Hydraulic Control Valve Visual Identification for Correct Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solenoid-actuated hydraulic control valves with similar appearances pose challenges in identification, leading to time-consuming and error-prone connections to mating electrical connectors, as existing identification methods like colored tape can be unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A visual identification system featuring removable indicator members with unique graphical codes or colors mounted to the control valve cartridge assembly and electro-magnetic actuator, allowing for distinct identification of different valve configurations without adhesives, facilitating assembly by indicating specific values or types of hydraulic control valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If colored tape is wrapped around the coil to identify each solenoid-actuated hydraulic control valve, then visual identification is provided, but the tape may lose its adhesive characteristic and become detached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable adhesive tape with a disposable indicator member that is intentionally designed to be replaced. The indicator member is mounted in a holder that allows easy removal and replacement, making the identification system robust against loss of adhesion by simply replacing the indicator rather than relying on permanent adhesion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydraulic control valves with different configurations are mounted to a hydraulic system, then functional versatility is achieved, but visual differentiation becomes difficult due to similar appearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing distinctive visual indicators (different colors, patterns, or codes) on specific locations of each valve assembly. This allows each valve to maintain its functional identity while being visually distinguishable from others with different configurations, resolving the conflict between versatility and identifiability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes and variations in visual indicators to differentiate between valves with different configurations. Each valve type can have a unique color code or visual pattern on its indicator member, enabling quick visual identification without altering the valve's functional design or appearance.
3Productivity
If a robust visual identification system is implemented, then assembly time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification system into separate, modular components: a holder mounted on the valve and a removable indicator member. This segmentation allows the system to be simple yet effective—the holder provides the mounting structure while the indicator provides the visual information, enabling quick assembly without complex integrated systems.
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 system enables robust and customizable visual identification of hydraulic control valves, simplifying the assembly process by providing clear, non-adhesive indicators that distinguish between similar or identical valves based on their configurations, ensuring correct connections and system operation.
Implementation Method 1
The electro-magnetic actuator is mounted to the control valve cartridge assembly and is operatively associated with the movable member of the control valve cartridge assembly to selectively move the movable member from the first flow position to the second flow position
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic control valve can be one type of a variable characteristic (e.g., coil voltage). A visual identification system is provided to permit the visual identification of the specific type of the variable characteristic that the control valve is to assist in the assembly of systems utilizing such control valves. The visual identification system includes first and second indicator bearing first and second indicia, respectively, configured to indicate a first value and a different second value of a variable characteristic, respectively. The first and second indicator members are configured to be separately removably mounted to the control valve via a mechanical connection substantially without adhesive such that the appropriate indicator member can be selected and mounted to the valve depending upon what type of valve it is.