Modular Valve Electronic Housing with Movable Electrical Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing taps for pressurized fluid bottles lack a modular electronic architecture that ensures reliability, safety, and proper operation, particularly in terms of electrical and mechanical connections between separable electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The tap features a housing for a second electronic functional member with a device for electrical contact, allowing an electrical connection between the first and second electronic functional members when mounted, including movable contacts and a support part that forms an outer casing, enabling quick connection and fluid control, along with wireless data transmission and sensors, and a secondary fluid control module for emergency use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If modular electronic components are integrated into the valve, then functionality is improved, but reliability of electrical connections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidelectrical connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system is divided into modular components: a base valve unit and separate electronic functional members (display module, sensor module, communication module). Each module can be independently attached or detached, allowing functionality customization while maintaining reliable electrical connections through standardized contact interfaces designed for repeated connection cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A support structure acts as an intermediary element between the base valve and electronic functional members. This support provides a stable mounting platform with integrated electrical contacts that ensure reliable signal and power transmission while facilitating easy attachment and detachment of various electronic modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separable electronic components are used, then adaptability is improved, but connection security worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection system incorporates movable contacts that can dynamically adjust their position. When electronic functional members are attached, the movable contacts automatically engage with corresponding contacts on the module, ensuring secure electrical connection. The actuating member can shift the support structure to optimize contact alignment and maintain connection security during attachment/detachment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic functional members are designed to nest within or attach to the base valve structure. The support structure provides a nested mounting arrangement where electronic modules are housed within the valve body or attached to its exterior, with electrical contacts integrated into the nesting interface to ensure secure connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electronic functional members are integrated, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system is divided into modular components: a base valve unit and separate electronic functional members (display module, sensor module, communication module). Each module can be independently attached or detached, allowing functionality customization while maintaining reliable electrical connections through standardized contact interfaces designed for repeated connection cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base valve unit and support structure are designed as universal platforms that can accommodate multiple different types of electronic functional members. The standardized mounting interface and electrical contact system allow the same base valve to work with various electronic modules, reducing overall system complexity through reuse of common components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3488143B1Valve for pressurized fluid
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP3488143B1 patent drawingFigure 1~13
  • EP3488143B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3488143B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10

AI summary

Valve for pressurized fluid, with or without built-in pressure regulator, comprising a body (2) housing a fluid circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) intended to be placed in communication with a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end (15) intended to be placed in communication with a receiver apparatus, the circuit (3) comprising a flow control member (6) for controlling the flow rate in the circuit (3), the said flow control member (6) being controlled by an actuating member (7) mobile with respect to the body (2) of the valve (1), the valve (1) comprising at least one first electronic functional member (101) and a second electronic functional member (8), the second electronic functional member (8) being mounted removably on the body (2) of the valve, characterized in that the valve (1) comprises at least one housing (5) intended to accommodate the said second functional electronic member (8) and an electrical contact(s) device (10) intended to collaborate with a mating set of electrical contact(s) (9) of the second electronic functional member (8) in order to provide an electrical connection between the first electronic functional member (101) and the second electronic functional member (8) when the latter is in position mounted on the body (2) of the valve.