Capacity Control Valve for Stable Liquid Coolant Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacity control valves for variable capacity compressors face challenges in efficiently discharging liquid coolant during startup, leading to increased engine load and reduced energy efficiency, as they prioritize quick discharge over stable valve control and engine load management.

Innovation Solution

A capacity control valve design that maintains a fully open auxiliary valve state and uses a combination of biasing members and solenoid drive to stabilize the main valve opening degree, reducing compressor load and ensuring efficient coolant discharge regardless of suction chamber pressure, while minimizing engine load during liquid coolant discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the conventional capacity control valve discharges liquid coolant from the control chamber during startup, then the discharge amount can be improved, but the engine load increases and energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant discharge amountVSAvoidengine load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the auxiliary valve opening controllable rather than fixed. The auxiliary valve opening degree is dynamically adjusted based on suction chamber pressure conditions, allowing the system to optimize between discharge efficiency and energy consumption. When suction pressure is high, the auxiliary valve opens more to accelerate liquid coolant discharge; when suction pressure is low, the auxiliary valve opens less to reduce engine load, thus resolving the contradiction between discharge amount and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the auxiliary valve opening degree is increased to accelerate liquid coolant discharge, then the discharge speed is improved, but the engine load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid coolant discharge speedVSAvoidengine load
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by using suction chamber pressure as a feedback signal to adjust the auxiliary valve opening degree. The control system continuously monitors suction pressure and dynamically adjusts the auxiliary valve opening accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the auxiliary valve opens sufficiently to maintain discharge speed when needed, while closing partially when suction pressure indicates that full opening is unnecessary, thereby reducing engine load and resolving the contradiction between discharge speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the main valve opening degree is stabilized during liquid coolant discharge, then control reliability is improved, but the discharge efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve control stabilityVSAvoidcoolant discharge efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the control functions into two independent valves: the main valve and the auxiliary valve. The main valve is responsible for stable control of the primary flow path, maintaining control reliability through stable opening degree. The auxiliary valve handles the liquid coolant discharge function, optimizing discharge efficiency by adjusting its opening based on suction pressure conditions. This functional segmentation allows both objectives - stable control and efficient discharge - to be achieved simultaneously without compromising either.

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

The solution enables stable and efficient liquid coolant discharge, reducing engine load and improving energy efficiency by maintaining a consistent main valve opening degree and increasing the flow rate from the discharge chamber to the control chamber, thus optimizing compressor operation.

Implementation Method 1

a capacity control valve to be driven and opened/closed by electromagnetic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

the pressure-sensitive body to be extended and contracted by peripheral pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3734070B1Capacity control valve
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 EAGLE INDS
  • EP3734070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3734070B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3734070B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object is to provide a capacity control valve capable of efficiently discharging a liquid coolant irrespective of pressure of a suction chamber and lowering drive force of a compressor at a liquid coolant discharging operation. A capacity control valve 1 includes a valve main body 10 having a first communication passage 11, a second communication passage 12, a third communication passage 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 solenoid 30 that drives a rod 36 having an auxiliary valve seat 26c, and a first biasing member 43 that biases in the valve closing direction of the main valve portion 21c. The rod 36 is relatively moved with respect to the valve element 20 so as to open and close the auxiliary valve portion.