Valve Stem Engagement With Play for Stable Manual Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves are prone to unintended opening or closing due to wear and vibration, leading to non-smooth transitions and potential fluid leaks, and require complex mechanisms to prevent such occurrences.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a stem and operation handle engagement system that incorporates a play state and surface contact to prevent unintended operation, using a diaphragm and bonnet structure with a male-female screw interface and a guide mechanism to ensure smooth transitions and prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combination valve with upper and lower stems is used to enable both automatic and manual operation, then the valve functionality is improved, but the engagement section between stems becomes a weak point prone to wear and unintended rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional linear contact engagement between the upper stem projection and lower stem groove with fan-shaped abutment sections having circular arc surfaces. This curved surface contact distributes the rotational load across a larger area, reducing stress concentration and preventing wear at discrete linear contact points, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the combination valve's dual operation capability
2Reliability
If a predetermined play is introduced in the stem engagement to suppress unintended rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the smoothness of rotation transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fan-shaped abutment sections with circular arc surfaces provide gradual surface contact during rotation, allowing smooth transition through the play gap. The curved geometry enables continuous contact along the arc as the projection rotates, eliminating abrupt engagement/disengagement and maintaining operational smoothness while the predetermined play continues to suppress unintended rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a predetermined play angle in the engagement section that allows dynamic adjustment during operation. The play enables the engagement section to adapt to rotational movements, absorbing unintended rotations while maintaining smooth operation during intentional valve actuation through the fan-shaped contact surfaces
3Reliability
If additional components are added to prevent unintended valve opening/closing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates the anti-unintended-rotation function directly into the engagement section between the upper and lower stems. By modifying the geometric shape of existing components to include fan-shaped abutment sections with predetermined play, the invention combines structural engagement with protective functionality, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms or additional protective components
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a valve capable of suppressing unintended valve opening/closing by providing a play state during a manual operation and also enabling smooth transition from the play state to a rotation state. In the valve, a tip of another end portion of the stem and the engagement hole of an operation handle form a corresponding circumferential surface and a planar section continuous to the circumferential surface. Either one of the tip of the other end portion of the stem and the planar section of the engagement hole of the operation handle is formed to have two flat surfaces defining a predetermined angle, and thereby generates predetermined play when the operation handle is rotated in one direction after being rotated in another direction.