Loose Pneumatic Valve Alignment for Automated Actuator Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic valve systems face challenges in automating gas supply processes due to difficulties in aligning and coupling actuators with valves, making it hard to streamline operations.

Innovation Solution

A loose type pneumatic valve module is designed with alignment sockets on the valve head and alignment socket pins on the actuator, allowing for automatic alignment and easy detachment, enabling automation of gas supply processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional coupling methods are used for actuators and pneumatic valves, then the coupling process is complex and time-consuming, but automation of gas supply processes cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of gas supply processesVSAvoidcoupling process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separate alignment sockets on the valve head and alignment socket pins on the actuator, allowing for modular and simplified coupling that enables automation while reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment sockets and alignment socket pins serve as intermediary elements that facilitate automatic alignment and coupling between the actuator and valve, enabling automation without requiring complex coupling mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional alignment methods are used for actuators and valves, then alignment is difficult and imprecise, but automated coupling cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment sockets and alignment socket pins act as intermediary alignment elements that provide precise automatic alignment between actuator and valve, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual alignment process is replaced by a mechanical alignment system using sockets and pins that automatically align the actuator with the valve, achieving precise alignment without requiring difficult manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If loose type pneumatic valve module with alignment sockets is used, then coupling and detachment are easy and automation is enabled, but additional alignment components are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling and detachment easeVSAvoidnumber of alignment components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment function is segmented into separate components (alignment sockets on valve head, alignment socket pins on actuator) that are simple in individual design but work together to provide easy coupling and detachment, enabling automation with minimal complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment sockets and pins serve multiple functions: they provide alignment during coupling, guide the coupling process, and enable automatic connection, thereby achieving ease of operation without requiring numerous separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11920689B2Loose type pneumatic valve and loose type pneumatic valve module including the same

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A loose type pneumatic valve and a loose type pneumatic valve module, the loose type pneumatic valve including a valve body including a pneumatic passage therein; a valve head on the valve body, the valve head being coupleable with an actuator; a stem on the valve head, the stem being configured to open and close the pneumatic passage; and at least one alignment socket on the valve head, the at least one alignment socket being configured to align the valve head with the actuator.