Control Valve Dividing Element for Combustion Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex structure of existing control valves for internal combustion engines leads to high production costs and susceptibility to dirt and pressure peaks, which can impair functionality.
Innovation Solution
A control valve design featuring a valve housing with a single axial cavity divided by a separately produced and fixedly positioned dividing element, allowing for reduced complexity and cost, with additional components like filters and non-return valves integrated within the second partial space to prevent dirt and pressure peak propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two axially offset cavities are formed in the valve housing to separate pressure medium flows, then the control valve can function properly, but the structure becomes complex and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single cavity is segmented into two functionally separate partial spaces by a dividing element. This dividing element is a separately produced component that is positionally fixedly fastened in the cavity, creating hydraulic separation between the first partial space (for control piston) and the second partial space (for pressure medium supply) without requiring complex multi-cavity housing design
2Ease of manufacture
If the control valve structure is simplified to reduce production costs, then manufacturing becomes easier, but the valve becomes susceptible to dirt particles and pressure peaks
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component in the second partial space to prevent dirt particles from the pressure medium from entering the control valve's functional areas. The filter acts as a mediator between the dirty pressure medium supply and the clean control mechanism, maintaining reliability while using a simple single-cavity structure
Solution Approach 2:
A non-return valve is implemented to prevent pressure peaks from propagating into the pressure medium circuit and damaging connected loads. The non-return valve provides preliminary protection by blocking reverse pressure flow before it can cause damage, ensuring reliability without complex structural design
3Reliability
If additional components like filters and non-return valves are added to prevent dirt and pressure peaks, then reliability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (filter, non-return valve, dividing element) are merged into a single integrated control valve assembly with a single cavity design. This consolidation achieves high reliability through multiple protective functions while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components or multi-cavity structures
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 reduces production costs, increases functionality, and minimizes axial installation space while preventing dirt entry and pressure peak damage, enhancing the control valve's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a dividing element being arranged in the cavity, which dividing element divides said cavity into two partial spaces and hydraulically seals said partial spaces off from one another
Implementation Method 2
a control piston which can be moved axially in the cavity, counter to the force of a spring, by means of an electromagnetic actuating unit
Implementation Method 3
By supplying pressure medium to and discharging medium from the pressure chambers, the vanes within the pressure spaces are moved, thereby bringing about a targeted rotation of the drive output element
Data Source
AI summary
A control valve for a device to variably adjust control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine. The control device has a valve housing and a control piston. The valve housing has an axial cavity with a dividing element arranged in the cavity that separates the cavity into two partial spaces and hydraulically seals the spaces from one another. The dividing element is produced separately from the valve housing and is positionally fixedly fastened in the cavity of the valve housing. The first partial space holds the control piston, and a supply connection is formed in the region of the first partial space. The second partial space has at least one first opening via which pressure medium can be supplied to the second partial space by a pressure medium pump, and at least one second opening by which the second partial space communicates with the supply connection.