Valve Actuator Attachment With One-Way Locking for Easy Demounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator attachments for valves, such as radiator valves, face challenges in secure mounting and easy demounting due to varying attachment geometries and require tools for adjustment, leading to potential misalignment and complexity in rotational positioning.
Innovation Solution
An actuator attachment with a coupling mechanism that allows unrotatable coupling in one direction for secure mounting and rotatable coupling in another direction for adjustment, utilizing a slip clutch with saw tooth-wave-like profiled surfaces and a flexible coupling section to manage friction and facilitate easy demounting without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator section is allowed to rotate freely relative to the adapter during mounting, then the actuator section can be positioned in a desired rotational position, but the actuator section may be rotated along with the union nut making it difficult to securely fix the attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a locked state during mounting to an unlocked state during adjustment, and back to a locked state during demounting. The ratchet teeth and pawl allow bidirectional rotation during mounting, then lock in the desired position, and can be temporarily unlocked by the coupling mechanism for demounting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics of the profiled surfaces change based on engagement state. When the coupling mechanism engages, it presses the profiled surfaces together increasing friction to prevent relative rotation. When disengaged, the ratchet teeth allow controlled relative rotation in both directions.
2Reliability
If the actuator section and adapter are tightly coupled for secure mounting, then firm connection is achieved, but rotational adjustment becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between locked and unlocked states. During normal operation, the ratchet teeth provide a locked state for firm connection. During adjustment, the coupling mechanism temporarily creates an unlocked state allowing relative rotation, then returns to locked state to maintain firm connection.
3Ease of repair
If a tool is required for demounting as shown in alternative solutions, then demounting can be achieved, but the process becomes complicated and requires aligned openings
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be manually operated without external tools. The user can directly engage the coupling mechanism to temporarily unlock the connection, rotate the components for demounting, and then re-engage for secure mounting, eliminating the need for specialized tools and alignment procedures.
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 secure and firm mounting and adjustment of the actuator attachment on valves with improved visibility of settings, while allowing for simple and tool-free demounting, addressing the complexity and misalignment issues of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second profiled surfaces form a slip clutch. When the actuator section is rotated relative to the adapter in the first rotational direction the profiled surfaces engage one another and the actuator section and the adapter are rotatable in unison. However, if the actuator section is rotated in the second rotational direction the first profiled surface slips over the second profiled surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator attachment (1) for actuating a valve, in particular a radiator valve. The actuator attachment (1) comprises an actuator section (2) as well as an adapter (3). The adapter (3) is unrotatably coupleable to the actuator section (2) in a plurality of discreet relative rotational positions. Task of the invention is to provide an actuator attachment that allows to adjust the rotational position of the actuator attachment after installation and that can be easily mounted to and demounted from a valve. According to the present invention the above task is solved in that the adapter (3) is unrotatably coupled to the actuator section (2) when the actuator section (2) is rotated in a first rotational direction and is rotatably coupled to the adapter (3) in an opposite, second rotational direction.