Leading Thread Valve Seal Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically operable valves face challenges in releasing a silicon seal from a valve body lip due to insufficient motor force, leading to increased costs and larger valve dimensions when attempting to enhance motor power.
Innovation Solution
An electric valve design featuring a nut with a central shaft, a freely moving seal, sliding bearings between the nut and seal, and a limiter within the valve body, allowing load-free rotation and reducing friction during both opening and closing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the power of the electric motor is increased to release the seal from the valve body lip, then the seal release capability is improved, but the cost, power consumption, and valve dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
A cam mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the screw and the seal. The cam converts the rotational motion of the screw into a lifting motion that raises the seal away from the valve body lip, creating a gap that allows the seal to be released without requiring excessive motor force. This mechanical intermediary amplifies the motor's capability to release the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal release mechanism operates in a different dimension by lifting the seal vertically away from the lip rather than pulling it horizontally. The cam mechanism creates a vertical gap between the seal and the valve body lip, transforming the release action from a direct linear pull into a vertical lifting motion followed by lateral separation.
2Device complexity
If the screw is directly driven by the electric motor without a gear, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force transmission capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A cam mechanism with a curved profile is employed to provide mechanical advantage. The cam's curved surface converts rotational motion into lifting motion, creating a mechanical advantage that amplifies the motor's force capability without requiring a traditional gear reduction system. The curved geometry of the cam allows for smooth force transmission and multiplication.
3Reliability
If the seal is pressed against the valve body lip to close the valve, then the sealing capability is improved, but the motor force required to release the seal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism serves as a mediator that decouples the sealing force from the release force requirements. During closing, the screw directly presses the seal against the lip for reliable sealing. During release, the cam mechanism is engaged to lift the seal away, allowing the motor to operate at lower force levels while maintaining effective sealing when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: a direct-drive mode for sealing where the screw presses the seal against the lip, and a cam-assisted mode for release where the cam mechanism lifts the seal. This dynamic operation allows the motor to adapt its force output to the specific operational requirement, maintaining high sealing force when needed while reducing force requirements during release.
4Force
If a reducing gear is used between the electric motor and the screw, then the force transmission capability is improved, but the device complexity and power loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism replaces the reducing gear with a curved mechanical advantage system. The cam's geometry provides force multiplication through its profile, eliminating the need for toothed gears and associated power losses. This curved mechanism achieves force amplification with higher efficiency by reducing mechanical friction and energy loss typical of gear systems.
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
Enables the use of a smaller, energy-efficient electric motor with reduced wear and friction, facilitating fast valve action and increased fluid flow capacity while minimizing the need for additional control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the slide bearings, neither during opening of the valve or closing of the valve does the seal slide on the lip
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric valve including, housed within a valve body, a nut having a central shaft; a screw threadingly engaged within the nut and fixed thereto to prevent the nut from turning around the screw; and a seal mounted to the central shaft and configured to move freely with respect to the central shaft, both axially and rotatably there-about. The valve further includes sliding bearings disposed between the nut and the seal and disposed between the nut and a base of the screw; a lip correspondingly disposed with respect to the seal and reversibly engagable therewith. A projection is attached at a periphery of the nut; and a limiter is positioned in an inner side of the valve body, configured so that the projection is abuttable therewith. Due to the slide bearings, neither during opening of the valve or closing of the valve does the seal slide on the lip.