Valve Housing Control Edge Machining Through Valve Pocket Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of valve housings for hydraulic control valves is complex and requires multiple processing steps due to the need for precise manufacturing of functional surfaces between control pistons and the valve housing, which cannot be achieved through die-casting.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the introduction of valve pockets and piston chambers into a base body, where the end face sections are processed using a separating tool guided from the coupling side, allowing for high manufacturing quality through milling or laser cutting, enabling accessibility and precision without the need for large bore diameters, and potentially combining milling and laser processing for efficient material removal and surface refinement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If die-casting process is used to manufacture valve housings, then manufacturing cost and production efficiency are improved, but manufacturing precision of functional surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidprecision of functional surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming the valve pockets with inclined side surfaces (draft angles) during the die-casting process itself, rather than attempting to machine them afterward. This preliminary formation of near-final geometry allows the subsequent machining to focus only on the critical control edges, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high productivity through die-casting and achieving the required precision for functional surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing steps are used to machine functional surfaces, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of control edgesVSAvoidcomplexity of production process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the critical precision requirement from the entire valve housing manufacturing process and focuses it solely on the control edges. By separating the formation of valve pockets (done via die-casting with draft angles) from the machining of control edges (done via precise machining), the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining the necessary precision where it is most critical for functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If large bore diameters are used for accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and sealing conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for tool guidanceVSAvoidprecision of control edge formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the dimensional approach to tool access. Instead of requiring large radial bore diameters for tool accessibility, the valve pockets are formed with inclined side surfaces that allow machining tools to access the control edges from directional angles during the machining process. This dimensional change in approach allows precise control edge formation without requiring excessively large bore diameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 method simplifies the production of valve housings by achieving high manufacturing quality in a single processing step, reducing complexity and manufacturing effort, while allowing for precise control edge formation and improved sealing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the end face sections are processed using a separating tool guided from the coupling side, allowing for high manufacturing quality through milling or laser cutting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMilling:

Implementation Method 2

the end face sections are processed using a separating tool guided from the coupling side, allowing for high manufacturing quality through milling or laser cutting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser cutting: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3803169B1Method for manufacturing a main body of a valve housing for a hydraulic control valve, and valve housing having the main body
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP3803169B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3803169B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3803169B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a main body of a valve housing for a hydraulic control valve, wherein, in an unfinished main body for the main body, the front side section of the control edge is manufactured in a front side machining step by a parting method, wherein, in the parting method, the parting tool is guided from the coupling side through the machining valve pocket to the front side section of the control edge.