Valve Control Slide Emergency Manual Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve solutions for hydraulic applications, actuated by step motors, fail to ensure safety in case of motor or electrical system failure, potentially leaving machines in a hazardous state.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a manually operable emergency device, where the control slide can be actuated by a control rod connected to an energy storage device, allowing direct manual intervention and safe state control regardless of the step motor's position, ensuring separation or connection of fluid points for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the valve is actuated by a step motor, then the valve can be electrically controlled, but the valve cannot be safely returned to a neutral position in case of motor or electrical system failure
Solution Approach 1:
A control rod is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the emergency actuation mechanism to the control slide. This mechanical intermediary allows manual override of the electrically controlled valve, enabling safe return to neutral position even when the step motor or electrical system fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system incorporates an emergency actuation device that allows the operator to directly manipulate the control slide through the control rod, enabling the system to self-rescue from hazardous states without requiring external intervention or repair of the failed electrical components.
2Reliability
If a manually operable emergency device is added, then safety in case of failure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod serves multiple functions: it acts as a guide for the control slide during normal operation and as an actuation lever for the emergency device when failure occurs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated emergency components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency actuation mechanism is nested within the existing valve structure, with the control rod passing through the valve housing and the emergency device integrated into the control mechanism. This nesting approach minimizes additional space requirements and reduces overall structural complexity.
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
The emergency device allows for safe operation and control of machines even in case of step motor failure, providing a safe state by enabling manual intervention and preventing environmental endangerment.
Implementation Method 1
The control rod of the emergency device passes through an energy storage device, in particular in the form of a compression spring
Data Source
AI summary
A valve has a control slide (4) guided in a valve housing (6) so as to be longitudinally movable. The control slide selectively connects a plurality of fluid connection points (P, T, A, B) in the valve housing (6) to each other in a fluid-conducting manner or disconnects the fluid connection points from each other, and can be electrically controlled by a stepper motor (2). The control slide (4) can be actuated by an emergency device (34, 52) in the event of a malfunction or failure.