Ventilation Valve Pin Joint Design for Tool-Free Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation valves require tools for installation and adjustment, and previous solutions with springs or friction-enhancing curves face challenges in maintaining stability and adjustability, especially when minimizing part thickness.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation valve design featuring a flexible member, such as an oval-shaped metal wire loop, fixed to the pin of the front plate, which compresses and directs spring force onto the inner surface of the hollow spindle, providing necessary friction for stability and allowing continuous adjustment without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional threaded pin is used to connect the front plate to the valve body, then the joint is firm and stable, but tools are required for installation and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is designed to be self-installing by pushing it into the hollow spindle, eliminating the need for tools. The elastic member provides self-locking functionality that maintains joint stability without requiring threaded fasteners or additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The pin features a curved friction-enhancing portion that increases contact area and friction with the hollow spindle. This curved geometry enables sufficient frictional engagement to maintain joint stability while allowing the pin to be inserted and removed by hand pressure
2Length of moving object
If the pin is made thin to minimize part thickness, then the ventilation valve structure is more compact, but friction between the pin and spindle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin has different structural characteristics at different locations: the shaft portion is thin to minimize overall dimensions, while the friction-enhancing portion has a curved surface that increases local contact area and friction coefficient with the hollow spindle, providing sufficient gripping force despite the thin overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
An elastic member is attached to the pin to provide additional friction and gripping force. This flexible element can deform to increase contact pressure between the pin and hollow spindle, maintaining joint stability even when the pin itself is made thin
3Reliability
If an elastic member is added to increase friction, then joint stability improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is integrated with the pin structure, either as a coating on the pin surface or as a tightly attached component. This merging approach increases friction and joint stability while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity
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 solution achieves a firm and adjustable joint that withstands operational strains, ensuring effective airflow management without requiring additional tools for installation or adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible member compresses and directs a spring force on the inner surface of the hollow spindle
Implementation Method 2
good enough friction is accomplished between the hollow spindle and a spring member in the pin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A ventilation valve having a body (1) and a front plate (5) connected thereto, the body (1) having a truss (2) provided with an opening (7), to which front plate (5) a pin (4) is connected in an orthogonal direction in relation to it, and to which truss (2), at the opening (7), a hollow spindle (3) is attached to which the pin (4) of the front plate (5) is inserted. The invention is implemented so that there is, fixed to the pin (4) of the front plate (5), a flexible member (6) which compresses as the pin (4) is inserted in the hollow spindle (3).