Valve Assembly Asymmetric Contact Area Force Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle braking systems face challenges in optimizing the force closing the exhaust port during the hold configuration without affecting the cracking pressure, leading to inefficiencies in fluid pressure management.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with separate movable members and a valve formation that provides a greater area of contact with the valve seat compared to the seal, allowing fluid pressure to exert a net force on the third movable member, optimizing the force closure of the exhaust port without impacting cracking pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the valve assembly uses a conventional design with equal area contact between seal and valve formation, then the structure is simple, but the force closure of the exhaust port cannot be optimized without affecting cracking pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an asymmetric contact area arrangement where the valve formation has a larger contact area with the valve seat than the seal does. This localized difference in contact areas generates a net force on the third movable member that specifically enhances exhaust port closure without disrupting the cracking pressure balance. The asymmetric design allows different regions of the valve assembly to serve different functional purposes.
2Productivity
If the valve assembly optimizes exhaust port closure force, then fluid pressure management improves, but cracking pressure may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force generation mechanism into two distinct components: the seal contact area that maintains cracking pressure stability, and the valve formation contact area that optimizes exhaust port closure force. By separating these functions into distinct contact areas with different sizes, the system can independently optimize exhaust closure without compromising cracking pressure reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of contact areas by making the valve formation contact area larger than the seal contact area. This parameter change creates a net force differential that improves exhaust port closure efficiency while the seal's contact area maintains the cracking pressure characteristic. The specific dimensional relationship between these areas is the key parameter that enables both objectives.
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 configuration ensures optimized force closure of the exhaust port during the hold configuration, maintaining the cracking pressure and improving fluid pressure management in vehicle braking systems.
Implementation Method 1
there being a seal which provides a substantially fluid tight seal between the bearing surface and the body of the third movable member whilst permitting movement of the third movable member relative to the housing
Implementation Method 2
fluid pressure in the main chamber exerts a net force on the third movable member, urging the third moveable member against the valve formation around the third port
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve assembly (110) having a housing (124) into which are provided a first port (112), a second port (114) and a third port (116), and in which are located a first movable member (126), a second movable member (132) and a third movable member (152), the first movable member (126) being movable between a first position which causes the second movable member (132) to close the first port (112) to prevent any substantial flow of fluid through the first port (112), whilst the second (114) and third (116) ports remain open, a second position which causes the third movable member (152) to close the third port (116) to prevent any substantial flow of fluid through the third port (116), whilst the first (112) and second (114) ports remain open and flow of fluid between the first (112) and the second (114) part is permitted, and a third position which causes the second movable member (132) to close the first port (112) and the third movable member (152) to close the third port (116) to prevent any substantial flow of fluid through either the first port (112) or the third port (116), wherein the second movable member (132) and the third movable member (152) are separate such that relative movement between the second movable member (132) and the third movable member (152) is permitted.