Pinch Valve Magnetic Holding for Power-Failure Safe Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing squeezing valve devices for disconnecting hoses in fluid systems lack operational safety and flexibility, particularly in scenarios where external energy supply failures occur, as they often require continuous energy to maintain stable equilibrium positions and do not allow for automatic switching to a safe state.

Innovation Solution

A squeezing valve device with a locking organ and permanent magnetic holding device that can maintain two stable equilibrium positions without external energy, combined with an energy storage and control unit allowing for automatic switching to a safe position in case of energy failure, ensuring operational safety and flexibility by enabling selection of open or closed positions based on energy availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous external energy is supplied to maintain stable equilibrium positions, then the valve can maintain open or closed positions reliably, but energy consumption increases and operational safety during power failure is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system uses permanent magnets to maintain stable equilibrium positions without requiring continuous external energy supply. The permanent magnetic holding device creates two stable positions (open and closed) that are maintained passively, eliminating the need for continuous power consumption while ensuring reliable position maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores magnetic potential energy in the permanent magnetic holding device during normal operation. When external power fails, this pre-stored energy enables the valve to automatically switch to a safe equilibrium position without requiring additional energy input at the moment of failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the valve requires external energy to maintain equilibrium positions, then positioning is stable, but automatic switching to safe position during power failure cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic switching capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The permanent magnetic holding device inherently provides the capability for automatic position switching during power failures. The system self-regulates by utilizing the pre-stored magnetic energy to transition to a safe equilibrium position without requiring complex external control systems or additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the valve is designed with fixed equilibrium positions, then the structure is simple, but flexibility in selecting rest position is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverest position selection flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic selection of which equilibrium position serves as the safe rest position. Through the control unit, users can configure whether the open or closed position becomes the default safe position, enabling the system to adapt to different operational requirements and safety protocols without changing the physical structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of which position is considered 'safe' based on configuration needs. The permanent magnetic holding device maintains both equilibrium positions physically, but the software control allows switching between which position is selected as the rest position, providing flexibility without structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device ensures operational safety by allowing the locking organ to be brought to a safe position even during external energy supply failures, maintaining fluid flow or disconnection as needed, and provides flexibility in selecting the resting position electronically or via software, enhancing reliability and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

a permanent magnetic holding device which is designed in such a way that it can hold the closing element in two different stable equilibrium positions by means of a permanent magnetic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermanent magnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic actuating device for carrying out a switching operation with which the closing element is moved from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position to the open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4144402A1Pinch valve device
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 LEVITRONIX GMBH(CH)
  • EP4144402A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4144402A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4144402A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A pinch valve device is proposed for clamping a hose in a fluid system, comprising a closing element (2) arranged to be movable in an axial direction (A), which includes a closing piece (21) for clamping the hose (100), a permanent magnetic holding device (5) designed to hold the closing element (2) in two different stable equilibrium positions by means of a permanent magnetic force, namely in an open position and in a closed position, without energy having to be supplied to the permanent magnetic holding device (5) for holding it in the respective equilibrium position, and an electromagnetic actuating device (6) for performing a switching operation by which the closing element (2) is moved from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position to the open position.An energy storage device (7) and a control unit (8) are provided, wherein the energy storage device (7) can store electrical energy sufficient at least to perform a switching operation, wherein the control unit (8) can be preset to a rest position which is the open position or the closed position, and wherein the control unit (8) can trigger a switching operation by which the closing element (2) can be brought into the rest position by means of the energy stored in the energy storage device (7).