Capacity Control Valve With CS Valve for Startup Discharge Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

During continuous driving of a variable displacement compressor, refrigerant flows from the control port into the suction port through an auxiliary communication passage, leading to deteriorated compression efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A capacity control valve design featuring a main valve and a CS valve that allows communication between the control port and suction port only during maximum energization, with the CS valve body externally fitted to the main valve body, enabling precise control and maintaining a closed state to prevent refrigerant flow during normal operation, assisted by a pressure drive unit operated by suction pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an auxiliary communication passage is always in communication between control port and suction port, then fluid discharge function during startup is improved, but compression efficiency deteriorates during continuous driving

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid discharge function during startupVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the auxiliary communication passage dynamically controllable rather than always open. A CS valve (second valve) is introduced to selectively open or close the auxiliary communication passage between the control port and suction port based on operational conditions. During startup, the CS valve opens to allow rapid pressure equalization and improve fluid discharge function. During continuous driving, the CS valve closes to prevent refrigerant leakage and maintain compression efficiency. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by adapting the system state to different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the auxiliary communication passage is opened to discharge control chamber refrigerant during startup, then responsiveness is improved, but refrigerant flows into suction port during continuous driving causing efficiency loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness during startupVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the valve control into two independent valve bodies: a main valve body for primary flow control and a CS valve body for auxiliary communication control. The CS valve body specifically manages the auxiliary communication passage between control port and suction port, while the main valve body handles the primary refrigerant flow. This segmentation allows independent control of each function, enabling the CS valve to open during startup for rapid response while closing during continuous driving to prevent efficiency loss, without interfering with the main valve's operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a separate housing is provided for each filter in the capacity control valve, then filter installation is simplified, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter installationVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by integrating multiple filter housings into a single unified housing structure. Instead of providing separate housings for each filter (which would increase device complexity), the design combines the housing functions, allowing multiple filters to be installed within one integrated housing. This reduces the number of separate components, simplifies the overall valve structure, and maintains ease of filter installation and maintenance while avoiding increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 a good fluid discharge function during startup and high compression efficiency by controlling the communication between the control and suction ports only when necessary, thereby maintaining optimal performance.

Implementation Method 1

a rod driven by a solenoid; and a main valve that includes a main valve seat and a main valve body to open and close a communication between the discharge port and the control port in accordance with a movement of the rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

a pressure drive unit disposed in a suction fluid supply chamber which is formed in the valve housing and to which the suction fluid is supplied, the pressure drive unit being operated by the suction pressure and coupled to the main valve body so as to be movable together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3892855B1Capacity control valve
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 EAGLE INDS
  • EP3892855B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892855B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3892855B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a capacity control valve having a good fluid discharge function during startup and a high compression efficiency. A capacity control valve V includes: valve housings 10, 11, and 12 provided with a discharge port 14, a suction port 13, and a control port 15; and a main valve 50 that includes a main valve seat 53a and a main valve body 51 to open and close a communication between the discharge port 14 and the control port 15 as a rod 83 driven by a solenoid 80 moves. The capacity control valve V further includes: a pressure drive unit 61 disposed in a suction fluid supply chamber 60, operated by a suction pressure Ps, and coupled to the main valve body 51 so as to be movable together; and a CS valve 54 having a CS valve seat 12a and a CS valve body 53 to open and close a communication between the control port 15 and the suction port 13. The CS valve body 53 is disposed so as to be movable relative to the main valve body 51. Upon the movement of the rod 83 in a closed state of the main valve 50, the main valve body 51 and the CS valve body 53 move together.