit a rotation of the rotatable element relative to the position-limiting structure.