Flow Regulating Valve Closed-State Detection Without Lead Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate regulating valves require additional components like insulating rings, films, lead wires, and detectors to detect a fully closed state, increasing costs and complexity, and necessitating additional space and handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate regulating valve utilizing a stepping servomotor with encoder feedback for closed-loop control, eliminating the need for external detection components by using the motor's pressing control function to maintain the valve at a continuous rated torque until a set torque value is reached, allowing for accurate detection of the closed position without additional wires or components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional detection components (insulating rings, films, lead wires, detectors) are added to detect the fully closed state, then the detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor unit performs self-detection of the fully closed state by monitoring its own operational parameters (rotation number, current, voltage, or speed) without requiring external detection components. The control unit uses the motor's inherent feedback to determine when the valve body is fully closed, eliminating the need for separate detectors and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor unit serves multiple functions: it drives the valve body for opening/closing operations and simultaneously detects the fully closed state through its operational parameters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated detection components, reducing both device complexity and cost while maintaining detection reliability.
2Measurement precision
If additional detection components and wires are added to detect the fully closed state, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the handling and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the motor's own operational data to detect the fully closed state, eliminating the need for external wires and detectors that would complicate installation and handling. The control unit processes the motor's inherent feedback signals, maintaining detection accuracy without adding handling complexity.
3Reliability
If additional detection components are added to detect the fully closed state, then the detection capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor unit and control unit work together to detect the fully closed state using the motor's own operational parameters, eliminating the need for additional expensive components like insulating rings, films, lead wires, and detectors. This self-detection approach reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor unit is designed to perform both driving and detection functions, making the system more cost-effective by eliminating the need for separate detection components. The control unit utilizes existing motor parameters for detection, reducing overall system cost.
4Productivity
If the motor operates at high torque to close the valve quickly, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of valve damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the motor's operational parameters (rotation number, current, voltage, or speed) and uses this feedback to determine when the valve body is fully closed. Upon detection, the control unit immediately stops the motor, preventing excessive torque application that could damage the valve. This feedback mechanism enables both rapid closing and protection against damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively stops the motor when the fully closed state is detected, preventing any potential over-torquing or damage before it can occur. The control unit is programmed to halt motor operation as soon as closure is detected, protecting the valve from excessive force.
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 reliable detection of the fully closed state without additional components, reducing costs and handling complexity, while providing position, speed, and torque control functions to prevent valve damage and enhance maintenance capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a stepping servomotor, and has a pressing control function for moving the valve body in a closing direction at a continuous rated torque or below until a torque value becomes equal to or higher than a set value by a closed loop caused by a signal of the encoder
Implementation Method 2
a spring (43) disposed between an upper surface of a bottom plate (40a) of the cylindrical body (40) and a lower surface of the slider (30) to press the valve body (49) toward a closed position
Implementation Method 3
when the plug body 8 at a distal end of the shaft 7 comes into abutment with the plug seat 9
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a flow rate regulating valve capable of detecting a state where a flow path is fully closed even when there is no lead wire or the like for detecting the state where the flow path is fully closed. A flow rate regulating valve is a fluid regulating valve including a valve body for opening and closing fluid flow paths provided in a body and includes an actuator unit for moving the valve body, and the actuator unit includes a drive motor, a slider moved by a rotation of the motor, a cylindrical body mounted on the slider, and a shaft interlocked with the cylindrical body and provided with the valve body fixed to a distal end thereof. The motor is a stepping servomotor, and has a pressing control function for moving the valve body in the closing direction at a continuous rated torque.