Cam-Actuated Control Valve for Engine Thermal Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermostatic valves in internal combustion engines suffer from long response times and imprecise temperature control, leading to suboptimal heat management and engine performance, especially during engine start-up, due to high thermal inertia and frictional forces associated with dynamic seals.
Innovation Solution
A control valve unit with a cam or cam disk having control tracks that actuate closure elements, utilizing sensors and actuators for precise control of outlet openings, and employing elastic seals to manage frictional forces without dynamic seals between closure elements and outlet lines, allowing for quick switching and continuous adjustment of flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wax thermostats are used for temperature control, then the cooling liquid flow can be regulated, but the response time is long due to high thermal inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wax thermostat's thermal expansion mechanism with a cam-based mechanical control system. The cam profile directly actuates the closure element without relying on thermal inertia, enabling rapid response times while maintaining precise temperature control through the geometric design of the cam track.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the thermal mass (wax element) from the control mechanism, eliminating the source of thermal inertia. The closure element is directly actuated by the cam mechanism rather than being moved by wax expansion, thereby removing the delay caused by heating the wax to its expansion temperature.
2Reliability
If dynamic seals are used in control valves, then the outlet openings can be sealed, but frictional forces increase requiring oversized actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes dynamic seals from the closure element actuation mechanism. Instead of sealing through a moving valve stem with dynamic seals, the closure element is actuated by a cam that pushes it directly onto the seat, eliminating the need for dynamic seals and their associated frictional forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a moving stem with seals to open and close the valve, the invention inverts the approach by using a cam to push the closure element onto a stationary seat. The sealing action is inverted from a sliding seal to a direct contact seal, eliminating friction during operation.
3Reliability
If closure elements are oversized to ensure sealing, then fluid-tight seal is achieved, but the reaction time of the shutter elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element features a curved or conical sealing surface that concentrates the sealing force at a small contact area with the seat. This curved geometry allows the element to seal effectively while maintaining low mass and fast response time, as the sealing action is focused rather than distributed across a large area.
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 solution enables rapid and precise control of thermal regulation flows, reducing emissions and improving engine performance by optimizing the utilization of thermal capacity and flow distribution, while minimizing frictional forces and maintaining a fluid-tight seal without internal dynamic seals.
Implementation Method 1
consists of at least one displaceable or rotatable cam or a rotating cam disk. The cam or the cam disk is equipped with at least two control tracks, each associated with a closure element
Implementation Method 2
employing elastic seals to manage frictional forces without dynamic seals between closure elements and outlet lines
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4d
Figure 5a~5d
AI summary
The invention relates to a control valve unit for a liquid circuit of an internal combustion engine, comprising a valve housing (1) having at least one inlet opening (2) or outlet opening (2') and at least two outlet openings (31, 32, 33) or inlet openings (3'1, 3'2, 3'3) and at least two closing elements (41, 42, 43) actuated by a control device (22), said closing elements selectively opening or closing an associated outlet opening (31, 32, 33) or inlet opening (3'1, 3'2, 3'3). Each of said closing elements (41, 42, 43) can be continuously adjusted between a maximum open position and a closed position. The control device (22) consists of at least one displaceable or rotatable cam (6), wherein the control device (22) is equipped with at least two cam tracks (71, 72, 73), each of which is assigned to a closing element (41, 42, 43) and acts on at least one driving pin (11) that is in contact with said closing element (41, 42, 43). The cams (6) are adjusted by an actuator (8).