Valve Assembly for Reserve Pump Steering System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic vehicle steering systems face challenges in reliably checking the performance of reserve pumps during vehicle startup, leading to potential failure in steering capability due to inefficient pressure control and high battery discharge during reserve pump operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with an adjustable orifice and flow control valve, combined with pressure limiting valves, allows for a simple and cost-effective check of reserve pump performance while minimizing battery discharge and ensuring pressure control during emergency operations, eliminating the need for additional valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reserve pump is checked during vehicle startup to ensure steering capability, then the reliability of steering system is improved, but the battery discharge increases and operating time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is pre-configured with flow control valves and pressure limiting valves that automatically regulate the reserve pump operation during startup checks, limiting the duration and energy consumption of the check procedure while ensuring steering capability verification
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control valve adjusts the flow rate parameters during reserve pump operation, and the pressure limiting valve maintains pressure within safe limits, enabling the check to be performed with optimized energy consumption while still verifying steering system reliability
2Manufacturing precision
If additional valves are added to the valve assembly to improve pressure control, then the pressure control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly integrates multiple functions into a single compact unit: the flow control valve regulates flow rate, the pressure limiting valve controls maximum pressure, and all components are housed in one assembly that also serves as the connection interface for the reserve pump, steering valve, and tank, eliminating the need for separate distributed valve components
Solution Approach 2:
The control point is permanently connected to the measuring connector, merging the pressure measurement function with the control function. The flow control valve and pressure limiting valve are integrated in the same housing, combining multiple control functions in a single compact assembly rather than distributing them across multiple separate components
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 valve assembly enables reliable reserve pump performance checks with minimal battery discharge and effective pressure control during emergency operations, ensuring the vehicle's steering capability without additional valves, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first orifice being loaded in the closing direction by a spring
Implementation Method 2
a fluid flow path running from the first high pressure connector via the first orifice, further via a control point, further via the flow control valve to the first low pressure connector
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for use with a main pump, a reserve pump, a steering valve with a second load signaling connector, and a first pressure switch includes an adjustable first orifice and a flow control valve. The valve assembly further includes a fluid flow path running from a first high pressure connector via the first orifice, further via a control point, further via the flow control valve, to a first low pressure connector. The first orifice is loaded in the opening direction by the pressure at the first high pressure connector, and the first orifice is loaded in the closing direction by a spring and by the pressure at the first load signaling connector. The control point is connected permanently to the first measuring connector.