Switching valve and valve assembly comprising such a switching valve for controlling a mass flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switching valve designs for refrigeration or heating circuits require costly gas-tight soldered joints and complex geometries, which increase production costs and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

A switching valve with a switching sleeve that has a core-plunger section and a fastening section with a peripheral collar, allowing for a gas-tight connection without the need for soldering, and a simple geometry for easy assembly, maintaining magnetic flux for rapid activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gas-tight soldered joint is used to fix the core in the armature tube, then the tightness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the core from the complex soldering process and provides a separate, simpler fixing mechanism using a bead that engages with a groove in the armature tube. This separates the core fixation function from the gas-tight sealing function, allowing each to be achieved through simpler, more cost-effective means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the core fixation mechanism into discrete components: a bead on the core and a corresponding groove in the armature tube. This segmentation allows for simple assembly where the bead is pressed into the groove, eliminating the need for complex soldering while maintaining structural integrity and tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex geometry is used for the switching valve, then the functional requirements are met, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching valve is segmented into modular components including the core, armature tube with groove, bead fixation element, and path generation device. Each component can be manufactured independently with simpler geometries and then assembled together, reducing overall assembly complexity while meeting functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bead acts as an intermediary element between the core and the armature tube, providing a simple mechanical connection that facilitates assembly. The groove-bead interface serves as an intermediate fixation mechanism that is simpler than direct soldering or complex threading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the switching valve is designed with a closed arrangement, then the tightness is improved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bead is pre-formed on the core before assembly, and the groove is pre-formed in the armature tube. This preliminary preparation allows for quick and easy assembly where the core is simply inserted into the armature tube and the bead engages with the groove, achieving tightness without complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bead and groove interface is designed to self-align and self-lock during assembly. When the core is inserted into the armature tube, the bead automatically engages with the groove, creating a gas-tight connection without requiring additional fastening operations or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution reduces production costs and simplifies assembly while maintaining high tightness and efficiency, allowing for both direct and servo-controlled switching valve configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetic flux for rapid activation of the tappet is maintained by this configuration of the shift bushing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4001719A1Switching valve and valve assembly comprising such a switching valve for controlling a mass flow
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 OTTO EGELHOF GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4001719A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4001719A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4001719A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a switching valve and a valve arrangement for controlling a mass flow in a refrigeration or heating circuit, comprising a displacement generation device (21) which includes a U-shaped yoke (39) with an upper and lower leg (44, 45) aligned with each other and a coil (38) positioned within the yoke (39) which is electrically controllable, with a core (37) fixedly positioned relative to the coil (38), which projects at least with a section towards the coil (38) and is positioned in an opening (47) of the leg (44, 45) of the yoke (39), and with a plunger (35) provided in the coil (38) which is movable relative to the core (37) and can be passed with one end through an opening (47) in one of the legs (44, 45) of the yoke (39), with a closing element (33) arranged on the plunger (35) or Valve closing element (26), and with a return element (43) which is arranged between the core (37) and the plunger (35),wherein a switching bushing (51) that can be inserted into the displacement generating device (21) is provided, which is closed on one side by a base (53) and has a mounting section (54) at the opposite open end of the switching bushing (51), and the switching bushing (51) has a core-plunger section (52) extending between the base (53) and the mounting section (54) with a cylindrical outer surface in which at least the core (37) is received and the plunger (35) is guided, and the open mounting section (54) opposite the base (53) has at least one circumferential shoulder (71) or a circumferential collar directed outwards relative to the core-plunger section (52). (See Figure 1)