EGR Valve Integrated Stud for Cable Raceway Support

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing EGR valves in the automotive field face issues with suboptimal fixing of electrical trunking, which leads to deformation and complexity due to the use of sheet metal brackets, compromising mechanical strength and ease of attachment.

Innovation Solution

An electrically actuated EGR valve with a stud integrated into the valve body to directly support the electrical chute, eliminating the need for a separate bracket, enhancing mechanical strength and simplifying attachment through a threaded hole and reinforced cross-section design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a sheet metal bracket is used to support the electrical chute, then the attachment is achieved, but the bracket deforms due to weight support and the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support function into the valve body itself by integrating a support protrusion directly onto the valve housing. This eliminates the separate sheet metal bracket, combining the valve body and support structure into a single integrated component that maintains strength while simplifying the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is segmented as a distinct protrusion feature on the valve body, allowing the electrical chute to be attached at a specific location without compromising the overall valve body integrity. This segmentation enables focused reinforcement where needed while keeping the rest of the valve body simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a sheet metal bracket is used to support the electrical chute, then the attachment is achieved, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support function into the valve body itself by integrating a support protrusion directly onto the valve housing. This eliminates the separate sheet metal bracket, combining the valve body and support structure into a single integrated component that maintains strength while simplifying the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate sheet metal bracket is used, then the electrical chute can be attached, but the bracket deforms under weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidreliability of support

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support function into the valve body itself by integrating a support protrusion directly onto the valve housing. This eliminates the separate sheet metal bracket, combining the valve body and support structure into a single integrated component that maintains strength while simplifying the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body is made from a robust material (such as cast iron or reinforced plastic) that inherently provides the strength and rigidity needed to support the electrical chute, eliminating the need for separate bracket materials and their associated deformation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3129626B1Valve comprising a stud for supporting a cable raceway

Publication Date: 2022.10.19 VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR SAS

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrically actuated valve (10), such as a valve for a motor vehicle and, in particular, an exhaust gas recirculation valve, comprising a valve body (12) forming a duct that extends through the valve body (12), and an electrically actuated plug for sealing the duct, the valve body (12) also forming a stud (14) designed to support a cable raceway housing at least one power cable of the valve (10). The invention also relates to the assembly formed by such a valve and a cable raceway supported by the stud (14).