Pilot Two-Port Valve Cap Prevents Seal Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure liquid flow paths, such as coolant systems, often experience foreign material intrusion into seal parts through insertion holes, leading to damage and reduced sealing performance, which can result in valve malfunction.

Innovation Solution

A pilot-type two-port valve design featuring a cap with a flange that abuts the periphery of the insertion hole to prevent foreign material intrusion, combined with a protective cap and multiple seal parts, including a groove with lubricant, to enhance sealing and protect against foreign material entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a pilot-type two-port valve is used for high-pressure liquid flow paths, then rapid valve operation and fast piston movement are achieved, but foreign material such as chips intrudes into the seal part in the insertion hole, damaging the sealing material and reducing sealing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation speedVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is positioned in advance at the opening of the insertion hole to prevent foreign material from entering the seal part before the valve operates. This preliminary protective measure ensures that the rapid valve operation does not compromise sealing integrity by blocking the path where chips would otherwise intrude during high-speed actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cap acts as an intermediary component between the liquid flow path and the seal part in the insertion hole. It mediates the interaction by allowing liquid flow while blocking foreign material, thus protecting the sealing material from damage caused by high-speed valve operation in high-pressure liquid environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the valve member rapidly opens the valve seat in high-pressure liquid flow paths, then quick fluid flow restoration is achieved, but foreign material intrudes into the seal part, causing damage and potential valve malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow restoration speedVSAvoidforeign material intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cap converts the harmful effect of rapid valve opening (which creates turbulence and draws in foreign material) into a beneficial protective function. By positioning the cap at the insertion hole opening, it utilizes the pressure differential created during rapid opening to keep foreign material outside the seal area while still allowing quick fluid flow restoration through the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If no protective structure is provided at the insertion hole, then the valve structure remains simple, but foreign material easily intrudes into the seal part, reducing seal life and valve reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve structure complexityVSAvoidseal part lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve structure is segmented by adding a separate cap component that can be independently installed at the insertion hole opening. This segmentation allows the protective function to be added without redesigning the entire valve structure, thus extending seal part lifespan while maintaining relatively simple overall device complexity through modular addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively prevents foreign material intrusion into the seal parts, extending their lifespan and maintaining valve functionality by reducing the risk of liquid entering the valve driving mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a cap which abuts against the periphery of the insertion hole of the plate when the valve member opens the valve seat and reduces intrusion of foreign material in the liquid into the insertion hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a groove with lubricant, including a groove with lubricant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

multiple seal parts, including a groove with lubricant, to enhance sealing and protect against foreign material entry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS7357373B2Pilot-type two-port valve

Publication Date: 2008.04.15 SMC CORP

AI summary

A two-port valve includes a valve part configured to open and close a valve seat in a liquid flow path connecting a first port and a second port by a valve member and a pilot-type valve driving mechanism to open and close the valve member through a rod. The rod passes through an insertion hole of a plate facing on the liquid flow path in a sealed state. The valve member is provided to the tip part of the rod and also a cap which abuts against the periphery of the insertion hole of the plate when the valve member opens the valve seat and prevents intrusion of foreign material in the liquid into the insertion hole is provided to the rod.