Adjustable Solenoid Valve Pressure Control via Threaded Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proportional pressure control valves in electro-hydraulic transmissions lack the ability to adjust pressure output precisely, leading to variations in performance across different applications and manufacturing lots due to hard-coded designs and manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A solenoid-operated valve with a hollow cage, spool, pilot valve, and adjustable threaded connection mechanism that allows for precise adjustment of the axial spacing between the solenoid plunger and pole piece, enabling customizable pressure output by varying the gap width and locking it through an anti-rotation device, thereby regulating the maximum pressure supplied to the control port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a hard-coded design is used for proportional pressure control valves, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the pressure output varies due to manufacturing tolerances and cannot be precisely adjusted for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a fixed hard-coded design to a dynamically adjustable design. The adjustable gap width between the plunger and pole piece, achieved through threaded connection components, allows the pressure control characteristics to be changed based on application requirements. This enables precise pressure control while accommodating manufacturing tolerances through post-manufacturing adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the gap width between the plunger and pole piece to adjust pressure output characteristics. By varying this gap width through threaded adjustment mechanisms, the valve can be tuned to provide precise pressure control for different applications, directly addressing the manufacturing precision issue without requiring complete redesign.
2Reliability
If manufacturing tolerances are tightly controlled, then pressure output consistency improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates adjustment mechanisms that allow pressure output consistency to be achieved through post-manufacturing adjustment rather than requiring tight manufacturing tolerances during assembly. The threaded connection components enable operators to pre-adjust the gap width to compensate for manufacturing variations, ensuring reliable pressure output without increasing manufacturing difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design includes built-in adjustment capabilities that allow the system to self-correct for manufacturing tolerances. The adjustable threaded connections enable the valve to be tuned to its optimal performance state after manufacturing, eliminating the need for extremely tight manufacturing controls while maintaining pressure output consistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axial spacing between solenoid plunger and pole piece is fixed, then the valve structure is simpler, but the pressure output cannot be customized for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates adjustable axial spacing between the plunger and pole piece through threaded connection components. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same valve design to be adapted for different pressure output requirements across various applications, achieving versatility without requiring multiple fixed designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable threaded connection mechanism enables a single valve design to serve multiple applications with different pressure requirements. By allowing customization of the axial spacing, the valve becomes a universal component that can be tuned for different performance characteristics, reducing the need for application-specific valve variants.
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 precise and consistent pressure control across a range of applications, allowing for customizable performance characteristics and matching valve performance within and across production lots, reducing the impact of manufacturing tolerances and providing adjustable pressure output versus input current.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid plunger configured to be axially movable under the magnetic influence of a solenoid coil toward the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
a threaded connection between the pole piece and the cage, the threaded connection including a first threaded connecting portion fixed in relation to the pole piece and a second threaded connecting portion fixed in relation to the cage and in threaded engagement with the first threaded portion
Implementation Method 3
a spool slidable axially within the cage for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid from the inlet port to the control port, the spool including a control pressure surface exposed to a control chamber to which pressure may be applied for urging the spool to move within the cage
Data Source
AI summary
A solenoid operated valve and method of assembly characterized by a threaded connection between the pole piece (69) and the cage (11), the threaded connection (75) including a first threaded connecting portion fixed in relation to the pole piece and a second threaded connecting portion fixed in relation to the cage and in threaded engagement with the first threaded portion such that relative rotation of the first and second threaded portions would vary the axial spacing between the proximal end of the pole piece and the valve seat (38) over a range of adjustment; and an anti-rotation device interposed between the first and second threaded connecting portions for locking the first and second threaded connecting portions against relative rotation to fix the axial spacing between the proximal end of the pole piece and the valve seat within such range of adjustment, which axial spacing regulates the maximum pressure that can be supplied to the control port (25).