Valve Assembly Closure Cover with Collar Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve arrangements face challenges in maintaining cleanliness during maintenance and replacement of valve units, as the sealing cover's width matches the base body, making handling difficult and increasing the risk of contamination and leaks.

Innovation Solution

The closure cover is designed with a smaller outline than the mounting surface, seated on a collar-shaped elevation of the base body, which acts as a barrier to prevent contaminants and liquids from entering the receiving space, and a sealing surface is formed on the collar to ensure a secure seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the closure cover has the same width as the base body, then the sealing is improved, but the handling during assembly and disassembly becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidhandling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure cover is segmented into two functional parts: the sealing edge that matches the base body width for proper sealing, and the main body that extends beyond for easy handling. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding portion of the closure cover acts as an intermediary element between the sealing function and the handling function, providing a grip area that does not interfere with the sealing edge contact with the base body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the closure cover is removed together with the valve unit, then the assembly and disassembly is simplified, but the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassemblyVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure cover is designed with integrated fastening elements that are prepared in advance to allow the valve unit to remain seated on the base body during closure cover removal, preventing contamination before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening function is extracted from the closure cover itself and implemented as separate fastening elements that can be independently manipulated, allowing the closure cover to be removed without necessarily removing the valve unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If special fastening screws are attached to the closure cap to serve as grip points, then the handling is improved, but the design effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoiddesign effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handling function is merged into the closure cover structure itself by extending its body beyond the sealing edge, eliminating the need for separate fastening screws to serve as grip points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extended closure cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the sealing edge contact with the base body, provides integrated grip points for handling, and maintains structural integrity without requiring additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2746592B1Valve assembly
Publication Date: 2015.12.16 FESTO AG & CO KG
  • EP2746592B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2746592B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2746592B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The arrangement (1) has a valve carrier channel (57) staying in fluid connection with a valve unit (3) i.e. 5/2-way valve. A closure cover (7) of a valve carrier (2) is detachably attached at a mounting surface (12) of a base body (6). The closure cover exhibits a small outline in a plan view than the mounting surface of the base body. The closure cover rests on a frame-like collar-shaped projection (35) of the base body arranged at the mounting surface. The projection projects in a direction of the closure cover concerning an outside surrounding surface portion (12a) of the mounting surface. The base body is designed as a plate-shaped base body and a disk-shaped base body.