Hydraulic Damper Valve Block for Modular Flow Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex structure of hydraulic dampers with numerous channels and valves is problematic, making them difficult to manufacture and maintain, and limiting their mechanical robustness and adaptability in applications like orthopedic devices and prostheses.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic actuator design featuring a valve block with flow channels that form a fluid connection between flexion and extension chambers, where all flow channels are coupled to a bore, reducing the number of channels needed in the housing and allowing for modular production and easier maintenance, with control and check valves for adjustable resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If numerous channels are arranged within the housing to connect flexion and extension chambers, then fluid flow connection is achieved, but the housing becomes more complex and mechanically weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into a housing containing chambers and a separate valve block containing all flow channels and valves. This separation allows the housing to focus solely on containing chambers while the valve block handles all fluid routing, reducing housing complexity and eliminating the need for multiple channels through the housing wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channels and valves are extracted from the housing structure and placed into a separate valve block. This extraction removes the complexity of routing numerous channels through the housing, allowing the housing to maintain structural integrity while the valve block provides all necessary fluid flow paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channels and valves are integrated into the housing, then hydraulic functionality is achieved, but manufacturing and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a housing with chambers and piston, and a separate valve block with all channels and valves. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes, then assembled together, significantly simplifying manufacturing and enabling easier maintenance or replacement of the valve block.
3Reliability
If channels are led through the housing wall, then fluid connection is established, but mechanical robustness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
All flow channels are extracted from the housing structure and relocated to a separate valve block. This eliminates the need to route channels through the housing wall, preserving the housing's mechanical strength and structural integrity while maintaining all necessary fluid flow connections through the external valve block.
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 production, reduces housing size and mechanical stress, enhances mechanical robustness, and facilitates modular assembly and maintenance, enabling more efficient and adaptable hydraulic actuators for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic actuator with a housing (10), a chamber (20) arranged or formed in the housing (10) in which a piston (30) is movably mounted and the chamber (20) is divided into a flexion chamber (21) and an extension chamber (22)... a channel (41, 42) for hydraulic fluid leads from the flexion chamber (21) and the extension chamber (22) into the housing (10) in order to form a flow connection between the flexion chamber (21) and the extension chamber (22)
Implementation Method 2
Within this fluid connection, which can be designed as hydraulic channels in the housing or via external lines, a volume exchange of the hydraulic fluid takes place between the chambers. A throttle valve or a control valve can be integrated into the fluid connection, allowing the flow resistance from the extension chamber to the flexion chamber and back to be adjusted.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydraulic actuator with a housing (10) and with a chamber (20) which is arranged or formed in the housing (10) and in which a piston (30) is mounted movably and divides the chamber (20) into a flexion chamber (21) and an extension chamber (22), wherein a channel (41, 42) for hydraulic fluid leads respectively from the flexion chamber (21) and the extension chamber (22) into the housing (10) in order to produce a fluidic connection between the flexion chamber (21) and the extension chamber (22), wherein at least one valve (51, 52, 53, 54) is arranged in the fluidic connection, wherein the channels (41, 42) lead from the housing (10) to a valve block (60) in which the at least one valve (51, 52, 53, 54) is arranged and is fluidically coupled to the channels (41, 42), and the valve block (60) is connected to the housing (10).