Flow Control Valve Adapter Structure for Tool-Free Plate Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control valves require cumbersome tool-based fastening methods for attachment to plates, making the process troublesome.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a ring part, holding leg portions, and a lock arm facilitates the attachment of a flow control valve to a plate by allowing the flow adjusting part to pass through an attachment hole, using fitting protrusions and spring locking pieces for secure positioning without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nut fastening method is used to attach the flow control valve to the plate, then the attachment is secure and reliable, but the preparation of tools and fastening work becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the flow control valve and the plate. The adapter includes a ring part with holding leg portions that engage with the valve body and a lock arm that secures the assembly. This intermediary device eliminates the need for nuts and tools, allowing tool-free attachment while maintaining secure connection through the adapter's locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed to enable self-service attachment without requiring external tools. The holding leg portions and lock arm work together to automatically secure the flow control valve to the plate through simple insertion and locking actions performed by the user without needing wrenches or other fastening tools
2Strength
If a tool-based fastening method is used, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the work process becomes complex and requires multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is segmented into distinct functional components: a ring part with holding leg portions for engaging the valve body, and a separate lock arm for securing the assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall attachment process while maintaining strong connection through the coordinated action of these specialized parts
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as a mediator that replaces complex tool-based fastening with a simplified integrated structure. The holding leg portions and lock arm work together as a unified intermediary mechanism between the valve and plate, providing sufficient connection strength without requiring multiple fastening steps or external tools
3Reliability
If conventional attachment methods are used, then the flow control valve is securely fixed, but the installation time and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter enables self-service installation by eliminating the need for tools and complex fastening procedures. The holding leg portions and lock arm allow users to quickly attach the flow control valve to the plate through simple manual operations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining secure fixing through the adapter's locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary that bridges the flow control valve and plate with a quick-attach design. This intermediary component provides reliable fixing through its structural design while enabling rapid installation without the time-consuming steps required by conventional attachment methods
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
[Object] To provide an adapter and a flow control valve attaching structure for facilitating work for attaching, to an attachment hole in a plate, a flow control valve having a dial part at a distal end of a second body projecting from a first body. [Solution] An adapter 1 is used to attach, to an attachment hole in a plate 70, a flow control valve 50 having a first body 51 and a second body 55 projecting from an intermediate part of the first body 51 and having a dial part 60 at the distal end thereof. The adapter 1 has a ring part 2 having a lower surface to be brought into contact with the periphery of the attachment hole in the front surface of the plate so that the dial part passes through the attachment hole toward the front surface side, first and second holding leg portions 7 and 8 extending downward from the lower surface of the ring part at both ends in the radial direction thereof to tightly hold the flow control valve from both sides, and a lock arm for connecting these leg parts to each other. The base end of the lock arm is pivotably connected to the lower end of the first holding leg portion, and the distal end of the lock arm has an engaged portion engageable with and disengageable from an engaging portion provided at the lower end of the second holding leg portion.