Valve Transmission Using Flexible Elements to Reduce Transverse Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems that convert rotational movement of a drive motor into linear movement often experience unwanted transverse forces and torques, leading to increased wear and potential jamming due to these forces.
Innovation Solution
A valve system utilizing a transmission device formed from flexible elements and a rotatable toothed segment, where only tensile forces are transmitted, and the toothed segment is wrapped by flexible elements to minimize transverse forces and torques, using a gear mechanism or direct motor drive to achieve translatory movement of the valve tappet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gear transmission mechanism is used to convert rotational movement into linear movement, then the valve can be actuated, but unwanted transverse forces and torques are transmitted to the valve tappet and valve disk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rigid gear transmission mechanism with a flexible element-based transmission system. The flexible elements (cables or belts) transmit rotational movement from the drive motor to the valve tappet without creating transverse forces, as they only transmit tensile forces along their length, eliminating the harmful lateral loads present in conventional gear systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible elements such as cables or belts instead of rigid mechanical components. These flexible elements wrap around pulleys or drums and transmit motion through tension only, allowing rotational-to-linear conversion while maintaining force transmission strictly along the direction of motion, thus avoiding transverse force generation.
2Productivity
If conventional transmission mechanisms are used, then rotational movement can be converted to linear movement, but greater wear and reduced lifetime occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes rigid mechanical contact-based transmission with a flexible element system that transmits force through tension only. This eliminates sliding friction and contact wear between gears and teeth, significantly extending the operational life of the valve mechanism while maintaining effective movement conversion.
3Force
If rigid transmission mechanisms are used, then force transmission is achieved, but jamming of the valve may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible elements that can accommodate minor misalignments and variations in the transmission path without creating binding conditions. The flexibility allows the system to absorb dimensional tolerances and thermal expansions, preventing jamming while maintaining sufficient force transmission to actuate the valve reliably.
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 solution effectively reduces transverse forces and torques, enhancing the durability and reliability of the valve system by ensuring force transmission is uniform and free of disruptive moments, thereby preventing jamming and extending the valve's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
only tensile forces are able to be transmitted by the flexible elements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve for opening and closing a flow path, comprising a drive motor, comprising a valve disk, comprising a valve tappet and comprising a transmission device for converting rotational movement of the drive motor into translatory movement of the valve disk, wherein the valve disk is connected to the valve tappet and is able to be moved by way of movement of the valve tappet, wherein the transmission device is formed from flexible elements and at least one toothed segment which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein only tensile forces are able to be transmitted by the flexible elements, and wherein the toothed segment is able to be at least partially wrapped around by the flexible elements by way of rotational movement.