Cooling liquid multi-way valve of integrated executing mechanism
By integrating an actuator and a preload spring to automatically adjust the preload pressure, combined with a brushless motor, the problems of seal wear and noise are solved, enabling rapid rotation and miniaturization of the coolant multi-way valve.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520866393.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-05-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing multi-way coolant valves suffer from unstable sealing performance due to wear-sensitive seals and changes in preload pressure. They also require high-torque actuators and gear reduction mechanisms, resulting in slow valve core rotation and high noise.
An integrated actuator is adopted, which includes the motor stator and rotor integrated into the valve cover and valve core. The preload pressure is automatically adjusted by using a preload spring and a conical structure. Combined with a brushless motor, the valve core can be rotated quickly, eliminating the need for a gear reduction mechanism.
It reduces wear on seals, improves the stability of sealing performance, reduces noise, and enables rapid rotation of the valve core and miniaturization of multi-way valves.
Smart Images
Figure CN223938742U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a coolant multi-way valve with an integrated actuator. Background Technology
[0002] A multi-way valve consists of a housing, a valve core, a valve cover, a seal, and an actuator. The seal is installed between the housing and the valve core, and a pre-tightening pressure is generated through an interference fit to achieve a seal. That is, the thickness of the unpressurized seal is greater than the gap between the housing and the valve core. When the valve core rotates, this pre-tightening pressure will cause high friction between the valve core and the seal, resulting in high wear of the seal.
[0003] When the housing and valve core undergo thermal deformation due to changes in coolant temperature, the gap between them changes. When the gap increases, the preload pressure of the seal decreases, thus affecting the sealing performance; when the gap decreases, the preload pressure and friction become too high, and the sealing performance becomes more sensitive to temperature.
[0004] To achieve the rotation of the valve core, a high-torque actuator (including a motor and a set of gear reduction mechanisms) is required to overcome the high torque caused by the high friction between the valve core and the seal, which greatly increases the cost and weight, and the actuator will occupy additional space.
[0005] The use of a gear reduction mechanism to generate large rotational torque results in low valve core rotation speed and slow connection mode switching.
[0006] Not only does the friction between the valve core and the seals generate noise, but the motor and gear reduction mechanism also generate noise during operation. Utility Model Content
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a coolant multi-way valve with an integrated actuator.
[0008] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0009] A multi-way coolant valve with an integrated actuator is characterized by comprising a housing, a valve cover integrally connected to the housing, a motor stator, and a motor rotor. The valve core is placed in the cavity formed by the housing and the valve cover. The motor stator is integrated into the valve cover, and correspondingly, the motor rotor is integrated into the valve core. A positioning post 1 is axially protruding from the center of the inner cavity of the valve cover. A preload spring is fitted on the positioning post 1. The valve core opposite to the positioning post 1 has a positioning groove 1 for accommodating the preload spring and for engaging the positioning post 1. The top of the preload spring abuts against the valve cover, and the bottom abuts against the valve core. A sealing element is fitted in the groove of the housing, and the valve core is fitted in the sealing element. A positioning post 2 is axially protruding from the center of the bottom of the groove of the housing. The bottom surface of the valve core opposite to the positioning post 2 has a positioning groove 2 for engaging the positioning post 2. The valve core can rotate about the positioning post 1 and the positioning post 2 as an axis.
[0010] The housing is provided with multiple coolant ports, and the seal has radial openings corresponding to the coolant ports on the housing. The valve core has flow channels to connect to different coolant ports on the housing. The flow channels of the valve core, the holes of the seal, and the different coolant ports on the housing form one or more closed coolant pipeline channels.
[0011] Furthermore, in the aforementioned integrated actuator coolant multi-way valve, the groove of the housing is in the shape of an inverted frustum cone, and correspondingly, the seal is also in the shape of an inverted frustum cone, and the part of the valve core that mates with the seal is also in the shape of an inverted frustum cone.
[0012] Furthermore, in the aforementioned integrated actuator coolant multi-way valve, the motor stator is encapsulated and embedded inside the valve cover, and correspondingly, the motor rotor is encapsulated and embedded inside the valve core.
[0013] Furthermore, in the aforementioned integrated actuator coolant multi-way valve, the inner wall of the seal is provided with a sealing strip that contacts the outer wall of the valve core to form a seal.
[0014] Furthermore, in the aforementioned integrated actuator coolant multi-way valve, the outer wall of the seal is tightly fitted with the inner wall of the groove of the housing to form a seal.
[0015] Furthermore, in the aforementioned integrated actuator coolant multi-way valve, the edge of the valve cover is sealed to the housing via a threaded connection or welding.
[0016] Furthermore, in the aforementioned integrated actuator coolant multi-way valve, positioning pin one is fitted into positioning groove one, positioning pin two is fitted into positioning groove two, the upward displacement of the valve core is constrained and limited by the bottom surface of positioning pin one, and the downward displacement of the valve core is constrained and limited by the top surface of positioning pin two.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has significant advantages and beneficial effects, specifically reflected in the following aspects:
[0018] ① This utility model enables the pre-tightening pressure of the sealing element to automatically decrease when the valve core rotates, thereby reducing the wear of the sealing element. The wear of the sealing element is small, which solves the problem of the sealing performance decreasing with wear; the pre-tightening pressure automatically increases when the valve core stops rotating, maintaining high sealing performance.
