Mechanical Pressure Booster Valve Switching Without Electrical Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pressure boosters using reciprocating motion and electrical means for switching operations limit design flexibility and require electrical wiring, which is not ideal for all applications.

Innovation Solution

A pressure booster design with separate cylinders for driving pistons and compressing fluid, utilizing mechanical pilot and operating valves actuated by piston abutment, eliminating the need for electrical means and allowing for different inner diameters, and incorporating fluid circuits for operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrical means including reed switches and solenoids are used for switching operations, then switching operation can be performed, but electrical wiring is required which limits application flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching operationVSAvoidapplication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical switching means (reed switches and solenoids) with a purely mechanical valve actuation system. The piston directly actsuates the operating valve through mechanical contact, eliminating the need for electrical wiring and enabling use in environments where electrical means are unsuitable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the electrical components (reed switches, solenoids, electrical wiring) from the system, retaining only the essential mechanical functions. This extraction allows the pressure booster to operate without electrical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If booster cylinders are provided with both working chambers for driving pistons and compression chambers for compressing fluid, then integrated operation is achieved, but design flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrated operationVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cylinder functions by providing separate booster cylinders dedicated to fluid compression and separate drive cylinders dedicated to piston actuation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function and greater design flexibility while maintaining integrated operation through mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate cylinders for driving pistons and compressing fluid are used, then design flexibility is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidcylinder arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the drive mechanism and compression mechanism into a single integrated assembly where drive cylinders and booster cylinders work in direct mechanical coupling. This merging allows separate functional cylinders while maintaining a compact, unified structure that does not significantly increase overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances design flexibility, reduces pressurized fluid consumption, and eliminates the need for electrical wiring, while stabilizing valve operation and minimizing noise and leakage.

Implementation Method 1

a compression chamber for compressing pressurized fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

when each of the pilot valves is actuated, the pressurized fluid is supplied to the pair of operating valves through the corresponding pilot valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure actuation: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3677793B1Pressure booster
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 SMC CORP
  • EP3677793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677793B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677793B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This pressure booster (10) having arranged therein drive cylinders (14, 16) on both sides of a boosting cylinder (12) is provided with: a pair of pilot valves (72, 74) that are actuated when pistons (36, 38) of the drive cylinders abut against the moving ends thereof; and a pair of actuation valves (48, 52) that switch the supply state of a pressure fluid to pressure chambers (24a, 26a) of the drive cylinders. When the pilot valves are actuated, the pressure fluid passes through the pilot valves and is supplied to the pair of actuation valves, and the supply state of the pressure fluid is switched.