Manual Valve Cover Design for Compact Tool-Assisted Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of manual valves in fluid control systems poses challenges due to difficulty in manual operation and the need for protective features to prevent unintentional operation, complicating integration with other miniaturized fluid devices.
Innovation Solution
A manual valve device with a block-shaped valve body, a tubular casing, a drive mechanism, an operation member, and a protective cover that allows removable attachment of auxiliary tools, ensuring safe and accessible operation while maintaining a compact design, including a cam part that locks the valve in open or closed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the manual valve is miniaturized to fit integrated fluid control systems, then the system integration and compactness are improved, but the ease of manual operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operation member is nested within the protective cover that is integrated into the casing structure. The protective cover serves multiple functions: it protects the operation member, provides structural support, and maintains the compact form factor while still allowing access for operation with auxiliary tools.
Solution Approach 2:
An auxiliary tool is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the operation member. The auxiliary tool engages with the operation member through the protective cover, enabling effective manual operation of the miniaturized valve without requiring direct manipulation of the small operation member itself.
2Reliability
If protective features (frame, cap, cover) are added to prevent unintentional operation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is merged with the casing structure, forming an integrated protective enclosure. The operation member is positioned within this integrated structure, allowing the protective function to be achieved without adding separate complex components. The cam part is also integrated into the casing, further reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the operation member from unintentional activation, provides structural support for the valve assembly, and maintains the compact form factor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components.
3Reliability
If protective cover is added to cover the operation member, then the protection against unintentional operation is improved, but the ease of operation with tools deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed with differentiated local properties: it provides full protection in most areas while incorporating a specific access region that allows auxiliary tools to engage with the operation member. This localized access design maintains protection while enabling necessary operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary tool acts as an intermediary that can access the operation member through the protective cover structure. The tool engages with the operation member while the protective cover remains in place, maintaining protection against unintentional operation while enabling controlled access for intentional operation.
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 solution enables a miniaturized and integrated manual valve device that prevents unintentional operation, facilitating easy operation with auxiliary tools and maintaining a compact form factor suitable for miniaturized fluid control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cam part that converts a force acting on the operation member into a driving force of the drive mechanism
Implementation Method 2
the cam surface includes a locking part that locks the roller member and holds the operation member in an opened position and a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a manual valve device suitable for a miniaturized and integrated fluid control system, the manual valve device includes a casing having a tubular shape and incorporating a drive mechanism, an operation member for activating the drive mechanism, and a cam part that converts a force acting on the operation member into a driving force of the drive mechanism. The manual valve device further includes a protective cover provided on an upper end side of the casing and covering at least a portion of the operation member. The operation member includes an attaching part that allows removable attaching of an auxiliary tool for causing a force required for activation of the drive mechanism to act on the operation member. The protective cover is formed so as to allow access to the attaching part of the operation member by the auxiliary tool.