Integrated 4/2-Way Slide Valve for Limited Control Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 4/2-way spool valves require additional space and cost for reliable control of working cylinders in construction machinery, as they need pressure-reducing and non-return valves to prevent damage during coupling processes, increasing complexity and effort.

Innovation Solution

A valve design where the pressure signaling piston moves within a guide in the valve housing, forming a continuous coaxial unit with the magnet system, allowing for both path control and pressure reduction, eliminating the need for separate pressure-reducing and non-return valves by using a control device to set limited control pressure when the magnet system is de-energized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate pressure-reducing and non-return valves are added to control working cylinder pressure, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidvalve system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure-reducing valve and non-return valve functions into a single integrated valve unit. The valve body contains both pressure reduction mechanism (with adjustable pressure-limiting orifice) and non-return functionality (through directional flow paths and check valve elements), eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing system complexity while maintaining operational safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single valve unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a 4/2-way directional control valve, a pressure-reducing valve with adjustable set pressure, and a non-return valve. This multi-functionality is achieved through integrated flow paths, pressure-regulating elements, and check valve mechanisms all housed within one valve body, reducing the overall number of components required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate pressure-reducing and non-return valves are added to control working cylinder pressure, then operational safety is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidvalve system space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure-reducing valve and non-return valve functions into a single integrated valve unit. The valve body contains both pressure reduction mechanism (with adjustable pressure-limiting orifice) and non-return functionality (through directional flow paths and check valve elements), eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing system complexity while maintaining operational safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve design nests multiple functional elements within a single valve body structure. The pressure-reducing orifice, check valve elements, and directional control passages are all nested within the same housing, creating a compact arrangement that occupies significantly less space than separate valves would require

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If separate pressure-reducing and non-return valves are added to control working cylinder pressure, then operational safety is improved, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure-reducing valve and non-return valve functions into a single integrated valve unit. The valve body contains both pressure reduction mechanism (with adjustable pressure-limiting orifice) and non-return functionality (through directional flow paths and check valve elements), eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing system complexity while maintaining operational safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single valve unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a 4/2-way directional control valve, a pressure-reducing valve with adjustable set pressure, and a non-return valve. This multi-functionality is achieved through integrated flow paths, pressure-regulating elements, and check valve mechanisms all housed within one valve body, reducing the overall number of components required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design reduces both space and cost requirements while ensuring operational safety by integrating path control and pressure reduction functions, allowing for reliable control of working cylinders with reduced effort.

Implementation Method 1

an energizable magnetic system for actuating the valve piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

the control device transmits the fluid pressure present at one service connection into a control pressure chamber for the purpose of actuating a pressure sensor piston operatively connected to the valve piston, which acts against the action of an energy storage device, such as a compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3394454B1Valve, in particular a 4/2-way slide valve
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 HYDAC FLUITECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3394454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP3394454B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3394454B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve, in particular a 4/2-way slide valve (60), comprising a valve piston (67), which is guided in a longitudinally movable manner in a valve housing (25), for selectively connecting and disconnecting fluid connections in the valve housing (25), such as a pressure supply connection (P), a tank connection (T), and two utility connections (A, B), and comprising a magnetic system (49), to which current can be supplied, for controlling the valve piston (67), characterized in that, when no current is supplied to the magnetic system (49), the control pressure at one of the utility connections (A, B) can be set, in particular limited, by means of a control device (62, 70, 79, 80, 88) arranged in the valve housing.