Fluid Control Valve C-Spring Constraint for Spool Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid control valves with annular leaf springs face interference issues with the spool, leading to hydraulic oil leakage and inadequate sealing performance due to excessive contraction and catching in overlapped regions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control valve design featuring a C-shaped leaf spring with a notch and a restricting part on the sleeve to prevent excessive contraction, ensuring smooth operation and sealing by positioning the notch away from the inlet and using a fitting pin to restrict diameter contraction, thereby preventing interference with the spool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the annular leaf spring is allowed to contract freely under hydraulic pressure, then the check valve function is improved, but the spool operation is hindered due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
A restricting part is introduced as an intermediary element between the C-shaped leaf spring and the spool. This restricting part limits the contraction of the leaf spring, preventing it from interfering with the spool while still allowing the check valve to function properly under hydraulic pressure
2Ease of operation
If the annular leaf spring is restricted from excessive contraction, then spool interference is prevented, but sealing performance deteriorates due to catching in overlapped regions
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring is designed with a C-shape having a notch, dividing it into segments. This segmentation allows the leaf spring to contract smoothly without catching in overlapped regions, maintaining sealing performance while preventing excessive contraction that would interfere with the spool
3Device complexity
If the annular leaf spring has a partially overlapped region, then the structure is simplified, but smooth expansion/contraction operation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring is designed with a C-shape having a notch, dividing it into segments. This segmentation eliminates the overlapping region problem while maintaining structural simplicity, allowing smooth expansion and contraction operation
4Productivity
If the annular leaf spring contracts excessively, then the check valve opens fully, but hydraulic oil leakage occurs due to inadequate sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting part acts as a mediator that limits the contraction of the C-shaped leaf spring, preventing excessive contraction that would cause inadequate sealing and hydraulic oil leakage, while still allowing the check valve to open fully for proper flow control
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
Prevents interference between the C-shaped leaf spring and the spool, ensures reliable sealing and smooth operation, and achieves desired functions without malfunction, contributing to miniaturization of the device.
Implementation Method 1
a C-shaped leaf spring which is formed by bending a leaf spring into an annular shape with two ends facing each other to form a notch with a predetermined gap and which is disposed in the inflow annular groove to be able to be contracted in diameter to open and close the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control valve includes: a sleeve in a bottomed cylindrical shape, including an inlet, communication ports, an inner peripheral surface, and an inflow annular groove recessed from the inner peripheral surface in a region facing the inlet; a spool slidably disposed on the inner peripheral surface in the sleeve to open and close the communication ports; a C-shaped leaf spring formed by bending a leaf spring into an annular shape with two ends facing each other to form a notch and disposed in the inflow annular groove capable of being contracted in diameter to open and close the inlet; and a restricting part provided on the sleeve for restricting diameter contraction of the C-shaped leaf spring beyond a predetermined inner diameter and for restricting a position of the notch in a region away from the inlet.