Damper Valve Retaining Element Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock absorber valves are complex to manufacture and assemble due to the need for a groove on the base, requiring significant manual pressure and risking deformation or injury during assembly, which complicates the mounting process and increases the base size.

Innovation Solution

A valve design where the elastic retaining element is fixed to the valve holder and extends under the base, eliminating the need for a groove on the base, allowing for simplified assembly and reduced risk of deformation, with a star-shaped retaining element and a constraint mechanism controlling the valve's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elastic retaining element is introduced into a groove on the base, then the valve holder is retained, but the base size increases and assembly becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretaining element fixationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the retaining element from the groove structure on the base and relocates it to the valve holder body. The retaining element is now fixed to the valve holder body and extends downward to engage with the base, eliminating the need for a groove on the base. This simplifies the base structure and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fixing the retaining element to the base and having it engage with the valve holder, the invention inverts the approach by fixing the retaining element to the valve holder body and having it engage with the base. This inversion simplifies the base structure by eliminating the groove and makes assembly more straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If manual pressure is exerted to fit the retaining element into the groove, then the valve is assembled, but deformation or injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoiddeformation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the groove structure from the base and relocating the retaining element to the valve holder body, the invention eliminates the need for high-pressure manual insertion. The retaining element simply extends from the valve holder body and engages with the base in its natural position, requiring minimal assembly force and eliminating deformation risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a groove is provided on the base for the retaining element, then the valve holder is retained, but the base size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve holder retentionVSAvoidbase size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the groove structure from the base design and relocates the retention function to the valve holder body. The retaining element is fixed to the valve holder body and extends downward to engage with the base surface, eliminating the need for a groove. This maintains reliable retention while reducing the base size and simplifying its structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Facilitates easier and safer assembly with reduced base size, minimizing the risk of retaining element deformation and enhancing the overall reliability of the valve.

Implementation Method 1

In the expansion phase, the retaining element, due to the depression created by the lack of oil in the lower chamber, deforms and bears against the throat, which 'pulls' on the base.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

said retaining means being fixed on the one hand to the body of the valve holder and comprising at least one part extending under the underside of the base, said part pressing against said lower face in the detent position of the valve holder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2172668B1Damper valve arranged between a lower chamber a compensation chamber of the damper
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP2172668B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2172668B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2172668B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This valve (1) comprises a flapper (4) sliding within a flapper holder (6) and a base (8), the flapper holder (6) being retained by the base (8) by an elastic retainer (28), said flapper holder (6) being movable relative to said base (8) between a compressed position and a relaxed position, said flapper holder (6) comprising a seat (10) and a body (12) extending under the base (10) and into the base (8). Said retainer (28) is fixed on one side to the body (12) of the flapper holder (6) and comprises at least one portion (32) extending under the lower face (34) of the base (8), said portion (32) bearing against said lower face (34) in the relaxed position of the flapper holder (6).