Hydraulic Gate Valve Hand Lever Friction Brake Positioning
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic slide valves struggle to maintain manually adjusted positions of the slide piston without automatic changes due to parasitic forces, requiring complex and space-consuming positioning devices.
Innovation Solution
A hand lever friction brake system that applies a uniform braking torque to the hand lever, allowing manual adjustment of the slide piston while preventing automatic movement due to vibrations or forces, with a ball catch for clear positioning and minimal space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a positioning device with friction brake is integrated into the valve structure, then the holding force is improved and positions are maintained reliably, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The friction brake is integrated directly into the hand lever assembly, merging the positioning function with the existing manual adjustment mechanism. The brake pad is mounted on the hand lever and acts directly on the valve stem, eliminating the need for separate positioning housings and reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand lever assembly serves multiple functions: manual adjustment of the valve stem position and automatic positioning/holding through the integrated friction brake. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated positioning components, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If a positioning device with friction brake is integrated into the valve structure, then the holding force is improved and positions are maintained reliably, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The friction brake components (brake pad, spring element) are integrated into the existing hand lever assembly footprint, utilizing available space rather than requiring additional separate housing. This merging approach maintains reliable holding force without increasing overall valve dimensions.
3Temperature
If a friction brake system is used to maintain positions, then temperature-independent operation is achieved, but wear of braking components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The brake pad is designed as a simple, replaceable friction element that can be easily replaced when worn. This approach prioritizes temperature-independent operation and accepts periodic replacement of the friction component, using a simple, low-cost part that can be maintained through regular replacement rather than designing for indefinite lifespan.
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 hand lever friction brake system effectively maintains selected adjustment positions with reduced complexity and space requirements, providing reliable and temperature-independent operation with minimal wear, allowing easy manual adjustment and clear feedback.
Implementation Method 1
A spring element (19) is assigned to an outer side (16) of the lever housing (1) and presses a braking element (17) against a braking surface (18) in the direction of the pivot axis (X) with a uniform pretension
Implementation Method 2
a hand lever friction brake (B) which fixes the hand lever (H) in every position of its range of movement
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The valve (V) has a slide valve piston (K) linearly moving in a valve housing by a hand lever (H) that moves around a pivotal axis (X). A force connected positioning device (P) arranges the valve piston in an adjusted position, and includes a hand lever-frictional brake. The frictional brake is formed as a brake element and includes a spring that is pre-stressed in a direction of the pivotal axis against the braking surface. A ball catch mechanism positions the valve piston in a selected adjusted position of the frictional brake between the handle lever and the lever housing.