Valve Device Segmented Guide Element for Precision Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices for high-pressure pumps, such as those in fuel systems of internal combustion engines, are not produced economically due to integrated guide, sealing, and movement limiting surfaces, which are sensitive to tolerances and complex to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A valve device design where the guide element is separate from the sealing and movement limiting surfaces, allowing for cost-effective production and assembly, with components like the guide element and housing connected via force or form fit, and the sealing and movement limiting elements produced as stamped parts for precision and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the guide element, sealing seat, and movement limiting surface are integrated into a single component, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and tolerance sensitivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is separated from the sealing seat and movement limiting surface, dividing the valve device into distinct functional components. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured and adjusted independently, reducing the cumulative tolerance effects that would occur in an integrated design while maintaining overall device simplicity through modular assembly.
2Quantity of substance
If the guide element is designed with multiple functions (guiding, sealing, movement limiting), then the number of components is reduced, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to increased functional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is separated from the sealing seat and movement limiting surface, dividing the valve device into distinct functional components. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured and adjusted independently, reducing the cumulative tolerance effects that would occur in an integrated design while maintaining overall device simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate guide element can be used with different sealing seats and movement limiting surfaces, creating a universal guiding component that can be applied across multiple valve device configurations. This multi-functionality approach allows the same guide element design to serve various sealing geometries and stroke requirements, simplifying manufacturing through standardization.
3Strength
If the guide element and housing are connected by material connection (welding, threading), then the connection strength increases, but the ease of assembly and disassembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining ring serves as an intermediary component between the guide element and housing, providing a simple mechanical interference fit connection. This intermediary element enables easy assembly and disassembly through snap-fit or press-fit mechanisms while maintaining sufficient connection strength for the application, avoiding the need for permanent material connections like welding or threading.
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
Enables economical and precise mass production of valve devices with adjustable stroke and simplified assembly, reducing tolerance influences and allowing for different sealing geometries and movement paths without additional functional complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a guide element (58) is provided separately from the housing (30) and the sealing seat (32) exclusively for guiding the valve body (36) along the movement axis (50)
Implementation Method 2
a valve body which rests on a sealing section against a sealing seat on the housing side and can thus close the valve device
Implementation Method 3
a valve spring (54) which has a closing force on the valve body (36)
Implementation Method 4
the guide element and the housing be connected to one another by means of a force fit and/or form fit, in particular by dispensing with a material connection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A valve device (22) is described, with a housing (30), a flow duct (38) and a valve body (36) which is arranged in the flow duct (38) and bears with a sealing section (34) against a housing-side sealing seat (32) when the valve device (22) is closed, wherein the valve body (36) is guided along a movement axis (50) by means of a housing-side guide surface (86) and bears with a stop surface (80) against a housing-side movement limiting surface (78) when the valve device (22) is open to the maximum, wherein the guide surface (86) is provided by a guide element (58), and wherein the sealing seat (32) and the movement limiting surface (78) are provided separately by the guide element (58).