Modular Flow Regulating Valve for Gas Stoves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas stoves are difficult to integrate with modern technology, requiring manual regulation of gas flow, which hinders convenience and safety in modern living environments.
Innovation Solution
A modular flow regulating valve for gas stoves incorporating a valve member, plug member, connecting member, fixed base, and stepper motor, where the stepper motor drives the connecting member to rotate the plug member, allowing for automatic control of gas flow through the valve member's inlet and outlet holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual flow regulating valve is used, then the gas stove can be operated manually, but it cannot be integrated with modern automatic control technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical valve with an automated valve system controlled by a microcontroller unit. The MCU receives signals from temperature sensors and automatically adjusts the valve opening degree, eliminating the need for manual operation while enabling integration with modern smart home technology and automatic temperature control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design incorporates multiple functions: it can be controlled manually through a knob, automatically through MCU based on temperature feedback, and integrated with smart home systems. This multi-functionality allows the same valve to serve both traditional manual operation needs and modern automatic control requirements.
2Extent of automation
If automatic control is implemented, then convenience and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is divided into independent modular components: the valve body with opening/closing mechanism, the drive mechanism with gear and rack, the sensing system with temperature sensors, and the control system with MCU. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance while enabling automatic control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gear-rack mechanism as an intermediary between the motorized drive and the valve opening. This mechanical intermediary translates rotational motion from the motor into linear motion for the valve plug, providing precise control while isolating the complexity of the control system from the valve mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve structure is made modular, then ease of manufacture and assembly are improved, but connection reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The modular valve components are designed with nested coupling mechanisms where the drive mechanism fits within the valve body, and the plug nests within the valve chamber. This nested arrangement provides multiple contact surfaces and alignment features that ensure reliable connections while maintaining modular assembly benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are pre-assembled and pre-tested as complete subunits before final integration. The valve body and drive mechanism are prepared with pre-installed sealing elements and alignment features, ensuring that when modules are connected, the connections are immediately reliable without requiring additional adjustment or testing.
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 automatic control of gas flow, enhancing the convenience and safety of gas stoves by allowing for precise regulation of gas output, reducing the need for manual operation.
Implementation Method 1
a stepper motor (60), wherein the stepper motor (60) is connected to the fixed base (40), and the rotating shaft of the stepper motor (60) is connected to the connecting member (30)
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow regulating valve (100), including a valve member (10), a plug member (20), a connecting member (30), a fixed base (40), and a stepper motor (60). The valve member (10) has a chamber (10a) respectively communicating with an inlet hole (10c) and an outlet hole (10b) thereof. The plug member (20) has an axial bore (22) and a flow regulating structure (24), the axial bore (22) corresponding to the outlet hole (10b) and the flow regulating structure (24) corresponding to the inlet hole (10c). The connecting member (30) is disposed at a side of the plug member (20) and at least a part of the connecting member (30) is exposed to the outside. The fixed base (40) has a through hole (46), a wall of which is provided with a first block section (462a) and a second block section (462b). A space is formed between the first block section (462a) and the second block section (462b), and a block (32) of the connecting member (30) is located in the space to limit a rotating angle of the plug member (20). The stepper motor (60) has a rotating shaft (64) connected to the connecting member (30). Whereby, a modular flow regulating valve (100) is formed.