Spool Valve Lever Orientation for Compact Hydraulic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manually actuated cartridge valve assemblies, such as sectional and rotary valves, face challenges in customization of port locations and flow rate efficiency, with rotary valves being less compact and having lower flow rates compared to linearly actuated valves.
Innovation Solution
A manually actuated cartridge valve assembly with a sleeve valve and spool valve configuration, featuring a cap assembly that allows for axial movement of the spool valve through rotational actuation, enabling customizable port orientations and improved flow control, while maintaining compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rotary actuation is used in cartridge valves, then customization of port locations is improved, but flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into modular components: a standard cylindrical valve body containing the spool valve and port bores, with separate customizable port bosses that can be positioned at different locations. This allows port location customization without compromising the internal valve geometry and flow paths that determine flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the port location dimension from the valve internal geometry dimension. Port bosses can be positioned at various locations on the valve body surface, while the internal spool valve and port bores maintain their optimized geometry for maximum flow rate. This dimensional separation resolves the contradiction between customization and flow performance.
2Ease of operation
If rotary valves are spaced to allow full lever actuation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending levers radially outward from the rotational axis, the invention inverts the lever arrangement by positioning levers to rotate within a compact arc near the valve body. This inversion allows multiple valves to be closely spaced without lever interference, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever actuation is moved from a radial dimension that requires large spacing to a tangential dimension near the valve body. This allows levers to operate in a compact space without intruding into the space required by adjacent valves, enabling dense valve arrangements while preserving full actuation range.
3Productivity
If linear actuation is used in valves, then flow rate is improved, but adaptability to different port locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into the linearly-actuated spool valve mechanism (which maintains optimized flow paths for high flow rate) and separate customizable port bosses (which provide port location flexibility). This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The port bosses act as intermediaries between the linearly-actuated spool valve and the external hydraulic system. These bosses can be positioned at different locations to accommodate various port requirements, while the spool valve maintains its linear actuation and optimized internal flow geometry for maximum flow rate.
Data Source
AI summary
A manually actuated cartridge valve assembly (15) has a main body (31), a valve assembly (33), and an end assembly (35). Disposed within an internal cavity (107) of the end assembly (35) is a rotary member (109) that rotates about an axis (115) when a handle (29) is manually actuated. The axis (115) is substantially perpendicular to the axis (73) of the spool valve (49). The rotary member (109) has at least one axial end (117) that extends through the outer surface of the end assembly (35) and attaches to the handle (29). The movement of the handle (29) defines a plane of movement (147), which is selectively rotatable about the axis (73) to a desired orientation (149). A locking member (99) is selectively operably associated with the end assembly (35) to restrict rotation of the plane of movement (147).