Directional Control Valve Pressure-Actuated Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional control valves for wiper devices lack efficient and cost-effective mechanisms to synchronously switch the supply of cleaning liquid between nozzle arrangements based on the wiper blade's movement, leading to complex and costly designs.
Innovation Solution
A directional control valve with two outlet channels and a control element featuring valve heads and biasing means that switch between open and closed positions based on fluid pressure, allowing fluid to flow through specific channels without external electrical or magnetic actuators, utilizing mechanical restoring elements and pressure differences to manage fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external electrical or magnetic actuators are used to switch the supply of cleaning liquid, then the switching control can be precise and reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve heads automatically switch between outlet channels based on fluid pressure differences without requiring external actuators. The system uses its own operating fluid to control the switching mechanism, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fluid pressure (pneumatic/hydraulic principles) to actuate the valve heads. The higher pressure fluid automatically directs the valve head to the lower pressure outlet channel, creating a self-regulating switching mechanism that is both simple and reliable.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical actuating elements and control elements are used for each outlet channel, then the switching can be synchronized with wiper blade movement, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple valve heads into a single integrated control element that manages multiple outlet channels simultaneously. This unified structure reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the ability to synchronize fluid distribution with wiper blade movement through pressure differential control.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve heads automatically respond to pressure differences created during normal wiper operation, eliminating the need for separate mechanical actuating elements for each channel. The system uses its own fluid flow to control the switching, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining operational synchronization.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate control elements are used for each outlet channel, then the fluid flow control can be precise, but the weight and size of the valve assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates multiple valve heads and control functions into a single compact assembly. By combining the control elements for multiple outlet channels into one unified structure, the overall weight and size are reduced while maintaining precise fluid flow control through each channel via pressure differential actuation.
4Device complexity
If passive switching mechanism based on pressure differences is used, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses fluid pressure differential to actuate the valve heads with high precision. The natural pressure differences that occur during normal wiper operation are sufficient to reliably drive the valve heads to the appropriate outlet channel, providing precise switching control without complex mechanisms.
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 solution enables a compact, cost-effective, and efficient switching mechanism between nozzle arrangements, simplifying the wiper device design by using pressure differences to control fluid flow, reducing complexity and weight while maintaining effective cleaning fluid distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve head (310) having a first preloading means (312), which is arranged within the first connecting channel (31) between a first opening position upstream and a first closing position downstream in such a way that if the pressure of a fluid flowing through the first connecting channel (31) is greater than a first switching pressure p1 and thus exceeds the holding force of the first preloading means (312), the first valve head (310) is moved downstream from its opening position to its closing position
Implementation Method 2
if the pressure of a fluid flowing through the first connecting channel (31) is greater than a first switching pressure p1 and thus exceeds the holding force of the first preloading means (312), the first valve head (310) is moved downstream from its opening position to its closing position
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a directional control valve 10 comprising at least one inlet channel 15, a first outlet channel 21, a second outlet channel 22, and a control element 30 for controlling a fluid flow between the inlet channel 15, the first outlet channel 21, and/or the second outlet channel 22. The control element 30 comprises a first connecting channel 31, which is fluid-permeable to the inlet channel and the first outlet channel 21, and a first valve head 310 with a first preloading element 312, which is displaceably arranged within the first connecting channel 31 between an upstream opening position and a first downstream closing position such that when the pressure acting on the first cylinder head 310 of a fluid flowing through the first connecting channel 31 is greater than the switching pressure p1 and thus exceeds the holding force of the preloading element 312,The first valve head 310 is moved downstream from its open position to its first closed position. A second connecting channel 32, through which fluid flows, is connected to the inlet channel and the second outlet channel 22. A second valve head 320 has a second preloading element 322, which is displaceably arranged within the second connecting channel 32 between an upstream closed position and a downstream open position. The preloading element 322 is displaceably arranged such that when the pressure of a fluid flowing through the second connecting channel 32 acting on the second valve head 320 is greater than the switching pressure p2 and thus exceeds the holding force of the preloading element 322, the second valve head 320 is moved downstream from its closed position to its open position. The first connecting channel 310 is designed such that it is closed by a movement of the first valve head 310 from an open position to a closed position.wherein the second connecting channel 32 is designed such that it is opened by a movement of the second valve head 32 from a closed position to an open position.