Pneumatic Shuttle Valve With Integrated Lip Seal for Leak Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic valves for vehicles face issues with leakage due to improperly assembled o-rings, leading to unpredictable air flow and difficult assembly detection, which are not effectively addressed by prior art solutions.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a radial lip seal with the shuttle member, forming a one-piece component that provides sealing, eliminating the need for separate o-rings and ensuring proper assembly, thus reducing leakage risks and enhancing assembly efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate o-rings are used for sealing the shuttle member in the cylinder, then the sealing function can be provided, but the assembly complexity increases and leakage risk increases due to improper assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is integrated directly into the shuttle member by forming a sealing surface on its outer circumference, eliminating the need for separate o-rings. This merging of the sealing function into the main component simplifies assembly and reduces leakage risks associated with separate sealing elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate o-rings are used for sealing, then sealing function is provided, but the manufacturing cost increases and assembly detection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing surface is formed as an integral part of the shuttle member during its manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate o-ring components and their associated assembly steps. This integration reduces manufacturing complexity and enables easier quality detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate components (shuttle member and o-rings) are used, then sealing function is achieved, but the number of components increases leading to higher assembly time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is combined with the shuttle member into a single integrated component. This reduces the total number of parts that need to be assembled, thereby increasing assembly productivity while maintaining reliable sealing through the integrally formed sealing surface.

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

The integrated radial lip seal ensures reliable sealing and reduces leakage, facilitating cost-effective assembly and improved performance by eliminating the need for separate components like o-rings.

Implementation Method 1

the shuttle member comprises a radial lip seal being integrally formed with the shuttle member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial lip seal:

Implementation Method 2

a pressure supply port to supply pressurized air to the cylinder; and a shuttle member being movably arranged within the cylinder, wherein the shuttle member is adapted to be moved by the supply of the pressurized air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4454962B1Valve, pneumatic system and vehicle, in particular utility vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ZF CV SYST GLOBAL GMBH
  • EP4454962B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Valve (100) for a pneumatic system (250) of a vehicle (200a), in particular utility vehicle (200b), wherein the valve (100) comprises: a cylinder (110); a pressure supply port (120) to supply pressurized air (150) to the cylinder (110); and a shuttle member (130) being movably arranged within the cylinder (110), wherein the shuttle member (130) is adapted to be moved by the supply of the pressurized air (150); wherein the shuttle member (130) comprises a radial lip seal (132) being integrally formed with the shuttle member (130).