Radiator Thermostat Adapter With Lockable Valve for Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiators with classic thermostatic control systems cannot be used for cooling, as the thermostat head shuts off the valve when ambient temperature exceeds the set cooler temperature, preventing cold water flow.
Innovation Solution
An adapter is mounted between the radiator valve and thermostat head, featuring a transmission valve that can be rotated between control and locked positions, allowing the thermostat head's control to be transmitted to the valve for heating while locking the valve open for cooling, thus disabling the thermostat head's influence during cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the thermostat head is used to control the radiator valve for maintaining a set temperature, then the thermostatic control function is improved, but the radiator cannot be used for cooling because the thermostat head shuts off the valve when ambient temperature exceeds the set cooler temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission valve is designed to be rotatable between different positions (heating position and cooling position), allowing the system to dynamically switch between heating and cooling modes. This rotational movement changes the mechanical connection state between the thermostat head and radiator valve, enabling the radiator to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is introduced as a separate intermediary component between the thermostat head and radiator valve. This extracted element provides the locking mechanism that disconnects the thermostat head's control influence during cooling mode, allowing the radiator to be used for cooling without being constrained by the thermostat head's temperature control logic.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transmission valve is made rotatable between control and locked positions, then the adaptability for both heating and cooling is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it connects the thermostat head to the radiator valve, transmits the thermostatic control signal during heating mode, and locks the valve in open position during cooling mode. By integrating these multiple functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving both heating and cooling capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission valve is nested within the adapter body, with the locking mechanism integrated into the same component. The pegs of the transmission valve interact with grooves in the adapter, creating a compact nested structure that achieves the locking function without requiring separate external mechanisms.
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 radiators to be used for both heating and cooling by ensuring the shutoff valve remains open during cooling, allowing cold water to flow without the thermostat head's interference, effectively extending the functionality of existing thermostatic control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a thermostatic element (14) which can expand and contract in an axial direction (X-X') depending on the ambient temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Adapter for a radiator with a thermostatic control with radiator valve (1) with a slideable shutoff valve (9) and a thermostat head (2) cooperating therewith for controlling the radiator valve (1), characterised in that the adapter (16) is mounted between the radiator valve (1) and the thermostat head (2) and the adapter (16) contains a sleeve (17) with a footend (20) with which the sleeve (17) can be fastened on the radiator valve (1) and a head end (22) on which the thermostat head (2) can be fastened, whereby a transmission valve (18) is arranged axially slideable in the sleeve (17) for the transmission of the control of the thermostat head (2) to the shutoff valve (9) of the radiator valve (1), whereby the transmission valve (18) is rotatably arranged in the sleeve (17) between a control position in which the transmission valve (18) can move over a certain range in an axial direction and a locked position, in which the transmission valve (18) is locked in an axial direction in a position corresponding with an open position of the shutoff valve (9).