Flat Multi-Part Armature Gas Valve for Compact Fuel Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas valves for internal combustion engines are not compact enough, lack high actuating dynamics, and are energetically inefficient, limiting their versatility and precision in fuel metering.

Innovation Solution

A compact gas valve design featuring a flat, multi-part armature with axially movable parts, multiple valve seats, and adjustable spring forces, allowing for precise control and reduced energy requirements, along with a sealing system that integrates the valve closing element for reduced component count and enhanced sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional single-part armature design is used, then the valve structure is simpler, but the space requirements are larger and actuating dynamics are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve sizeVSAvoidarmature structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armature is divided into multiple axially displaceable armature parts (first, second, and third armature parts) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for specific functions while reducing the overall axial length of the valve by enabling nested or compact arrangements of the parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple armature parts are arranged in a nested configuration where they can be plugged into one another and move axially within one another. This nesting approach significantly reduces the axial space requirement while maintaining the functionality of multiple valve seats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If a single valve seat is used, then the valve structure is simpler, but the gas dosing precision and volume spread are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas dosing precisionVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve incorporates multiple valve seats (first, second, and third valve seats) that can be opened at different times by the corresponding armature parts. This segmentation of the valve seating function enables precise control of gas flow in multiple stages, allowing for accurate gas dosing and a wide range of volume control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple valve seats are designed to be opened at different times through the independent axial movement of different armature parts. This dynamic, multi-stage opening sequence enables precise control over gas flow timing and quantity, significantly improving gas dosing precision and volume spread.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If a heavy single-part armature is used, then the structure is more robust, but the actuating dynamics and energy requirements are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating dynamicsVSAvoidenergy requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The armature is segmented into multiple lighter parts that can move independently. Each armature part has reduced mass compared to a single large armature, which improves actuating dynamics and reduces the energy required to accelerate and decelerate the moving components during valve operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The independent axial movement of multiple lightweight armature parts enables faster response times and improved actuating dynamics. The reduced mass of individual parts allows for quicker acceleration and deceleration, enhancing the overall dynamic performance of the valve while reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for valve closing and sealing, then the sealing function is more robust, but the component count and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve closing element is integrated directly into the armature parts, eliminating the need for separate valve closing components. This merging of functions reduces the total component count and simplifies the overall valve structure while maintaining effective sealing through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The armature parts serve multiple functions: they act as both the actuating mechanism for opening the valve seats and as the valve closing elements with integrated sealing surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring reliable sealing through the combined design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design achieves a significant reduction in space requirements, increased actuating dynamics, and precise gas dosing capabilities, enabling efficient and versatile fuel metering with reduced energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The gas valve has an electromagnet (1) and an armature (2) which can be lifted and which interacts with the electromagnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The armature (2) is acted upon by the spring force of at least one closing spring (6, 7) in the direction of a valve seat element (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3280902B1Gas valve
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3280902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3280902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3280902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a gas valve for dispensing a gaseous fuel into an intake tract of an internal combustion engine, comprising an electromagnet (1) and an armature (2) which can be moved upwards and which co-operates with the electromagnet (1), which in the direction of a valve seat element (3) which forms at least one valve seat (4, 5), is subjected to the spring force of at least one closing spring (6, 7). According to the invention, the armature (2) is designed as a flat armature and comprises several armature parts (8, 9) which are axially guided inside each other.