Valve Arrangement With Adjustable Pilot Valve Resilient Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements in shock absorbers have limited control over pilot fluid flow and damping force, especially at higher piston speeds, due to fixed spool valve geometry and sensitivity to hydraulic fluid viscosity and temperature.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with a pilot chamber, main valve member, control valve member, and pilot valve member, where the pilot valve member is resiliently loaded to adjust the pilot fluid flow restriction, allowing for improved control of pilot pressure and damping characteristics through adjustable pretension, reducing the choking effect and enabling self-regulation with varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a spool valve arrangement is used to control pilot fluid flow, then the valve can be electrically controlled, but the pilot fluid flow is limited and the control is sensitive to viscosity and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the spool valve geometry dynamic by allowing the spool to tilt relative to its seating surface. The tilt angle can be adjusted to change the flow restriction characteristics, enabling the valve to adapt to different flow conditions and maintain effective control across a wider range of operating speeds and conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the spool valve by varying the tilt angle of the spool relative to the seating surface. This parameter change allows the flow restriction area to be dynamically adjusted, improving pilot fluid flow control capability without sacrificing electrical actuation.
2Device complexity
If a spool valve with fixed geometry is used, then the structure is simple, but the control of pilot pressure is delimiting at higher piston speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The spool valve is designed with the ability to tilt dynamically, transforming it from a fixed-geometry component to one with variable geometry. This dynamic capability expands the control range of the damping force while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the spool valve restriction is fixed, then the manufacturing is easier, but the control sensitivity to viscosity and temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a variable geometric parameter (spool tilt angle) that can be adjusted to compensate for changes in fluid viscosity and temperature. This allows the flow restriction to be optimized for different operating conditions, reducing sensitivity to environmental factors while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 provides enhanced control over pilot pressure and damping force, ensuring sensitive and responsive pilot valve function at higher flows and speeds, while reducing sensitivity to fluid viscosity and temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
The pilot valve member is arranged to interact with a pilot valve seat of the control valve member to restrict a pilot fluid flow out from the pilot chamber
Implementation Method 2
The pilot valve member is resiliently loaded towards the pilot valve seat relative the main valve member or the valve housing, such that the resilient loading on the pilot valve member (and thereby also the pilot restriction) is adjustable
Implementation Method 3
The main valve member is arranged to interact with a main valve seat of the valve housing in order to restrict or regulate a pressure in a main fluid flow between the first and second ports in response to the pilot pressure acting on the main valve member
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arrangement comprising a main valve member being axially movably arranged in a valve housing and arranged to interact with a main valve seat of the valve housing in order to restrict or regulate a pressure in a main fluid flow in response to a pilot pressure acting on the main valve member. A control valve member is axially movable within the main valve member in response to an actuating force acting on the control valve member. A pilot valve member is axially movable within the control valve member, and is arranged to interact with a pilot valve seat of the control valve member to restrict a pilot fluid flow out from a pilot chamber. The pilot valve member is resiliently loaded towards the pilot valve seat relative the main valve member or the valve housing, such that the resilient loading on the pilot valve member is adjustable in response to the actuating force.