Valve Actuation Device with Preload Element for Water Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve actuating devices lack an effective mechanism to signal high water consumption and automatically return to a water-saving position, leading to inefficient water usage.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a prestressing element that increases adjustment resistance between the fully open and partially open positions, featuring an elastic element supported on the bearing housing, which automatically returns the operating lever to the detent position when released, providing a locking step resistance for both open and closed directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a detent mechanism is used to provide a water-saving position, then water consumption is reduced, but the operating lever cannot be easily held in the fully open position for high flow rate operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides a dynamic restoring force that automatically returns the operating lever to the detent position after manual actuation. This dynamic mechanism allows the lever to be easily held in the fully open position during high flow rate operation, while automatically returning to the water-saving detent position when released, thus resolving the contradiction between water conservation and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element enables self-service functionality by automatically returning the operating lever to the water-saving detent position without requiring additional user intervention. The system serves itself by using the spring's stored energy to restore the lever to the optimal water-saving position, eliminating the need for continuous manual holding or additional control mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If the operating lever is easily returnable to detent position, then automatic water-saving is achieved, but insufficient actuation resistance prevents intentional temporary full opening for high flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed with specific pre-tension and force characteristics that provide partial resistance during normal operation, allowing easy return to the detent position. However, when sufficient force is applied by the user, the lever can overcome the spring resistance and be intentionally held in the fully open position for high flow rate operation. This partial action approach resolves the contradiction by providing just enough resistance to enable intentional override while maintaining automatic return capability.
3Extent of automation
If spring pre-tension provides automatic return force, then lever returns to intermediate position, but excessive pre-tension prevents intentional full opening
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's force characteristics are carefully selected and adjusted to provide optimal pre-tension that enables automatic return to the detent position under normal conditions. However, the spring's force-displacement curve and pre-tension parameters are designed to allow intentional override when sufficient user force is applied, providing adaptability for both automatic water-saving operation and intentional high flow rate operation. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between automatic return force and versatility of operation.
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 device effectively signals high water consumption and ensures automatic return to a water-saving position, reducing unnecessary water usage by requiring operator intervention to maintain the fully open position.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element supported on the bearing housing, which automatically returns the operating lever to the detent position when released
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operation device for a valve. The invention relates to a valve operating device, in particular for a sanitary valve. The operation device is provided with a bearing housing(3), an operating rod (2) which is movably supported in the bearing housing between the closing position of the valve and the fully opening position of the valve, and a partially opening clamping stage which provides clamping stage resistance in the belonged clamping stage for the swing movement in the closing position of the operating rod (2). The operation device has a pre-tightening element (4) for pre-tightening the operating rod in the direction of the swing region between the fully open position and the clamping stage position to the clamping stage position, for example, for use in sanitary mixing fittings.