Asymmetrical Metering Valve Loading for Wear and Sealing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetically actuated metering valves for liquids and gases face challenges in maintaining sealing tightness and accuracy due to high wear and manufacturing/assembly tolerances, leading to inconsistent dosing and reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

The metering valve features a magnet armature and valve closing element designed as a structural unit with an asymmetrical load, utilizing an eccentrically arranged magnetic core and springs to achieve a defined, non-plane-parallel position, reducing wear and improving dosing accuracy by distributing forces unevenly and influencing opening and closing behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the valve closing element is guided and centered to ensure optimal alignment, then sealing tightness is improved, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing tightnessVSAvoidguiding and centering mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic core is designed with an asymmetrical shape featuring an eccentric recess that generates a defined preferred position for the magnetic armature. This asymmetry creates a targeted asymmetrical load that compensates for manufacturing and assembly tolerances, ensuring consistent sealing contact between the valve closing element and valve seat body without requiring complex guiding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the valve closing element is guided to minimize wear, then service life is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the load distribution parameter by introducing an asymmetrical magnetic core with eccentric recess. This creates a defined preferred position that compensates for manufacturing tolerances in the guiding structures, reducing wear on the valve closing element while maintaining acceptable manufacturing precision levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the magnetic armature and valve closing element are subjected to asymmetrical load, then wear is reduced and service life is improved, but dosing accuracy requirements become more stringent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoiddosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetrical magnetic core with eccentric recess establishes a defined preferred position for the magnetic armature before the valve operation begins. This preliminary positioning compensates for manufacturing and assembly tolerances, ensuring that the asymmetrical load does not negatively impact dosing accuracy while still reducing wear and extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design enhances the stability and precision of the valve's operation, reducing wear and leakage, and simplifies monitoring, resulting in improved long-term performance and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic armature movable relative to the valve seat body... and a magnetic core located opposite the magnetic armature at a working air gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

at least one spring that biases the magnetic armature and the valve closing element in the closing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3894688B1Electromagnetically actuated metering valve
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3894688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3894688B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3894688B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to an electromagnetically actuatable metering valve for liquids and/or gases, comprising: a valve housing (1); a valve seat element (2) which is connected to the valve housing (1) and in which at least one outlet opening (3) is formed; and a magnetic armature (4) which can move in a stroke-like manner relative to the valve seat element (2) and which is securely connected to a plate- or disc-shaped valve closing element (5) for opening and closing the at least one outlet opening (3) or which forms same; as well as a magnetic core (6) opposite the magnetic armature (4) at a working air gap (14) and at least one spring (7) pretensioning the magnetic armature (4) and the valve closing element (5) in the closing direction. According to the invention, the magnetic armature (4) and the valve closing element (5) are loaded in a targeted asymmetrical manner and/or are shaped in a targeted asymmetrical manner. The invention also relates to a method for operating a metering valve for liquids and/or gases.