One-piece multifunction body for a hydraulic valve assembly used in a combined plant
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydraulic assemblies for boilers and heat pumps lack standardization, leading to a proliferation of variants with low production volumes, which hinders investment in integrated multifunction components and increases manufacturing costs and size.
Innovation Solution
A compact one-piece multifunction body for hydraulic valve assemblies that integrates all control and safety devices, allowing for versatile attachments and orientations to ease integration with existing machines while maintaining diversification, using a thermoplastic material for high-temperature resistance and low water absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate monofunction components are connected by pipes, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall assembly size increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate hydraulic components (pump, valves, filters, tanks) into a single integrated multifunction body. This merging eliminates the need for connecting pipes and reduces the overall assembly volume while maintaining all necessary hydraulic functions within one compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multifunction body is designed to perform multiple hydraulic functions simultaneously - pumping, valve control, filtration, and fluid storage - all within a single component. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to replace several specialized components with one universal unit, reducing space and complexity.
2Volume of stationary object
If a compact multifunction body is used, then assembly size and manufacturing costs are reduced, but adaptability to different hydraulic layouts decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The multifunction body incorporates movable and adjustable components, including valves that can be positioned at different angles and connections that can be oriented in multiple directions. This dynamic design allows the compact unit to adapt to various hydraulic layouts and installation requirements despite its reduced size.
Solution Approach 2:
The multifunction body is designed with modular internal components and standardized connection points that can be configured in different arrangements. This segmentation allows the same compact body to be adapted to different hydraulic circuit requirements through reconfiguration of internal elements rather than changing the entire assembly.
3Productivity
If production volumes are increased through standardization, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the ability to handle diverse hydraulic configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized multifunction body is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple hydraulic applications. By incorporating adjustable valves, reconfigurable connections, and modular components, the same standardized unit can be adapted to different boiler and heat pump configurations, allowing high-volume production without sacrificing application versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A one-piece multifunction body (27) for a hydraulic valve assembly (20) used in a combined plant (10). The one-piece multifunction body (27) comprises a main hollow body (27A) having a substantially polyhedral shape provided with a plurality of types of attachments (86A, 87A, 87B) on the faces ((FC1), (FC2), (FC3), (FC4), (FC5), (FC6)) of the polyhedron. The attachments (86A, 87A, 87B) are designed to be coupled to a plurality of control and interception devices (26, 28A, 29, 30, 33, 35, 38, 61, 62, 63) of the water flow inside the main hollow body (27A). At least one type of attachments (86A, 87A, 87B) includes at least two identical attachments (86A, 87A, 87B) on different faces ((FC1), (FC2), (FC3), (FC4), (FC5), (FC6)) of the polyhedron.