Plastic Non-Return Valve With Metal Sleeve For Oil Return
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-return valves in motor vehicles, particularly those integrated into oil separators or cylinder head covers, face issues with low oil column requirements leading to oil return problems and air intake due to lateral acceleration, which impairs the oil separator's function.
Innovation Solution
A non-return valve with a plastic housing and a stamped sheet metal valve element, fixed by a plastic holding element, is designed for arrangement in engine components like the crankshaft housing, utilizing a metal sleeve for secure fitting and cost-effective production, ensuring a simple and reliable structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a check valve is integrated directly into the oil separator or cylinder head cover, then the structure is compact, but the oil column required to open the valve is very low which can lead to oil return problems and false air intake
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the check valve from the oil separator, placing it in the return channel instead. This segmentation allows the check valve to be positioned where a higher oil column can reliably open it, while the oil separator maintains its separation function without being compromised by the valve integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The return channel acts as an intermediary between the oil separator and the oil sump. By positioning the check valve in this intermediate location, the system achieves both reliable valve operation (through adequate oil column height) and maintains the oil separator's functionality.
2Reliability
If the oil return is routed below the oil level to work as a siphon, then false air intake is prevented, but if there is too little oil in the oil sump due to lateral acceleration, false air is still drawn in
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed to be automatically opened by the oil column itself without requiring siphon action. The oil pressure naturally builds up to open the valve, and when oil level drops during lateral acceleration, the valve closes to prevent false air intake, providing self-regulating protection.
3Reliability
If a metal sleeve is provided surrounding the plastic housing, then a secure fit in the crankcase is guaranteed under temperatures and pressures, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining plastic housing with a metal sealing ring. The plastic provides cost-effective manufacturing and basic structural function, while the metal ring specifically addresses the sealing and fit stability requirements under temperature and pressure, achieving optimal balance between cost and performance.
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 provides a cost-effective, simple, and reliable non-return valve that prevents air intake while maintaining a secure fit under varying conditions, ensuring efficient oil return without impairing the oil separator's function.
Implementation Method 1
The valve element is held in a closed position by the weight of the oil column
Implementation Method 2
The holding element is to be connected to the plastic housing by latching. For this purpose, the holding element and the housing preferably have a plurality of pairs of latching elements
Implementation Method 3
By pressing the non-return valve or the metal sleeve of the non-return valve into an opening in the crankcase, a simple installation is realized and at the same time a firm and tight connection is created due to the oversize
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A check valve, particularly suitable for installation in an oil return channel located between a crankcase and an oil reservoir such as an oil pan, comprises a housing (10). A plate-shaped valve element (12), produced by stamping, is arranged within the housing (10). The valve element (12) is fixed to the housing by a retaining element (14), which is connected to the housing, in particular by pairs of detent elements (28, 30). The housing, made of plastic, is preferably surrounded by a metal sleeve (16) that can be pressed into an opening in the crankcase with an interference fit.