3/2-Way Valve Sealing with One-Piece Elastic Diverter Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3/2-way valves in heat pumps require complex or powerful components for reliable sealing, especially when in contact with water, limiting their service life and efficiency in switching between heating and hot water preparation applications.
Innovation Solution
A 3/2-way valve design featuring a one-piece elastic sealing element with a symmetrically grooved valve piston, allowing for reliable sealing in both positions with reduced axial stiffness and lower contact pressure, utilizing sealing projections and stops to ensure secure sealing without the need for mechanically complex components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing arrangements with multiple O-rings are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate O-ring sealing elements are merged into a single integrated profiled sealing ring that performs sealing functions in both valve positions simultaneously, reducing the number of components while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The profiled sealing ring is designed with multiple sealing projections that can seal against different sealing seats in different positions, making a single component perform multiple sealing functions that previously required separate O-rings
2Reliability
If mechanically complex or powerful components are used for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism transitions from mechanical contact with high contact pressures to elastic deformation with low contact pressures, reducing stress on sealing components and extending service life while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The profiled sealing ring utilizes elastic deformation of a flexible sealing element to achieve sealing, replacing rigid mechanical sealing components that are more prone to wear and failure
3Reliability
If asymmetric groove design is used for sealing element accommodation, then sealing function is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The groove design uses asymmetric delimitations with different inclinations on each side, allowing the sealing element to be retained and properly positioned while maintaining manufacturability through conventional machining processes
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the groove have different geometric properties - one side has a steeper inclination for sealing engagement while the other has a more gradual inclination for retention, optimizing both sealing function and manufacturing ease in different locations
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 achieves reliable and efficient sealing with reduced axial stiffness, enabling improved heat utilization and extended service life by minimizing slippage and maintaining sealing integrity even under varying operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic sealing arrangement, which is arranged radially around the valve piston in such a way that the elastic sealing arrangement causes a seal on a respective sealing seat both in the first position and in the second position by deformation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a 3/2-way valve (10), in particular a heating diverter valve, comprising a valve piston (20), a linear actuator (30) configured to move the valve piston (20) linearly in an axial direction (A) of the valve piston (20) between a first position and a second position, and an elastic sealing arrangement (40) arranged radially around the valve piston (20) such that the elastic sealing arrangement (40) creates a seal at a respective sealing seat (6, 7) in both the first position and the second position by deformation. The elastic sealing arrangement (40) is designed as a one-piece sealing element (42).