Double Check Valve Anti-Twist Sleeve Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing double check valves in commercial vehicles are not compact enough and lack structural stability, leading to energy losses due to turbulence and longer switching times, while also being costly and difficult to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A double check valve with a sleeve having only one outlet opening and an anti-twist device, allowing for a smaller diameter design that maintains stability and prevents rotation, ensuring laminar flow and rapid switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the sleeve is designed with multiple outlet openings and thin intermediate webs to reduce diameter, then the device size is reduced, but the structural stability and longevity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesleeve diameterVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the fluid discharge function by providing multiple outlet openings (first, second, and third outlet openings) distributed around the sleeve circumference, while maintaining structural integrity through strategic placement and sizing of these openings rather than using thin webs between numerous openings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making the sleeve wall thickness non-uniform, with thicker walls at critical locations between outlet openings to provide enhanced structural support where needed, while maintaining thinner walls in less critical areas to reduce overall diameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the sleeve is designed with multiple outlet openings to ensure stability, then structural stability is improved, but the device diameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsleeve diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional lattice pattern of multiple small openings to a three-dimensional arrangement where outlet openings are distributed around the circumference at different angular positions, allowing stable fluid discharge without requiring thin intermediate webs that would increase diameter

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

3Productivity

If the sleeve is made predominantly closed and fixed to prevent rotation, then laminar flow and switching speed are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces asymmetry through the anti-twist device consisting of an asymmetric profile on the sleeve that engages with a corresponding asymmetric profile in the valve block, preventing sleeve rotation while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process using conventional molding or machining techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 compact design with a reduced diameter achieves high reliability, operational safety, and longevity, reducing installation space and manufacturing costs while ensuring effective pressure fluid discharge.

Implementation Method 1

a guide part 32, which can be inserted into the sleeve 31 in a longitudinally displaceable manner and can be moved axially therein by being acted upon with pressurized fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure force: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

close in two blocking directions or alternately in one of two blocking directions by a spring or pressure force acting in the closing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

released in a third direction by a flowing fluid by overcoming the closing force at one or both inputs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure force: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3428493B1Double check valve
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH
  • EP3428493B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3428493B1 patent drawingFigure 1d~1e
  • EP3428493B1 patent drawingFigure 1f~1g

AI summary

The invention relates to a double check valve (20) with a sleeve (21) and a guide part (32) which can be inserted longitudinally displaceably into the sleeve (21) and can be moved axially therein by means of a pressure fluid, and in which the shell of the sleeve (21) has an outlet (3) for the pressure fluid. According to the invention, the outlet (3) is formed by only one outlet opening (4) in the shell of the sleeve (21), the area of ​​the outlet opening (4) is small in relation to the total area of ​​the shell of the sleeve (21), and a locking element (23) is arranged or formed on the sleeve (21) with which the sleeve (21) can be positioned in a fixed angular position on a component (8), wherein in the fixed angular position the one outlet opening (4) is aligned in the direction of a pressure fluid discharge (13) arranged on the component (8) and is secured against rotation in relation to the pressure fluid discharge (13).