Pilot Valve Motor Pocket and Cam Stop Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized valves in irrigation systems are prone to failure due to lack of robustness, inability to withstand high operating pressures, and issues with maintaining proper states during non-use or after being dropped, leading to fluid leaks and unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a motor pocket for motor support, a metal frame for gear train stabilization, cam stops for secure operation, and enhanced electrical protection, along with a mounting bracket for secure attachment, while increasing the operating pressure rating to 175 psig and ensuring the valve remains in a stable state during non-use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing motorized valves are used without additional support structures, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor due to motor shifting and gear train failure
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into functional zones with a dedicated motor pocket for the motor and a frame structure for the gear train, separating support functions from the main body to improve reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A frame structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the housing and the gear train, providing stable support and preventing direct contact between the gear train and housing that could cause misalignment and failure
2Stress or pressure
If the valve is designed for 150 psig operating pressure, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but it cannot meet applications requiring 175 psig operating pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The material specifications and wall thickness parameters of the housing and internal components are increased to withstand higher operating pressures, allowing the valve to meet 175 psig requirements while maintaining manufacturability through standardized engineering practices
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cam member is positioned without over-center rotation, then the mechanism is simpler, but the valve can end up in an in-between state during non-use periods
Solution Approach 1:
The cam stops are positioned to force the cam member into an over-center position, creating a preliminary counteracting force that prevents the valve from drifting into an in-between state during non-use periods, ensuring stable positioning without requiring additional active control mechanisms
4Reliability
If the motor is secured without a dedicated motor pocket, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the motor shifts causing gear train malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented to include a dedicated motor pocket that receives and secures the motor, separating the motor mounting function from the main housing structure to prevent motor shifting while maintaining manufacturability through integrated molding or attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A pilot valve includes a housing, a motor secured in the housing and including a rotating output shaft, and a rocker disposed in the housing and coupled with the motor via a cam mechanism. The rocker is pivotable between a CLOSED position and an OPEN position by operation of the motor. The rocker includes a left-side boss and a right-side boss that are positioned in a path of the cam mechanism, where the left- and right-side bosses serve as cam stops in the CLOSED and OPEN positions, respectively. The housing may include features to better secure the motor, and the assembly may be configured to prevent unintended changes of state during periods of nonuse.