Pilot valve and switching valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insecure connection between the inlet pipe and the valve body in brazing processes of pilot valves is due to the welding ring expanding and causing solder to be positioned far from the connection, leading to instability.
Innovation Solution
A snap-fit part, specifically an annular snap groove, is formed on the valve body or inlet pipe to facilitate the snapping of a welding ring, ensuring it remains in place during brazing, thereby allowing solder to flow into the connection, enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the welding ring is melted during brazing, then the solder can flow and form a joint, but the welding ring expands under stress causing the solder to be positioned far from the connection, resulting in an insecure connection
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit part is designed to preliminarily position the welding ring at the correct location before brazing occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the welding ring is melted and expands, the solder still flows to the correct connection point, resolving the contradiction between allowing expansion and maintaining position accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit part acts as an intermediary structure between the welding ring and the connection point. It provides a mechanical constraint that guides the welding ring's position while allowing controlled expansion, ensuring solder flows to the correct location despite thermal expansion during brazing
2Manufacturing precision
If the welding ring is constrained to prevent expansion, then solder position accuracy improves, but the brazing process becomes more difficult and the connection may become insecure due to stress
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit part is designed with specific dimensional parameters that allow controlled constraint. The fit tolerance and geometry are optimized to provide enough constraint for positioning accuracy while maintaining ease of assembly and brazing, transforming the constraint from overly restrictive to optimally controlled
3Stability of the object's composition
If a complex positioning structure is used to maintain welding ring position, then connection stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire valve body complex, the snap-fit part introduces a localized feature only where needed for welding ring positioning. This local quality approach maintains overall structural simplicity while providing the necessary stability at the critical connection point
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit part may combine different material properties or structural characteristics (such as elastic deformation capability combined with mechanical constraint) to achieve stable positioning without requiring a complex overall structure, resolving the contradiction between stability and simplicity
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 snap-fit design improves the connection stability by increasing the contact area and preventing deformation of the welding ring, ensuring a secure and stable joint between the inlet pipe and valve body.
Implementation Method 1
A snap-fit part is formed on either or both of the valve body and the inlet pipe and located at a plug-in position between the inlet pipe and the valve body. The snap-fit part is configured for allowing a welding ring to be snapped into.
Implementation Method 2
When the welding ring is melted, the welding ring expands under stress, causing melted solder to be positioned relatively far from a connection between the inlet pipe and the valve body
Implementation Method 3
since each of the annular snap groove and the welding ring has an annular shape, the contact area therebetween can be increased. This results in a superior restraining effect of the annular snap groove on the welding ring.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A pilot valve and a switching valve. The pilot valve includes a valve body (1) and an inlet pipe (2) having an end plugged into the valve body (1). A snap-fit part is formed on either or both of the valve body (1) and the inlet pipe (2) and located at a plug-in position between the inlet pipe (2) and the valve body (1), and the snap-fit part is configured for allowing a welding ring (3) to be snapped into.