Cylinder Detection Valve Lateral Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cylinder apparatus with detection valve functionality faces difficulties in maintenance due to the placement of detection valves at the end walls, making access challenging, and has limited flexibility in arrangement due to the tandem arrangement with the piston.

Innovation Solution

The cylinder apparatus is designed with detection valves oriented laterally in the upper portion of the housing, utilizing a transmission member to convert piston movement into lateral movement of the detection valve, allowing for improved flexibility and easier maintenance by positioning them outside the output rod in the upper wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the detection valve is arranged in the end wall of the housing, then the detection function is achieved, but the maintenance accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection functionVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The detection valve is repositioned from the end wall (one-dimensional arrangement) to the lateral side of the upper portion of the housing (two-dimensional arrangement). This spatial reconfiguration allows the detection valve to be accessed from the side rather than requiring access to the end wall, thereby improving maintenance accessibility while preserving the detection function through the operated portion that responds to piston movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the detection valve is arranged in tandem with the piston, then the detection function is achieved, but the arrangement flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection functionVSAvoidarrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detection valve is relocated from a tandem arrangement with the piston (linear alignment along the piston's movement axis) to a lateral arrangement in the upper portion of the housing. This dimensional change enables the detection valve to be positioned independently of the piston's direct path, significantly improving arrangement flexibility and adaptability to different housing configurations while maintaining detection capability through the operated portion mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the detection valve is positioned in the upper wall outside the output rod, then the maintenance accessibility and arrangement flexibility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operated portion of the detection valve is designed to respond to piston movement through multiple possible mechanisms (direct connection, linkage, or fluid pressure transmission). This multi-functional design allows the same basic detection valve structure to serve both detection purposes and maintainability requirements, reducing the need for additional specialized components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2949950B1Cylinder device
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 KOSMEK LTD (JP)
  • EP2949950B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2949950B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2949950B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A driving chamber (11) where pressurized fluid is supplied and discharged is arranged above a piston (10) inserted into a housing (1) ascendably and descendably. An ascent-detecting detection valve (32) is oriented laterally in an upper portion of the housing (1). An operating portion (10b) is provided on an upper portion of the piston (10), and an operated portion (79) movable in response to movement of the operating portion (10b) is provided on the detection valve (32). A transmission ball (70) is inserted into a transmission chamber (67) communicatively connected to an upper portion of the driving chamber (11). The transmission ball (70) converts ascent movement of the operating portion (10b) to lateral movement of the operated portion (79). Pressurized air for detection is supplied to an inlet (32a) of the detection valve (32) through a supply passage (B2).