Valve Upper Part With Elastic Sliding Bushing for Stable Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve upper parts experience radial play and unwanted pivoting movements due to the interaction between the spindle and head piece, which are exacerbated by miniaturization and can lead to plastic deformation of bearings, affecting the operational feel over time.

Innovation Solution

A valve upper part design featuring a groove in the spindle to accommodate an elastic sliding bushing that engages radially around the spindle, eliminating the need for complex recesses and preventing irreversible deformations, with the bushing being easily installable and made from various materials to ensure consistent feel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressed-in plastic bearing is used in the head piece, then radial play and pivoting movements are prevented, but the bearing can be plastically deformed over time, affecting operational feel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of radial play and pivoting movementsVSAvoidoperational feel consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to elastomer and changes the installation method from pressed-in to clipped-in, which prevents plastic deformation while maintaining the function of preventing radial play and pivoting movements. The elastomer material provides elastic deformation capability that restores after each operation cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer sliding bushing is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily clipped in and out. When it shows signs of wear or deformation, it can be replaced without affecting other components, ensuring consistent operational feel over time while keeping maintenance costs low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Volume of moving object

If the valve upper part is miniaturized, then the size is reduced, but the complexity of the bearing structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve upper part sizeVSAvoidbearing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing function is segmented into a separate elastomer sliding bushing component rather than being integrated into the head piece. This allows the miniaturized valve upper part to maintain a simple overall structure while the modular bushing provides the necessary bearing function without adding complexity to the main body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer sliding bushing acts as an intermediary component between the spindle and the head piece. It provides the bearing function without requiring complex recesses or integration into the miniaturized head piece, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a heavy, asymmetrically structured operating handle is mounted on the valve upper part, then the valve can be actuated, but the handle will pivot from upper position to lower position on its own when valve is open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuation capabilityVSAvoidhandle position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomer sliding bushing acts as an intermediary between the spindle and head piece, providing friction that stabilizes the handle position. This friction prevents the handle from pivoting downward due to its asymmetric weight while still allowing easy actuation of the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer material provides inherent elastic cushioning that compensates for the asymmetric weight of the handle. The elastic deformation absorbs the gravitational force attempting to pivot the handle downward, maintaining position stability without affecting the actuation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Prevents radial play and pivoting movements, ensuring a consistent operational feel over time, even in small dimensions, without the need for complex bearing recesses and reducing the risk of plastic deformation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic sliding bushing that engages radially around the spindle, at least in certain regions, which bushing lies against the inner mantle surface of the head piece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11255463B2Valve upper part

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 FLUHS DREHTECHN GMBH

AI summary

A valve upper part, in particular for sanitary fittings, includes a sleeve-type head piece, which can be fastened in a valve housing of a fitting and through the center of which a spindle extends, which has a handle connection and is mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the spindle and by which a valve body can be actuated, a groove being formed in the spindle, which groove receives an elastic sliding bush, which radially surrounds at least some regions of the spindle and which lies against at least some regions of the inner lateral surface of the head piece.