Ejection Device Pressure Control for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ejection devices, such as those used in snow removal, produce loud ejection sounds that can be disruptive, particularly in noise-sensitive environments like nighttime or during preventive operations, and existing solutions do not adequately address this issue without compromising removal efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The ejection device incorporates a pressure control unit with a valve system and a control unit to adjust the pressure of the fluid supplied, allowing for lower pressure settings during nighttime or preventive ejections, using a combination of high-pressure and low-pressure circuits to manage the flow rates and reduce noise while maintaining effective snow removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high pressure is used for fluid ejection to ensure effective snow removal, then removal efficiency is improved, but ejection sound level increases causing noise disturbance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesnow removal efficiencyVSAvoidejection sound level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device dynamically adjusts the fluid pressure based on operational conditions. The control unit varies pressure between high-pressure mode (for effective snow removal) and low-pressure mode (for noise reduction during preventive ejection or nighttime operations), making the system adaptable rather than static

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pressure parameter of the ejected fluid according to different operational requirements. By controlling pressure within a specific range (e.g., 0.1-0.5 MPa for preventive ejection, higher for follow-up ejection), the system achieves both effective snow removal and noise reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If pressure is reduced to lower ejection sound during nighttime operations, then noise disturbance is reduced, but snow removal capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection sound levelVSAvoidsnow removal capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between pressure levels based on time of day and operational needs. During nighttime or preventive operations, low pressure is used to reduce noise. When heavy snow accumulation is detected or during daytime operations, the system switches to high pressure to ensure effective snow removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Preventive ejection using lower pressure is performed periodically or before heavy snowfall to prevent snow accumulation in the first place. This preliminary action reduces the need for high-pressure ejection later, maintaining snow removal capability while reducing overall noise exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If high pressure is used for all ejection operations to ensure reliability, then snow removal capability is maintained, but energy consumption increases and noise disturbance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesnow removal capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of always using maximum pressure, the system applies partial action (low pressure) when sufficient for preventive ejection or light snow conditions. High pressure is reserved only for necessary follow-up ejection when heavy snow removal is required, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure parameter is optimized based on actual operational conditions. The control unit adjusts pressure to the minimum necessary level for effective snow removal in each situation, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining snow removal capability through intelligent parameter management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces the ejection sound by lowering the pressure of the fluid during less critical operations, minimizing noise disturbances while ensuring the ejection device's capability to remove snow efficiently, and reduces wasteful operations when combined with heating devices.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure of the fluid supplied to the ejecting unit can be reduced by the pressure control unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 2

ejecting unit configured to eject the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid ejection: Jet

Implementation Method 3

the pressure control unit preferably includes a valve for reducing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the ejecting unit and a control unit for driving the valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction through valve: Valve

Implementation Method 4

the pressure control unit preferably changes the pressure by adjusting a flow rate of the fluid supplied by the high-pressure circuit and a flow rate of the fluid supplied by the low-pressure circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 5

the pressure control unit preferably includes a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure supplied to the ejecting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure adjustment: Valve

Implementation Method 6

when a heating device for heating the track switch unit is in operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3797998B1Ejection device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP3797998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3797998B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3797998B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is an ejection device that can achieve lowered ejection sound. An ejection device (2) includes a high-pressure circuit (29, 60, 160) and a low-pressure circuit (50, 70, 170) for supplying compressed air to air nozzles (22) through which the compressed air is ejected to a track switch unit (10), a first solenoid valve (24A), a second solenoid valve (24B), a third solenoid valve (53) and a fourth solenoid valve (54) provided in the high- or low-pressure circuit (29, 50, 60, 70, 160, 170) for controlling the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the air nozzles (22), and an ejection control device (20).