Bidirectional Control Valve with Dual Differential Pressure Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electromagnetic valves used in refrigeration cycles of air conditioners lack controllability in both flow directions, leading to degraded performance when pressure differences cause the main valve body to open unexpectedly, necessitating additional valves or complex configurations to manage flow direction changes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple differential pressure valves within the valve body ensures equal fluid pressure on the main valve body in both flow directions, preventing unintended operation due to differential pressure and maintaining controllability without increasing the number of parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single electromagnetic valve is used with one differential pressure valve, then the structure is simple, but the valve cannot maintain controllability in both flow directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional flow capabilityVSAvoidcontrollability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single differential pressure valve is divided into two separate differential pressure valves, each responsible for one flow direction. This segmentation allows each valve to independently maintain pressure balance in its respective direction, ensuring controllability in both forward and reverse flows without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve is designed with dual differential pressure valves to achieve multi-functionality, enabling the same valve body to handle both forward and reverse flow directions with equal controllability. This universal design eliminates the need for separate valves for different flow directions.

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

2Reliability

If multiple electromagnetic valves are installed in parallel to handle both flow directions, then bidirectional controllability is achieved, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrollability in both flowsVSAvoidnumber of valves
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Two separate electromagnetic valve configurations are merged into a single integrated valve body with dual differential pressure valves. This combination maintains the controllability of both flow directions while reducing the total number of separate valve components from two to one, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single control valve is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating two differential pressure valves that independently manage pressure balance for forward and reverse flows, eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing system complexity.

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

3Device complexity

If the differential pressure valve is omitted to simplify the structure, then the number of parts is reduced, but the main valve body opens unexpectedly under pressure difference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of differential pressure valvesVSAvoidvalve stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure balance function is segmented into two independent differential pressure valves, each monitoring and balancing pressure for one flow direction. This ensures that the main valve body remains stable and does not open unexpectedly, as each differential pressure valve independently prevents pressure-induced opening in its respective direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single differential pressure valve is used, then the structure is simple, but the fluid pressure acting on the main valve body is not equalized in both flow directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of differential pressure valvesVSAvoidfluid pressure balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure balance system is segmented into two independent differential pressure valves, each responsible for equalizing fluid pressure in one flow direction. This segmentation ensures that pressure balance is independently maintained for both forward and reverse flows, providing stable pressure composition in all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration ensures reliable controllability in both flow directions by equalizing fluid pressure on the main valve body, preventing unintended opening or closing due to pressure differences, thus enhancing the valve's operational stability and reducing the need for additional components.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of differential pressure valves 50, 60, 70, and 80 are disposed to be assembled inside the valve body 10 so that a fluid pressure acting on the main valve body 20 disposed inside the main valve chamber 13 becomes the same in a flow of both directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3447404B1Control valve
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 FUJIKOKI CORP
  • EP3447404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3447404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3447404B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a control valve capable of ensuring controllability in both flows without increasing the number of parts. A plurality of differential pressure valves 50, 60, 70, and 80 are disposed inside a valve body 10 so that a fluid pressure acting on a main valve body 20 disposed inside a main valve chamber 13 becomes the same in a flow of both directions including one direction from a first inlet/outlet 11 to a second inlet/outlet 12 through the main valve chamber 13 and the other direction from the second inlet/outlet 12 to the first inlet/outlet 11 through the main valve chamber 13.