Agricultural Sprayer Valve Unit With O-Ring Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayer valve units face challenges in achieving optimal sealing and wear resistance while maintaining precise control over fluid flow, as existing designs often compromise between soft sealing elements for tolerance compensation and durability, leading to reduced service life and limited material choices.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a plastic valve body with high rigidity and hardness, paired with a spring element that compensates for manufacturing tolerances, and an O-ring or similar sealing element that acts as both a spring and sealing component, ensuring effective sealing and wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a soft sealing element is used to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, then the sealing effect is improved, but the wear resistance and service life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the sealing element from soft to hard (e.g., PTFE, polyethylene, polypropylene instead of rubber). The hard sealing element compensates for manufacturing tolerances through precise geometric design and controlled deformation under pressure, achieving both good sealing effect and wear resistance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures where a hard plastic sealing element is combined with a resilient element (such as a spring or elastomeric component). The hard plastic provides wear resistance and structural stability, while the resilient element provides tolerance compensation and sealing pressure, achieving both sealing effectiveness and durability.
2Reliability
If a soft sealing element is used for tolerance compensation, then the sealing effect is improved, but the material choices are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes from soft sealing materials to hard plastic sealing materials (PTFE, polyethylene, polypropylene), expanding material choices to include chemically resistant and mechanically durable options that were not available with soft sealing elements.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a hard valve body is used for wear resistance, then the durability is improved, but the tolerance compensation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses controlled deformation of the hard plastic sealing element under operating pressure to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The material properties of hard plastics allow for predictable elastic deformation that ensures sealing contact despite dimensional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines hard plastic sealing elements with resilient elements (springs or elastomeric components) to achieve both wear resistance and tolerance compensation. The resilient element provides the necessary compliance to accommodate manufacturing variations while the hard plastic maintains structural integrity and wear resistance.
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 configuration enhances the sealing effect, improves wear resistance, and extends the service life of the agricultural sprayer valve unit while allowing for precise control of fluid flow, addressing the conflict between tolerance compensation and durability.
Implementation Method 1
holding magnet (15) whose magnetic force is effective on the armature (13)
Implementation Method 2
spring element (47) arranged between the annular collar (43) and the side leg (46)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an agricultural sprayer valve unit (1) for controlling the application of an agricultural fluid. The agricultural sprayer valve unit (1) according to the invention has a control valve (5) in which a valve body (31) is made of plastic. A spring element (47), in particular an O-ring (49), is arranged in the force transmission path between an armature (13) of a holding magnet (15) and the valve body (31). The spring element (47) has a lower stiffness than the stiffness of the valve body (31). The spring element (47) can compensate for tolerances and/or provide an additional sealing function.