Pressurized Fluid Valve Locking Lever Shield Against Accidental Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve mechanisms for pressurized fluid cylinders are prone to untimely actuation when subjected to external impacts during transportation or handling, leading to hazardous unintended gas release due to the risk of a protruding object activating the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The valve design incorporates a concealing portion on the body that prevents or limits the activation of the locking lever from the rear, with a geometry that deflects or blocks rectilinear objects, and a protective bonnet that restricts access to the locking lever, ensuring it remains locked unless intentionally actuated by the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking lever is provided with an end for grasping that protrudes from the valve body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of untimely actuation by external objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the valve body, creating a lateral motion path that is less susceptible to accidental actuation by objects approaching from the rear, while maintaining accessibility from the front face
Solution Approach 2:
The valve shutters are pre-configured in a closed position with a locking mechanism that requires deliberate manual intervention to open, ensuring that the valve remains in a safe closed state unless intentionally activated by the user
2Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is made accessible from the rear of the valve, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential accidental activation during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body incorporates a recessed portion that selectively exposes the locking lever actuation end only from specific angles (front and sides), while shielding it from the rear direction, creating localized accessibility zones that maintain operational ease while preventing accidental activation during transport
3Productivity
If the control member is easily movable from rest to active position, then the productivity is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to unintended gas release
Solution Approach 1:
The valve shutters are pre-configured in a closed position with a locking mechanism that requires deliberate manual intervention to open, ensuring that the valve remains in a safe closed state unless intentionally activated by the user
Solution Approach 2:
A locking lever acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the control member, requiring a deliberate two-step action (first moving the locking lever, then moving the control member) that prevents accidental activation while maintaining efficient operation when intentionally opened
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for pressurized fluid, including a body having a front face and a rear face and housing an internal fluid circuit having an upstream end configured to be placed in communication with a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end configured to be placed in communication with a user of fluid, the circuit including a collection of valve shutter(s) including at least one shutoff valve shutter for closing or opening the circuit, the valve comprising a member for manually controlling the collection of valve shutter(s).