Spring Return Valve Actuator Gear Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spring return valve actuators require a large elastic member with high elastic coefficient to drive the valve, leading to increased load on the output shaft, reduced lifespan, and larger volume.
Innovation Solution
A gear combination of first and second planetary gears is fitted between the first and second worm shafts, with the elastic member attached to the second worm shaft, reducing the load on the output shaft and allowing for a smaller device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elastic member is fitted onto the final output shaft together with the valve, then the valve can be driven directly by the elastic member, but a large elastic coefficient and tensile force are required, increasing the load on the output shaft
Solution Approach 1:
A gear combination (planetary gear mechanism) is introduced as an intermediary between the elastic member and the valve. The elastic member drives the planetary gear mechanism, which in turn drives the valve. This intermediary mechanism provides mechanical advantage, allowing the elastic member to operate at lower force while still delivering sufficient torque to the valve through the gear multiplication effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the elastic member by using a gear mechanism to multiply torque. Instead of requiring high force at the output shaft, the system uses lower force at the gear input and converts it to high torque at the valve through the gear ratio, effectively changing the force parameter distribution in the system.
2Force
If a large elastic member with high elastic coefficient is used to drive the valve, then sufficient driving force is achieved, but the volume of the valve actuator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear combination acts as a force multiplication intermediary, allowing a smaller elastic member to generate sufficient driving force through mechanical advantage. This eliminates the need for a large elastic member, thereby reducing the overall actuator volume while maintaining the required driving force capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission path is segmented into multiple stages: elastic member → gear combination → valve. This segmentation allows the force to be built up progressively through the gear mechanism rather than requiring a single large elastic member, enabling compact design with adequate force output.
3Device complexity
If both the elastic member and valve are fitted onto the final output shaft together, then the structure is simple, but the lifetime of the valve actuator is reduced due to large load on the output shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The gear combination serves as a protective intermediary that reduces the load on the output shaft by providing mechanical advantage. This load reduction extends the lifetime of the output shaft and associated components, improving reliability while the gear mechanism itself adds manageable complexity to the overall structure.
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 enables the valve to be opened and closed with a smaller elastic coefficient, reducing the load on the output shaft and allowing for a more compact design while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
the driving force of an elastic member, e.g. a spring, especially a coil spring
Implementation Method 2
a worm member connected thereto, and a planetary gear member
Implementation Method 3
a first planetary gear member and a second planetary gear member
Data Source
AI summary
A spring return valve comprising a motor, a first worm member, a second planetary gear member, a second worm member, an elastic member, and a valve attached to said second worm wheel is provided. Since the first and the second planetary gear are installed between the first worm shaft and the second worm shaft and the elastic member is fitted onto the second worm shaft, the load applied on the output shaft can be reduced a lot, the opening and/or closing operation is very easy even if the elastic coefficient is small, thereby the reduction in size is possible.