Hydraulic Damper Valve Block Layout for Compact Robust Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex construction of hydraulic dampers with numerous channels and valves in the housing poses challenges in production and mechanical robustness, particularly in orthopedic devices where space and weight are critical.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic actuator design where channels lead out of the housing to a separate valve block, reducing the number of channels in the housing and allowing for modular manufacturing, with a screw connecting the valve block to the housing for mechanical and hydraulic coupling, enabling adjustable flow resistances and simplified assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If channels are arranged inside the housing to connect flexion and extension chambers, then fluidic connection is achieved, but the housing becomes more complex and requires larger wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into two functional modules: the housing containing the chambers and piston, and a separate valve block containing the channels and valves. This segmentation allows the housing to have simple, thick walls for mechanical strength, while the complex channel network is relocated to the valve block, resolving the contradiction between fluidic connectivity and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel network and valves are extracted from the housing and placed into a separate valve block. This extraction eliminates the need for complex internal channels in the housing, allowing the housing walls to be simpler and stronger, while the fluidic connection function is preserved in the external valve block.
2Ease of operation
If multiple channels and valves are integrated in the housing, then flow resistance control is achieved, but production becomes more difficult and assembly more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a housing module and a valve block module. The valve block is manufactured separately with all channels and valves pre-assembled, then mounted to the housing. This segmentation allows specialized manufacturing of the valve block while keeping the housing production simple, resolving the contradiction between operational functionality and manufacturing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve block acts as an intermediary component that provides the complex flow control functionality without requiring it to be integrated into the housing. It mediates between the simple housing structure and the requirement for multiple adjustable flow resistances, allowing each to be optimized independently.
3Volume of moving object
If valves are arranged inside the housing, then space utilization is improved, but the housing walls must be thicker to accommodate valve space
Solution Approach 1:
The valve block is positioned externally to the housing, utilizing the dimensional space outside the housing rather than requiring internal wall thickness increases. This external arrangement allows the housing walls to maintain their optimal thickness for strength while the valve block provides the necessary flow control functions in an adjacent dimension.
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 design simplifies production, reduces housing size and stress, enhances mechanical robustness, and facilitates modular assembly and maintenance, while allowing for adjustable resistance modifications, making it suitable for compact orthopedic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a channel for hydraulic fluid leads from each of the flexion chamber and the extension chamber into the housing in order to produce a fluidic connection between the flexion chamber and the extension chamber
Implementation Method 2
A throttle valve or a control valve can be arranged in the fluidic connections, via which valve the flow resistance from the extension chamber into the flexion chamber and back can be changed. A movement resistance is provided via the setting of the flow resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic actuator includes a housing and with a chamber, which is arranged or formed in the housing and in which a piston is mounted movably and divides the chamber into a flexion chamber and an extension chamber. A channel for hydraulic fluid leads from the flexion chamber and the extension chamber into the housing in order to produce a fluidic connection between the flexion chamber and the extension chamber. At least one valve is arranged in the fluidic connection. The channels lead from the housing to a valve block in which the at least one valve is arranged and is fluidically coupled to the channels, and the valve block is connected to the housing.