Integrated Branch Piece With Throttle Cross-Sections for Flow Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of fluid circuits with throttles is expensive due to the need for individual components, and existing branch pieces for dividing or combining fluid flows are not efficient in simplifying this process.
Innovation Solution
A branch piece with multiple inflow and outflow connections of varying throttle cross-section sizes, allowing for the division of fluid flows into different volumes, is designed to simplify the production of fluid circuits by being made in one piece and suitable for connection with fluid lines, with the option of being injection molded or produced through additive manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual throttle components are used to set different volume flows in fluid circuits, then flow control precision is improved, but production cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple throttle functions into a single branch piece component. The branch piece integrates an inlet channel with multiple outlet channels, where each outlet channel has a differently sized cross-section to provide distinct throttle characteristics. This merging of multiple individual throttle components into one integrated part reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to control different volume flows in each branch.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: it divides the fluid flow into multiple branches and provides throttle control for each branch through its differently sized outlet cross-sections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate throttle components for each branch, reducing both device complexity and production costs while maintaining precise flow control capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual throttle components are assembled into fluid circuits, then flow distribution control is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple throttle functions into a single injection-molded branch piece. The component includes an inlet channel and multiple outlet channels with differently sized cross-sections, allowing flow distribution control for multiple branches in one integrated part. This eliminates the need to assemble multiple individual throttle components, reducing production costs while maintaining precise flow distribution control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves different throttle characteristics by varying the cross-sectional dimensions of the outlet channels during the injection molding process. Each outlet channel is designed with specific width and depth parameters that determine its flow capacity. This parameter variation within a single component allows precise flow distribution control without requiring multiple different components, thereby reducing production costs.
3Productivity
If branch pieces with different outlet cross-sections are used to divide fluid flows, then flow division efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves efficient flow division by varying the cross-sectional parameters of the outlet channels within a single branch piece. Each outlet channel has differently sized width and depth dimensions that are optimized for its specific flow requirements. These parameter variations are integrated into one component through injection molding, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving high flow division efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch piece is segmented into multiple outlet channels, each with independently optimized cross-sectional dimensions. This segmentation allows each branch to be tailored for specific flow requirements while remaining part of a single integrated component. The segmentation is achieved through the molding process rather than assembly, avoiding increased manufacturing complexity.
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 allows for the efficient division of fluid flows into different volumes, reducing production costs and complexity by enabling the use of standardized connection diameters for fluid lines, while maintaining flexibility in flow adjustment through varying throttle cross-sections.
Implementation Method 1
throttles are used in fluid circuits, which are used to set different volume flows along different flow paths of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
A volume flow entering the branch piece can be divided in a predetermined manner via the branch piece, with a first volume flow being set via the first throttle cross section and a second volume flow (differing from the first) via the second throttle cross section
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a branch piece (1) for a fluid line (2), at least comprising a first inflow connection (3) with a first inflow cross-section (4), a first outflow connection (5) with a first throttle cross-section (6), and a second outflow connection (7) with a second throttle cross-section (8), wherein the outflow connections (5, 7) are connected to the first inflow connection (3) within the branch piece (1) via a respective flow path (9, 10) for a fluid, and the throttle cross-sections (6, 8) are different in size.