Sanitary Valve Adjustable Stop Mechanism for Extended Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary valves with fixed stops limit the adjustment range to less than 360°, restricting precise temperature control, especially in mixing fittings where a full turn or more is desired for precise temperature setting.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary valve design with adjustable stops, including a housing stop and handle stop, allowing for a 360° or greater adjustment range without changing the handle, using a recessed intermediate stop with multiple projections and a handle stop with radial projections for enhanced stability and freedom of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed stop is used to limit valve opening, then the valve structure is simple, but the adjustment range is limited to less than 360°
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism is made dynamic by allowing the intermediate stop to be positioned at different locations around the adjusting element's circumference. This enables the adjustment range to be extended beyond 360° by strategically placing stops to prevent unwanted rotations while allowing controlled rotation in the desired direction.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate stop is introduced as a mediator between the fixed housing stop and the handle stop. This intermediate component enables the system to achieve extended rotation ranges by interacting with both the housing and handle stops, effectively coordinating their functions to allow precise temperature control.
2Measurement precision
If the adjustment range is extended beyond 360°, then precise temperature control is improved, but the risk of unwanted rotations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism is segmented into multiple components: a fixed housing stop, an intermediate stop with multiple possible positions, and a handle stop. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific function - the housing stop provides a fixed reference, the intermediate stop enables extended range, and the handle stop prevents unwanted rotations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stops are asymmetrically positioned around the adjusting element to create a controlled rotation path. The intermediate stop can be positioned at specific angular locations that allow rotation in one direction while blocking rotation in the opposite direction, ensuring reliable temperature control.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for the intermediate stop, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate stop is designed with localized features that concentrate stress and interaction forces at specific points - the engagement surfaces with the housing stop and handle stop. This allows plastic material to be used effectively, as the material only needs to withstand forces at these localized contact points rather than throughout the entire component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system effectively creates a composite structure where the plastic intermediate stop works in conjunction with the housing stop and handle stop (which may be made of more rigid materials). This combination allows the plastic component to provide the necessary functionality while maintaining stability through the supporting structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~13
AI summary
The valve has an adjusting element (4) rotated relative to a housing and protruded from the housing. A handle stop unit (6) is rotated with the adjusting element and attached with the adjusting element. An intermediate stop unit is rotatably mounted at the housing or the adjusting element. The intermediate stop unit cooperates with a housing-fixed stop unit for limiting rotation of the housing-fixed stop unit relative to the housing and with the handle stop unit for limiting rotation of the adjusting element relative to the intermediate unit.