Integrated Pilot Valve Structure to Eliminate Welded End Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing four-way reversing valve technologies have complex structures and high production costs due to the need for separate end covers, which are welded onto the valve body, leading to potential leakage and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A pilot valve design that integrates the valve body and inlet pipe without an end cover, using a limiting structure to secure the inlet pipe in place, reducing the number of components and eliminating the need for welding, thus simplifying the structure and lowering costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a separate end cover is welded onto the valve body, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the end cover and valve body into a single integrated valve body structure. The inlet pipe is directly formed as part of the valve body through integral stretching, eliminating the separate end cover component and its welding connection, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design
2Strength
If a separate end cover is welded onto the valve body, then the structural integrity is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the end cover and valve body into a single integrated valve body structure. The inlet pipe is directly formed as part of the valve body through integral stretching, eliminating the separate end cover component and its welding connection, thus reducing production cost by reducing the number of parts and manufacturing steps while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design
3Strength
If welding is used to connect the end cover to the valve body, then the structural integrity is improved, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the end cover and valve body into a single integrated valve body structure. The inlet pipe is directly formed as part of the valve body through integral stretching, eliminating welding connections entirely. This removes the source of potential leakage at weld joints while maintaining structural integrity through the monolithic design
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are assembled together, then the functionality is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (valve body, end cover, inlet pipe) into a single integrated structure formed by integral stretching. This reduces the number of assembly steps and manufacturing processes required while maintaining all necessary functionalities through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet pipe is designed with segmented diameter changes (first enlarged diameter section, second enlarged diameter section) that are formed in a single integral stretching process. This allows functional segmentation for different purposes (mounting, flow control) without requiring separate manufacturing steps or assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a pilot valve and a four-way reversing valve. The pilot valve includes: a valve body, wherein the valve body is a cylinder formed by integrally stretching and having an open end and a closed end, the closed end is defined as a first end, the open end is defined as a second end, the first end of the valve body is provided with an inlet, the valve body is internally provided with a cavity, and the inlet is in communication with the cavity; an inlet pipe, connected with the first end of the valve body, wherein a pipe opening of the inlet pipe is in communication with the inlet; and a limiting structure arranged between the first end of the valve body and the inlet pipe, the limiting structure is used for limiting a relative position of the inlet pipe relative to the valve body.