[0019] ② An axial force is generated by the preload spring, forming a radial preload pressure on the contact surface between the conical valve core and the seal. The preload spring applies a continuous and constant preload pressure to the seal, and the sealing performance is not sensitive to temperature.
[0020] ③ Because the valve core is in a low preload pressure and low torque state when rotating, the motor does not need to use a gear reduction mechanism to achieve the rotation of the valve core, and there is no need to equip it with a high torque actuator; and the motor is integrated into the valve body and valve core, realizing the miniaturization of multi-way valves;
[0021] ④ Because there is no gear reduction mechanism and the rotational torque is low, the valve core can rotate at a faster speed. The fast rotation speed of the valve core enables the switching of connection modes.
[0022] ⑤ The preload pressure of the valve core and seals decreases during rotation, resulting in low noise from friction; the rotation of the valve core is achieved by a brushless motor without gears, resulting in low noise.
[0023] Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing specific embodiments of the invention. The objects and other advantages of this invention can be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0025] Figure 1 : An exploded structural diagram of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 3 : A schematic diagram showing the motor in its off-state working condition;
[0028] Figure 4 : A schematic diagram of the motor in the working state. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0030] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, directional and ordinal terms are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0031] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the coolant multi-way valve with integrated actuator includes a housing 7, a valve cover 1 integrally connected to the housing 7, a motor stator 2, and a motor rotor 4. The valve core 5 is placed in the cavity formed by the housing 7 and the valve cover 1. The motor stator 2 is encased and embedded inside the valve cover 1, and correspondingly, the motor rotor 4 is encased and embedded inside the valve core 5. A positioning post 8 is axially protruding from the center of the inner cavity of the valve cover 1. A preload spring 3 is sleeved on the positioning post 8. The valve core 5 opposite to the preload spring 3 has a positioning groove 9 for accommodating the preload spring 3 and for cooperating with the positioning post 8. The top of the preload spring 3 abuts against the valve cover 1, and the bottom abuts against the valve core 5. The preload spring 3 is always under pressure, and the valve core 5 is always subjected to a downward axial force from the preload spring. The positioning post 8 is fitted into the positioning groove 9. The groove of body 7 is shaped like an inverted frustum conical. Correspondingly, the sealing element 6 is also shaped like an inverted frustum conical. The part of valve core 5 that mates with the sealing element 6 is also shaped like an inverted frustum conical. The sealing element 6 mates in the groove of body 7, and valve core 5 mates in the sealing element 6. A sealing strip protrudes from the inner wall of the sealing element 6 and contacts the outer wall of valve core 5 to form a seal. The outer wall of the sealing element 6 is in close contact with the inner wall of the groove of body 7 to form a seal. A positioning post 10 protrudes axially from the center of the bottom of the groove of body 7. A positioning groove 11 is opened on the bottom surface of valve core 5 opposite to the positioning post 10 for mates with the positioning post 10. The positioning post 10 mates in the positioning groove 11. Valve core 5 can rotate about the positioning post 8 and the positioning post 10. The upward displacement of valve core 5 is constrained by the bottom surface of the positioning post 8, and the downward displacement is constrained by the top surface of the positioning post 10.
[0032] The housing 7 is provided with multiple coolant ports, and the sealing element 6 has radial openings corresponding to the coolant ports on the housing 7. The valve core 5 has flow channels to connect to different coolant ports on the housing 7. The flow channels of the valve core 5, the holes of the sealing element 6, and the different coolant ports on the housing 7 form one or more closed coolant pipeline channels.
[0033] The edge of the valve cover 1 is sealed to the housing 7 by means of threaded connection or welding, so as to achieve the sealing between the coolant and the outside world.
[0034] like Figure 3 In state one, when the valve core 5 does not need to rotate, the motor is not energized, the valve core 5 is pressed down, and the contact area between the seal 6 and the valve core 5 is at its maximum. Specifically, the motor stator 2 is not energized, the valve core 5 is pressed down by the preload spring 3 until it is limited by the positioning post 10 on the housing 7, the gap between the valve core 5 and the housing 7 becomes smaller, and the contact area between the sealing strip on the seal 6 and the valve core 5 is at its maximum. The centers of the motor stator 2 and the motor rotor 4 are not at the same height, and there is an eccentric distance between them. Because the motor stator 2 is not energized, there is no or only a weak magnetic attraction between the motor stator 2 and the motor rotor 4, which is much lower than the force of the preload spring 3.
