Gas Valve Knob Pin Indicator for Reliable On-Off Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users may mistakenly determine the on or off status of a gas valve due to the switch knob being overly rotated or in a dark environment, leading to potential accidental gas release and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
An indicator structure comprising a knob with a through hole and a pin that protrudes differently based on the valve's position, allowing users to easily identify the turn-on or turn-off status through visual or tactile means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple switch knob is used without additional indicators, then the device complexity is low, but the user cannot reliably determine the gas valve status in dark environments or when overly rotated
Solution Approach 1:
A pin is introduced as an intermediary indicator element that translates the rotational position of the valve into a visible protrusion state. The pin acts as a mediator between the valve mechanism and the user, providing reliable status information without requiring the user to directly observe the valve position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for users to visually inspect marks on the switch knob with a mechanical indication system. The pin's protrusion and retraction provide tactile and visual feedback, substituting the mechanical observation of knob position with a more reliable mechanical indicator system.
2Ease of operation
If the switch knob is made larger or more prominent to improve visibility, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases and the overall structure becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator function is segmented from the main valve body and implemented through a separate pin mechanism. This allows the valve operation to remain simple while the indicator provides additional information, separating the control function from the indication function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin serves multiple functions: it indicates the valve status through its protrusion state and also provides tactile feedback to users. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation without requiring separate components for each function.
3Loss of information
If marks are added to the switch knob to indicate status, then the information provision improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase and the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than marking the knob directly, the patent uses a pin as an intermediary that provides status information. This approach transfers the information provision function from the knob surface to a separate mechanical indicator, simplifying knob manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual marks on the knob with a mechanical pin indicator system. This substitution eliminates the need for precise marking operations during manufacturing while providing more reliable status information.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas valve includes a body, a knob and a pin. The pin is connected to the knob and contacts the body. When the knob is rotated to drive the valve between a turn-off position and a turn-off position. The knob and the valve are threadedly co-rotated to change the distance of the knob relative to the body. When the knob and the valve are rotated to the turn-off position, the pin protrudes beyond the through hole. When the knob and the valve are rotated to the turn-on position, the pin does not protrude beyond the through hole. The users are acknowledged the gas valve is turned off or turned on by the position of the pin.