Engine Air Pipe Valve Dual Return Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air ducting valves for motor vehicle engines lack reliable mechanisms to automatically return to a safety position in case of electronic engine control system failure, leading to potential safety issues during such events.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring two independent return means that exert distinct return forces to guide the shutter to a default position, ensuring robustness and simplicity, with specific configurations of stops and torsion springs to manage the rotation and positioning of the drive mechanism effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single return spring is used to return the shutter to the safety position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the spring is continuously stressed during normal operation and may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The return device is segmented into two independent return means (first return means and second return means), each responsible for returning the shutter from different extreme positions to the safety position. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently without continuous stress, improving reliability while maintaining reasonable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a fail-safe mechanism where the dual return means are designed to compensate for potential failures. If one return means fails, the other remains functional to ensure the shutter returns to the safety position, providing beforehand cushioning against reliability issues.
2Reliability
If two independent return means are used to improve reliability, then the return mechanism becomes more complex, but the patent claims simplicity is achieved through specific configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The two independent return means are merged into a single integrated return device structure that shares common components such as the valve body, drive means, and control shaft. This merging approach allows the system to achieve the reliability of dual mechanisms while maintaining the simplicity of a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The return device is designed with multi-functionality where the same structural components (valve body, drive means, stops) serve multiple purposes: defining extreme positions, enabling shutter rotation, and facilitating the return to safety position. This universality reduces overall complexity despite having two independent return means.
3Reliability
If the valve design includes multiple stops and independent return means, then the manufacturing precision requirements increase, but the patent claims robustness is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design incorporates self-aligning features where the shutter and drive means automatically return to their correct positions through the mechanical action of the return means and stops. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for high manufacturing precision by allowing the system to self-correct minor deviations during operation.
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 valve achieves enhanced reliability and flexibility by ensuring the shutter returns to a safety position in case of engine failure, maintaining operational safety and reducing production complexity through independent operation of the return mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the two return means being different and independent of each other and each arranged so as to exert a return force directly on the drive means
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (10) for an air pipe of an engine of a motor vehicle comprising: a seal (18) movably mounted between a first end position (P1) and a second end position (P2), a drive motor configured to drive the seal (18) between the two end positions (P1, P2) via a drive means (30), and a return device configured to return the seal (18) to an intermediate default position (PLH) between the two end positions (P1; P2). In said valve, the return device comprises a first return means (32) arranged so as to return the seal (18) from the first end position (P1) to the default position (PLH) and a second return means (34) arranged so as to return the seal (18) from the second end position (P2) to the default position (PLH), the two return means (32, 34) being different and separate from one another and each being arranged such that a return force is exerted directly on the drive means (30) while the seal (18) returns to the default position (PLH).