Rotatable Valve Element for Obstacle-Avoiding Plate Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe fitting valves lack the ability to freely position the shutting-off plate due to fixed thread lengths, leading to potential difficulties in inserting the plate, especially when obstacles are present, and may result in accidental disassembly during operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a second element that can rotate relative to the first element around an axis parallel to the fluid flow direction, allowing the slit for the shutting-off plate to be positioned optimally, and featuring manual controlling means for secure fastening using threaded elements to prevent axial translation while allowing rotation, ensuring easy and effective use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the valve is fastened to the pipe fitting through fixed thread lengths, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the angular position of the slit cannot be selected freely, making plate insertion difficult when obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotational adjustment mechanism that allows the valve body to be rotated relative to the pipe fitting after initial threading. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the operator to freely position the slit at any angular orientation, solving the problem of fixed angular positions that hinder plate insertion when obstacles are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve structure is divided into separable components: a threaded connection for initial attachment, and an independent rotational adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows the angular position to be adjusted independently from the fastening function, providing both manufacturing simplicity and operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the valve allows free rotation during positioning, then the slit can be positioned optimally for plate insertion, but the valve may accidentally disassemble during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions from a locked state during positioning to an unlocked state during operation. The mechanism includes a locking element that can be engaged to prevent rotation during plate insertion, and disengaged to allow rotation for positioning, thus providing both flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking element acts as an intermediary between the rotational adjustment mechanism and the fixed position requirement. This locking element can be engaged to prevent accidental disassembly during operation, while allowing free rotation during the positioning phase, thus mediating between the two contradictory requirements.
3Ease of operation
If multiple angularly spaced slits are provided on the slide valve, then alternative insertion positions are available, but the solution is difficult to realize and requires special gaskets for fluidic sealing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing multiple fixed slits, the patent implements a single slit that can be dynamically positioned at any angular orientation through rotation. This dynamic positioning approach achieves the same functional result as multiple slits but with significantly reduced structural complexity and without requiring multiple special gaskets.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotatable slit serves multiple functions that would otherwise require multiple separate slits. By making the slit positionable at any angle, one slit becomes universal and can replace multiple fixed slits, eliminating the need for complex multi-slit structures and corresponding gasket arrangements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Valve (1) for pipe fitting (2), comprising a first element (4) for the passage of a fluid provided with means (5) for the fastening to the pipe fitting, and a second element (7) for the passage of a fluid, constrained at least rotationally to said first element (4) and with fluidic continuity with the latter, and means for shutting-off at least temporarily the fluidic passage through said valve (1), wherein said shutting-off means comprise at least one removable shutting-off plate (8) and a respective slit (6) on the side surface of said second element (7), inside which said plate can be inserted, said valve (1) further comprising positioning and retaining means (15) to reversibly prevent said second element (7) from moving with respect to said first element (4).