Lubricant Directional Control Valve with Rotary Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lubricant directional control valves are expensive due to their complex design, making them costly for widespread use in lubricant distribution and transport systems.
Innovation Solution
A simplified lubricant directional control valve design featuring a motor-driven rotating element with a penetration and encoder, allowing for automatic motor stoppage at specific positions, reducing complexity and production costs, and enabling replacement of complex 2/2-way valves with a more cost-effective multi-way valve solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional multi-way valves are used for lubricant distribution, then reliable directional control is achieved, but the device complexity and production cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve functions into a single integrated rotating element that can simultaneously control multiple lubricant pathways. The rotating element with radially arranged openings consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate 2/2-way valves, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable directional control through a unified mechanical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a closure element, a distribution element, and a directional control mechanism all in one component. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate valves for different functions, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall valve assembly while maintaining comprehensive control over lubricant distribution
2Reliability
If conventional multi-way valves are used for lubricant distribution, then reliable directional control is achieved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple valve functions into a single rotating element assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces production costs while maintaining reliable directional control through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating element uses a simplified geometric pattern of radially arranged openings that can be efficiently manufactured using standard machining processes. The repetitive radial pattern allows for cost-effective production through standardized tooling and manufacturing methods, reducing the overall production cost compared to complex multi-valve assemblies
3Device complexity
If a simplified rotating element design is used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but precise positioning control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with an electronic sensor-based detection system. Optical or magnetic sensors detect the angular position of the rotating element electronically, eliminating the need for intricate mechanical indexing mechanisms and providing precise positioning control through electronic feedback while keeping the mechanical structure simple
4Ease of operation
If individual 2/2-way valves are used for each lubricant pathway, then precise control of each pathway is achieved, but the number of components and overall complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual 2/2-way valve functions into a single rotating element that controls all lubricant pathways simultaneously through its radially arranged openings. Each opening can be independently positioned to control its corresponding pathway, maintaining precise control capability while reducing the number of separate valve components from multiple individual valves to one integrated unit
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant directional control valve contains the following features: - a limited spatial volume (10) with at least two openings for supplying and/or removing the lubricant, - the two openings are arranged in a plane bounding the spatial volume, and - an at least pivotable, motor-drivable rotary element (20) is arranged immediately and substantially closely opposite the plane, said rotary element being designed and being pivotable in such a manner that at least one of the openings or both of the openings can be connected to the spatial volume or can be closed in relation thereto, - the rotary element is designed with at least one penetration (23) which connects the two end sides of the rotary element, - the rotary element itself or an element co-rotating synchronously with the rotary element is designed in such a manner that a rotational position of the rotary element in relation to the spatial volume can be detected, - the rotary element itself or the co-rotating element is formed with a transducer (28) at the angular position of the penetration of the rotary element, - the directional control valve is formed with an actuating element (34, 35, 36) at each of the angular positions of the openings, and the respective actuating element can be actuated when the rotary position of the transducer corresponds with the respective actuating element.