Pressurized Fluid Valve Locking Lever Against Accidental Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve mechanisms for pressurized fluids are prone to inadvertent actuation during transport or handling, leading to potential gas release before intended use, due to external objects triggering the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The valve design incorporates a locking lever with a terminal gripping end that is moved away from the front face by a greater distance in its unlocking position, and a concealing portion on the valve body forms a screen between the rear face and the lever, deflecting or blocking rectilinear objects from actuating the lever, along with a protective cap that limits rear access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking lever is positioned close to the front face for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent actuation by external objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front face of the valve body, transitioning from a retracted position (close to front face) to an extended position (projecting rearward). This dimensional movement allows the lever to be easily accessible when retracted while protecting it from inadvertent actuation when extended, as objects approaching from the front cannot reach it.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body structure itself acts as an intermediary barrier between external objects and the locking lever. When the lever is in its extended position, the valve body physically blocks access to the lever from the front, preventing accidental activation while maintaining operational accessibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the locking lever is extended far from the front face to prevent accidental activation, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed as a dynamic element that can transition between two positions: retracted (close to front face) for easy operation and extended (projecting rearward) for safety. The lever's ability to change position allows the system to optimize for either ease of operation or safety depending on the operational state, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is made accessible from the rear for operational control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the vulnerability to external objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the locking lever accessible from the front where external objects might approach, the design inverts the approach by positioning the lever's operational end to project rearward. This allows operators to access and operate the lever from the rear while simultaneously protecting it from front-directed external objects that could cause inadvertent activation.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
Valve for pressurized fluid comprising a circuit (3) having an assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7) comprising at least one shut-off valve shutter for closing or opening the circuit (3), a member (8) for controlling the assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7), the control member (8) being mounted on the body (2) with the ability to move between a rest position in which the assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7) is in a position of closing the circuit (3) and an active position in which the control member (8) actuates the assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7) into a position for which the circuit (3) is open with a first bore section (S1), the valve (1) comprising a mechanism (9, 10) for locking the control member (8) comprising a manual actuator (9) mounted on the body (2) with the ability to move between a first position for locking and a second position for unlocking of the control member (8); in its unlocking second position, the actuator (9) actuates the assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7) into a position in which the circuit (3) is open with a second bore section (S2).