Membrane Valve Arched Support Contour for Brake Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diaphragm valves used in anti-skid brake systems face premature wear due to extreme temperature stresses, particularly at low temperatures, leading to material fatigue and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
The arched support contour on the housing cover starts at the sealing bead and extends radially inward, reducing stress on the elastomer membrane, and nub-like projections are added for damping, allowing the membrane to operate evenly and reducing the need for separate seals, enabling the membrane to function effectively down to -55°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastomer membrane rests against a curved supporting contour in the open state, then uniform support is achieved, but the membrane is still exposed to high stress during switching operation leading to premature wear at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a curved support contour on the housing cover that matches the curvature of the elastomer membrane. This curved geometry allows the membrane to rest evenly distributed along the arc during the open state, reducing stress concentration at specific points. The curvature radius is specifically designed to accommodate the membrane's natural bending behavior, thereby minimizing material fatigue and extending service life in extreme temperature conditions.
2Reliability
If the arched support contour extends further radially inward, then stress on the membrane is reduced, but the effective area for control pressure application is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a partial extension of the curved support contour radially inward from the sealing bead, but stops before reaching the central connection recess. This partial action optimizes the balance between stress reduction and control pressure area: the contour extends far enough to provide uniform support and reduce membrane stress during switching, while retaining sufficient effective area in the central region for adequate control pressure application. The support contour acts as an intermediate solution that addresses the most critical stress zones without completely sacrificing control pressure effectiveness.
3Area of stationary object
If the support contour starts at the sealing bead, then a larger effective area is available for control pressure, but the membrane requires larger dimensions to maintain stress resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the support contour, specifically its curvature radius and radial extent, to optimize the membrane's stress distribution. By adjusting these parameters, the membrane can maintain adequate stress resistance with reduced dimensions while still providing sufficient effective area for control pressure application. The curved geometry allows for more efficient stress distribution across the membrane surface, enabling smaller membrane sizes without compromising reliability.
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 design extends the service life of the elastomer membrane by reducing stress and actuation forces, allowing the valve to function reliably in extreme temperatures and eliminating the need for additional seals, thus enhancing the valve's durability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer membrane (5) for actuating a closing element (6) driven thereby... When the valve seat opens, the elastomer membrane curves at the transition from the sealing bead to the membrane surface and at the radially inward radii in order to reach the open position stroke
Implementation Method 2
equip at least the upper membrane surface of the elastomer membrane with a plurality of nub-like projections arranged at a distance from one another. The nub-like projections prevent sticking and damage to the alternating stressed elastomer membrane and serve as additional end stop damping
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a membrane valve, having an elastomer membrane (5) for actuating a locking member (6) of a valve seat, said membrane valve being disposed between a valve housing (1) and a housing cover (3) across an exterior radial sealing bead (7), and able to be pressurized through a control pressure chamber (2) that is integrally molded on the side of the housing cover (3), said control pressure chamber being equipped with an arched support contour (8) upon which the upper membrane surface (9) of the elastomer membrane (5) comes to rest in a planar manner in the open state of the locking member (6), wherein the arched support contour (81) of the housing cover (3') begins directly at the transition between the sealing bead (7) and the membrane surface (9), and extends edge-free toward the radial interior at a longitudinal section up to the edge of a central connection recess (10) for the control pressure.