Valve Device with Pilot Control Chambers for Rapid Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices in proportional valve technology face challenges with functional reliability and rapid response, particularly in control tasks involving double-acting hydraulic working cylinders, where mechanical coupling elements are avoided.
Innovation Solution
A valve device design featuring pilot control chambers connected to the pump port via a fluid-carrying connection, with pilot control pistons that release or block fluid connections to the tank port, allowing direct pressure medium control and compensation for frictional or flow forces, enabling reliable and rapid valve piston movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional valve devices are used with mechanical coupling elements, then structural complexity is reduced, but functional reliability and rapid response deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical coupling elements with a direct fluid-carrying connection between the pilot control chambers and the pump port. The pilot control pistons directly actuate the valve piston through fluid pressure without mechanical linkages, eliminating mechanical coupling elements while maintaining structural simplicity. This substitution of mechanical systems with hydraulic actuation resolves the contradiction by achieving high functional reliability through direct fluid control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic actuation where pressure medium from the pump flows directly through fluid-carrying connections to pilot control chambers, which then actuate pilot control pistons that control the main valve piston. This hydraulic system eliminates the need for mechanical coupling elements while providing rapid response and high reliability through direct fluid pressure transmission.
2Speed
If additional control efforts are applied to move the valve piston, then positioning precision is improved, but response time and system simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service control system where the pilot control chambers automatically receive pressure medium directly from the pump through fluid-carrying connections. The pilot control pistons self-actuate based on the pressure differential created by blocking or releasing tank connections, eliminating the need for additional control efforts or complex control mechanisms. This achieves rapid response while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the system for rapid response by pre-establishing fluid-carrying connections between the pump port and pilot control chambers. When the pilot control piston blocks or releases the tank connection, the pressure medium is already positioned and ready to immediately actuate the valve piston, eliminating delays associated with additional control steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If frictional and flow forces are not compensated, then system simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy and control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the pilot control pistons continuously monitor and adjust the pressure medium flow to the main valve piston. By blocking or releasing tank connections based on position feedback, the system automatically compensates for frictional and flow forces, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring complex additional control mechanisms.
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 design ensures functional reliability and rapid response by allowing the valve piston to move to desired positions without additional control efforts, with the pressure medium in pilot control chambers acting directly on the valve piston, and automatic return to neutral position when electromagnets are de-energized, maintaining system accuracy and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a first and a second electromagnet (5, 6) are mounted on both sides of the valve housing (2)
Implementation Method 2
the pressure medium in the pilot control chambers acting directly on the valve piston
Implementation Method 3
each pilot piston releases or blocks an opening of a discharge line in the valve piston for pressure medium from the pilot control chambers to a respective tank connection
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4
AI summary
A valve device includes a housing (2) and a valve piston (4) axially displaceable in a piston bore (3) of housing (2). First and second load connections (A, B) can alternately be connected to a pressure connection (P) and to tank connections (T1, T2) by moving the piston from an idle position by first and second solenoids (5, 6). First and second pilot control chambers (7, 9) pressurize first and second piston back sides (8, 10) of the valve piston (4). The pressure in the pilot control chambers (7, 9) is controlled by first and second pilot control pistons (12, 13) movable by the solenoids (5, 7). The pilot control chambers (7, 9) are connected via a connection (11) to the pressure connection (P). The pilot control pistons (12, 13) open or close connections (14) between the pilot control chambers (7, 9) and the tank connections (T1, T2).