Modular Spool Valve Flange Layout for Flexible Hydraulic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements for controlling hydraulic fluid flow lack flexibility in adapting to different control behaviors, as they are not easily modifiable to accommodate varying hydraulic actuator control requirements.
Innovation Solution
The working port arrangement is integrated into a flange connected to the housing arrangement, allowing for the use of different flanges to establish distinct connections between the spool valves and working ports, enabling easy adaptation of control behaviors by exchanging flanges between different types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the valve arrangement uses a fixed internal connection between spool valves and working ports, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the adaptability to different control behaviors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement is segmented into modular components: housing arrangements, spool valves, and interchangeable flanges. The flange acts as a separate module that can be exchanged to change control behavior, allowing adaptability without redesigning the entire valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange serves multiple functions: it connects spool valves to working ports, provides different connection configurations for various control behaviors, and maintains structural integrity. By making the flange universal and interchangeable, a single valve arrangement can accommodate multiple control requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the valve arrangement allows easy adaptation of control behaviors, then the versatility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connection system into interchangeable flanges, the manufacturing process is simplified. Each flange type can be manufactured independently as a standard component, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite enabling versatile adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different flange types represent different connection parameters. By changing the flange parameter (type) rather than the entire valve structure, the system achieves adaptability while maintaining simple, standardized manufacturing processes for each component type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flange is mounted on a face parallel to spool moving direction, then the adaptability is improved, but the spool movement possibilities may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is mounted on a specific local face of the housing arrangement that is parallel to the spool moving direction. This localized mounting position provides adaptability for different control configurations while the housing structure ensures that spool movement possibilities and reliability are maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arrangement includes a housing arrangement (12), (18), a first spool valve (1a, 1b) having a first spool (3a, 3b) and a second spool valve (2a, 2b) having a second spool (4a, 4b), wherein the first spool valve (1a, 1b) and the second spool valve (2a, 2b) each includes a supply channel arrangement having a pump channel (5) and a tank channel (6), and a working port arrangement having two working ports (8, 9), wherein the spools (3a, 3b; 4a, 4b) control a flow path between the supply channel arrangement (5, 6) and the working port arrangements (7, 8). In such a valve arrangement, it should be possible to simply adapt the control behaviour to different purposes. To this end, the working port arrangement (7, 8) is arranged in a flange (16a, 16b) connected to the housing arrangement (13, 14; 19, 20).