Stackable Plate Gas Valve with Flexible Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas valve units for gas appliances are complex and require electronic control, making them difficult to produce and actuate, with a need for a simpler design that can efficiently control gas flow to a gas burner.
Innovation Solution
A gas valve unit with a stackable plate structure, where a valve sealing plate made of flexible material ensures gas-tightness and a metal throttle plate with precisely defined openings controls gas flow, allowing for mechanical actuation using permanent magnets and springs, enabling easy production and efficient gas flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a complex electronic control system with multiple electromagnets is used to control each valve, then precise gas flow control is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into multiple plates (first plate, second plate, third plate) that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. Each plate contains specific channels and openings, allowing complex gas flow control to be achieved through simple plate stacking rather than complex machining of a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control system with multiple electromagnets is replaced by a purely mechanical actuation system. A single actuating mechanism moves the shut-off body along a linear path, using mechanical force directly applied to the valve sealing plate to open or close all valves simultaneously, eliminating the need for electronic controls.
2Ease of operation
If multiple electromagnets are assigned to each open-close valve for electronic actuation, then individual valve control is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve control functions are merged into a single actuating mechanism. Instead of having separate electromagnets for each valve, one mechanical actuator simultaneously controls the position of the shut-off body, which in turn controls the opening/closing state of all valves through its interaction with the valve sealing plate's openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuating mechanism serves multiple functions: it moves the shut-off body along the linear path, simultaneously opens or closes all valves, and can be actuated by various means (manual, automated, etc.). This universal component replaces multiple specialized electromagnets, simplifying both manufacture and operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid throttle plate is used for precise throttle opening definition, then manufacturing precision is improved, but gas-tightness of closed valves may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve sealing plate is made of flexible material specifically at the regions where sealing is required, while the throttle plate remains rigid where precise opening definition is needed. This local differentiation of material properties allows each component to optimize its function: the flexible sealing plate ensures gas-tight closure, while the rigid throttle plate maintains precise throttle geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite construction with different materials for different functions: the valve sealing plate is made of flexible material (such as elastomer or rubber) for sealing, while the throttle plate is made of rigid material (such as metal or hard plastic) for precise geometry. This combination of materials in a multi-plate structure allows simultaneous achievement of sealing reliability and manufacturing precision.
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
The design simplifies production, ensures reliable gas-tightness with low closing forces, and allows for precise control of gas flow through the use of mechanical actuation, improving the ease of use and efficiency of gas valve units.
Implementation Method 1
the shut-off bodies of the on-off valves can be moved by means of the force of at least one permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
Each open-close valve has a spring with which the shut-off body of the open-close valve is pretensioned in the direction of the valve sealing plate
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gas valve unit for adjusting a gas volume flow fed to a gas burner of a gas-operated device, particularly a gas cooking appliance. The gas valve unit has a valve body (20), in which valve body (20) at least two valve seats of open-close valves (3) of the gas valve unit are formed, and in which valve body (20) at least two throttle locations (4) each having at least one throttle opening (18) are formed. According to the invention, the valve body (20) has a plurality of plates (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) disposed in parallel to each other, one valve sealing plate (12) forming the valve seats of the open-close valves (3) and the throttle openings (18) of the throttle locations (4) being disposed in a throttle plate (15). The valve sealing plate (12) is made of a flexible material, such as plastic.