Pressure Reducing Valve Rolling Bearing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure reducing valves experience durability issues due to wear and increased frictional resistance, leading to reduced responsiveness and accuracy in pressure adjustment, primarily caused by contact between the valve element and the cylinder, which also results in uneven wear and galling.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reducing valve design featuring a rolling bearing externally fitted on the valve element to support its movement, with a bearing accommodating space isolated from the fluid chambers, reducing sliding resistance and preventing contact with the housing, thus enhancing durability and responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the valve element is supported directly by the cylinder without a rolling bearing, then the structure is simple, but wear and seizure occur on the contact surface reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
A rolling bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve element and the cylinder. The rolling bearing includes a outer ring fitted to the cylinder, an inner ring fitted to the valve element, and rolling elements between them. This intermediary structure eliminates direct contact between the valve element and cylinder, preventing wear and seizure while maintaining structural feasibility.
2Ease of operation
If the valve element slides repeatedly to adjust pressure, then pressure adjustment is achieved, but frictional resistance increases causing deterioration of responsiveness and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding friction mechanism is replaced with a rolling friction mechanism by introducing the rolling bearing. The rolling elements between the inner and outer rings convert the sliding motion into rolling motion, dramatically reducing frictional resistance. This substitution maintains the pressure adjustment capability while significantly improving responsiveness and stability.
3Reliability
If clearance between the valve element and cylinder is increased to avoid contact, then contact wear is reduced, but the valve element inclines or decentered causing uneven wear and galling
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling bearing serves as a precision intermediary that maintains proper alignment between the valve element and cylinder. The bearing's structured design with inner and outer rings provides a controlled clearance that prevents both contact wear and excessive clearance-induced misalignment. This eliminates the need to choose between contact wear and alignment issues.
4Ease of manufacture
If the rolling bearing is exposed to the fluid in the secondary pressure chamber and valve passage, then the bearing can be lubricated by the fluid, but the bearing suffers from corrosive fluid damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling bearing is extracted from the fluid environment by providing a sealed bearing accommodating space isolated from the secondary pressure chamber and valve passage. The bearing and its lubricant are contained within this sealed space, protecting them from corrosive fluid damage and contamination while maintaining proper lubrication conditions.
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 improves the valve's responsiveness, durability, and stability by minimizing sliding resistance and preventing contact with the housing, resulting in accurate and consistent pressure adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A rolling bearing 4 configured to be externally fitted on the valve element 3 and support the valve element 3 such that the valve element 3 is movable
Implementation Method 2
a spring member (5) configured to bias the valve element (3) toward the open position against the secondary pressure
Implementation Method 3
the valve element (3) adjusts an opening degree of a valve passage (19) by moving between a closed position where the valve element (3) closes the valve passage (19) and an open position where the valve element (3) opens the valve passage (19), and is pressed by secondary pressure in a secondary pressure chamber (34) toward the closed position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a pressure reducing valve having excellent responsiveness, durability, and reliability and stable output characteristics. A pressure reducing valve 1 includes a housing 2, and the housing 2 includes a valve passage 19 connected to a primary port 17 and a secondary port 18. A valve element 3 is provided in the housing 2. The valve element 3 can adjust an opening degree of the valve passage 19 by moving between a closed position where the valve element 3 closes the valve passage 19 and an open position where the valve element 3 opens the valve passage 19. The valve element 3 is pressed toward the closed position by secondary pressure p2. A spring member 5 is provided to bias the valve element 3 toward the open position against the secondary pressure p2. Further, a rolling bearing 4 is provided on the valve element 3, and the valve element 3 is movably supported by the rolling bearing 4.