Integrated Valve Control Lever for Protected Cable Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve constructions are prone to cable damage due to its exposure near the hand grip point and bending during operation, making it difficult to shield the cable from unintentional tears and damage.

Innovation Solution

The control lever is designed as a reliable handle for turning motions with electric or pneumatic switches integrated at its upper end, and the control lever, including its handle and tubes, is integrated within the valve frame without visible cabling, allowing a free route for the cable through the frame with tube inlets and outlets on the same side, and a folded rubber cover to protect the cable feed-through.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cable is led out from the control lever near the hand grip point, then the cable routing is simplified, but the cable becomes exposed and vulnerable to damage and unintentional tears

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routingVSAvoidcable protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is nested inside the hollow control lever tube, which provides protective enclosure. The tube acts as a protective shell that shields the cable from external damage while maintaining a clean integrated appearance without visible cabling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow control lever tube serves as an intermediary protective structure between the cable and the external environment. It mediates the cable's vulnerability by providing a protected pathway through the lever structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cable is led out from the control lever during operation, then electrical connection is achieved, but a bending spot is created that increases cable damage possibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidcable durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable remains nested within the hollow control lever tube throughout operation, eliminating external bending spots. The tube provides a rigid protective channel that prevents cable bending and damage during lever movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of leading the cable out from the lever (conventional approach), the cable is led through the lever's internal hollow space. This inverted routing approach protects the cable from bending while maintaining electrical connection functionality.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If the cable is exposed outside the valve frame, then installation is simplified, but the cable cannot be shielded from unintentional tear

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinstallationVSAvoidcable exposure to damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is nested within the hollow control lever tube, which provides continuous protective enclosure from the lever handle through to the valve frame connection point, shielding it from external damage throughout its entire path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable routing is merged with the control lever structure itself. The cable pathway is integrated into the lever's hollow interior, combining the structural function of the lever with the protective function for the cable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1915558B1Valve construction
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 PIMATIC
  • EP1915558B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1915558B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A valve construction comprising a frame (1), which has which has one or more for pressurized medium arranged as valve working closing canal system, a control lever (2) to close and open the said canal systems and one or more electric or pneumatic operating switches fitted in connection with the valve control lever (2). To the electric or pneumatic operating switch connected to the control lever cable (3) is led or a piping system fitted to run inside the control lever (2) and further inside its possible tube portion (12)in order to run further into valve frame (1).