Valve Assembly Plug-in Device Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current valve arrangements face challenges in cost-effectively enabling variable and reliable electrical contacting, as valves designed for internal connectors lack threaded openings for screw fixation of individual plug-in devices, leading to unnecessary manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The valve carrier's support wall is designed with a threaded opening on its rear side, allowing the plug-in device to be fixed independently, eliminating the need for a threaded opening in the connection zone and enabling universal usability with reduced production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a threaded opening is added to the connection zone of the valve for screw fixation of individual plug-in devices, then universal usability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversal usabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The solution segments the fixation system into two independent parts: the valve body (without threaded opening) and the valve carrier support wall (with threaded opening). This allows the valve to be manufactured in a standardized way while the carrier provides the customization for different connection types, resolving the contradiction between universality and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve carrier acts as an intermediary between the valve and the plug-in device. Instead of modifying the valve to accommodate different connection types, the carrier provides the threaded opening and support structure, allowing the same valve to work with both integrated and individual plug-in devices through different carrier configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the same valve type is used for both integrated and individual plug-in device applications, then product variety is reduced, but additional threaded openings are required increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct variety reductionVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into the valve unit (simple, standardized) and the carrier unit (complex, adaptable). This segmentation allows the valve to remain simple while the carrier handles the complexity of different connection requirements, enabling the same valve type to serve multiple applications without increasing valve complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve is designed as a universal component that can be used in both integrated and individual plug-in device applications. The adaptability is achieved not through the valve itself but through the configurable carrier, making the valve multi-functional without adding complexity to its structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If threaded openings are consistently equipped on all valves, then individual plug-in device attachment is enabled, but unnecessary manufacturing costs are incurred for valves that never require individual contacting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual plug-in device attachmentVSAvoidunnecessary manufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded opening feature is applied locally only where needed - in the valve carrier support wall for individual plug-in device attachment - rather than universally on all valves. This local quality approach ensures that the feature is present only in the specific location and context where it is required, eliminating unnecessary manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the valve from the carrier, the threaded opening feature is isolated to the carrier component. This allows valves to be manufactured without threaded openings (reducing cost) while the carrier can be customized with or without threaded openings based on the specific application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2239469B1Valve assembly
Publication Date: 2014.07.16 FESTO AG & CO KG
  • EP2239469B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2239469B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2239469B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The arrangement (1) has an electromechanical plug device (4) fixed on a side of a wall section of a valve support (2), where the wall section is designed as a supporting wall directly supporting the plug device. The plug device is arranged at a rear side of the supporting wall. The supporting wall is provided with a threaded opening (55) in an area that is covered by a connection zone (36) in a usage position of a valve (3). A fastening screw (56) is inserted into the threaded opening, and the plug device is held at the supporting wall by the screw. The wall is made of plastic material.