Pilot operated solenoid valve device and shock absorber

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of pilot electromagnetic valve device and shock absorber.Pilot electromagnetic valve device includes: first port (9);Second port (10);Third port (11);Main valve (1), it includes main valve shell (2), main valve core (3) and first elastic component (4), wherein, main valve core can slide in the first direction and the second direction opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of main valve in main valve shell, to connect first port and second port when being located in the first position of first direction side and disconnect first port and second port when being located in the second position of second direction side;Pilot valve (5) is configured as electromagnetic valve to control the communication or isolation of main valve to first port and second port by energized state, pilot valve includes pilot valve shell (6), pilot valve core (7) and second elastic component (8);Balancing passage (12), it includes: first section (12a), second section (12b) and third section (12c).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to pilot-operated solenoid valve devices and shock absorbers. Background Technology

[0002] In air suspension systems and industrial fluid control, traditional pneumatic control valves commonly employ direct-acting solenoid valves to control the on / off state of high-pressure air circuits. These valves face numerous technical bottlenecks in practical applications. For example, when the operating pressure exceeds 20 bar, the fluid pressure on the valve core assembly can result in an unbalanced force exceeding 300 N. Traditional designs, to address this issue, are forced to employ complex multi-stage sealing structures, which not only increase manufacturing costs and reduce reliability but also lead to excessively large axial dimensions of the valve body, making it difficult to meet the installation requirements of compact equipment. Furthermore, to balance the force of the high-pressure fluid, existing solutions must use high-stiffness return springs, directly increasing the power consumption of the solenoid and failing to meet the energy-saving requirements of modern equipment. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a pilot-operated solenoid valve device and a shock absorber, which can achieve low-energy electromagnetic control and preferably provide a compact structure.

[0004] According to one aspect of this invention, the above-mentioned objective can be achieved by a pilot-operated solenoid valve device. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device includes: a first port, a second port, a third port, a main valve, a pilot valve, and a balancing passage.

[0005] Preferably, the main valve includes a main valve housing, a main valve core, and a first elastic member, wherein the main valve core is capable of sliding within the main valve housing in the longitudinal direction of the main valve along a first direction and a second direction that are opposite to each other, so as to connect a first port and a second port when located in a first position on the first direction side and disconnect the first port and the second port when located in a second position on the second direction side, wherein the first port guides fluid to a cavity in the main valve housing located on the second direction side of the main valve core.

[0006] Preferably, the pilot valve is configured as a solenoid valve to control the connection or disconnection of the main valve to the first port and the second port by means of an energized state. The pilot valve includes a pilot valve housing, a pilot valve core, and a second elastic member. The pilot valve core is slidable in the pilot valve housing along a third and a fourth direction opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the pilot valve. The third port guides the fluid from the first port to a cavity in the pilot valve housing located on the fourth direction side of the pilot valve core.

[0007] Preferably, the balancing channel includes: a first section configured to connect a cavity in the pilot valve housing located on the third direction side of the pilot valve core and a cavity in the main valve housing located on the second direction side of the main valve core; a second section configured as an internal passage of the pilot valve core, and the second section connecting the cavity in the pilot valve housing located on the third direction side of the pilot valve core and a cavity on the fourth direction side; and a third section configured to connect the cavity in the pilot valve housing located on the fourth direction side of the pilot valve core and a cavity in the main valve housing located on the first direction side of the main valve core.

[0008] In some preferred embodiments, the first elastic member is a compression spring, which is preloaded between the ends of the main valve housing and the main valve core facing the first direction.

[0009] In some preferred embodiments, the second elastic member is a compression spring preloaded between the pilot valve housing and the third-direction end of the pilot valve core.

[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the electromagnetic driving force of the pilot valve is designed to be greater than the sum of the fluid force borne by the pilot valve core on the fourth direction side and the preload force of the second elastic member.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the diameter of the pilot valve is smaller than that of the main valve, and the pressure-bearing area of ​​the pilot valve core is smaller than that of the main valve core.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the main valve and the pilot valve are adjacent to each other and arranged such that the first direction of the main valve core is the same as the third direction of the pilot valve core, and the second direction of the main valve core is the same as the fourth direction of the pilot valve core.

[0013] Advantageously, the longitudinal centerlines of the main valve and the pilot valve are arranged to coincide with each other.

[0014] Advantageously, the longitudinal centerlines of the main valve and the pilot valve are arranged in parallel.

[0015] Advantageously, the first and third sections are formed by the main valve housing and / or the pilot valve housing.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned objective can also be achieved by a shock absorber. This shock absorber includes a pilot-operated solenoid valve device constructed according to the above-described embodiment.

