Integrated Valve Module Layout for Compact Air and Vacuum Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control systems require external tubes or pipes to connect components, leading to a non-compact design and complicating maintenance, especially when handling both compressed air and vacuum for fluid consumers like actuators.
Innovation Solution
A compact fluid control system with a valve module integrated into a channel body, featuring bores for fluid and vacuum channels, separate function units for air and vacuum handling, and a pressure sensor for monitoring, allowing indirect or direct connections without external tubes and enabling easy maintenance by separating channel body portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If external tubes or pipes are used to connect components, then components can be connected, but the design becomes non-compact and maintenance is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple fluid channels (first fluid channel, second fluid channel, third fluid channel, first vacuum channel, second vacuum channel) directly into the channel body as built-in bores. This merging of connection functions into the channel body eliminates the need for external tubes or pipes, achieving a compact design while simplifying maintenance operations.
2Volume of moving object
If all channels are integrated into the channel body, then compactness is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel body is segmented into multiple functional channels (first fluid channel, second fluid channel, third fluid channel, first vacuum channel, second vacuum channel) that are integrated as bores. This segmentation allows each channel to be manufactured and verified independently while maintaining overall compactness, balancing manufacturing ease with space efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate function units are used for air and vacuum handling, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains fluid channels for compressed air (first fluid channel, second fluid channel), vacuum channels (first vacuum channel, second vacuum channel), and provides mounting surfaces for switching valves and pressure regulators. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components while maintaining full fluid handling capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control system for supplying fluid to a fluid consumer, having a valve module including a channel body to which a fluid switching valve, a fluid pressure regulator and a vacuum switching valve are attached, the channel body having a first fluid channel extending from a fluid input port to an input port of the fluid pressure regulator and having a second fluid channel extending from an output port of the fluid pressure regulator to an input port of the fluid switching valve, and having a third fluid channel extending from an output port of the fluid switching valve to a fluid consumer port, and having a first vacuum channel extending from a vacuum input port to an input port of the vacuum switching valve, and having a second vacuum channel extending from an output port of the vacuum switching valve to the fluid consumer port.