Gas Spring Valve Assembly for Temperature-Stable Force Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas pressure springs used in vehicle doors face challenges due to significant force variability with temperature, requiring high force at low temperatures and excessive force at high temperatures, which can lead to operational difficulties and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-driven valve arrangement with a channel section and a switching element, including a bimetal spring and O-ring, that controls fluid connection between chambers to maintain consistent force across temperature ranges, utilizing a secondary fluid path for reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a temperature-compensating valve with bimetallic spring and O-ring seal is used, then the temperature dependence of force is reduced, but the reliability of the valve arrangement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a backup sealing arrangement. In addition to the primary O-ring seal, the invention includes a sealing groove with a sealing bead that can engage to provide an alternative sealing path if the O-ring fails or is displaced. This redundant sealing mechanism ensures continuous reliable operation even if the primary sealing element malfunctions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible shells by employing the O-ring as a flexible sealing element that can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and wear. The O-ring's flexibility allows it to maintain reliable sealing contact with the valve body bore over extended periods, compensating for minor dimensional variations and wear that would occur in rigid sealing arrangements
2Device complexity
If the valve arrangement uses O-ring and bimetallic spring sealing, then the structure is simple, but the sealing reliability is insufficient due to potential O-ring displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the O-ring within a dedicated sealing groove that is itself positioned within the valve body structure. The sealing groove acts as a nested containment feature that holds the O-ring in its proper position, preventing displacement while maintaining the simplicity of the overall design. This nested arrangement ensures the O-ring remains properly positioned without requiring additional complex retention mechanisms
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 solution ensures a consistent force output across varying temperatures, reducing the risk of damage and improving user safety by maintaining reliable operation of gas pressure springs.
Implementation Method 1
The valve arrangement comprises a switching element (8), in particular a bimetallic spring, which is movable at least section by section along an axis of movement (A) in a temperature-driven manner
Implementation Method 2
The sealing element (10), for example an O-ring, arranged around a through-opening (16) of a channel section (13) and thereby positively fixed in a sealing manner at least section by section along an axis of movement (A)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a temperature-driven valve assembly (6), comprising: a channel portion (13) for fluidically connecting two chambers (4, 5) for receiving a fluid, the channel portion having a through-opening (16) for the fluid; and at least one switching element (8) having an opening configuration in an opening temperature range and a closing configuration in a closing temperature range. The switching element (8) is at least partly movable relative to the channel portion (13) along a movement axis (A) in a temperature-driven manner. An opening normal of the through-opening (16) is directed toward the switching element (8). The channel portion (13) is surrounded by a channel wall (9) extending peripherally around the movement axis (A). The valve assembly (6) comprises at least one sealing element (10) extending peripherally around the channel wall (9). The sealing element (10), when in an installation position, lies against at least one sealing surface (9A) of the channel wall (9). A surface normal of the sealing surface (9A) is directed at the switching element (8). The at least one sealing element (10), when in the installation position, sealingly cooperates with the at least one sealing surface (9A) and the at least one switching element (8) in the closing configuration and closes the through-opening (16). The at least one sealing element (10), when in the installation position, is spaced apart from the at least one switching element (8) in the opening configuration along the movement axis (A) such that a primary fluid path (11) fluidically connects the two chambers (4, 5) through the through-opening (16) and between the at least one switching element (8) and the at least one sealing element (10). The valve assembly (6) comprises at least one recess (14) in the channel wall (9). A projection of the at least one recess (14) along the movement axis (A) is completely surrounded by a projection of the sealing surface (9A) along the movement axis (A). In an operating position of the sealing element (10), in which the sealing element (10) is spaced apart from the at least one sealing surface (9A) along the movement axis (A), a secondary fluid path (15) fluidically interconnects the two chambers (4, 5) through the at least one recess (14).