Valve Slide Retaining Spring Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve designs require significant production costs and space to maintain the switching position of the valve slide, as they rely on complex and bulky retaining springs for reliable positioning.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensionally bent one-piece spring element with a C-shape is used, featuring a curved section that extends around the valve slide chamber, allowing for compact dimensions and high flexibility, with latching sections that engage radially with the valve slide to provide secure fixing without the need for extensive space or complex structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex three-dimensionally bent retaining spring is used to fix the valve slide position, then the reliability of position fixation is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is segmented into functionally distinct sections: a curved section for mounting, connecting sections for structural linkage, and latching sections for position fixation. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is designed to extend in multiple spatial dimensions - curving around the valve slide chamber axially, projecting radially inward to engage latching cams, and extending axially to provide latching force. This multi-dimensional configuration achieves reliable fixation without requiring a complex three-dimensional bent structure.
2Reliability
If a bulky retaining spring structure is used, then the position fixation reliability is improved, but the volume of the valve housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is nested within the valve housing in a compact configuration, with its curved section wrapping around the valve slide chamber and its latching sections engaging with latching cams that are integrated into the valve slide structure. This nesting approach minimizes the space required while maintaining fixation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring utilizes the axial space around the valve slide chamber by curving around it, rather than requiring additional radial or lateral space. This efficient use of available three-dimensional space within the housing reduces the overall valve housing volume.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple two-dimensionally bent spring element is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the position fixation reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed with distinct functional segments (curved, connecting, and latching sections) that can be manufactured using standard two-dimensional bending processes. Each segment performs a specific function, ensuring reliable position fixation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved section of the spring element provides the necessary elasticity and mounting capability through its arcuate geometry, while the connecting and latching sections use linear and angular configurations that are easy to manufacture. This combination of curved and straight elements achieves reliable fixation with simple two-dimensional bending.
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 solution enables the valve to maintain switching positions effectively while reducing production costs and space requirements, offering high resilience and rigidity with a simpler design that is easy to manufacture and integrate into the valve housing.
Implementation Method 1
the one-piece spring element of the retaining spring is bent exclusively two-dimensionally in a spring plane that is aligned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the valve slide chamber
Implementation Method 2
which is connected via a second buckling area that has a buckling direction that is opposite to the first buckling area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (1) comprising a valve housing (4), in which housing a valve slide chamber (5) is formed that accommodates a valve slide (7). The valve slide (7) can occupy different switch positions, in which positions the valve slide can be releasably locked means of holding means (27). The holding means include a substantially ovoid spring element (45) which is bent exclusively two-dimensionally to obtain its shape and which is inserted into a spring chamber (35) that extends in a peripheral direction (34) around a portion of the valve slide chamber (5). The spring element (45) has two detent sections (53a, 53b) which can cooperate with detent arms (32a, 32b) of the valve slide (7) to releasably fix the valve slide in its switch positions.