Gas Valve Actuation Linkage With Spring Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas valve units with shutoff valves face issues where excessive force applied to the actuation pin can damage the magnetic unit, causing it to fail in holding the shutoff element open due to an increased air gap, impairing the function of the shutoff valve.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring in the connecting element that yields under high forces, allowing normal actuation forces to be transferred while ensuring the shutoff valve remains open, with a coil spring design that changes length under linear force, and a deflection apparatus to convert axial movement into axial movement at right angles, preventing damage and maintaining the shutoff element's open position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuation pin is pushed with great force to open the shutoff valve, then the shutoff element can be moved to the open position, but the shutoff element may change shape due to excessive force, causing the magnetic unit to fail in holding it open
Solution Approach 1:
A spring element is introduced into the connecting element to provide beforehand cushioning. The spring yields when excessive force is applied to the actuation pin, absorbing the excess force before it reaches the shutoff element. This prevents the shutoff element from changing shape while still allowing normal actuation forces to open the valve, thereby protecting the magnetic holding function.
2Productivity
If a rigid connecting element is used to transfer actuation force, then normal actuation forces are efficiently transferred to open the shutoff valve, but excessive forces are directly transmitted to the shutoff element causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element changes its mechanical parameter (stiffness) based on the applied force. The spring element provides a flexible connection under normal operating conditions, allowing efficient force transfer. When excessive force is applied, the spring compresses, changing the stiffness parameter to absorb the excess force and prevent damage to the shutoff element.
3Reliability
If the spring is designed to be soft to prevent damage, then excessive forces are absorbed, but normal actuation forces may not be sufficient to open the shutoff valve
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed with specific force characteristics that allow it to remain rigid under normal actuation forces (providing sufficient force transmission to open the valve) but yield under excessive forces (absorbing damaging loads). The spring constants are selected so that normal operating forces are transmitted efficiently while forces exceeding a predetermined threshold cause the spring to compress, limiting the maximum force reached by the shutoff element.
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 spring mechanism prevents damage to the shutoff valve components and ensures the shutoff valve remains open automatically, even under high forces, maintaining the valve's functionality and ensuring the magnetic unit can hold the shutoff element in the open position effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting element has at least one spring. When a particularly large force is applied to the connecting element, the spring yields, thereby preventing damage to components of the shutoff valve
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic force that can be generated with the magnetic unit is however not of sufficient size to move the shutoff element from its closed position to the open position
Implementation Method 3
The magnetic unit generally contains a wound coil, which is connected to a thermocouple disposed in the region of a gas burner. The electric voltage generated with the thermocouple brings about a current flow through the coil of the magnetic unit
Data Source
AI summary
A gas valve unit for setting a gas volume flow supplied to a gas burner of a gas appliance includes a valve housing, an actuation pin for setting an opening cross section of the gas valve unit, a shutoff valve, and a linearly displaceable connecting element for transferring a movement of the actuation pin to the shutoff valve. The connecting element has at least one spring which can be embodied as a compression spring or as a coil spring.