Valve Bushing Retention O-Ring Geometry for Threadless Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic valves require costly threading and precise concentricity to retain components, which can lead to increased manufacturing costs and leakage due to misalignments, and lack a mechanism to tolerate component misalignments without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a three-way hydraulic valve with a floating bushing and retention O-rings in annular grooves with specific geometries, allowing for retention and realignment of internal components within external components without threading, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and tolerating misalignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If threading is used to retain the bushing inside the sleeve, then the retention strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the risk of leakage due to misalignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threading feature from the retention mechanism entirely. Instead of using threaded connections between the bushing and sleeve, the invention uses a retention O-ring in an annular groove to retain the bushing, eliminating the need for threads and associated machining operations that increase manufacturing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retention O-ring serves as an intermediary element between the bushing and sleeve. This O-ring provides the retention function without requiring direct threaded engagement, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate retention strength through the elastic properties of the O-ring
2Strength
If threading is used to retain the sleeve inside the housing, then the retention strength is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase leading to higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates threading from the sleeve-housing connection, removing the requirement for high concentricity precision that threading demands. The retention O-ring in the annular groove provides retention without requiring the components to be precisely concentric
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the retention mechanism from a rigid threaded connection to a flexible O-ring-based system. This parameter change allows the system to tolerate variations in concentricity and misalignment while maintaining retention strength through the elastic deformation capability of the O-ring
3Strength
If conventional threaded retention is used, then the components are securely retained, but the assembly time increases and automation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threading operation from the assembly process. The retention O-ring can be installed in the annular groove and then the bushing simply needs to be inserted into the sleeve, eliminating the time-consuming threading operation and enabling easier automation
Solution Approach 2:
The retention O-ring is pre-installed in the annular groove of the sleeve before the bushing insertion. This preliminary action ensures that the retention mechanism is already in place, allowing for quick and simple insertion of the bushing without requiring subsequent threading operations
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 enables cost-effective manufacturing, reduces assembly time, and allows for automation of valve assembly while maintaining operational integrity by using retention O-rings to securely hold components during handling and shipping, and disassemble easily for maintenance, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional threaded retention methods.
Implementation Method 1
an annular surface disposed diagonally opposite from the angled annular surface forms a corner having a particular radius: and (iii) a retention O-ring disposed in the annular space formed between the first annular groove and the second annular groove, such that the retention O-ring is substantially decompressed, and when the external component and the internal component are pulled apart, the angled annular surface presses the retention O-ring against the corner, thereby generating a retention force that retains the internal component within the external component
Data Source
AI summary
An example valve includes: an external component having a longitudinal cavity therein, wherein the external component comprises a first annular groove disposed on an interior peripheral surface of the external component, and wherein the first annular groove is bounded by two annular surfaces; an internal component disposed, at least partially, in the longitudinal cavity of the external component, wherein the internal component comprises a second annular groove disposed on an exterior peripheral surface of the internal component, wherein the second annular groove is bounded by two respective annular surfaces, wherein the second annular groove is aligned with the first annular groove, such that the first annular groove and the second annular groove form an annular space therebetween; and a retention O-ring disposed in the annular space formed between the first annular groove and the second annular groove.