Valve-Actuator Housing Interface for Guided Linear Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies face challenges in easy and failsafe assembly and disassembly of the actuator housing on the valve housing, often requiring specially trained personnel due to the complexity of correct mounting.
Innovation Solution
The valve assembly features a first interface region on the valve housing and a mating second interface region on the actuator housing, with guiding features that ensure correct alignment and mounting along a substantially linear direction, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without specialized training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used for actuator housing on valve housing, then the valve can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes complicated and requires specially trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring complementary guiding features (protrusions and recesses) on the actuator housing and valve housing before assembly. These features are designed in advance to automatically guide the actuator housing onto the valve housing in the correct orientation, eliminating the need for trained personnel to perform complex alignment procedures during assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex mounting procedures are used to ensure correct valve settings, then mounting accuracy is improved, but the assembly time and skill requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through self-aligning interface features where the actuator housing automatically positions itself relative to the valve housing during assembly. The complementary guiding features enable the housing to self-guide into the correct orientation without external intervention or specialized knowledge, ensuring accurate valve settings while minimizing assembly time and skill requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve assembly (1) comprising a valve housing (2) and an actuator housing (3) is disclosed. The valve housing (2) accommodates a movable valve element for controlling a fluid flow through the valve (1), and the actuator housing (3) accommodates an actuator being operably connected to the movable valve element so as to cause movement thereof. The actuator housing (3) is mounted on the valve housing (2) via a first interface region (9) formed on the valve housing (2) and a mating second interface region (12) formed on the actuator housing (3). The first interface region (9) comprises at least one first guiding feature (10) adapted to cooperate with at least one mating second guiding feature (13) formed on the second interface region (12), so as to guide movement of the actuator housing (3) relative to the valve housing (2) along a substantially linear first direction during mounting of the actuator housing (3) on the valve housing (2). A method for assembling a valve (1) is further disclosed.