Oil Control Valve Mounting Structure Resolving Sealing and Weight Trade-offs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oil control valve mounting arrangements face complications in construction and increased weight due to bolt fastening, and suffer from sealing issues due to thermal expansion and deformation of resin covers, leading to potential oil leakage.

Innovation Solution

An oil control valve mounting arrangement with a resin cover and metal cylindrical body, featuring an engaging portion at one end to restrict radial displacement, a flange with a larger inner diameter, and a sealing member to prevent leakage, along with a restricting portion to manage axial movement, ensuring robust sealing without the need for complex bolt systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bolt fastening is used to fix the valve case to the cylinder head cover, then the sealing is ensured, but the construction becomes complicated and the total weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidconstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the valve case fixing function with the cylinder head cover structure by integrating a fixing protrusion on the valve case that fits into a corresponding groove in the cover. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate bolt fastening systems while maintaining sealing reliability through the integrated structural connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the bolt fastening system from the overall assembly and replaces it with a simplified protrusion-groove mechanical interlocking structure. This extraction removes unnecessary components (bolts, nuts, washers) while preserving the essential fixing and sealing functions through the streamlined structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If bolt fastening is used to fix the valve case to the cylinder head cover, then the sealing is ensured, but the total weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidtotal weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the bolt fastening system, replacing it with a lightweight protrusion-groove interlocking structure. This removal of heavy fastening components directly reduces the total weight while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the integrated structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If adhesive agent is used to ensure sealing between the resin cover and cylindrical body, then sealing is achieved, but thermal expansion and deformation cause displacement and adhesive bond exfoliation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidadhesive bond stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a reinforcing rib structure that is pre-formed as an integral part of the resin cover during molding. This preliminary structural reinforcement is built in before assembly, providing ongoing support to counteract thermal expansion and deformation forces, thereby preventing adhesive bond exfoliation and maintaining sealing stability under temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining resin material with strategically placed reinforcing ribs that provide enhanced mechanical strength. This composite approach allows the cover to resist thermal expansion and deformation while maintaining the integrity of the adhesive bond to the cylindrical body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If a peripheral groove with adhesive agent is used to seal between the cover and cylindrical body, then sealing is ensured, but the construction and manufacturing process become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sealing function with the structural design by integrating a reinforcing rib that serves both as a structural support element and as a sealing surface. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate peripheral grooves and adhesive application steps, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2327912B1Oil control valve mounting structure
Publication Date: 2013.05.29 AISIN SEIKI KK
  • EP2327912B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2327912B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2327912B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An oil control valve mounting arrangement includes a resin cover 5 with a metal cylindrical body 4 insert-molded therein, a valve sleeve 3 housed within the cylindrical body 4, and a spool 2 inserted in the valve sleeve 3. In at least at one end portion 14 of the cylindrical body 4 in the axial direction of the valve sleeve 3, the cover 5 includes an engaging portion 19 engageable with an interior-facing face 15b of the cylindrical body 4 facing the radially inner side of the valve sleeve 3 at an end of the cylindrical body 4 in the axis direction of the valve sleeve 3 so as to restrict displacement of the cover 5 away from the cylindrical body 4 in the radial direction of the valve sleeve 3.