Compact Gas Valve Device with Conical Control Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas valve devices for appliances like ovens are not compact enough and require complex assembly, with existing solutions failing to simplify the design while ensuring reliable operation, especially for temperature-controlled and non-regulated burners.

Innovation Solution

A gas valve device with a conical control valve body and seat, integrated thermostat drive, and a bypass system that allows for adjustable gas flow, enabling compact design and simplified assembly, with a rotary shaft and manual handle for temperature control, and a shut-off valve for safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If existing gas valve device designs are used, then the device can control gas flow to burners, but the device is not compact enough and requires complex assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas valve device sizeVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the control valve, bypass device, and shut-off valve into a single compact housing unit. The control valve body and bypass device share common components and gas passages, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining functional independence. This merging of previously separate components into one integrated assembly directly addresses the contradiction by achieving compactness without sacrificing controllability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve body serves multiple functions: it controls the main gas flow to the burner, provides a seat for the bypass device, and integrates with the shut-off valve mechanism. The single housing accommodates all control functions for both regulated and non-regulated burners, eliminating the need for separate devices and simplifying assembly while reducing space requirements.

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

2Volume of moving object

If a compact gas valve device is designed, then space is saved, but assembly and operation may become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas valve device sizeVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

While the overall device is compact, the patent maintains functional segmentation through distinct valves (control valve, bypass device, shut-off valve) with separate adjustment mechanisms. Each component retains its own adjustment knob and control interface, allowing independent operation and simplifying assembly by enabling modular installation of individual functional units within the compact housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a common gas passage system that acts as an intermediary, efficiently routing gas between the control valve, bypass device, and burners within the compact housing. This well-designed gas distribution network facilitates easy connection and assembly by providing standardized interfaces and clear flow paths, reducing the complexity of installation despite the compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the control valve is integrated with the bypass device, then the design is simplified, but reliable operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign complexityVSAvoidoperation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing dedicated control mechanisms for different functional requirements within the integrated design. The control valve has its own adjustment mechanism for regulated burners, while the bypass device has separate adjustment controls for non-regulated burners. Each valve maintains its own sealing surfaces and control interfaces, ensuring that the integration does not compromise the reliability of individual control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated design incorporates independent adjustment capabilities that allow dynamic control of gas flow to different burners. The control valve can be adjusted independently from the bypass device, and both can operate simultaneously or independently based on operational requirements. This dynamic control capability ensures reliable operation while maintaining design simplicity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution results in a compact, space-saving gas valve device that simplifies assembly and operation, maintains burner stability with adjustable power levels, and ensures safety through automatic shut-off, enhancing the overall efficiency and usability of gas appliances.

Implementation Method 1

The thermostat drive (34) can have an expansion body (35), in particular designed in the manner of a double drum or a flat drum, with which a liquid or a gas can expand or contract in a temperature-dependent manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The control valve body (64) and the control valve seat (65) are of conical design and advantageously fit into one another during operation, to be precise largely gas-tight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConical geometry sealing: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2993402B1Gas valve device for a gas appliance and gas appliance
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 E G O ELEKTRO GERAETEBAU GMBH
  • EP2993402B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2993402B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A gas valve assembly (20) for a gas oven (11) with a temperature-controlled first gas burner (15) comprises a gas valve housing with a control valve (49) and a control valve (63), as well as a thermostatic actuator (34) for the control valve for variably adjusting a controlled gas flow to the first gas burner (15) according to a predetermined temperature. The thermostatic actuator (34) has a manual handle with a rotary shaft (30) for control and temperature setting. The control valve for a second gas burner (17) has a control valve body (64) and a control valve seat (65), which are conically shaped, with the control valve body being non-rotatably connected to the rotary shaft (30). The control valve (49) is centrally arranged in the control valve body (64) with a control valve seat (65) formed in the control valve body and a movable control valve body (64), wherein the control valve body (64) is connected to the thermostat actuator (34) for adjustment.