Toggle Manual Valve Stem Segmentation to Prevent Accidental Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toggle-type manual valves with a single component valve stem are prone to unintended leakage when the manual lever is accidentally moved, as the entire valve stem follows the lever, leading to unwanted fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
The valve stem is divided into a first rod part connected to the manual lever and a second rod part closer to the valve section, with a pin fixed to one of the parts and an elongated hole in the other, allowing the first rod part to move relative to the second rod part, preventing unintended movement and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the valve stem is constituted of a single component, then the structure is simple, but the valve is prone to unintended leakage when the manual lever is accidentally moved
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stem is divided into a first rod part connected to the manual lever and a second rod part connected to the valve section. This segmentation allows the first rod part to move independently within an elongated hole of the second rod part, so that accidental movement of the manual lever does not directly transmit to the valve section, preventing unintended leakage while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the valve stem is divided into multiple parts, then unintended leakage is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stem is divided into a first rod part and a second rod part with an elongated hole, creating a controlled degrees-of-freedom system that prevents unintended leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated hole acts as an intermediary mechanism between the first rod part and the second rod part, allowing controlled movement while maintaining connection. This mediator enables the first rod part to move independently without directly transmitting force to the valve section, achieving reliability without excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the manual lever is turned to horizontal position to close the valve, then the valve section is closed, but accidental hitting of the lever may cause unintended opening
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stem is segmented into two rod parts with relative movement capability, creating a buffer zone that prevents direct transmission of accidental forces from the manual lever to the valve section, thereby preventing unintended opening while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated hole structure provides a built-in cushioning mechanism that absorbs accidental impacts on the manual lever before they can reach the valve section, preventing unintended opening while allowing intentional operation to proceed normally.
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 configuration effectively suppresses unintended leakage by isolating the second rod part from external forces, ensuring the valve remains closed even when the manual lever is accidentally moved, while maintaining a compact design and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (9) provided in the case (4) and urging the valve stem (50) in the valve-section direction
Implementation Method 2
a pin (55) provided in the first rod part (51) and movable within the elongated hole (52b) of the second rod part (52)
Data Source
AI summary
A valve stem is disposed so as to be capable of moving linearly reciprocally in a case connected to a valve section for opening and closing a flow channel. The valve stem is urged toward the valve section by a spring. A manual lever is rotatably supported on the upper end of the valve stem. The valve stem is divided into a first rod part connected to the manual lever and a second rod part positioned on the valve section side, a connecting pin fixed to the first rod part is inserted through an elongated elongated hole formed in the second rod part along an axial direction, and the first rod part is able to move in the range of the elongated hole relative to the second rod section.