Flow Rate Valve Scale Clutch for Compact Opening Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate control valves are bulky due to the offset positioning of the display ring, which requires a bulging chassis, increasing the overall size and demanding a more compact design.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate control valve with a clutch mechanism that switches scale marks at predetermined angles, using a cam and spring system to rotate a scale indicator in unison with the handle, allowing for compact design while displaying the opening degree of the flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the display ring is positioned offset radially outward from the shaft portion, then the scale marks can be displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the display ring, but the chassis must bulge outward radially increasing the overall size of the flow rate control valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display ring with the shaft portion by positioning the display ring coaxially with the shaft portion rather than offset radially outward. The display ring is integrated into the shaft portion structure, eliminating the need for the chassis to bulge outward. This combining approach maintains the scale mark display functionality while reducing the overall radial dimension of the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The display ring is nested within the shaft portion, with the display ring having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is positioned within the display ring, creating a nested configuration where the display ring rotates together with the shaft portion. This nesting allows the scale marks to be displayed without requiring additional radial space from the chassis.
2Ease of operation
If the shaft portion is positioned close to one side of the hole of the display ring in the radial direction, then the mesh portion can engage with internal teeth, but the chassis must be formed to accommodate this offset positioning increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning where the shaft portion is deliberately positioned close to one side of the hole in the display ring rather than at the center. This asymmetric arrangement allows the mesh portion on the shaft portion to effectively engage with the internal teeth on the inner surface of the display ring, enabling the rotational transmission mechanism to function properly.
3Measurement precision
If a clutch mechanism is added to switch scale marks at predetermined angles, then the rotation operation amount can be accurately displayed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism operates periodically to switch between different scale marks at predetermined angles of handle rotation. The clutch mechanism includes a cam surface with cam protrusions that engage with cam follower protrusions at specific intervals, causing the engaged portion to disengage and reengage periodically. This periodic action enables accurate display of rotation operation amounts by switching scale marks at the correct intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the handle rotation and the scale body rotation. It selectively transmits or blocks the rotation based on the rotation angle, using the cam surface and cam follower protrusions as mediating elements. This intermediary function allows precise control over when scale marks are switched, improving measurement precision without requiring a completely different display mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compact design maintains the functionality of displaying the rotation operation amount of the handle, providing a more efficient and space-saving solution for fluid flow control.
Implementation Method 1
a cam surface extending annularly about a central axis L1 and a cam follower protrusion that rotates about the axis L1 and slides on the cam surface
Implementation Method 2
a spring portion that urges the cam follower protrusion and the engaged portion in the axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
[Object] To provide a flow rate control valve capable of displaying the opening degree of the flow path adjusted by the needle valve and reducing the size of the flow rate control valve. [Solution] A flow rate control valve 10 includes a handle 32 rotatably provided on a first body 12 including a second flow path 16b, a needle valve 27 that adjusts the opening degree of the second flow path 16b in accordance with the rotation of the handle 32, a scale body 70 rotatably provided in the handle 32, where the scale body 70 has scale marks to display a change in the degree of opening of the second flow path 16b, a scale indicator 34 formed in the handle 32 to indicate the scale mark, a shaft portion 40 provided in the handle 32, where the shaft portion 40 can rotate together with the handle 32 and the needle valve 27 to move the needle valve 27 in the axial direction, a clutch mechanism that can transmit rotation of the shaft portion 40 to the scale body 70 and block the transmission of rotation, a needle guide 31 that causes the needle valve 27 to move linearly, and a cam mechanism that causes the shaft portion 40 to move linearly. The clutch mechanism transmits the rotation of the shaft portion 40 to the scale body 70 in accordance with the operation performed by the cam mechanism and blocks the transmission of rotation.