Multidirectional Valve Control Piston Recess for Rapid Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic directional valves have larger dimensions and higher noise levels due to the configuration of rapid venting valves, which can lead to shorter component lifetimes when operating at higher pressures to maintain switching times.

Innovation Solution

A control piston recess with a seat valve for rapid venting is integrated into the valve housing, utilizing a sealing ring and restoring springs to minimize restoring force during 'on' position and maximize force during 'off' position, allowing for optimized switching time by controlling air flow and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a rapid venting valve is situated on the pneumatic pilot control, then switching time is reduced, but component dimensions increase and noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching timeVSAvoidcomponent dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rapid venting function is merged with the control piston by integrating a control piston recess with a seat valve directly into the control piston structure. This eliminates the need for a separate rapid venting valve component, achieving fast switching while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control piston recess housing the seat valve is nested within the control piston body. The seat valve is situated inside the control piston, creating a compact nested structure that provides rapid venting functionality without increasing overall component volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of time

If greater operating pressures are used to maintain switching times, then component lifetime is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching timeVSAvoidcomponent lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pressure parameter distribution by creating a dedicated control piston recess that can be rapidly pressurized and vented. The seat valve controls pressure buildup in the recess to approximately 3.5 bar, enabling fast switching without requiring excessively high operating pressures that would reduce component lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control piston recess acts as an intermediary chamber between the main control pressure and the control piston. It allows controlled pressure buildup to accelerate the control piston return, achieving fast switching with moderate pressures rather than requiring high operating pressures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If the sealing lip seals off the control piston recess, then restoring force is minimized during 'on' position, but switching speed may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoring forceVSAvoidswitching speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The seat valve provides periodic action by opening to allow rapid pressure buildup in the control piston recess, then closing to trap the pressure. This periodic opening and closing creates the necessary pressure cycles to accelerate the control piston during switching while maintaining low restoring force during the on position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The seat valve performs preliminary action by pre-building pressure in the control piston recess before the main switching action occurs. This preliminary pressure buildup accelerates the control piston return, enabling faster switching without requiring high continuous operating pressures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces switching time, maintains component longevity, and minimizes noise while allowing for compact construction, enabling faster and more efficient pneumatic operations.

Implementation Method 1

A sealing ring is preferably situated between the valve housing and the control piston, which comprises a sealing lip, which is provided as the sealing means of a control chamber from a restoring chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

As soon as a pressure of approximately 3.5 bar has built up in the control piston recess and the restoring chamber and the control pressure in the control chamber is let off, the seat valve closes again, so that the pressure in the control piston recess and the restoring chamber cannot be let off. This pressure accelerates the return of the control piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

At least one restoring spring is advantageously situated in the restoring chamber between the control piston and the valve housing. Parallel thereto, a compensating spring can be situated in the control piston recess between the control piston and a valve slide. The object of these spring elements is to return the control piston when compressed air is not applied to the control chamber.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2518380B1Multidirectional value
Publication Date: 2013.11.06 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2518380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2518380B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2518380B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a multidirectional valve in slide construction, comprising a valve housing (1) having a slide hole, in which a valve slide (4) is situated so it is longitudinally movable to switch from pressure medium flows between external connections, which can be actuated via control pressure by at least one frontally situated control piston (5), the control piston (5) interacting with means for the rapid venting of the control pressure, so that a control piston recess (11) is frontally situated in the control piston (5) to house a seat valve (12) as the means for the rapid venting.