Pneumatic Actuator Valve Pressure Control for Adaptive Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic actuators lack the ability to adapt to diverse movement tasks efficiently, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and component wear.

Innovation Solution

A valve system with independent components and a control device that evaluates pressure signals to regulate fluid flow, allowing for adaptable pressure control and minimizing energy input through optimized pressure levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pneumatic actuator uses fixed pressure levels for operation, then the system structure is simple, but the actuator cannot adapt to different movement tasks efficiently, leading to increased energy consumption and component wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different movement tasksVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic pressure control by equipping the valve system with pressure sensors that continuously monitor working chamber pressures and a control device that adjusts pressure levels in real-time based on actual movement tasks. This replaces fixed pressure operation with adaptive pressure regulation, allowing the actuator to optimize energy consumption for each specific task while maintaining simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If high pressure levels are continuously applied to ensure actuator performance, then movement reliability is improved, but component wear increases and energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator operation reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent wear and energy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback control through pressure sensors mounted on the valve system that continuously monitor the pressures in the first and second working chambers. The control device receives this pressure feedback and automatically adjusts the pressure levels to maintain reliable actuator operation only at the necessary moments, rather than continuously applying high pressure. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability while reducing unnecessary component wear and improving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the valve system uses integrated housing for all components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and maintainability of individual components decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integration levelVSAvoidindependent component operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a modular valve system where the first valve group with its pressure sensor and the second valve group with its pressure sensor are designed as independent, separable units. Each valve group can be individually replaced, adjusted, or adapted without affecting the other components. This segmentation maintains relatively simple device complexity while maximizing adaptability and ease of maintenance for each specific component.

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

Reduces energy consumption and component wear by optimizing pressure levels based on specific movement tasks, ensuring efficient and precise actuator operation.

Implementation Method 1

a first pressure sensor (43) assigned to the first working port (24), and a second pressure sensor (44) assigned to the second working port (25)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

a first valve group (31)...which, in a first operating state, releases an exhaust path between the first working port (24) and the exhaust port (23), and, in a second operating state, releases a supply path between the supply port (22) and the first working port (24)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP4692565A1Valve system and method of operatinga pneumatic actuator
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 FESTO AG & CO KG
  • EP4692565A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4692565A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4692565A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve system (21; 71) for supplying a pneumatic actuator (2; 52), comprising a supply port (22; 72), an exhaust port (23; 73), a first working port (24; 74) to which a first pressure sensor (43; 63) is assigned, and a second working port (25; 75) to which a second pressure sensor (44; 64) is assigned, as well as a first valve group (31; 81) and a second valve group (32; 82), and a control device (28; 78) configured for evaluating a first pressure signal from the first pressure sensor (43; 63) and comprising a first pressure regulator for controlling the first valve group (31; 81) and a second pressure regulator for controlling the second valve group (32; 82).82) and is designed for setting a first maximum pressure level for the first pressure regulator and a second maximum pressure level for the second pressure regulator.;