Valve Housing Locking Element With Snap-In Anti-Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve housings with perpendicular stroke designs face challenges in easy opening and securing against unintentional loosening, with complex manufacturing processes and high torque resistance due to serrations on locking elements.
Innovation Solution
A housing design featuring an outer and inner housing with a securing element having a clamping area that engages in a pocket on the outer housing, utilizing a flat, angled clamping surface for secure locking and a visual or tactile verification mechanism to ensure the correct position, eliminating the need for serrations on the inner diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking element with toothing is used to secure housing parts, then the housing is secured against loosening, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and the torque resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the toothing feature from the locking element and relocates it to the housing structure itself. The inner housing receives the securing element with a recess, while the outer housing provides the engaging toothing. This separation simplifies the locking element to a basic form-fitting component while maintaining the securing function through the housing-integrated toothing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a recess in the inner housing as an intermediary structure that mediates between the simple securing element and the toothing mechanism. The recess provides the form-fitting connection point, allowing the securing element to engage with the outer housing's toothing without requiring complex features on the securing element itself.
2Force
If serrations are added to the locking element's toothing, then the torque resistance increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the torque-resisting toothing feature from the locking element and relocates it to the outer housing's inner circumference. The locking element remains a simple, smooth component that engages form-fittingly, while the toothing with torque-resisting characteristics is provided by the housing structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complex features to the locking element to increase torque resistance, the patent inverts the approach by providing the torque-resisting toothing on the stationary housing structure. This allows the moving locking element to remain simple while the stationary part provides the mechanical advantage for torque resistance.
3Ease of operation
If the housing parts are designed to be easily opened, then the assembly can be disassembled for maintenance, but the securing against unintentional loosening may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the securing element with a head portion that can be accessed from the outside through an opening in the outer housing. This allows the securing element to be operated (loosened or tightened) from the exterior without requiring disassembly of the housing, enabling easy maintenance while maintaining secure locking when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a visual feedback mechanism where the head of the securing element is visible through an opening in the outer housing. This allows operators to verify the engagement status and end position of the securing element, ensuring that the housing is properly secured or intentionally opened.
Data Source
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AI summary
Housing (1) for a valve, preferably a valve in which the stroke for opening and closing occurs perpendicular to the flow direction of the valve, comprising an outer housing (2) and an inner housing (3), wherein the outer housing (2) and the inner housing (3) can be screwed together, wherein the inner housing (3) has a circumferential shoulder (4) on the outer circumference and a securing element (5), wherein the securing element (5) having the clamping and fastening area is designed as a one-piece, separate part, wherein the fastening area of the securing element (5) is arranged in a form-fitting manner in a recess (11) arranged below the shoulder (4) on the outer circumference of the inner housing (3), and the clamping area of the securing element (5) projects beyond the shoulder (4) and engages into the outer housing (2), wherein a pocket is arranged on the inner circumference of the outer housing (2), into which pocket the clamping area of the securing element (5) in the end position snaps,wherein the clamping area has an outwardly directed flat clamping surface inclined to the perpendicular valve axis (13).