Check Valve Pin Location Elements for Aircraft Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves used in aircraft air conditioning systems face challenges in minimizing component mass while maintaining structural integrity and durability, particularly in withstanding frequent cycles of opening and closing, and require innovative designs to optimize weight and resilience.
Innovation Solution
The design of a valve housing with strategically positioned pin support and location elements, including strip elements that securely fasten and locate hinge and stop pins, providing a resilient and durable structure that minimizes wear and maximizes manufacturing tolerances, using materials like sheet metal for cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional heavy-duty pin support structures are used to ensure durability and withstand frequent opening/closing cycles, then the structural integrity and reliability are improved, but the mass of the valve housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin support structure is segmented into multiple functional elements: pin support elements that provide mechanical support, pin location elements that ensure precise positioning, and locating portions that contact specific regions of the pin. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently for strength-to-weight ratio, using minimal material where needed while maintaining overall durability and reliability under frequent cycling conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The pin location elements feature locating portions with specific geometric configurations (such as curved surfaces or recesses) that provide localized high-strength contact points with the pin. This local quality enhancement ensures durable support at critical stress points while the remaining structure can be minimized in mass, achieving reliability without excessive weight
2Weight of stationary object
If minimal material is used to reduce mass, then the weight is reduced, but the structural integrity and ability to withstand frequent opening/closing cycles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pin location elements are designed with pre-formed locating portions that establish proper pin positioning and load distribution from the outset. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that even with minimal material usage, the critical load paths are pre-configured to handle frequent opening and closing cycles without compromising structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The pin support and location elements utilize three-dimensional geometric configurations (such as curved locating surfaces, layered strip elements, or spatially distributed support points) to achieve high structural efficiency. This dimensional optimization allows minimal material to provide maximum strength by distributing stresses through optimized spatial arrangements rather than relying on bulk material
3Reliability
If complex pin support structures are used to ensure precise pin location and minimize wear, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pin location function is extracted as a separate, dedicated feature (the locating portion of the pin location element) rather than being integrated into the main pin support structure. This extraction allows the location mechanism to be designed for maximum precision using simple geometric forms (such as curved surfaces or recesses) that are easy to manufacture, while the support structure handles the mechanical loading independently
Solution Approach 2:
The pin location elements are designed to self-align and self-locate the pin through their geometric configuration (such as curved locating surfaces or interlocking features). This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or precision machining operations, achieving reliable pin positioning with simple, cost-effective manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
A valve housing for a check valve comprises a housing body defining a valve opening and a first pin extending across the valve opening defining a pin axis (A). The valve housing further comprises a pair of first pin support elements provided on the housing body on opposing sides of the valve opening and extending towards the first pin, the first pin support elements for contacting and supporting an under side of the first pin. The valve housing further comprises a pair of first pin location elements provided on the housing body on opposing sides of the valve opening, each first pin location element comprising a strip element having a mounting portion mounted to the housing body and a locating portion which extends over an upper side of the first pin and around at least an upper circumference thereof to locate the first pin.