Pivoting Pressure Valve for Simpler High-Pressure Cleaner Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-pressure cleaners face complexity and high manufacturing costs due to intricate bypass systems for pressure adjustment, and setting specific pressures is difficult.

Innovation Solution

A pressure adjustment device with a pivotable valve body and a cam mechanism that allows for adjustable minimum flow cross-section through a swivel angle, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances and enabling quick, intuitive pressure adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bypass with an adjustable minimum flow cross-section is used to regulate pressure, then pressure adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure adjustment capabilityVSAvoidbypass system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is segmented into a body portion and a movable valve element that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows the valve element to control the minimum flow cross-section through rotational movement, simplifying the overall bypass system while maintaining pressure adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve element is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to pivot between different angular positions to adjust the minimum flow cross-section. This dynamic adjustment mechanism replaces complex multi-component systems with a single movable element that provides continuous pressure regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a translationally movable valve body is used for pressure adjustment, then pressure regulation is achieved, but sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure regulation capabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to manufacturing tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve element pivots rotationally rather than moving translationally, creating a cam-like effect where the angular position directly controls the minimum flow cross-section. This rotational movement reduces sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances because the relationship between angle and flow area is more forgiving than precise translational positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve element's angular position serves as the controlling parameter for pressure adjustment. By changing the angular parameter rather than relying on precise linear displacement, the system becomes less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective pressure regulation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a complex bypass system with high manufacturing precision is used, then pressure adjustment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure adjustment accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is segmented into a stationary body and a pivoting valve element, allowing for simpler manufacturing of each component. The valve element can be produced as a separate piece that fits into the body, reducing the need for highly precise monolithic manufacturing while maintaining adjustment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses angular position as the primary adjustment parameter, which is easier and less expensive to manufacture and control compared to precise linear positioning mechanisms. This parameter change approach maintains pressure adjustment accuracy while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If a rotational valve mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure adjustment easeVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve element is designed to pivot freely within the valve body, creating a simple rotational mechanism that is intuitive to operate. The dynamic pivot connection allows the valve element to be easily rotated to different positions without requiring complex actuation mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4283168B1High-pressure cleaner with a pressure adjusting device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO KG
  • EP4283168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4283168B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4283168B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressure adjusting device for a high-pressure cleaner, comprising a valve housing (11) with a valve seat (12) and a valve body (13) with a longitudinal central axis (14), wherein the valve body (13) has a valve element (15) associated with the valve seat (12), wherein the valve body (13) is pivotably mounted in the valve housing (11) about its longitudinal central axis (14), and wherein the valve body (13) is pivotable about its longitudinal central axis (14) from the closed position (31) to an open position (32). The minimum flow cross-section (19) is formed by a flow connection (30) formed on the valve element (15), and the valve element (15) is designed such that the size of the minimum flow cross-section (30) is adjustable as a function of a pivot angle (a) of the valve body (13) about its longitudinal central axis (14).