Raise Lower Valve Unit Latching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing raise/lower valve units for commercial vehicles require complex housing designs and increased installation space due to the need for a latching or locking element to be guided inwardly for latching or locking, which complicates the design and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The latching or locking element is integrated into the switching element, allowing it to be moved outward for latching or locking, reducing the need for complex housing designs and providing a more compact configuration, with options for actuation via pneumatic control pressure or electrical signals for enhanced control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the latching or locking element is guided inwardly towards the switching element for latching or locking, then secure latching or locking positions are achieved, but the housing design becomes complex and installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching reliabilityVSAvoidhousing design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of guiding the latching element inwardly towards the switching element as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by having the latching element integrated into the switching element and guided outwardly. This reversal simplifies the housing design while maintaining secure latching functionality through the outward-guided element engaging with the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching or locking element is merged with the switching element, forming an integrated component. This combination eliminates the need for separate housing structures to guide the latching element, thereby reducing housing complexity and installation space while ensuring reliable latching through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the latching or locking element is guided inwardly for latching or locking, then secure positioning is achieved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the latching element with the switching element, the patent reduces the overall space required for the valve unit. The integrated design eliminates additional housing structures needed for guiding separate latching elements, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inversion of the guiding direction to outward guidance allows the latching mechanism to be more compact. The outward-guided element engages with the housing in a manner that requires less internal housing space compared to inward guidance, thus reducing overall installation space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If multiple actuators are used for latching or locking, then enhanced control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation controlVSAvoidactuator system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated latching element is designed to be actuable by multiple types of actuators (pneumatic, electrical, or manual) without requiring separate actuator systems. This multi-functionality allows enhanced control options while maintaining a simple, unified structure that does not increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated latching element can be actuated directly by the switching element's movement or by simple external actuators, eliminating the need for complex dedicated actuation systems. The design allows the latching mechanism to serve itself through the natural movement of the switching element or minimal external input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach results in a more compact and efficient raise/lower valve unit with improved actuation characteristics and reduced dependency on external actuators, ensuring secure latching or locking positions without additional forces, even if an actuator is defective.

Implementation Method 1

A spring is provided which acts on the latching or locking element in the direction of movement of the latching or locking element towards the latching or locking position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The latching or locking element can be acted upon by pneumatic control pressure in order to be moved away from the latching or locking position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2851222B1Raising lowering valve unit

Publication Date: 2018.04.11 HALDEX BRAKE PROD AB

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AI summary

The invention relates to a lift-lower valve unit (1) for an air suspension system of a commercial vehicle. In such lift-lower valve units (1), a locking of a RAISE and/or LOWER position is achieved via a detent or locking device (1), in which a detent or locking element (51) engages in a detent or locking recess (56). According to the invention, the detent or locking element (51) is guided in a switching element (16) and can be moved out of the switching element (16) to bring about the detent or locking position, thereby enabling it to engage in the detent or locking recess (56) of a housing (2).