Helical Compression Spring Valve Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve designs with separate helical springs for each valve member and a connecting element are costly and require more installation space, compromising operational reliability due to potential buckling and inefficient force transmission.
Innovation Solution
A compact valve design featuring a helical compression spring with a central spring section where the coil pitch is identical to the wire diameter, ensuring stable force transmission and preventing buckling by maintaining direct contact between coils, thus eliminating the need for additional connecting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate helical springs and a connecting element are used for each valve member, then each valve member can be actuated independently, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate helical springs and a connecting element into a single compression spring with differentiated end sections. The first end section acts on the first valve member while the second end section acts on the second valve member, eliminating the need for separate springs and connecting elements. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining independent actuation capability through the differentiated end sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The single compression spring is segmented into different end sections with distinct characteristics. The first end section has a first wire diameter optimized for the first valve member, while the second end section has a second wire diameter optimized for the second valve member. This segmentation allows each section to independently influence its corresponding valve member, preserving functional independence while using a unified spring structure.
2Reliability
If separate helical springs and a connecting element are used, then each valve member can be actuated independently, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (two helical springs and a connecting element) into a single compression spring, significantly reducing the installation space required. The unified spring structure occupies less volume than the separate components would require, while still providing independent actuation capability through its differentiated end sections.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid connecting element is used to connect separate spring sections, then force transmission is established, but buckling risk increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the rigid connecting element by integrating the connection function directly into the compression spring structure. The spring body itself provides continuous force transmission between the two end sections, eliminating the need for separate connecting elements. This reduces manufacturing complexity and eliminates potential buckling risks associated with rigid connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the wire diameter parameter along the length of the compression spring to create differentiated end sections. The first end section has a first wire diameter while the second end section has a second wire diameter. This parameter change allows optimization of force transmission characteristics for each valve member while maintaining structural integrity throughout the spring body.
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 enhances operational reliability by ensuring direct and stable force transmission between valve members, reducing manufacturing costs and installation space while preventing buckling, thereby maintaining the valve's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the compression or expansion of the compression spring (5) takes place depending on the respective direction of movement of the respective valve member (6, 7). This relative movement manifests itself in an increase or decrease in the deformation energy stored in the compression spring (5).
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for controlling fluid flows, including a valve housing in which a control bore extends along a bore axis, in which a first valve member is moveably accommodated along the bore axis between a first open position and a first closed position for a first fluid channel and in which a second valve member is moveably accommodated along the bore axis between a second open position and a second closed position for a second fluid channel and further including a first drive assigned to the first valve member and a second drive assigned to the second valve member, in which a helical compression spring extends along the bore axis from the first valve member to the second valve member and has a central spring section with a central coil pitch which is at least virtually identical to a wire diameter of the compression spring.