[0017] The pilot-operated solenoid valve device and shock absorber constructed according to the embodiments of this utility model achieve significant energy-saving effects in both the pilot valve being energized (first working state) and de-energized (second working state). In the first working state, through the design of the internal channel of the pilot valve core, the high-pressure fluid forms a pressure balance through the third port and the balance channel, allowing the main valve core to remain open only by overcoming the residual elastic force of the first elastic member, greatly reducing the holding current requirement. In the second working state, the hydraulic self-locking mechanism formed after the pilot valve is de-energized allows the main valve core to reliably close through the synergistic effect of fluid back pressure and the pre-tightening force of the first elastic member, requiring no additional energy consumption to maintain the closed state. Therefore, this synergistic energy-saving design in both working states enables the pilot-operated solenoid valve device to maintain the lowest energy consumption level in both the opening and closing phases.

[0018] Furthermore, the pilot-operated solenoid valve device constructed according to the embodiments of this utility model achieves a highly compact layout. The main valve and pilot valve are preferably arranged coaxially or parallel adjacently, significantly reducing the lateral dimension, especially when their longitudinal centerlines completely coincide. Each section of the balance channel is preferably directly integrated inside the pilot-operated solenoid valve device, avoiding external connecting pipelines. This compact design not only reduces the size of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device compared to traditional structures, but also reduces fluid resistance through the shortest path design of the flow channel, while ensuring precise alignment and low-friction movement of each moving part. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The features, advantages, and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a first longitudinal sectional view of a pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to an embodiment in a first operating state.

[0021] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1 A second longitudinal sectional view of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device in the first operating state of an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 1 A first longitudinal sectional view of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device in the second operating state of an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 1 A second longitudinal sectional view of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device in the second operating state of an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figures 1 to 4 A pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, Figure 1 and Figure 2The diagram shows views of different longitudinal cross-sections of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device in its first operating state. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows views of different longitudinal sections of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device in its second operating state.

[0025] The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to this embodiment can be applied to the shock absorber system of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the volume combination of the shock absorber chambers can be quickly switched via the pilot-operated solenoid valve device, for example, switching between a single-chamber mode with a volume of V1 and a dual-chamber mode with a volume of V1+V2, thereby achieving graded adjustment or stepless adjustment of the damping force.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the pilot-operated solenoid valve device has three ports: a first port 9, a second port 10, and a third port 11. The first port 9 and the third port 11 are used to connect to a shock absorber chamber with a volume of V1, and the second port 10 is used to connect to a shock absorber chamber with a volume of V2. By controlling the connection state of the first port 9 and the second port 10, the volume combinations of the aforementioned shock absorber chambers can be quickly switched.

[0027] The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to this embodiment includes a main valve 1, a pilot valve 5, and a balance channel 12.

[0028] The main valve 1 is configured to control the connection or disconnection of the first port 9 and the second port 10. The main valve 1 includes a main valve housing 2, a main valve core 3, and a first elastic member 4. The main valve core 3 is capable of sliding within the main valve housing 2 in the longitudinal direction of the main valve 1 along a first direction (referring to direction A) and a second direction (referring to direction B) that are opposite to each other, so as to connect the first port 9 and the second port 10 when in a first position on the first direction side and disconnect the first port 9 and the second port 10 when in a second position on the second direction side. The first elastic member 4 is a compression spring, which is preloaded between the main valve housing 2 and the end of the main valve core 3 facing the first direction.

[0029] Pilot valve 5 is configured as a solenoid valve to control the connection or disconnection of main valve 1 to first port 9 and second port 10 by means of an energized state. Pilot valve 5 includes pilot valve housing 6, pilot valve core 7, and second elastic member 8. Pilot valve core 7 is capable of sliding within pilot valve housing 6 in opposite third and fourth directions along the longitudinal direction of pilot valve 5. Second elastic member 8 is a compression spring preloaded between pilot valve housing 6 and the third-direction-oriented end of pilot valve core 7.

[0030] The main valve 1 and the pilot valve 5 are arranged adjacent to each other. Here, the main valve housing 2 of the main valve core 3 and the pilot valve housing 6 of the pilot valve 5 can be integrally constructed, separately constructed, or share some components.

[0031] In this embodiment, the sliding direction of the main valve core 3 of the main valve 1 is consistent with the sliding direction of the pilot valve core 7 of the pilot valve 5. Here, the first sliding direction of the main valve core 3 is the same as the third sliding direction of the pilot valve core 7, which is referred to in [reference needed]. Figures 1 to 4 The direction marked A in the attached figure (based on the upward direction in the attached figure); the second direction of the sliding of the main valve core 3 is the same as the fourth direction of the sliding of the pilot valve core 7, which is referred to in [reference needed]. Figures 1 to 4 The direction marked B in the attached figure (based on the downward direction in the attached figure).

