Fluorocarbon Rubber Switching Membrane for Pressure Control Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure control valves with elastomer switching membranes fail to maintain long service life when exposed to aggressive blow-by gases in internal combustion engines, as they become brittle and porous, leading to environmental leaks and inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
A switching membrane with a plate-shaped flat body featuring a bending area made of fluorocarbon rubber, which provides chemical resistance and flexibility, combined with conventional plastic materials for other areas, allowing for low-cost manufacturing and improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastomer switching membranes are used for flexibility and low switching pressure, then the membrane can respond to minimal switching pressures of 100 mbar, but the membrane becomes brittle and porous when exposed to aggressive blow-by gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining fluorocarbon rubber (providing chemical resistance to blow-by gases) with conventional elastomers (providing flexibility and low switching pressure response). This composite structure allows the membrane to simultaneously achieve resistance to aggressive gases while maintaining the flexibility needed for low switching pressure operation, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using fluorocarbon rubber specifically in the bending area where chemical resistance is most critical, while other areas can use conventional elastomers. This localized application of chemically resistant material ensures the membrane withstands blow-by gas exposure in the most vulnerable region while maintaining overall flexibility and low-cost manufacturing
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional elastomers are used for the switching membrane, then the membrane remains flexible and responsive, but the material becomes damaged by blow-by gases causing leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining fluorocarbon rubber with conventional elastomers to create a switching membrane that resists blow-by gas attack while maintaining flexibility. The fluorocarbon rubber component provides superior chemical stability against the harmful blow-by gases, preventing the material degradation that occurs with conventional elastomers alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies fluorocarbon rubber specifically in the bending area where the membrane is most exposed to and vulnerable from blow-by gas attack. This localized protection ensures the critical bending region maintains material stability while the rest of the membrane retains the flexibility characteristics of conventional elastomers
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 fluorocarbon rubber bending area ensures long service life and reliable sealing at low pressure differences, reducing noise and maintaining environmental integrity by preventing blow-by gas leaks, while the use of conventional plastics for other areas keeps production costs low.
Implementation Method 1
These switching membranes are very flexible as a result of the specific properties of elastomers. As a function of the existing pressure conditions, this switching membrane opens or closes an opening in the pressure control valve.
Data Source
AI summary
A switching membrane for a pressure control valve has a plate-shaped flat body with a central area and a bending area surrounding the central area. The central area is provided with a closure area. For switching the switching membrane, the central area can be moved back and forth by a bending movement of the bending area in a direction transverse to an extension of the central area. At least the bending area is made of fluorocarbon rubber. A pressure control valve, especially for crankcase ventilation, is provided with a valve housing that has a housing cover and further is provided with a valve seat. A switching membrane as described above is disposed in the valve housing and switches at pressure differences of at most 500 mbar to release or shut off a flow of fluid at the valve seat.