Heating Circuit Valve Actuator Assembly With Coupled Control Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for heating circuit valves are complex to assemble and require significant effort, with challenges in compressing and fixing return springs, and changing operating modes is difficult without additional manipulations.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a one-part or multi-part housing featuring a return spring, an actuator connected to electrical supply lines, and an actuating part, where the control part consists of two elements that can be displaced and coupled, allowing for easy assembly and operation mode changes without pre-compressing the return spring, utilizing a latching connection for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a return spring with preload is used in the actuating device, then the valve can be securely closed, but the assembly becomes complex and requires significant effort to compress and fix the spring during manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating part is divided into two separable elements: a first actuating element that remains fixed during assembly and a second actuating element that is inserted and latched later. This segmentation eliminates the need to compress the return spring during initial assembly, as the spring is engaged only after the valve piston is already in position, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable valve closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve piston is positioned in the open position before the return spring is engaged. The second actuating element is inserted and latched to the first actuating element, which then triggers the engagement of the return spring with the valve piston. This preliminary positioning avoids the need to force-compress the spring during assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring secure valve closure when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If the return spring is compressed and fixed before assembly to simplify installation, then the valve piston does not need to be forced in, but the arrangement becomes relatively complex and requires additional manipulations during initial operation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the actuating elements transitions from uncoupled to coupled state dynamically. During assembly, the second actuating element is inserted in an uncoupled state, allowing easy installation. After installation, actuating the device causes the elements to couple together, engaging the return spring. This dynamic transition eliminates the need for pre-compression while maintaining ease of installation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device automatically engages the return spring through its own operation. When the second actuating element is inserted and the device is actuated, the coupling of the two elements triggers the return spring engagement without requiring external compression or additional manipulations. The system serves itself by using its normal operating motion to complete the spring engagement.
3Device complexity
If the actuating device is designed for easy assembly without pre-compression, then assembly effort is reduced, but additional manipulations are required to engage the return spring during initial operation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling of the two actuating elements and the engagement of the return spring are merged into a single action. When the second actuating element is inserted and the device is actuated, both the coupling and spring engagement occur simultaneously through the latching connection. This merging eliminates separate manipulation steps, reducing initial operation time despite the simplified assembly design.
4Reliability
If a latching connection is used to couple the actuating elements, then secure operation is ensured, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latching connection is implemented as a localized feature on the second actuating element rather than a complex mechanical linkage. The segmented design of the two actuating elements allows the latching mechanism to be integrated into the insertion motion itself, maintaining operational security while minimizing structural 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
Enables simple and cost-effective assembly and operation of heating circuit valves, allowing for effortless changes in operating modes without manual compression of springs, ensuring secure valve closure and easy resetting to the 'open without power' state.
Implementation Method 1
In order to extend the actuator piston, an expansion material is provided in the actuator, which expands when heated and pushes the actuator piston outwards
Implementation Method 2
To heat the expansion material, the actuator is coupled to a heating element, e.g. a PTC resistor, to which energy can be supplied via electrical lines
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
The control device (1) provided for heating circuit valves has a one-part or multi-part device housing (11, 12) in which a return spring (22), a control part (7) and an actuator (4) connected to electrical supply lines (51; 52) are provided, which has an actuator housing (41) and an extendable actuator piston (42) and which acts on the return spring (22) on the one hand and on the actuating part (7) on the other hand, by means of which the heating circuit valve can be actuated. According to the invention, the control part (7) consists of at least one first and one second control element (71, 72) which can be displaced relative to one another in an uncoupled state and coupled to one another when a coupling point is reached and can be displaced together in the coupled state.