Valve Annular Gap Sealing for Orientation-Free Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of valves in components, such as vehicle transmissions, is complicated due to the need for precise orientation of transverse openings to match channel cross-sections, leading to potential misalignment and reduced flow medium passage, especially when slight unintentional rotations occur.
Innovation Solution
The creation of an annular gap around the valve with radially widened through-holes and a stepped diameter design allows for position-independent assembly, using a seal reinforced by a flexible sealing ring and a rigid reinforcement to maintain sealing effectiveness even at high pressures, and the use of a hollow-cylindrical collar for radial support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transverse openings are precisely oriented to match channel cross-sections, then flow medium passage is ensured, but assembly complexity increases and misalignment risk occurs due to unintentional rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the precise point-to-point alignment requirement (0D/1D problem) into a surface-to-surface matching problem (2D/3D problem) by creating an annular gap between the valve outer contour and the component inner contour. This annular gap provides rotational tolerance while maintaining sealing through the sealing element that surrounds the valve peripherally, allowing the valve to be assembled without precise angular orientation.
2Reliability
If precise orientation is required for valve assembly, then flow medium passage is maintained, but assembly time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the annular gap dimension around the valve periphery, the invention eliminates the need for precise angular positioning during assembly. The sealing element spans this annular gap and maintains sealing effectiveness regardless of rotational position, thereby dramatically reducing assembly time and increasing productivity while ensuring reliable flow medium passage.
3Shape
If sealing is provided without annular gap, then structural compactness is achieved, but alignment tolerance is reduced and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the contradiction between compactness and assembly ease by utilizing the radial dimension effectively. The annular gap is designed with a width that provides sufficient alignment tolerance (e.g., 0.1-2mm) while maintaining overall structural compactness. The sealing element bridges this gap and provides the necessary sealing function, allowing easy assembly without compromising compact design.
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 solution simplifies the assembly process by allowing the valve to be aligned independently of the channel, ensuring consistent flow medium passage and maintaining sealing integrity across various pressures without the need for expensive blind holes or annular shoulders.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining sealing integrity across various pressures
Implementation Method 2
a seal reinforced by a flexible sealing ring and a rigid reinforcement
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling pressures of a flow medium in a component in which the device is formed at least by the component and at least one valve; the valve has an axially oriented valve axis and is seated, at least in part, in the component and has at least one opening. The opening leads into an annular gap which at least partly surrounds the valve, and the annular gap is formed between the valve and the component. The annular gap is sealed by at least one seal.