Pneumatic Valve Venting Guide Structure to Prevent Tilt and Leaks
Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic valves used in vehicles, particularly brake valves, are prone to damage due to excessive forces during assembly and operation, leading to tilting of the venting guide and subsequent connection element damage, leaks, and water ingress.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support projection adjacent to the contact region on the housing to prevent tilting of the venting guide relative to the housing, which transfers excessive forces to the housing instead of the connection elements, and using a one-piece construction with reinforcement ribs to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the venting guide is connected to the pneumatic valve using connection elements, then the venting guide can be positioned to direct exhaust away from the vehicle base, but the connection elements are susceptible to damage from excessive forces during assembly and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support projection acts as an intermediary element between the venting guide and the housing. It provides a stable mounting surface that distributes and absorbs excessive forces, protecting the connection elements from damage while maintaining the venting guide's positioning functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The support projection is positioned beforehand to abut against the housing and provide mechanical support to the venting guide. This pre-positioned support structure cushions against excessive forces that may occur during assembly or operation, preventing damage to the connection elements before they can cause failure
2Ease of manufacture
If the venting guide is made flexible to accommodate assembly variations, then ease of assembly is improved, but the venting guide becomes prone to tilting and connection element damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support projection serves as a stable intermediary reference point between the venting guide and the housing. It provides a fixed geometric relationship that maintains venting guide stability while still allowing for controlled assembly variations through the connection elements
3Volume of moving object
If the venting guide is positioned closer to the housing to reduce space, then compactness is improved, but water can more easily ingress into the pneumatic valve through the connection region
Solution Approach 1:
The support projection acts as an intermediary barrier structure that creates a protective geometry between the venting guide connection region and the housing. This intermediate structure helps prevent water from reaching the connection elements and entering the pneumatic valve, even when the venting guide is positioned close to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic valve (1) includes a housing (6), a supply connection (8), a working connection (10) for providing working pressure (pB), an exhaust portion (12) for discharging pressurized air, an attachment portion (74), a valve member (24) and a venting guide (4). The venting guide (4) has a venting channel (108) and complementary connection elements (76) engaging the attachment portion (74), a spout (78), and a support projection (100). The support projection (100) is positioned adjacent to a contact region (102) of the housing (6) and configured to abut the contact region (102) to block tilting of the venting guide (4) relative to the housing (6). A vehicle (300) includes a brake system (200) having the pneumatic valve (1).