[0032] In such Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal centerlines of the main valve 1 and the pilot valve 5 coincide, thereby enabling a smaller structural size in the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the longitudinal centerlines of the main valve 1 and the pilot valve 5 are arranged in parallel, thereby allowing for adaptation to different installation environments while maintaining a smaller lateral dimension.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first port 9 is located on the longitudinal end of the main valve 1 in the pilot-operated solenoid valve device. The first port 9 guides the high-pressure fluid in the shock absorber chamber with a volume of V1 to the cavity in the main valve housing 2 located on the second direction side of the main valve core 3. The second port 10 is located on the outer peripheral surface of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device. The third port 11 guides the fluid from the first port 9, i.e., the high-pressure fluid also from the shock absorber chamber with a volume of V1, to the cavity in the pilot valve housing 6 located on the fourth direction side of the pilot valve core 7.

[0034] The balancing channel 12 includes a first segment 12a, a second segment 12b, and a third segment 12c. (See also...) Figure 2 and Figure 4 The sections shown in dashed lines are as follows: First section 12a is constructed to connect the cavity in the pilot valve housing 6 located on the third direction side (direction A) of the pilot valve core 7 with the cavity in the main valve housing 2 located on the second direction side (direction B) of the main valve core 3. Second section 12b is constructed as an internal passage of the pilot valve core 7, and second section 12b connects the cavity in the pilot valve housing 6 located on the third direction side (direction A) and the cavity on the fourth direction side (direction B) of the pilot valve core 7 with the cavity in the main valve housing 2 located on the first direction side (direction A) of the main valve core 3. First section 12a and third section 12c are formed by the main valve housing 2 and / or the pilot valve housing 6.

[0035] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic driving force of the pilot valve 5 is designed to be greater than the sum of the fluid force borne by the pilot valve core 7 on the fourth direction side and the preload force of the second elastic member 8. The diameter of the pilot valve 5 is smaller than the diameter of the main valve 1, and the pressure-bearing area of ​​the pilot valve core 7 is smaller than the pressure-bearing area of ​​the main valve core 3.

[0036] The two operating states that the pilot-operated solenoid valve device of this embodiment can achieve will be described in detail below.

[0037] In the first operating state of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device, pilot valve 5 is energized, and main valve 1 opens. (See also...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 When the pilot valve 5 is energized, the pilot valve core 7 overcomes the preload of the second elastic member 8 and moves in the third direction (direction A) and eventually holds against the pilot valve housing 6. The balance channel section inside the pilot valve core 7, namely the third section 12b, gradually closes. The fluid in the first direction (direction A) cavity of the main valve core 3 of the main valve 1 enters the fourth direction (direction B) cavity of the pilot valve core 7 through the third section 12c of the balance channel 12. The high-pressure fluid at the first port 9 simultaneously acts on the second direction (direction B) cavity of the main valve core 3, pushing the main valve core 3 to overcome the preload of the first elastic member 4 and move in the first direction (direction A), thereby connecting the first port 9 and the second port 10.

[0038] In the second operating state 2 of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device, pilot valve 5 is de-energized, and main valve 1 is closed. (See also...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 After the pilot valve core 7 is de-energized, it moves in the fourth direction (direction B) under the action of the second elastic member 8 and opens its internal balance channel section, namely the third section 12b, until the high-pressure fluid in the cavity of the pilot valve core 7 connected to the third port 11 in the fourth direction is blocked. The fluid in the cavity of the main valve core 3 in the first direction (direction A) cannot flow back due to the closure of the pilot valve core 7, forming a closed back pressure. The fluid pressure on the first elastic member 4 and the main valve core 3 in the first direction (direction A) pushes the main valve core 3 to move towards the second direction (direction B), thereby cutting off the connection between the first port 9 and the second port 10.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the pilot-operated solenoid valve device achieves significant energy savings in both the energized (first operating state) and de-energized (second operating state) states of the pilot valve 5. In the first operating state, through the design of the internal channel of the pilot valve core, the high-pressure fluid achieves pressure balance through the third port 11 and the balance channel 12, allowing the main valve core 3 to remain open only by overcoming the residual elastic force of the first elastic member, significantly reducing the holding current requirement. In the second operating state, the hydraulic self-locking mechanism formed after the pilot valve 5 is de-energized allows the main valve core 3 to reliably close through the combined action of fluid back pressure and the pre-tightening force of the first elastic member 4, requiring no additional energy consumption to maintain the closed state. This energy-saving design in both operating states ensures that the pilot-operated solenoid valve device maintains the lowest energy consumption level throughout the entire operating cycle.

