Check valve and use thereof in a fluid system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing check valves in fluid systems, particularly in motor vehicles, lack effective mechanisms to prevent damage from fluid expansion due to freezing, which can cause structural failure.

Innovation Solution

The check valve incorporates multiple prestressing elements to manage fluid expansion during freezing, ensuring the sealing element remains in contact with the sealing seat even when fluid pressure drops, and limits axial displacement of valve components, thereby preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single prestressing element is used to keep the sealing element in contact with the sealing seat, then the sealing function is maintained under normal conditions, but the valve cannot compensate for fluid expansion during freezing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidcompensation for fluid expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single prestressing element is divided into multiple prestressing elements (first prestressing element and second prestressing element) that act on different components. The first prestressing element acts on the valve member to maintain sealing, while the second prestressing element acts on the valve element to limit displacement during freezing expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the valve body is made axially displaceable to accommodate freezing expansion, then damage from fluid expansion is prevented, but control over component displacement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage from freezingVSAvoidcontrol over component displacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The second prestressing element is pre-configured to limit the axial displacement of the valve element before freezing expansion occurs. This preliminary constraint prevents excessive displacement during freezing while still allowing controlled movement to accommodate expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the sealing element is pressed firmly against the sealing seat to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the valve cannot accommodate thermal expansion of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of thermal expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve element is designed with axial displacability, allowing it to move dynamically in response to thermal expansion while the first prestressing element maintains sufficient contact force between the sealing element and sealing seat. This dynamic adjustment accommodates thermal expansion without compromising sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively prevents damage to the check valve during freezing by maintaining the sealing function and controlling component displacement, ensuring reliable operation post-thawing.

Implementation Method 1

a prestressing element which is configured to prestress the valve member with a prestressing force in the direction of the valve element, wherein the check valve further comprises: a further prestressing element which is configured to prestress the valve element with a prestressing force of the further prestressing element in the direction of the valve member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the valve element has a sealing seat surrounding the through-opening, which sealing seat faces the sealing element, and in a closed position of the check valve, the sealing element rests against the sealing seat and closes the through-opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4448994B1Check valve and use thereof in a fluid system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP4448994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4448994B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4448994B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a check valve (100) comprising: • a housing comprising a main body (10) which has an inlet opening (11); • a valve body (20) which has a passage (21) comprising an outlet opening (22), is disposed at least partially in the main body (10), and is axially movable relative to the main body (10); • a valve element (30) which is at least partially disposed in the valve body (20) so as to be axially movable relative to the valve body (20) and which has a through-opening (31); • a valve member (40) which is disposed in the valve body (20) between the outlet opening (22) and the valve element (30) and which has a sealing element (41) and a valve stem (42) that is axially movable relative to the valve body (20); • a preloading element (50) designed to preload the valve member (40) with a preloading force in the direction of the valve element (30); the check valve (100) also comprising: • an additional preloading element (60) designed to preload the valve element (30) with a preloading force of the additional preloading element (60) in the direction of the valve member (40), and/or another preloading element (70) designed to preload the valve body (20) with a preloading force of the other preloading element (70) in the direction of the inlet opening (11), wherein the valve element (30) has a sealing seat (32) which surrounds the through-opening (31) and faces the sealing element (41), and the sealing element (41) abuts the sealing seat (32) and seals the through-opening (31) when the check valve (100) is in a closed position.