Modular Pneumatic Valve Housing With Fail-Safe Air Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-circuit protection valves (MCPVs) in commercial vehicle pneumatic systems face issues with mechanical failures due to impaired connections between housings, leading to air leakage and pressure loss, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A modular multi-circuit protection valve (MCPV) design with standardized housings and a mechanical blocking valve that ensures fail-safe operation by closing automatically upon detachment or damage, using a 2/2 check valve with mechanical control and a plunger mechanism to prevent air leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-body solutions with several housings are used to provide variety and modularity, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical connection failures between housings
Solution Approach 1:
The MCPV is divided into multiple standardized housings (first housing containing blocking valve, second housing containing mechanical part) that can be assembled together. This segmentation enables modularity and variety while maintaining reliable connections through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical interface acts as an intermediary between the first and second housings, providing both pneumatic connection (sealed passage) and mechanical control connection (plunger activation). This intermediary ensures reliable transmission of both air and control signals while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical fixation between housings is used to enable modular assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability worsens due to impairment or damage of mechanical fixation by stress or vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical interface combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: structural connection between housings, sealed pneumatic passage, and mechanical control transmission. This merging reduces the number of separate fixation elements that could fail independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The robust mechanical interface design anticipates and compensates for mechanical stress and vibrations that may occur during operation. The standardized interface is engineered to withstand these loads while maintaining connection integrity and proper plunger activation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If housing detachment or damage occurs in multi-body solutions, then adaptability is maintained for repairs or replacements, but harmful factors increase due to air leakage and pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking valve is pre-configured to automatically close and block the outlet line when the mechanical connection is disrupted. This preliminary anti-action prevents air leakage and pressure loss before they can cause harmful effects, while still allowing for maintainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical interface provides direct feedback to the blocking valve about the connection status. When housings are properly connected, the plunger holds the valve open; when disconnected or damaged, the feedback mechanism automatically closes the valve to prevent air leakage.
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
The design provides a flexible, safe, and cost-effective solution that maintains system integrity by preventing air loss and ensuring high safety without the need for electrical components, thus avoiding dangerous pressure drops.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking valve comprises a mechanical control which interacts with a mechanical part of the second housing, thereby avoiding solenoid elements or electrical contacts. The blocking valve is activated depending on the assembling status
Implementation Method 2
The two housing preferably contact each other in a mechanical interface which comprises the mechanical control system, which is realized by the mechanical control of the valve and the mechanical part of the second housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a pneumatic device (1) for a pneumatic system of a commercial vehicle, said pneumatic device (1) comprising a first housing (2) comprising a pneumatic inlet port (p1), at least one pneumatic housing outlet (10), and an internal output line (24) connected to said pneumatic housing outlet (10), a second housing (8) assembled to said first housing (2), said second housing (8) comprising a pneumatic housing inlet (11) and at least one additional pneumatic outlet port (p23, p24), wherein said pneumatic housing inlet (11) is sealingly connected to said pneumatic housing outlet (10) of said first housing (2), wherein said first housing (2) contains a blocking valve (28), said blocking valve (28) being provided in said internal output line (24), wherein said blocking valve (28) is displaceable between a basic open position for allowing air flow in said internal output line (24) and a blocking position for blocking said internal output line (24), wherein said blocking valve (28) is mechanically controlled depending on a position of said second housing (8) or a connection state of said second housing (8), wherein in the case or event of a disassembling or lacking contact of said second housing (8) to said first housing (2), said blocking valve (28) is switched to its blocking position.