Observation Valve Structure with Position Indication and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional observation valves with conical connecting bodies are either too flexible and prone to deformation or too rigid with poor mating tolerance, leading to wear issues and increased costs, and lack clear indication for the OFF, TEST, DRAIN positions, with positioning beads easily displaced by external forces.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connector structure with a driving shaft assembly, annular guide groove, and guide holes in the inlet pipe joint, along with uniform annular gaskets for airtight sealing, and an indication plate on the handle to precisely control the ball shutter for water flow management, allowing for easy replacement of parts and maintaining position without displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the conical connecting body is made as a resilient body, then the structure is more flexible, but it is not strong enough and deforms easily
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting body is divided into a rigid conical connecting body and separate resilient components (resilient member and elastic member). The rigid body provides structural strength while the resilient members provide flexibility and positioning functionality, resolving the contradiction between strength and flexibility.
2Strength
If the conical connecting body is made as a rigid body, then the structure is strong, but the mating tolerance must be least
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces resilient members that can deform elastically to accommodate variations in mating dimensions. This allows the rigid conical connecting body to maintain structural strength while the resilient members compensate for tolerance variations, reducing the requirement for extremely tight mating tolerances.
3Device complexity
If the positioning bead is used to position the rotatable disc, then the structure is simple, but it is easily displaced by external force when the elastic member is fatigued
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is pre-loaded to continuously exert positioning force on the rotatable disc before any displacement occurs. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the disc remains securely positioned even when external forces are applied, preventing displacement without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If the rotatable disc is positioned by positioning bead holes and positioning bead, then the structure is simple, but there is no indication to show the OFF, TEST, DRAIN position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses visual indicators (colored marks or indicators on the rotatable disc and corresponding indicators on the housing) to show the current position (OFF, TEST, DRAIN). This provides clear position information without adding complex mechanical indication mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and information provision.
Data Source
AI summary
An observation valve structure includes an inlet pipe joint. The inlet pipe joint has an outer threaded section at an inner end thereof, an annular guide groove in the inlet pipe joint, and guide holes at the inner end thereof. The annular guide groove communicates with the guide holes. The inlet pipe joint has a stop trough at the inner end thereof for insertion of an annular gasket. A holder is provided on top of the connector body. The holder has two threaded holes at two sides thereof close to the inlet end of the connector body. A plate is positioned on the holder by two screws which are screwed in the threaded holes. The plate has a top surface with characters which are perpendicular to each other, a position hole disposed close to the middle character, and two apertures disposed at an outer side of the other two characters for insertion of the two screws. The handle has an indication plate. The indication plate has a positioning bead hole for insertion of a positioning bead. Through the right side or the left side of the indication plate limited by the screws or the positioning bead slid into the positioning bead hole and stopped, the handle cooperates with the characters of the plate to control rotation of the ball shutter. Two opposing sides of the ball shutter are airtight through two uniform annular gaskets which can be replaced with ease. The present invention can limit and position the handle and enhance side water flow.