Oil Passage Switching Valve with Integrated Resilient Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil passage switching valves face challenges in preventing foreign particles from entering the valve chamber, especially due to restrictions in the piping layout which limit the placement of oil filters closest to the valve.
Innovation Solution
The oil passage switching valve incorporates a cylindrical sleeve with oil filters made from resilient metal strips, featuring overlapping ends and biasing portions to securely attach around the sleeve, ensuring foreign particles are prevented from entering through the inlet and actuator ports by maintaining a smaller diameter and engaging contacting portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil filter is disposed in the oil passage connecting the valve and the engine, then foreign particles from the engine can be filtered, but foreign particles generated in the oil passage between the filter and the valve cannot be prevented from entering the valve chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the oil filter at the inlet port of the valve body, which is the closest possible position to the valve chamber. This allows the filter to prevent foreign particles from entering the valve chamber before they can cause harm, rather than filtering oil after particles have already traveled through the oil passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil filter acts as an intermediary element positioned between the oil source and the valve chamber. By placing it directly at the inlet port, it serves as the final barrier before oil enters the valve chamber, intercepting foreign particles that may have been generated in the oil passage or carried from the engine.
2Reliability
If the oil filter is disposed closest to the valve, then foreign particles can be effectively prevented from entering the valve chamber, but the piping layout restrictions make it difficult to choose the filter position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil filter with the valve body structure by integrating it directly into the inlet port of the valve body. This combination eliminates the need for separate filter mounting arrangements and allows the filter to be positioned optimally close to the valve chamber without being constrained by external piping layout restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the valve mechanism and simultaneously incorporates the oil filter at its inlet port. This multi-functionality allows the same component (valve body) to provide both valve control and oil filtration, with the filter positioned at the most effective location for protecting the valve chamber.
3Reliability
If a conventional oil filter is used in the oil passage, then filtering of engine oil is achieved, but additional support members and complex piping arrangements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oil filter function with the valve body structure, eliminating the need for separate support members and complex piping arrangements. The filter is integrated directly into the inlet port of the valve body, using the valve body's own structure to provide filter support and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves itself by incorporating the oil filter directly into its structure. The valve body provides both the housing for the valve mechanism and the mounting structure for the filter, eliminating the need for external support systems and reducing overall device complexity.
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 effectively prevents foreign particles from entering the valve chamber by securely attaching oil filters closest to the valve, enhancing the filtration efficiency and maintaining the valve's operation without additional support members, thus ensuring reliable operation of the variable-valve-timing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The diameter of the rounded filter is made smaller than the diameter of the sleeve around which the filter is to be disposed, so that the filter clings around the outer periphery of the sleeve by its own resiliency
Implementation Method 2
The inlet and actuator ports through which the oil flows in and out are covered with respective oil filters to prevent foreign particles contained in the oil from entering into the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
Oil ports formed on a cylindrical sleeve of an oil passage switching valve are covered with respective filters. The filter is formed in a ring shape by rounding a resilient metal strip having plural filter holes formed thereon. The filter clings around the outer periphery of the cylindrical sleeve by its own resiliency. A contacting portion is formed on one of overlapping ends of the filter ring or on both overlapping ends so that the contacting portion engages with the other overlapping end to prevent the filter ring from being enlarged by an oil pressure applied to the filter from its inside. Foreign particles in the oil are surely prevented from entering into the sleeve by the filter covering the oil port in close contact therewith.