Lever Valve Hook Locking on Integral Body Edge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lever valves for compressed gas cylinders face issues with securing means that are not easily operable, lack security, and have high manufacturing costs, with additional components needing attachment to the body and ergonomic limitations.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a pivotally mounted lever with a hook engaging a counter-shape on the cylindrical wall of the body, utilizing a guiding element and resilient member for secure engagement, and brackets for cost-effective manufacturing, allowing easy operation and secure handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protruding rod-shaped element is used as the counter-shape on the valve body, then the lever can be secured in a folded position, but additional components need to be fastened to the body increasing manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The hook and counter-shape are integrated directly into the valve body and lever as single-piece forged components, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements. The counter-shape is formed as an integral part of the valve body's cylindrical wall, and the hook is forged as a unified piece with the lever, merging multiple potential components into two main elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body's cylindrical wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the gas passage, and incorporates the counter-shape for lever securing. The brackets extend from the cylindrical wall to provide both structural support and lever pivoting functionality, combining multiple roles into single structural elements.
2Reliability
If a protruding rod-shaped element is used as the counter-shape on the valve body, then the lever can be secured in a folded position, but the manufacturing cost increases due to additional fastening requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hook and counter-shape are integrated directly into the valve body and lever as single-piece forged components, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements. The counter-shape is formed as an integral part of the valve body's cylindrical wall, and the hook is forged as a unified piece with the lever, merging multiple potential components into two main elements.
3Reliability
If the hook is positioned close to the horizontal portion of the lever, then the lever can be secured, but the ergonomics are limited due to short gripping portion
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is repositioned to engage with the vertical portion of the lever rather than the horizontal portion, utilizing a different spatial dimension for the securing mechanism. This allows the horizontal portion to serve exclusively as the ergonomic gripping area, while the vertical portion handles the securing function through the hook engagement with the counter-shape.
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 design provides a secure and cost-effective lever valve operation with reduced manufacturing complexity and improved ergonomics, as the counter-shape is integral to the body and brackets are forged, enhancing handling and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member operating between the lever and the hook for urging the hook into engagement with the counter-shape on the body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention is directed to a valve (2) for compressed gas, comprising a body (4) extending longitudinally, with a gas inlet (15) at a lower end of said body, a gas outlet (6) and a gas passage (12) fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet and said gas outlet; a shut-off device (16) housed in the body (4) and configured for selectively shutting-off and opening the gas passage (12); a lever (8) pivotally mounted on the body (4), at an upper end of said body, and configured for actuating the shut-off device (16); a hook (10) pivotally mounted on the lever for engaging with a counter- shape on the body (4) and thereby holding said lever in a folded position along the body; wherein the upper end of the body (4) comprises a cylindrical wall (4.3) delimiting an upper bore, the counter-shape being an upper edge (4.3.1) of said cylindrical wall (4.3).