[0035] like Figure 4 In state two, when the valve core 5 needs to rotate, the motor is energized, the valve core 5 is lifted, the contact area between the seal 6 and the valve core 5 becomes smaller, the friction decreases, and a smaller torque is needed to rotate the valve core. Specifically, the motor stator 2 is energized, the magnetic attraction between the motor rotor 4 and the motor stator 2 increases and exceeds the preload pressure of the preload spring 3, the valve core 5 rises until the eccentricity between the motor stator 2 and the motor rotor 4 is eliminated, the gap between the valve core 5 and the housing 7 increases, the contact area between the sealing strip on the seal 6 and the valve core 5 decreases, the friction decreases, and the torque value required to rotate the valve core 5 becomes smaller. This utility model can control the rotation of the motor rotor 4 and the valve core 5 without the need for a gear reduction mechanism.
[0036] During rotation, although the contact area between the seal 6 and the valve core 5 decreases, they still maintain contact. Furthermore, the valve core 5 can quickly complete the rotation and return to state one under low torque resistance, so the impact on sealing performance is minimal.
[0037] The actuator contains only the motor stator 2 and the motor rotor 4, which are integrated into the multi-way valve and are relatively small in size.
[0038] The axial force generated by the preload spring 3 forms a radial preload pressure at the contact surface between the conical valve core and the seal.
[0039] In summary, this invention enables the pre-tightening pressure of the seal to automatically decrease when the valve core rotates, thereby reducing the wear of the seal and minimizing wear, thus solving the problem of decreased sealing performance due to wear. The pre-tightening pressure automatically increases when the valve core stops rotating, maintaining high sealing performance.
[0040] By applying a continuous and constant preload pressure to the seal using a preload spring, the sealing performance is insensitive to temperature.
[0041] Because the valve core is in a low preload pressure and low torque state when rotating, the motor does not need to use a gear reduction mechanism to achieve the rotation of the valve core, and there is no need to equip it with a high torque actuator; moreover, the motor is integrated into the valve body and valve core, realizing the miniaturization of multi-way valves.
[0042] Because it has no gear reduction mechanism and low rotational torque, it can rotate the valve core at a faster speed, and the fast rotation speed of the valve core enables the switching of connection modes.
[0043] The preload pressure of the valve core and seals decreases during rotation, resulting in low noise from friction. The rotation of the valve core is achieved by a brushless motor without gears, further reducing noise.
[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need further definition and explanation in subsequent figures.
[0045] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0046] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.
Claims
1. A multi-way coolant valve with an integrated actuator, characterized in that: The device includes a housing (7), a valve cover (1) integrally connected to the housing (7), a motor stator (2), and a motor rotor (4). The valve core (5) is placed in the cavity formed by the housing (7) and the valve cover (1). The motor stator (2) is integrated into the valve cover (1), and correspondingly, the motor rotor (4) is integrated into the valve core (5). A positioning post (8) is axially protruding from the center of the cavity of the valve cover (1). A preload spring (3) is sleeved on the positioning post (8), and the valve core (5) opposite to it has an opening for accommodating the preload spring (3). And a positioning groove (9) for cooperating with positioning post one (8), the top of the pre-tightening spring (3) abuts against the valve cover (1) and the bottom abuts against the valve core (5), a sealing element (6) is fitted in the groove of the housing (7), the valve core (5) is fitted in the sealing element (6), a positioning post two (10) is axially protruding from the center of the bottom of the groove of the housing (7), and a positioning groove two (11) for cooperating with positioning post two (10) is opened on the bottom surface of the valve core (5) opposite to it, and the valve core (5) can rotate about positioning post one (8) and positioning post two (10) as the axis; The housing (7) is provided with multiple coolant ports, and the seal (6) has radial openings corresponding to the coolant ports on the housing (7). The valve core (5) has flow channels to connect different coolant ports on the housing (7). The flow channels of the valve core (5), the holes of the seal (6), and the different coolant ports on the housing (7) form one or more closed coolant pipeline channels.
2. The coolant multi-way valve with integrated actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove of the housing (7) is in the shape of an inverted frustum. Correspondingly, the seal (6) is also in the shape of an inverted frustum, and the part of the valve core (5) that mates with the seal (6) is also in the shape of an inverted frustum.
3. The coolant multi-way valve with integrated actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor stator (2) is encapsulated and embedded inside the valve cover (1), and correspondingly, the motor rotor (4) is encapsulated and embedded inside the valve core (5).
4. The coolant multi-way valve with integrated actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the seal (6) is provided with a sealing strip, which contacts the outer wall of the valve core (5) to form a seal.
5. The coolant multi-way valve with integrated actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer wall of the seal (6) is tightly attached to the inner wall of the groove of the housing (7) to form a seal.
6. The coolant multi-way valve with integrated actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The edge of the valve cover (1) is sealed to the housing (7) by means of threaded connection or welding.
7. The coolant multi-way valve with integrated actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: Positioning pin one (8) is fitted in positioning groove one (9), and positioning pin two (10) is fitted in positioning groove two (11). The upward displacement of valve core (5) is constrained by the bottom surface of positioning pin one (8), and the downward displacement of valve core (5) is constrained by the top surface of positioning pin two (10).