Valve Assembly Centralized Fluid and Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies for complex pneumatic systems require complex hose and pipe arrangements for fluid and electrical connections, making them cumbersome to maintain and modify.
Innovation Solution
A compact valve assembly design featuring a basic module with integrated fluid and electrical connections, allowing all valve modules to be supplied exclusively through the basic module, eliminating the need for individual hose or pipe connections and enabling simple module exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual hose or pipe connections are made to each valve module, then fluid supply to each valve is ensured, but the system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into a basic module and multiple valve modules that can be independently mounted and removed. The basic module contains the centralized fluid supply connections, while each valve module can be individually exchanged without affecting others, simplifying maintenance while ensuring reliable fluid supply to each valve.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fluid connections for different valves are merged into a single centralized basic module. The basic module integrates all fluid supply connections (inlet air, exhaust air, control air) and distributes them to multiple valve modules through integrated pathways, eliminating the need for separate hose or pipe connections to each valve module.
2Ease of operation
If complex hose and pipe arrangements are used for each valve module, then individual fluid connections are achieved, but the ease of maintenance and module exchange deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components where valve modules can be independently removed and replaced. The basic module remains stationary with permanent fluid connections, while valve modules are designed for easy insertion and removal, significantly improving maintenance ease without compromising fluid connection accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The basic module is pre-configured with all necessary fluid connections and distribution pathways before valve modules are mounted. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex on-site hose and pipe arrangements during installation or maintenance, allowing for quick module exchange while maintaining proper fluid connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fluid connections are distributed across multiple locations, then each valve module can be independently connected, but the overall system compactness and space utilization worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid connection functions are merged into a single compact basic module. The basic module integrates inlet air connections, exhaust air connections, and control air connections in one centralized location, reducing the overall assembly volume while maintaining the ability to independently supply fluid to multiple valve modules through integrated distribution pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly has a basic module and a plurality of valve modules which are mounted on the basic module side by side along a line-up direction. The basic module is composed of a first and a second leg which extend at an angle with respect to each other such that the two legs delimit a receiving space for the valve modules on two sides, a fluid area being provided on the first leg which has a fluid connection face formed on an inside of the first leg which is turned towards the second leg and on which fluid connections are provided which communicate with fluid connections of the valve modules. All fluid connections of the valve modules communicate with fluid connections of the fluid connection face. An electrical area in which electrical connections communicating with electrical connections of the valve modules are provided is provided on the second leg.