Torque-Limiting Valve Handle With Disengaging Drive Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cylinders for storing and dispensing fluids and gases often suffer from improper torque application on valves, leading to damage and reduced lifespan due to incorrect or excessive force being applied, as they lack effective torque limiting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A handle with a torque limiting device that includes a plurality of driving and driven members, disengaging at a predefined torque threshold to prevent over-torque, accompanied by audible or tactile feedback, and optionally featuring a visual indicator to show valve position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If no torque device is used on the valve, then the device complexity is reduced, but the valve may be damaged due to improper torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly automatically limits the torque applied to the valve through its internal mechanism (driving members disengaging from driven members at a predetermined torque threshold), eliminating the need for user judgment or external torque monitoring devices. The system serves itself by inherently preventing over-torquing without requiring additional complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly acts as an intermediary between the user's turning motion and the valve, mediating the torque transmission. The driving members and driven members serve as intermediary elements that transfer torque while automatically limiting it, protecting the valve from excessive force while still enabling proper operation.
2Reliability
If a torque limiting mechanism is added to the handle, then the valve reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: outer body, inner body, driving members, and driven members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The driving and driven members are separate elements that interact through a well-defined interface, making the torque limiting function achievable without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly incorporates dynamic elements where the driving members can rotate relative to the inner body and disengage from the driven members when the torque threshold is reached. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions automatically, providing torque limiting functionality through motion-based control rather than static mechanical constraints.
3Force
If the driving members are made stiffer to transmit more torque, then the torque transmission capability is improved, but the torque threshold control becomes less precise
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the handle assembly have different stiffness characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The outer body and inner body provide structural rigidity for overall support, while the driving members and driven members have controlled flexibility to enable precise torque threshold detection. The geometric parameters of the driving members (thickness, length, material properties) are specifically optimized to provide the right balance between torque transmission and threshold precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque threshold is controlled by adjusting geometric parameters of the driving members (such as thickness, length, or material properties) rather than changing the overall stiffness of the entire handle assembly. This allows precise control of the torque threshold while maintaining adequate torque transmission capability through proper parameter selection.
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
Prevents damage to valves by limiting torque, extending their lifespan and ensuring proper operation through feedback mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a geometry and stiffness of the plurality of driving members are defined to cause the plurality of driving members to be disengaged from the plurality of driven members upon reaching the torque threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A handle includes a torque limiting device. The torque limiting device includes a plurality of driven members and a plurality of driving members. The plurality of driving members is configured to drive the plurality of driven members in a first direction to turn a valve. In response to turning the valve, the plurality of driving members disengages from the plurality of driven members upon reaching a torque threshold. Feedback is provided when the torque limiting device reaches the torque threshold.