Plug valve with a damping switch and a microswitch, and gas appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas stove plug valves require troublesome manual adjustment of firepower by observing the flame, lacking a simple and convenient mechanism for precise control.
Innovation Solution
A plug valve design incorporating a damper switch and microswitch, featuring a valve rod, damper switch, and microswitch, with elastic abutting assemblies and positioning grooves for precise firepower adjustment, and a safe starting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stepless adjustment mechanism is used, then the plug valve can provide continuous firepower control, but the user must bend to observe the flame and manually adjust, making the operation troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous stepless adjustment range is segmented into multiple discrete gear positions (first gear, second gear, third gear, etc.). The elastic abutting assembly engages with positioning grooves at specific intervals to provide tactile feedback and stable positioning at each gear level, transforming the continuous adjustment into discrete, easily identifiable steps that simplify user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic abutting assembly provides tactile feedback to the user during adjustment. When the abutting assembly engages with a positioning groove, the user can feel a distinct tactile sensation indicating the current gear position. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need to visually observe the flame for adjustment, making operation more convenient and accurate.
2Measurement precision
If multiple gear positions are added for precise control, then the firepower adjustment precision is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into multiple gear positions corresponding to different firepower levels. Each gear position is defined by the engagement of the elastic abutting assembly with specific positioning grooves arranged at intervals along the rotation direction, providing precise and repeatable positioning without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function and the adjustment function are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The elastic abutting assembly simultaneously provides tactile feedback for user interaction and ensures precise positioning at each gear level by engaging with the positioning grooves, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If the microswitch is integrated with the damper switch and valve body, then the overall structure is compact and efficient, but the assembly requires precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The microswitch, damper switch, and valve body are merged into a single integrated assembly. The connecting member passes through aligned holes in all three components and is locked in place, creating a compact unified structure that reduces the overall number of separate parts and simplifies the external appearance while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member with locking mechanism provides self-alignment and self-securing functionality. The locking mechanism ensures that once the components are assembled, they maintain precise relative positions without requiring additional external fastening or adjustment, making the assembly process straightforward despite the precision requirements.
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
Enables simple, accurate, and safe adjustment of firepower with a compact design, preventing gas leakage and deflagration, and providing tactile feedback for user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
one of the rotation member and the housing is provided with a plurality of positioning grooves arranged at intervals along a rotation direction of the valve rod, and the other one of the rotation member and the housing is provided with an elastic abutting assembly. In a process of the valve rod driving the rotation member to rotate, the elastic abutting assembly fits into one of the plurality of positioning grooves
Implementation Method 2
the plug valve further comprises a microswitch detachably connected to the valve body, and the microswitch is fixed to the damper switch and the valve body through a connecting member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed are a damper switch (140), a plug valve (100) and a gas appliance. The damper switch (140) comprises: a housing (141), wherein the housing (141) is provided with a through hole (1423) penetrating in the thickness direction of the housing, and the housing (141) is further provided with an installation part capable of enabling the whole damper switch (140) to be fixedly installed outside the plug valve (100); and a rotation member (144), which is accommodated inside the housing (141) and can rotate relative to the housing (141), wherein a shaft hole (1444) is provided in the rotation member (144), the shaft hole (1444) is correspondingly in communication with the through hole (1423), and the shaft hole (1444) is provided in such a way that a valve rod (120) is mounted in the shaft hole in a penetrating manner. One of the rotation member (144) and the housing (141) is provided with a plurality of positioning grooves (1443) which are distributed in the rotation direction of the valve rod (120) at intervals, the other of the rotation member and the housing is provided with an elastic abutting assembly (145), and the elastic abutting assembly (145) is clamped into one of the plurality of positioning grooves (1443) during the process of the rotation member (144) being driven by the valve rod (120) to rotate.