[0040] Furthermore, the pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to this embodiment achieves a highly compact layout. The main valve 1 and the pilot valve 5 are arranged coaxially and adjacently, significantly reducing their lateral dimensions. Each section of the balance channel 12 is directly integrated inside the pilot-operated solenoid valve device, avoiding external connection pipelines. This compact design not only reduces the size of the pilot-operated solenoid valve device compared to traditional structures, but also reduces fluid resistance through the shortest path design of the flow channel, while ensuring precise alignment and low-friction movement of each moving component, such as the main valve core 3 and the pilot valve core 7.

[0041] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model. In the description of this utility model, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0042] List of reference numerals

[0043] 1. Main valve

[0044] 2 Main valve body

[0045] 3. Main valve core

[0046] 4 First elastic member

[0047] 5. Pilot valve

[0048] 6. Pilot valve housing

[0049] 7. Pilot valve core

[0050] 8 Second elastic member

[0051] 9 First Port

[0052] 10 Second Port

[0053] 11 Third Port

[0054] 12 Balance Channels

[0055] 12a First Section

[0056] 12b Second Section

[0057] 12c Third Section

[0058] A. First direction, third direction

[0059] B. Second direction, fourth direction

Claims

1. A pilot-operated solenoid valve device, characterized in that, include: First port (9); Second port (10); Third port (11); A main valve (1) includes a main valve housing (2), a main valve core (3), and a first elastic member (4), wherein the main valve core (3) is capable of sliding in the longitudinal direction of the main valve (1) within the main valve housing (2) along a first direction and a second direction opposite to each other, so as to connect the first port (9) and the second port (10) when in a first position on the first direction side and disconnect the first port (9) and the second port (10) when in a second position on the second direction side, wherein the first port (9) guides fluid to a cavity in the main valve housing (2) located on the second direction side of the main valve core (3); A pilot valve (5) is configured as a solenoid valve to control the connection or disconnection of the main valve (1) to the first port (9) and the second port (10) by means of an energized state. The pilot valve (5) includes a pilot valve housing (6), a pilot valve core (7), and a second elastic member (8). The pilot valve core (7) is slidable in the pilot valve housing (6) in the longitudinal direction of the pilot valve (5) along a third and a fourth direction opposite to each other. The third port (11) guides the fluid from the first port (9) to a cavity in the pilot valve housing (6) located on the fourth direction side of the pilot valve core (7). Balance channel (12), which includes: The first section (12a) is constructed to connect the cavity in the pilot valve housing (6) located on the third direction side of the pilot valve core (7) with the cavity in the main valve housing (2) located on the second direction side of the main valve core (3); The second section (12b) is configured as an internal passage of the pilot valve core (7), and the second section (12b) connects the cavity in the pilot valve housing (6) located on the third direction side of the pilot valve core (7) and the cavity on the fourth direction side. The third section (12c) is constructed to connect the cavity in the pilot valve housing (6) located on the fourth direction side of the pilot valve core (7) with the cavity in the main valve housing (2) located on the first direction side of the main valve core (3).

2. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first elastic member (4) is a compression spring, which is pre-tensioned between the main valve housing (2) and the end of the main valve core (3) facing the first direction.

3. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second elastic member (8) is a compression spring, which is preloaded between the pilot valve housing (6) and the third-direction end of the pilot valve core (7).

4. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electromagnetic driving force of the pilot valve (5) is designed to be greater than the sum of the fluid force carried by the pilot valve core (7) on the fourth direction side and the preload force of the second elastic member (8).

5. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the pilot valve (5) is smaller than that of the main valve (1), and the pressure-bearing area of ​​the pilot valve core (7) is smaller than that of the main valve core (3).

6. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main valve (1) and the pilot valve (5) are adjacent to each other and arranged such that the first direction of the main valve core (3) is the same as the third direction of the pilot valve core (7), and the second direction of the main valve core (3) is the same as the fourth direction of the pilot valve core (7).

7. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The longitudinal centerlines of the main valve (1) and the pilot valve (5) are arranged to coincide with each other.

8. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The longitudinal centerlines of the main valve (1) and the pilot valve (5) are arranged in parallel.

9. The pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first section (12a) and the third section (12c) are formed by the main valve housing (2) and / or the pilot valve housing (6).

10. A shock absorber, comprising the pilot-operated solenoid valve device according to any one of claims 1-9.

Images