Hydraulic Control Valve Flexible Port Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic control valves for internal combustion engines require high accuracy of dimensions for the sleeve, leading to complex structures and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for flexibility in axial port layout.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic control valve design featuring a cylindrical valve body with radial ports and a cylindrical sleeve with radial communication holes and axial communication passages, allowing for flexible port layout without requiring high accuracy of sleeve dimensions, with a spool valve sliding between ports to control fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If communication passages are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve to increase flexibility of port layout, then layout flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidsleeve dimension accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the communication function into two separate components: the sleeve contains communication holes (radial penetration) while the spool valve contains communication passages (axial extension). This segmentation allows each component to have simpler manufacturing requirements while maintaining overall layout flexibility through their cooperative arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spool valve acts as an intermediary component that bridges the communication holes in the sleeve with the ports in the valve body. The communication passages in the spool valve mediate the fluid flow between these two elements, enabling flexible port layout without requiring high precision in the sleeve itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If communication passages are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve, then structure complexity increases, but this was done to increase layout flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidvalve structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the communication pathways between different components (sleeve with radial holes, spool valve with axial passages, valve body with ports). This segmentation simplifies each individual component's structure while achieving complex overall functionality through their assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes different spatial dimensions for communication: radial direction for communication holes in the sleeve, axial direction for communication passages in the spool valve, and radial direction for ports in the valve body. This multi-dimensional arrangement achieves layout flexibility without increasing structural complexity in any single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 the structure, reduces manufacturing costs, and allows for increased flexibility in port layout without the need for precise sleeve dimensions, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a spool valve (51) which is provided slidably in an axial direction in the valve body and switches between opening and closure of each of the plurality of ports in accordance with a sliding position of the spool valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a solenoid pressing the spool valve to the other direction against a spring force of a valve spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS10161274B2Hydraulic control valve and valve-timing control device for internal-combustion engine using hydraulic control valve

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

A hydraulic control valve allows increased flexibility of port layout without requiring high dimensional accuracy. The hydraulic control valve includes a cylindrical valve body having, at a cylindrical shaft portion, retard and advance ports and reintroduction ports, and a spool valve provided slidably in an axial direction in the valve body and permitting switching between supply/discharge of working fluid to/from retard and advance hydraulic chambers through land portions. The control valve further includes a cylindrical sleeve formed with synthetic resin material and fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft portion, and an actuator that moves the spool valve in an axial direction. The sleeve has, at a peripheral wall thereof, retard and advance oil passage holes communicating with retard and advance ports, and has, on an inner peripheral surface thereof, communication grooves communicating with the reintroduction ports.