Pressurized Fluid Valve Locking Lever for Progressive Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tap designs for pressurized fluid systems are prone to accidental unlocking during handling, leading to unintended gas release, which poses safety risks and complicates ergonomics due to the potential for pre-opening of the valve before the control member is fully moved.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a locking lever mechanism that prevents the control lever from moving from its rest to active position unless intentionally unlocked, featuring a dual-position locking system where the locking lever's first position secures the control lever and its second position allows movement, with the locking lever's movement from the first to second position actuating a partial opening of the valve, requiring a distinct second stroke to achieve full opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is provided to prevent accidental unlocking, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases and ergonomics are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever and control lever are integrated into a single operational system where the locking lever's movement to unlock the control lever is combined with a partial opening of the valve. This merging reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever serves multiple functions: it locks the control lever in the closed position, unlocks it when moved to the second position, and simultaneously actuates a partial opening of the valve. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while improving safety.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism is made more complex to avoid inadvertent actuation, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary partial opening of the valve when the locking lever is moved to the second position, before the user completes the full opening action. This preliminary action provides a warning and allows the user to abort the operation if unintended, improving both safety and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking of the control lever is achieved through a partial movement of the locking lever to the second position, which is less than the full movement required for complete valve opening. This partial action makes the unlocking easier while maintaining safety through the progressive opening sequence.
3Reliability
If the locking lever is positioned to prevent accidental actuation, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to offset gripping ends
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is positioned in a different spatial dimension (offset in the front/rear direction) relative to the control lever, allowing both levers to be gripped and operated simultaneously without interference. This dimensional separation resolves the conflict between safety positioning and ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
Valve for pressurized fluid comprising an internal circuit (3) comprising an assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7) and a control lever (8) controlling the assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7) comprising an end (28) for grasping, the valve (1) comprising a mechanism (9, 10) for locking the control lever (8) in its rest position and comprising a locking lever (9) provided with an end (29) for grasping; when the locking lever (9) is in its first position and the control lever (8) is in its rest position, the grasping ends (28,29) of the control lever (8) and of the actuating lever (9) are arranged adjacently along or facing the front face of the body (2) of the valve (1).