Integrated Filter Orifice Element for Hydraulic Drive Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic drive units with small orifice elements face challenges in manufacturing and assembly due to high costs and complexity, particularly in reducing the number of parts and assembly steps, while also ensuring effective filtration to prevent blockages.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a filter directly into the orifice element, using a porous sintered body as the filter material, which is brazed or soldered with the orifice plate, allowing for a larger filter area and reduced component count, eliminating the need for separate assembly and springs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate filter and orifice element are used, then the filtration function is provided, but the number of parts and assembly steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the filter and orifice element into a single integrated component. The filter screen is formed directly on the orifice plate, eliminating the need for separate filter and orifice parts. This merging reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining both filtration and flow control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate filter and orifice element are used, then the filtration function is provided, but assembly steps and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidassembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter and orifice element are manufactured as a single integrated part, reducing assembly steps. The filter screen is formed directly on the orifice plate through processes such as screening, sintering, or brazing, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter screen is pre-formed on the orifice plate during manufacturing, so that when the component is installed, both filtration and flow control functions are immediately available without requiring separate assembly steps for the filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of moving object

If a small orifice element is used, then the hydraulic drive unit is compact, but the filter area is reduced and filter efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic drive unit sizeVSAvoidfilter efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter screen is formed on the entire face of the orifice plate, utilizing the two-dimensional surface area of the plate rather than a small localized filter area. This dimensional approach allows a large filter area within a compact orifice element, maintaining both compactness and filtration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The orifice plate serves dual functions: it provides the orifice for flow control and simultaneously serves as the substrate for the filter screen. This multi-functionality allows the single component to provide both throttling and filtration with adequate filter area in a compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a filter is manufactured over the entire face of the orifice element, then the filter area is larger and filter efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter screen is formed using porous materials or mesh structures that can be directly applied to the orifice plate surface through screening, sintering, or brazing processes. These methods allow large-area filter formation without requiring complex assembly of multiple filter components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The orifice plate with integrated filter screen creates a composite structure combining the solid plate material with the filter medium. This composite approach allows the filter to be manufactured as part of the orifice element through processes like screening, sintering, or brazing, achieving large filter area without excessive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration reduces manufacturing and assembly costs, increases filter efficiency, and prolongs the filter's life by integrating the filter and orifice into a single unit, enhancing the hydraulic drive unit's performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a filter for removing an obstacle that might otherwise block an orifice in an orifice member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

which is brazed or soldered with the orifice plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBrazing: Brazing

Implementation Method 3

which is brazed or soldered with the orifice plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Data Source

PatentUS7343740B2Orifice element with integrated filter, slow return valve, and hydraulic drive unit

Publication Date: 2008.03.18 KYB CORP

AI summary

A filter-integrated orifice element is provided which can reduce manufacturing costs and assembling costs in a hydraulic circuit for which size reduction is desirable. A filter-integrated orifice element is obtained by integrating a filter for removing an obstacle which could block an orifice with an orifice member. The filter-integrated orifice element may be used in a slow return valve in a hydraulic circuit.