Capacity Control Valve With Auxiliary Valve Hold-Open Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacity control valves for variable capacity compressors face inefficiencies in discharging liquid refrigerant, leading to increased engine load and decreased energy efficiency, as they focus solely on rapid discharge without considering pressure variations during the process.

Innovation Solution

A capacity control valve design featuring a valve body with specific communication passages, a pressure-sensitive element, and a solenoid-driven mechanism with biasing members to maintain the auxiliary valve portion in a fully open state from the start to completion of liquid refrigerant discharge, ensuring efficient discharge regardless of suction chamber pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the auxiliary valve portion is allowed to close during liquid refrigerant discharge, then the valve structure operates normally under pressure variations, but the discharge efficiency decreases and engine load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid refrigerant discharge efficiencyVSAvoidengine load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the auxiliary valve portion remain dynamically open throughout the discharge process. The solenoid unit maintains electromagnetic force to counteract the closing tendency of the auxiliary valve portion, ensuring it stays open during liquid refrigerant discharge. This dynamic control prevents valve closure that would otherwise occur due to pressure variations, thereby maintaining discharge efficiency while reducing engine load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through the solenoid unit that responds to pressure conditions during discharge. The solenoid unit continuously adjusts electromagnetic force based on the discharge state to maintain the auxiliary valve portion in an open position. This feedback mechanism ensures the valve remains open despite pressure changes, optimizing discharge efficiency and minimizing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the auxiliary valve portion remains fully open during liquid refrigerant discharge, then discharge efficiency and energy efficiency improve, but control over pressure variations becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid refrigerant discharge efficiencyVSAvoidpressure control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The solenoid unit provides feedback control by continuously monitoring and adjusting electromagnetic force to maintain the auxiliary valve portion in a fully open state. This feedback mechanism compensates for pressure variations, ensuring stable control while maintaining high discharge efficiency throughout the discharge process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of the auxiliary valve portion from a dynamically varying opening to a consistently fully open state during discharge. This parameter change is maintained through solenoid control, which adjusts electromagnetic force to counteract pressure-induced closing tendencies, thereby ensuring both high discharge efficiency and pressure control stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional capacity control valves are used without auxiliary valve control, then the valve structure is simpler, but liquid refrigerant discharge is inefficient and engine load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structure complexityVSAvoidliquid refrigerant discharge efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the valve structure into a main valve portion and an auxiliary valve portion, each with distinct functions. The auxiliary valve portion is specifically designed to remain open during discharge, while the main valve portion controls the primary flow. This segmentation enables efficient liquid refrigerant discharge without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solenoid unit serves multiple functions: it controls the main valve portion for primary flow regulation and simultaneously maintains the auxiliary valve portion in an open state during discharge. This multi-functionality achieves improved discharge efficiency without adding separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design enables efficient liquid refrigerant discharge, reducing engine load and improving energy efficiency by maintaining a consistent flow rate and pressure, allowing the compressor to transition to cooling operation quickly while minimizing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure-sensitive element 124 that is arranged in the valve body on the side of the third communication passages 13 and extends and contracts in response to an ambient pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensitivity: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a solenoid 30 that drives a rod 36; wherein the rod 36 moves relative to the valve element 120 to press the pressure-sensitive element 124

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3712433B1Capacity control valve and capacity control valve control method
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 EAGLE INDS
  • EP3712433B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3712433B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3712433B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Technical problem] To provide a capacity control valve that allows a liquid refrigerant to be efficiently discharged regardless of a pressure in a suction chamber and allow a driving force of a compressor to be decreased during a liquid refrigerant discharge operation [Solution Problem] The capacity control valve includes: a valve body 10 having first communication passages 11, second communication passages 12, third communication passages 13, and a main valve seat 15a; a valve element 20 having an intermediate communication passage 29, a main valve portion 21c and an auxiliary valve portion 23d; a pressure-sensitive element 24 disposed in the valve body 10; a solenoid 30 that drives a rod 36; a first biasing member 43 that biases in a valve closing direction of the main valve portion 21c; and a second biasing member 44 that biases in a valve opening direction of the main valve portion 21c, wherein the rod 36 moves relative to the valve element 20 to press the pressure-sensitive element 24.