Valve Arrangement Lateral Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve devices face challenges in achieving a flexible and simplified detachable attachment between the valve body and housing, with current fixing methods being time-consuming and affecting the dynamic behavior of the overall arrangement.

Innovation Solution

The use of laterally engaging securing means, such as shaped elements like sheet metal or wire, which can pivot, rotate, or be plastically deformable, to create a locked state between the valve body and housing, eliminating the need for internal threads and allowing for easy disengagement and assembly, with the valve body itself securing the locking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixing screw is used to brace the housing against the valve body, then a secure locking connection is achieved, but the assembly becomes time-consuming and the dynamic behavior is adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking connectionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the securing function from the valve body itself and places it on the housing side through separate securing means (such as clips or lugs). This allows the valve body to remain simple and threaded connections to be eliminated, while the housing carries the complexity of the securing mechanism, thus reducing assembly time without compromising locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing means are designed to combine multiple functions: they provide both the locking connection (by engaging with the valve body's locking section) and the securing against the housing simultaneously. This integration eliminates the need for separate fixing components and reduces the number of assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a fixing screw is used to brace the housing against the valve body, then a secure locking connection is achieved, but the dynamic behavior of the overall arrangement is adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking connectionVSAvoiddynamic behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy threaded connection is replaced by lighter securing means (clips or lugs) mounted on the housing. These securing means achieve the same locking function with significantly reduced mass, thereby improving the dynamic behavior of the valve assembly while maintaining reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing means are designed as simple, lightweight components (such as plastic clips or thin metal lugs) that are sufficient for the intended application lifecycle. They provide adequate securing strength without the excessive mass of traditional screw fasteners, optimizing the weight-to-strength ratio for dynamic applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If securing means are provided separately from the housing material, then locking flexibility and simplification are achieved, but the securing means must be prevented from falling out or being removed unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanismVSAvoidsecuring means retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body itself serves to secure the separating securing means through its locking section. When the valve body is inserted, its locking section automatically engages with the securing means, preventing them from falling out or being removed unintentionally. This self-securing mechanism eliminates the need for additional retention features while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the housing securing the securing means (which would add complexity), the invention inverts the relationship: the valve body secures the securing means through its locking section. This reversal simplifies the housing design and the overall assembly process while ensuring the securing means remain in place during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If traditional threaded fastening is used between valve body and housing, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded connection is extracted from the valve body and relocated to the housing side through separate securing means. This allows the valve body to be manufactured as a simple component without internal threads, reducing its manufacturing complexity. The housing absorbs the complexity of the securing mechanism, simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is segmented into separate functional components: the housing carries the securing means (clips or lugs), while the valve body provides the locking section. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with simpler processes, and the assembly becomes more straightforward as the components snap or clip together without threading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution enhances the flexibility and simplifies the locking mechanism, reducing assembly complexity and dynamic interference, while allowing for snap-in assembly and potential use as an antenna, improving the structural and operational efficiency of the valve device.

Implementation Method 1

a spring effect is realized by a cross-sectional U or V shape of the securing means, with two legs delimiting a spring section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

locking or snapping (for example through a suitable elastic or spring-loaded design of a corresponding area that engages in the locking section)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the securing means are designed as subassemblies mounted on or in the housing such that they can pivot, rotate, spring and/or be plastically deformable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2376293B2Valve arrangement
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 ALLIGATOR VENTILFAB BESCHRANKTER
  • EP2376293B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2376293B2 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2376293B2 patent drawingFigure 6~6a

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve device having a valve body (1, 1') releaseably connected by means of a retaining unit (4, 4') to a housing (3, 3') designed for receiving electronic tire pressure measuring means, so that the retaining unit fixes the valve body in a relative position to the housing in a locked state, and the valve body can be displaced in an axial extension direction relative to the housing and released from the same in an unlocked state. The retaining means are provided on or in the housing, so that said means engage laterally in a jacket-side locking segment of the valve body for producing the locked state, and are designed so that the retaining means are secured or locked on or in the housing in the locked state.