Valve Unit Axial Connection System for Air-Gas Mixing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection systems for valve units and air-gas mixing devices in boilers are complex and inflexible, making assembly and disassembly difficult and time-consuming, requiring flanges and screws which can lead to errors during installation.
Innovation Solution
A connection system featuring a one-piece support appendage with parallel branches and a spring clip for secure axial engagement of the valve unit, along with positive projections and recesses for precise alignment and rotation prevention, allowing rapid and accurate attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw fastenings or flanged connectors are used to fix the valve unit to the mixing device, then mutual fixing is achieved, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: a support appendage with receiving seat, a valve unit with end portion, and a retaining element. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled, enabling rapid connection without complex fastening systems while maintaining reliable mutual fixing through the coordinated interaction of these simple components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using traditional fastening elements (screws, flanges) to achieve connection, the invention inverts the approach by using a retaining element that engages with grooves on the valve unit end portion. The retaining element is spring-loaded to provide continuous retaining force, allowing the connection to be maintained passively without requiring active fastening operations.
2Reliability
If flanges and flanged connectors with fixing screws are provided, then secure connection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex flange and screw fastening systems from the connection design. Instead, it uses a simplified support appendage with a receiving seat that directly accommodates the valve unit end portion, with a simple spring-loaded retaining element providing the necessary connection security. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains connection reliability while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded retaining element automatically engages with the grooves on the valve unit end portion and maintains continuous retaining force through its elastic properties. This self-service mechanism provides secure connection without requiring external fastening elements or complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall connection system complexity while maintaining connection security.
3Reliability
If traditional connection systems are used, then mutual fixing is achieved, but assembly flexibility and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to dynamically adapt to slight variations in positioning and maintain reliable engagement. The spring-loaded mechanism can compress and extend as needed during assembly and disassembly, providing both speed and reliability. This dynamic characteristic enables rapid assembly operations while ensuring secure mutual fixing under varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical fastening system (screws, flanges requiring manual tightening) with a spring-loaded elastic retaining element that engages through simple insertion and automatic retention. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple fastening operations and tools, dramatically increasing assembly speed while maintaining reliable mutual fixing through the elastic retaining force.
4Reliability
If screw fastenings are used, then connection is achieved, but installation errors can occur and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve unit end portion features grooves at specific locations that asymmetrically engage with the retaining element arms. This asymmetric groove configuration provides built-in alignment guidance, ensuring that the valve unit can only be installed in the correct orientation. The retaining element arms are shaped to fit these grooves precisely, eliminating alignment errors that could occur with symmetric screw fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The support appendage includes a receiving seat that is pre-formed to precisely accommodate the valve unit end portion. The grooves on the valve unit are also pre-positioned to align with the retaining element engagement points. This preliminary preparation of alignment features ensures that when assembly occurs, precise alignment is achieved automatically without requiring manual adjustment or precision fastening operations, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining reliable connection.
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
Enables rapid, accurate, and secure fixation of the valve unit to the mixing device, improving installation efficiency and reducing the risk of errors while maintaining a sealed connection.
Implementation Method 1
The opposing arms 12a and 12b of the spring clip are designed to engage removably with corresponding grooves 13a and 13b formed on opposite sides of the end portion 11... the arms of the spring clip can be spread apart in an elastic way to engage the corresponding grooves
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
What is described is a system for connecting a valve unit (2) to a fan structure (5) of an air-gas mixing device (1) for supplying burners of boilers and similar equipment, in which a gas feed section of the valve unit (2) can be connected sealingly to a tubular gas supply section of the mixing device (1) in an axial direction (X) of coupling between the aforesaid sections. The system comprises coupling means and counter-means, provided on the mixing device (1) and on the valve unit (2) respectively, which can be engaged with each other coaxially from and towards an operating position in which said sections are connected sealingly to each other, and axial retaining means between said coupling means and counter-means for retaining the valve unit (2) with respect to the mixing device (1) in the direction of axial interconnection. The coupling means and counter-means comprise at least one support appendage (7) formed in one piece with a manifold portion (6) of a fan (5) of the mixing device (1), and at least one end portion (11) of the feed section of the valve unit (2) which can be housed in a seat (10) provided in the appendage (7), the axial retaining means comprising at least one retaining element (12), which can be engaged removably in at least one groove (13a,13b) provided transversely with respect to the axial direction (X) in the end portion (11) of the valve unit (2) when the end (11) is received in the seat (10), so as to lock the valve unit (2) and the mixing device (1) together axially.