Self-Holding Electromagnetic Valve Springless Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic valves with coil springs face issues of jamming or stranding, leading to unstable valve operation and increased size due to the need for additional components.
Innovation Solution
A self-holding electromagnetic valve design that eliminates the use of coil springs by employing a solenoid with a tubular guide, a movable element with a permanent magnet and yokes, and a cover made of magnetic material, allowing for stable opening and closing without the need for coil springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coil spring is used to maintain valve state, then the electromagnetic valve can achieve self-holding function, but the valve is prone to jamming or stranding of the coil spring leading to unstable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coil spring from the electromagnetic valve structure entirely. Instead of using a mechanical spring to maintain the valve-closed state, the invention uses a solenoid assembly with a movable element that can be actuated by electromagnetic force to open the valve and relies on fluid pressure differential to maintain the closed state, thereby eliminating the problematic coil spring component that caused jamming and stranding issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coil spring system with an electromagnetic actuation system. The solenoid generates electromagnetic force to move the movable element, which opens the valve. The closing function is achieved through fluid pressure differential rather than mechanical spring force, substituting the mechanical spring-based self-holding mechanism with an electromagnetic and fluid-pressure-based system.
2Reliability
If a coil spring is provided for self-holding function, then the valve can maintain opened/closed state without current, but the electromagnetic valve becomes enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the coil spring component from the valve assembly. By eliminating this separate mechanical component, the overall valve size is reduced. The self-holding function is achieved through the integrated solenoid design and fluid pressure differential, which require less space than a traditional coil spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the self-holding function into the solenoid assembly itself. The movable element of the solenoid serves dual purposes: it acts as the electromagnetic actuator for valve opening and also functions as the self-holding mechanism through its position and the fluid pressure differential. This integration eliminates the need for separate spring components and reduces overall valve volume.
3Reliability
If a coil spring is used, then the electromagnetic valve can function as self-holding type, but the coil spring force becomes unstable when jamming or stranding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the coil spring force mechanism with an electromagnetic force system. The solenoid generates controlled electromagnetic force to open the valve, and the closing force is provided by the fluid pressure differential across the valve. This substitution eliminates the instability and unpredictability of coil spring force that occurs during jamming or stranding, providing more reliable and controllable force characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the fluid pressure differential automatically maintains the valve-closed state without requiring an external spring force. The system uses its own operating fluid to provide the closing force, creating a self-regulating self-holding function that is inherently stable and eliminates the need for separate spring components that can fail.
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 design enables stable and reliable operation of the valve while reducing its size, as it does not require coil springs, thus enhancing performance and miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
The movable element has a permanent magnet having magnetic poles different from each other in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
coils wound around the bobbin parts
Data Source
AI summary
A self-holding electromagnetic valve includes: a solenoid having a tubular guide part having the same center as a central axis extending in an axial direction; a axially movable element located radially inside the guide part; a cover housing the solenoid and the movable element, having a hole portion, and made of a magnetic material; a pin located at the hole portion and movable along with movement of the movable element; and a valve section provided outside the cover and opened/closed along with movement of the movable element and the pin. The solenoid has a cylindrical part with an inner circumferential surface that receives the guide part, tooth parts that extend radially outward from the cylindrical part and are made of a magnetic material, bobbin parts provided each tooth part, and coils wound around the bobbin parts.