Modular Multi-Circuit Protection Valve With Hollow Screw Air Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-circuit protection valve assemblies in commercial vehicle air systems face limitations in functional expansion due to restricted dimensions and design, making it difficult to add additional protected ports or outlets without compromising compactness.

Innovation Solution

The use of a hollow screw or banjo bolt to detachably fix an extension housing to the main housing, which also serves as an air channel, allowing for easy expansion by providing additional protected ports or outlets, while ensuring a secure and space-saving integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screws are used to fix the extension housing to the main housing, then the structural connection is secure, but the compressed air cannot be conducted through the fixation element to the extension overflow valve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural connection securityVSAvoidair channel functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow screw serves dual functions: it provides secure structural connection between the extension housing and main housing while simultaneously acting as an air channel to conduct compressed air from the auxiliary outlet to the extension overflow valve. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating both mechanical fastening and fluid conduction into a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the fixation function and air conduction function into a single hollow screw component. The hollow interior of the screw combines the solid structural element needed for secure attachment with the fluid passage needed for air flow, thereby eliminating the need for separate components and resolving the functional contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional protected ports or outlets are added to extend the multi-circuit protection valve assembly, then the functional capability is improved, but the device dimensions and design complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional expansion capabilityVSAvoiddevice compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The extension housing with additional protected ports is detachably coupled to the main housing, allowing the system to be expanded like nested dolls. The extension part can be added or removed as needed, providing functional expansion while maintaining the compact base design. This modular nesting approach allows flexibility without permanently increasing the core device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-circuit protection valve assembly is segmented into a main housing and a detachable extension housing. This segmentation allows the system to be configured in different sizes and capabilities by combining or separating modules, thereby improving adaptability without forcing a permanent increase in device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the extension housing is detachably fixed to the main housing, then the ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but the structural integrity and sealing reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly convenienceVSAvoidstructural and sealing integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow screw is designed with threaded portions that engage with corresponding threads in the main housing before final tightening. This preliminary threaded engagement ensures proper alignment and pre-loads the sealing surfaces, maintaining structural integrity and sealing reliability while still allowing easy detachable assembly. The sealing elements are also pre-positioned to ensure proper sealing upon assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables easy and flexible expansion of the multi-circuit protection valve assembly with additional protected ports, maintaining compactness and ensuring secure airflow guidance and protection against pressure loss.

Implementation Method 1

compressed air discharged through the auxiliary outlet can be conducted through the cavity inside the hollow screw to the extension over-flow valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through cavity:

Data Source

PatentEP4545369B1Multi-circuit protection valve assembly and air processing unit
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ZF CV SYST EURO BV
  • EP4545369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4545369B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4545369B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a multi-circuit protection valve assembly (2), comprising, attached to or integrated into a main housing (2b), an air inlet; main outlets (6); main supply lines; and main overflow valves for protecting the main outlets (6), wherein it further comprises an extension part (20) having, attached to or integrated into an extension housing (25), an extension inlet (21); an extension outlet (7); an extension line; and an extension overflow valve for protecting the at least one extension outlet (7), wherein the extension housing (25) is detachably fixed to the main housing (2b) such that the extension inlet (21) is flow-connected to an auxiliary outlet (19) in the main housing (2b). According to the invention, the extension housing (25) is detachably fixed to the main housing (2b) by a hollow screw (30) having a cavity, wherein said hollow screw (30) passes through the extension housing (25) and is screwed into the auxiliary outlet (19) such that the extension housing (25) is clamped to the main housing (2b), and such that compressed air discharged through the auxiliary outlet (19) can be conducted through the cavity inside the hollow screw (30) to the extension overflow valve and the at least one extension outlet (7).