Bleed Needle Tip Geometry for Linear Hydraulic Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bleed needles in fluid systems, such as shock absorbers, often require precise machining and inspection to ensure linear and consistent fluid flow adjustments, but improper machining can lead to non-linear and inconsistent force adjustments, and the inspection process is time-consuming and requires specialty machinery.
Innovation Solution
A bleed needle design featuring a conical portion and a planar face angled with respect to the longitudinal axis, allowing for a linear relationship between the axial position of the needle and the orifice, which minimizes the need for extensive inspection and ensures consistent fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the bleed needle tip is carefully machined and inspected using specialty machinery, then the fluid flow adjustments become linear and consistent, but the manufacturing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed needle tip geometry is designed to inherently provide linear fluid flow adjustment characteristics without requiring post-manufacturing inspection or adjustment. The specific geometric configuration (conical portion with 45-degree angle and 0.010-0.020 inch large radius fillet) self-corrects for minor manufacturing variations, making the system self-inspecting and self-adjusting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the bleed needle tip (conical angle, fillet radius, overall shape) to create a configuration that is tolerant of manufacturing variations. By optimizing these parameters, the design achieves linear fluid flow characteristics without requiring precision machining beyond standard capabilities.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bleed needle tip is improperly machined, then the manufacturing process is faster and simpler, but the fluid flow adjustments become non-linear and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates a large radius fillet (0.010-0.020 inch) at the tip, which acts as a cushion against the effects of poor machining. This fillet geometry compensates for manufacturing variations and ensures consistent fluid flow characteristics even when machining precision is limited, protecting the system from the harmful effects of improper machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The bleed needle tip geometry is designed to inherently provide linear fluid flow adjustment characteristics without requiring post-manufacturing inspection or adjustment. The specific geometric configuration (conical portion with 45-degree angle and 0.010-0.020 inch large radius fillet) self-corrects for minor manufacturing variations, making the system self-inspecting and self-adjusting.
3Measurement precision
If specialty machinery is used for inspection, then the bleed needle tip quality can be verified, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed needle tip geometry is designed to inherently provide linear fluid flow adjustment characteristics without requiring post-manufacturing inspection or adjustment. The specific geometric configuration (conical portion with 45-degree angle and 0.010-0.020 inch large radius fillet) self-corrects for minor manufacturing variations, making the system self-inspecting and self-adjusting.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that the bleed needle may be a disposable or low-cost component, and the geometry is optimized to provide sufficient performance without requiring expensive inspection equipment. The inherent robustness of the design allows it to function reliably even with standard manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a body that has a longitudinal axis. The body includes a conical portion positioned at an end of the body. The conical portion at least partially surrounds the body. The body includes a planar face circumferentially adjacent the conical portion. The planar face is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body.