Vacuum Break Valve Snap-Fit Retention for Tool-Free Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water valve assemblies connected to vacuum breaks require complex assembly procedures and tools, making them costly and time-consuming to install.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum break assembly with a housing and biased latch system that allows for tool-free attachment of the valve assembly, utilizing a sliding mechanism and spring arms to orient and secure the valve assembly without the need for tools, enabling quick and easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used for valve assembly to vacuum break, then secure attachment is achieved, but assembly complexity and tool requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a valve assembly with protrusion features and a vacuum break housing with corresponding recess features. This segmentation allows for modular assembly while maintaining secure attachment through the interlocking features.
Solution Approach 2:
The biased latch mechanism with spring arms automatically engages with the valve assembly protrusions when the vacuum break housing is assembled. The spring bias provides automatic retention without requiring external tools or complex procedures, making the system self-securing.
2Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used for valve assembly to vacuum break, then secure attachment is achieved, but assembly time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biased latch mechanism is pre-configured with spring arms positioned to automatically engage with the valve assembly during the assembly process. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for post-assembly adjustments or tool-based securing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased latch system automatically secures the valve assembly to the vacuum break housing through its own mechanical action, without requiring external tools, operators, or additional securing steps. This self-securing mechanism dramatically reduces assembly time and labor costs.
3Ease of operation
If biased latch mechanism is used for valve assembly connection, then tool-free assembly is enabled, but retention force mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased latch mechanism uses the spring's own stored energy to automatically engage and retain the valve assembly. The system is self-actuating, requiring no external tools, motors, or complex control systems. The simplicity of the spring-latch design provides ease of operation while maintaining acceptable mechanical complexity.
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
Facilitates a cost-effective and efficient connection of the valve assembly to the vacuum break, eliminating the need for tools and simplifying the assembly process while ensuring secure attachment and easy removal.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arm, which is flexible in a first direction, having a retaining feature
Data Source
AI summary
A method of coupling a valve assembly to a housing including the steps of orienting a channel and retaining the valve assembly. The orienting step including the orienting of the channel on the valve assembly to dual spring arms on the housing thereby directing a portion of the valve assembly to an opening in the housing. The retaining step including retaining the valve assembly to the housing by way of a biased latch.