Modular Valve Assembly With Integrated Fluid And Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies are cumbersome and require complex connections for electrical and fluid supply, making it difficult to exchange individual modules and optimize space usage in modular systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact valve assembly design featuring a basic module with integrated fluid and electrical connections on opposing sides, allowing for easy mounting and removal of valve modules without detaching lines, and utilizing internal ducts for fluid and electrical supply, enabling flexible configuration and efficient space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If valve modules are mounted on the basic module side by side along a line-up direction, then space utilization is optimized, but access to external connections becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging external fluid connections on the bottom surface and external electrical connections on the upper side of the basic module, distributing connections across different spatial dimensions. This allows optimal space utilization with valve modules arranged side by side while maintaining easy access to connections from different directions (bottom for fluid, top for electrical), resolving the contradiction between compact arrangement and connection accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If external connections are arranged on readily accessible sides, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating external fluid connections and external electrical connections onto different surfaces (bottom surface for fluid, upper side for electrical). This segmentation simplifies the connection arrangement by organizing different types of connections on distinct, easily accessible sides, reducing the complexity of wire routing and connection management while improving operational ease.
3Productivity
If valve modules can be exchanged easily, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but connection reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging internal fluid connections and internal electrical connections on the basic module before valve modules are installed. The internal connections are positioned and prepared in advance, allowing valve modules to be simply inserted into place and automatically establish reliable connections without complex assembly steps, thus maintaining both ease of exchange and connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly has a basic module and a plurality of valve modules which are mounted on the basic module side by side along a line-up direction, the basic module having a lower portion, an upper portion and a connecting portion connecting the lower and the upper portion, which enclose a receiving space for at least one valve module on three sides. The basic module has a bottom surface facing outwards and an upper side facing outwards. At least one external fluid connection is provided which is arranged on the bottom surface or on the upper side. Furthermore, at least one external electrical connection is provided which is arranged on the bottom surface or on the upper side.