Needle Valve Drive Switching for Manual and Remote Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate adjusting valves require manual adjustment and confirmation during startup, necessitating a system operator or software engineer, and manual operation is difficult with small-scale electric motors equipped with large speed-reducing gears.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate adjusting valve with a needle valve, a handle for manual operation, an electric motor for remote control, and a motive power transmission mechanism that selectively switches between the handle's rotational force and the motor's driving force, allowing easy manual operation and ensuring worker safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small-scale electric motor with large speed-reducing gear is used, then the motor size is reduced, but manual operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be movable along the axis of rotation, allowing the system to dynamically switch between manual operation mode (when handle is retracted) and automatic operation mode (when handle is extended). This dynamic configuration enables the use of a compact motor with speed-reducing gear while maintaining ease of manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the operator and the valve mechanism. When extended, it provides a lever arm for manual operation; when retracted, it allows the motor to directly drive the valve. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between compact motor size and manual operability.
2Extent of automation
If the valve opening degree is adjusted by electric motor only, then remote control is enabled, but manual adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate adjusting valve is designed with multi-functionality to perform both manual adjustment and automatic remote control operations. The handle can be extended for manual operation or retracted for automatic motor-driven operation, making the valve universal in its operational modes and eliminating the need to choose between manual and automated control.
3Extent of automation
If the handle is connected to the electric motor on the driven side of speed reducing gear, then the motor can drive the handle, but the handle rotates together with the motor causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the handle and the motor-driven mechanism is made dynamic rather than fixed. The handle can be extended to engage with the driving mechanism for automatic operation, and retracted to disengage for manual operation. This dynamic connection prevents the handle from rotating with the motor during automatic operation, eliminating the safety hazard while maintaining motor driving capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow rate adjusting valve, in which a needle valve is arranged so as to face a fluid passage of a main body, is equipped with a handle configured to enable a rotational operation to be performed manually, an electric motor configured to be operated remotely, and a motive power transmission mechanism that selectively switches between a rotational operating force of the handle and a driving force of the electric motor, and to transmit the force to the needle valve. The switching is performed by causing the handle to be moved in a direction of an axis of rotation.