Radiator Valve Head with Sliding Micro-Motor to Prevent Axial Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remotely controlled central heating radiator valves face issues with durability due to axial pressure on the electric micro-motor and reduction gear, which affects their service life and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A design featuring a body with shaped guides allowing the electric micro-motor and reduction gear to slide freely, eliminating axial forces and using an intermediate element with low friction to regulate the control needle, ensuring only torque is transmitted, thus avoiding axial pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electric micro-motor and reduction gear are fixed rigidly in the body, then the structure is simple and stable, but axial pressure is transmitted to the motor and gear which reduces durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of power unitVSAvoidstructure of body mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The body is divided into functional zones with shaped guides creating separate sliding paths for the micro-motor and reduction gear. This segmentation allows the power unit components to move independently along defined trajectories, preventing axial force transmission while maintaining structural organization and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Shaped guides act as intermediary elements between the rigid body structure and the movable power unit components. These guides transmit only the necessary torque while blocking axial pressure, serving as a mechanical mediator that protects the motor and gear from harmful forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the shift screw directly contacts the control needle, then the control mechanism is simple, but friction and wear increase reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of control mechanismVSAvoidcontrol mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediate element is introduced between the shift screw and control needle to eliminate direct metal-to-metal contact. This intermediary component reduces friction and wear while maintaining the simplicity of the control mechanism, thereby extending service life without adding significant complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The direct mechanical contact between shift screw and control needle is replaced with an intermediate element that reduces friction. This substitution changes the mechanical interaction from high-friction direct contact to low-friction mediated contact, improving durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If the micro-motor and reduction gear are subjected to axial pressure during operation, then the torque transmission is effective, but the bearing and gear durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission efficiencyVSAvoidbearing and gear service life
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power unit components are designed to slide dynamically along shaped guides rather than being rigidly fixed. This dynamic arrangement allows the micro-motor and reduction gear to move freely in the axial direction, transmitting only torque while eliminating axial pressure loads, thereby protecting bearings and gears from premature failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Axial pressure forces are extracted and removed from the torque transmission path. The shaped guides and sliding mechanism separate the torque transmission function from axial loading, allowing the motor and gear to perform their primary function without承受 harmful axial forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design enhances the durability and reliability of the power unit by preventing axial pressure on the micro-motor and reduction gear, leading to increased service life and improved performance.

Implementation Method 1

an electric micro-motor with integrated reduction gear with a high ratio whereby the electric micro-motor itself is powered by two long life batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

reduction gear with a high ratio whereby the electric micro-motor itself is powered by two long life batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 3

reduction gear with a high ratio

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 4

The output shaft of the reduction gear is finished with a shift screw screwed freely into the front wall of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 5

an intermediate element which is made of plastic with a low friction coefficient, preferably of Teflon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Implementation Method 6

The control needle is pushed away from the valve with its internal spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 7

The guides have longitudinal blades which slide into the longitudinal grooves of the slider

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric constraint: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2786219B1Head of a remotely controlled central heating radiator valve
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 SZYMANSKI ANDRZEJ
  • EP2786219B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a head of a remotely controlled central heating radiator valve, designed for use on single central heating radiators. The head of the remote-controlled central heating radiator valve, according to the invention characterized in that the body (1) contains shaped guides (5) inside between which an electric micro" motor (3) is mounted in a manner allowing it to slide, together with a reduction gear (4) and its output shaft (10) is finished with a shift screw (11 ) screwed freely into the front wall (12) of the body (1J) and this shift screw (11 ) comes indirectly into contact with the control needle (13) of the radiator valve (2). The guides (5) are in the form of two columns on which a shape slider (6) is mounted in a manner allowing it to slide on which an electric micro-motor (3) with reduction gear (4) is mounted.