Gas Valve Tactile Feedback Device with External Segmented Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas valves with tactile feedback mechanisms often require complex assembly and additional securing means, leading to increased costs and part count, especially when the tactile feedback device is integrated within the valve body.

Innovation Solution

A gas valve design featuring a tactile feedback device with a fixed portion attached to the valve body and a rotating portion integrated with the shaft, allowing for a compact and cost-effective assembly by eliminating the need for additional securing mechanisms, as the rotating portion is secured to the shaft during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tactile feedback device is integrated inside the valve body, then the tactile feedback function is achieved, but the assembly complexity and part count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile feedback functionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile feedback device is extracted from the valve body and positioned externally. The rotating portion is mounted on the shaft extending from the valve body, while the fixed portion is mounted on the valve body exterior. This separation eliminates the need for complex internal integration while maintaining the tactile feedback function through the interaction between the rotating and fixed portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tactile feedback device is divided into two independent portions: a rotating portion coupled to the shaft and a fixed portion coupled to the valve body. Each portion can be manufactured and assembled separately, then mounted onto their respective mounting portions, significantly simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing part count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If additional securing means are added to fix the tactile feedback device, then the device stability improves, but the manufacturing cost and part count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting portions are merged with the existing valve body and shaft structures. The fixed portion is mounted directly on the valve body using its mounting portion, while the rotating portion is mounted on the shaft using its mounting portion. This integration utilizes existing structural elements, eliminating the need for additional securing means while maintaining device stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the tactile feedback device is integrated within the valve body, then the compactness is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile feedback device is extracted from the valve body interior and positioned externally. The rotating portion extends from the shaft outside the valve body, and the fixed portion is mounted on the exterior of the valve body. This external positioning maintains compact overall dimensions while dramatically simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3438542B1Gas valve comprising a tactile feedback device, and cooking appliance comprising said gas valve
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 COPRECI S COOP
  • EP3438542B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3438542B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP3438542B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~4d

AI summary

Gas valve comprising a tactile feedback device, the valve (100) comprising a valve body (110) and an axially movable rotating shaft (120) coupled to said valve body (110), the gas flow in the valve (100) being changed by means of the rotation of the shaft (120), and the tactile feedback device (200) comprising a fixed portion and a rotating portion rotating integrally with the shaft (120), one portion comprising at least one follower (10a) arranged radially with respect to the shaft (120) and the other portion comprising at least one circular guide section (20a) which comprises a plurality of contiguous housings (21) and guides the follower (10a) during rotation of the shaft (120). The fixed portion comprises a base (30) fixed to the valve body (110) and the rotating portion comprises a support (40) fixed to the shaft (120) of the valve (100).