Axially Preloaded Sealing Element for Rotary Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing elements for coolant control valves require multiple components to ensure reliable axial preload against the rotary valve body, leading to increased assembly time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An integrally formed resilient axially compressible portion within the sealing element provides axial preload, eliminating the need for additional biasing components like springs by engaging with a seat or circumferential shoulder in the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components (spring, sealing element, biasing mechanism) are used to ensure reliable axial preload, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with an integrated resilient axially compressible portion that combines the sealing function and the biasing function into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate springs or biasing mechanisms, reducing the number of parts while maintaining reliable axial preload against the rotary valve body.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing contact with the rotary valve body, maintains axial preload through its compressible portion, and eliminates the need for separate biasing components. This multi-functional design reduces assembly complexity while ensuring reliable operation.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used to maintain sealing contact, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the biasing function into the sealing element itself through the resilient axially compressible portion, the number of assembly steps is reduced. The single component can be installed in one operation, eliminating the need to separately assemble springs or biasing mechanisms, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Device complexity
If a resilient axially compressible portion is integrated into the sealing element, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is made from elastomeric or polymeric materials that inherently provide both sealing and resilient biasing properties. This material selection allows the integration of multiple functions in a single component without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the material's elastic properties compensate for minor dimensional variations.
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 solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces the number of components, and maintains reliable sealing contact with the rotary valve body, preventing leakage while ensuring efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a second axial end including a resilient axially compressible portion that engages against a seat in the housing or a fitting arranged in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arrangement including a sealing element is provided. The valve arrangement includes a housing having a port. A rotary valve body includes an opening, and the rotary valve body is arranged within the housing. The port of the housing and the opening of the rotary valve body are alignable with each other via rotation of the rotary valve body in the housing. A sealing element is arranged within the port. The sealing element includes a seal body having a first axial end engaged against the rotary valve body and a second axial end including a resilient axially compressible portion that engages against a seat in the housing. The resilient axially compressible portion of the sealing element preloads the sealing element axially against the rotary valve body.