Valve Motor Support Plate with Semi-Circular Positioning Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve designs face complex machining challenges and assembly quality issues due to the use of plates that require intricate indexing and play for motor positioning, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a simple and quick-to-manufacture support plate with semi-circular positioning tabs and a central body, where the plate is pre-attached to the motor, and the body's recess is machined with semi-circular zones and indexing pins for precise alignment, simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional plate with complex indexing features is used for motor positioning, then the motor can be positioned within the valve body, but the machining complexity of the valve body increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented from the valve body and transferred to the support plate. The plate contains all indexing features (protrusions, recesses, positioning elements) while the valve body requires only simple recesses. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making the complex positioning features part of the removable plate rather than the permanently machined valve body.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as an intermediary component between the motor and the valve body. It provides the complex positioning interface to the motor while presenting a simple interface to the valve body, thereby reducing the machining complexity of the valve body while maintaining precise motor positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If a conventional plate with complex indexing features is used for motor positioning, then the motor can be positioned within the valve body, but the manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the positioning features into the support plate, the valve body can be manufactured quickly with simple recesses, while the plate (which requires precise features) can be manufactured separately and attached to the motor. This parallel manufacturing approach increases overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate is pre-assembled with the motor before insertion into the valve body. The positioning features are already in place on the plate, eliminating the need for complex machining operations on the valve body itself, thereby reducing manufacturing time.
3Ease of manufacture
If a plate with play or loose fit is used for motor mounting, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but the motor positioning quality and operational precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate implements local quality by providing precise positioning features (protrusions, recesses, indexing elements) only at the critical interfaces where motor positioning is required, while the overall assembly remains simple. The plate has tight tolerances locally at positioning points but can be manufactured as a simple flat component globally.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a support plate (4) for a valve-actuating motor (1), comprising a central body (14) and at least one positioning tongue (15, 16) having a periphery comprising a portion substantially in the shape of a semi-circle.