Hydraulic servo and proportional valves, as core control components in modern hydraulic systems, are widely used in industrial automation, construction machinery, aerospace and other fields. Their performance directly affects the control accuracy, response speed, and operating stability of the system. In practical applications, the sheet metal structures such as the housing and bracket of hydraulic servo and proportional valves have a significant impact on the overall performance, assembly accuracy, and key indicators such as heat dissipation, dust-proofing, and vibration resistance of the equipment. Therefore, optimizing the design of the sheet metal structure is of great engineering significance.



# The Role of Sheet Metal Structures in Hydraulic Valves



Sheet metal structures mainly undertake the supporting, protective, and installation functions of hydraulic servo and proportional valve components. On the one hand, the sheet metal structure needs to have sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand vibration loads during the working process and prevent structural deformation from affecting the movement accuracy of the valve core; on the other hand, the sheet metal parts should also have good heat dissipation performance to avoid system performance degradation due to the high working temperature of the hydraulic oil.



In addition, a reasonable sheet metal layout can also improve assembly efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the aesthetic and human-machine interaction experience of the equipment.



# Objectives and Principles of Optimization Design



The optimization design of sheet metal structures should be based on the basic principles of 'lightweight, high rigidity, easy processing, and easy maintenance'. The optimization objectives include:



1. Structural strength and rigidity meet the requirements of use;

2. Reduce self-weight and improve energy efficiency;

3. Facilitate processing and assembly;

4. Optimize heat dissipation and ventilation paths;

5. Enhance the protection level to adapt to complex working conditions.



# Optimization Methods and Techniques



1. Finite element analysis (FEA): Through ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation, and other software, the sheet metal structure is subjected to stress analysis to identify stress concentration areas and perform structural reinforcement or weight reduction optimization.



2. Topology optimization design: Based on material distribution optimization within the design domain, achieve maximum load-bearing capacity under minimum material consumption, and improve structural efficiency.



3. Modular design concept: Divide the sheet metal structure into several functional modules, which facilitate replacement and upgrade, and also improve universality and assembly efficiency.



4. Process optimization: Combine the characteristics of stamping, bending, and welding manufacturing processes to optimize the part structure, reduce processing difficulty and cost.



5. Thermal management design: Consider the heat generated during the operation of the hydraulic valve, rationally arrange heat dissipation holes and air duct structures, improve air flow efficiency, and reduce local temperature rise.



# Case Study



Taking the optimization of the shell of a certain type of proportional valve as an example, the original design adopted an integral welding structure, which had problems such as high weight and poor heat dissipation. After optimization, a modular disassembled structure was adopted, combined with topology optimization to remove redundant materials, and additional heat dissipation fins were added in key areas. Finite element verification shows that the optimized structure reduces the weight by about 18% while ensuring rigidity, improves the heat dissipation efficiency by 25%, and increases the assembly efficiency by more than 30%.



# Conclusion



The optimization design of hydraulic servo and proportional valve sheet metal structures is an important link in improving the overall performance of the hydraulic system. By introducing modern design methods and simulation technology, not only can structural lightweight and functional enhancement be realized, but also the market competitiveness of the product can be significantly improved. In the future, with the in-depth development of intelligent manufacturing and green design concepts, the optimization of sheet metal structures will continuously evolve towards higher integration and stronger environmental adaptability.