Pipe Coupling Rotary Valve Cam Mechanism Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pipe coupling designs face issues with increased frictional force between the rotary valve member and the valve seat, which can stop the rotation of the rotary valve member when returning to the closed position, necessitating higher spring urging force but limited by the need to move the valve unit backward during coupling.
Innovation Solution
The pipe coupling incorporates a cam mechanism and a tubular valve support structure with tapered surfaces to facilitate the rotation of the rotary valve member, allowing it to return to the closed position even with increased pressing force, by reducing frictional force through axial movement and alignment of valve components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing force between the rotary valve member and valve seat is increased to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but frictional force increases and may stop the rotation of the rotary valve member when returning to the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pressing force variable rather than constant. The urging means (spring) provides dynamic adjustment of the pressing force between the rotary valve member and valve seat, allowing sufficient sealing force when needed while reducing resistance during rotation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valve structure into distinct components: the rotary valve member, the valve seat, and the urging means. This segmentation allows the pressing force to be applied only where needed for sealing while keeping the rotation path relatively free from excessive friction.
2Reliability
If the urging force of the spring member is increased to prevent the rotary valve member from stopping during rotation, then rotation reliability is improved, but the valve unit cannot be moved backward when coupling members are coupled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of spring force to an optimal value that satisfies both requirements: sufficient to ensure the rotary valve member returns to the closed position reliably, but not so strong as to prevent the valve unit from being moved backward during coupling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical constant-force system with a spring-based elastic force system, which provides automatic adjustment of the urging force based on the operational state, resolving the contradiction between rotation reliability and coupling operation.
3Reliability
If the seal surface friction is increased to maintain sealing engagement, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the rotary valve member rotation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing sealing surfaces with specific properties at the contact interface between the rotary valve member and valve seat. The seal surface is designed with appropriate roughness and material properties to maintain sealing efficiency while controlling friction during rotation.
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
Ensures the rotary valve member can reliably return to the closed position during decoupling, maintaining sealing efficiency despite increased pressing force, by utilizing a cam mechanism and tapered surfaces to overcome frictional constraints.
Implementation Method 1
the valve unit is urged axially forward by a spring member toward a closed position for closing the fluid path
Implementation Method 2
the seal surface sealingly engages all around a valve seat formed to surround the fluid path, thereby closing the fluid path
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A pipe coupling member has a tubular body (20) and a valve unit (22) slidably set in the through-hole of the tubular body. The valve unit has a valve holder (26) and a rotary valve member (30) supported by the valve holder so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the axis of the through-hole. The valve holder comprises a valve seat portion (26-1) and a valve support portion (26-2) that are separately disposed in series in the axial direction or the direction of the axis of the though hole. The valve support portion rotatably supports the rotary valve member. When the valve holder moves axially in the through-hole, the rotary valve member is rotated by a cam mechanism (32) and displaced between a closed rotational position and an open rotational position while its spherical outer peripheral surface sliding relative to an annular valve seat of the valve seat portion. When in the closed rotational position, the rotary valve member sealingly engages all around the annular valve seat to close the fluid path. A spring member (28) urges the valve support portion to urge the valve holder toward the closed rotational position. When the coupling member is decoupled, the rotary valve member therein is surely placed in the closed rotational position.