Hydraulic Control Valve Connection Surface for Compact Port Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control valves for hydraulic devices, such as pumps, require significant installation space and complex assembly processes due to separate connections for pressure and relief ports, which is problematic in space-constrained applications like vehicle construction.

Innovation Solution

A compact control valve design with a valve housing, piston, and integrated pressure, work, and relief ports that connect via a common connection surface, allowing for simultaneous fluid and mechanical attachment, reducing installation space and assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate connections are provided for pressure ports and relief ports, then reliable fluid connection is achieved, but installation space increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid connection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple connection functions (pressure port connection, relief port connection, and mounting) into a single integrated connection surface on the valve body. This allows fluid connections and mechanical mounting to occur simultaneously at one location, reducing the space required for installation while maintaining reliable fluid connections through proper sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mounting surfaces for securing the valve to a support structure, and it provides connection points for both pressure fluid supply and relief fluid discharge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting and fluid connection interfaces, reducing overall installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate connections are provided for pressure ports and relief ports, then proper fluid routing is achieved, but assembly work increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid routingVSAvoidassembly work
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection operations for pressure ports and relief ports into a single assembly step at the integrated connection surface. Installers connect both fluid lines and secure the valve to the support structure simultaneously, reducing the number of assembly steps and fastening operations required while maintaining proper fluid routing through dedicated sealed pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate connections are required, then fluid control functionality is maintained, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid control functionalityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated connection surface enables simultaneous performance of mounting and fluid connection tasks that would otherwise require separate operations. This multi-functional interface allows installers to complete both mechanical attachment and fluid line connections in a single positioning and fastening operation, significantly reducing installation time while preserving full fluid control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3708837B1Control valve with a connection surface for a plurality of valve ports
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 WAGNER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3708837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3708837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

16. Control valve for controlling a hydraulic device, the control valve comprising: 16.1 a valve body (1) with an axially extending valve chamber (5), 16.2 a valve piston (10) movable back and forth in the valve chamber (5), 16.3 a pressure port (P) for supplying a pressure fluid to the valve chamber (5), 16.4 a working port (A) for connecting the valve chamber (5) to an adjusting device (C) of the hydraulic device (OP), 16.5 a relief port (T) for relieving pressure in the valve chamber (5), and 16.6 an external connection surface (3) for connecting the control valve to a mounting structure (40), 16.7 wherein the pressure port (P), the working port (A), and the relief port (T) open onto the connection surface (3) on a bottom side of the control valve, so that the control valve can be supplied with pressure fluid via the connection surface (3) on its bottom side, and connected to the hydraulic device (OP) connectable and pressure-relievable.