Proportional Valve Spool Layout for Compact High-Pressure Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic proportional valves face challenges in reducing size and optimizing device layout due to the need for a sufficient axial length to accommodate inlet, outlet, and drain ports, which restricts the arrangement of hydraulic actuators and increases manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The design allows the large-diameter and small-diameter bore portions to communicate through specific holes, enabling the output hole to be oriented axially, thus eliminating the need for radial orientation of communication and output holes, allowing for a more compact valve and flexible device layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the communication hole and output hole are arranged in the axial direction of the spool body, then the valve can accommodate inlet, outlet, and drain ports, but the axial length increases making the valve non-compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveport arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidaxial length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from arranging communication holes and output holes in the axial direction to arranging them in the radial direction. This dimensional change allows the inlet, outlet, and drain ports to be accommodated without increasing the axial length, achieving a compact valve structure while maintaining port arrangement flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the outlet port is disposed between the inlet port and drain port in the axial direction, then the valve structure is simplified, but the position of the outlet port is restricted and device layout flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structureVSAvoiddevice layout flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the arrangement dimension of the outlet port from axial to radial direction. This allows the outlet port to be positioned independently without being constrained to be between the inlet and drain ports axially, thereby simplifying the valve structure while significantly improving device layout flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If a larger solenoid actuator is used to generate sufficient force to press the spool body against high oil pressure, then the required force is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplunger forceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the spool body by providing different diameter portions (first diameter larger than second diameter). This creates a differential area that amplifies the effect of oil pressure, generating sufficient force to press the spool body without requiring a larger solenoid actuator, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and installation space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration enables a compact electromagnetic proportional valve that can produce high oil pressure with a smaller solenoid actuator, reducing manufacturing costs and improving device layout flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a spool body arranged slidably in a valve body is combined with an electromagnetically driven plunger. The plunger presses the spool body in accordance with application of the excitation current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

as a larger oil pressure acts on the spool body, the force applied from the plunger to the spool body needs to be larger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure force: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3604875B1Electromagnetic proportional valve
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP3604875B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3604875B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3604875B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

One object is to provide a compact electromagnetic proportional valve. An electromagnetic proportional valve (10) includes: a valve body (11); a spool body (12) disposed in a valve bore (21) of the valve body (11); a drive portion (13) for pressing the spool body (12) in a forward direction (Dx1); and a biasing portion (14) for biasing the spool body (12) in a reverse direction (Dx2). An output hole (45) of the spool body (12) communicates with an output port (34) of the valve body (11). A surface area of the spool body (12) that receives a force from a pressure oil filled in the valve bore (21) and a spool bore (41) in a forward direction (Dx1) is different from a surface area of the spool body (12) that receives a force from the pressure oil in a reverse direction (Dx2).