Snap-fit Valve Mounting Levers for Reduced Removal Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snap-fit type valves require significant force for mounting and removal due to the need for extensive elastic deformation of mounting levers, making the operation cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a pair of elastically deformable mounting levers with distinct structural features, including arch-shaped connecting sections and varying thicknesses, allows for easier engagement and disengagement with the base member by distributing deformation effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If only one mounting lever is made elastically deformable, then the valve can be mounted without screws, but a significantly large force is required for attaching and removing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting lever is divided into two separate levers instead of one, allowing the elastic deformation function to be distributed. Each lever can be independently deformed during removal, reducing the force required on each individual lever while maintaining the screwless mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the mounting levers have different elastic properties. The levers are designed with specific elastic sections that concentrate the deformation capability in localized areas, allowing easy deformation at the operation points while maintaining overall structural integrity for screwless mounting.
2Reliability
If the mounting lever is formed to have certain rigidity to prevent inadvertent removal, then the valve remains securely mounted, but a significantly large force is required for deformation operation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting levers have different rigidity at different locations. The base portions near the valve body maintain high rigidity to prevent inadvertent removal, while the distal portions have reduced rigidity with elastic sections that allow easy deformation for intentional removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting levers transition from a rigid state during normal operation (preventing accidental removal) to a deformable state during intentional removal. The elastic sections allow the levers to dynamically change their mechanical properties based on the applied force magnitude and direction.
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 simple and efficient mounting and removal operations with reduced operational force, as the valve can be snapped on and off using elastic deformation of both levers, improving usability compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
each of the mounting levers is elastically deformable in a direction in which a distance between the engaging sections increases
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a snap-fit type valve which can be easily attached to and removed from a piping base member. A snap-fit type valve includes a pair of mounting levers on side surfaces of a valve body so as to engage with a base member in a snap-fit manner, wherein the mounting lever includes a shoulder which extends from the valve body, an arm connected to a distal end of the shoulder and an engaging section formed at a distal end of the arm, and is elastically deformable in a direction in which a distance between the engaging sections increases, a first mounting lever which is one of the pair has the shoulder and the arm connected to each other via an arch shaped connecting section and is formed to be elastically deformable at a position of the connecting section, and a second mounting lever which is the other of the pair is formed to be deformable at a position of the shoulder, and has an operation section to elastically deform the shoulder.