Check Valve Spring Layout for Freeze Expansion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves in fluid systems, such as those in motor vehicles, face damage due to fluid expansion during freezing, as existing preloading mechanisms are insufficient to manage pressure changes and prevent fluid flow when inlet pressure is below specified levels.
Innovation Solution
The check valve incorporates multiple preloading elements, including restoring springs, to ensure the sealing element abuts the sealing seat in a closed position, even when inlet pressure is below the specified level, and compensates for fluid expansion by compressing these elements, preventing damage from freezing. Additionally, the valve design includes a radially sealed configuration to prevent fluid flow unless the inlet pressure exceeds the specified threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single preloading element is used to close the valve at low inlet pressure, then the valve sealing is improved, but the valve cannot compensate for fluid expansion during freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The single preloading element is divided into multiple preloading elements (first preloading element and second preloading element) with different functions. The first preloading element ensures valve sealing at low inlet pressure, while the second preloading element compensates for fluid expansion during freezing. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and freezing compensation capability.
2Reliability
If the preloading element is designed to maintain sealing at low pressure, then sealing reliability is improved, but the valve body cannot move freely to compensate for expansion
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the valve system are given different degrees of movability. The valve member is constrained to maintain sealing contact, while the valve body is allowed to move axially to compensate for expansion. The first preloading element acts locally on the valve member to maintain sealing, while the second preloading element acts on the valve body to allow controlled movement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between maintaining sealing reliability and enabling necessary movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple preloading elements are added to handle freezing, then freezing compensation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second preloading element is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall complexity. It simultaneously provides freezing compensation by allowing valve body movement and maintains a degree of sealing pressure through its interaction with the valve member. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional separate components, mitigating the increase in device complexity while achieving freezing compensation capability.
4Reliability
If the valve member is strongly preloaded for sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but the valve cannot respond to pressure changes and fluid expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The preloading function is segmented between two elements with different stiffness characteristics and force magnitudes. The first preloading element provides strong localized preload on the valve member for reliable sealing. The second preloading element provides a weaker, more compliant preload on the valve body that allows movement in response to pressure changes and expansion. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously achieve strong sealing performance and pressure responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses different parameter values for the two preloading elements, particularly in terms of spring constant and preload force magnitude. The first element has higher stiffness and force for sealing, while the second element has lower stiffness and force for compliance. This parameter differentiation allows the valve member to remain firmly seated for sealing while the valve body can move in response to pressure changes, resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and pressure response.
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 effectively prevents damage from freezing by ensuring the sealing element maintains contact with the sealing seat, even during fluid expansion, and ensures fluid flow only when the inlet pressure is adequate, thus protecting the check valve and maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The preloading element and/or the further preloading element and/or the other preloading element is in the form of, for example, a respective restoring spring, such as a restoring coil spring
Implementation Method 2
the expansion of the fluid caused by the freezing may be compensated by virtue of the compressing of the further preloading element in the direction of the inlet opening against the preload force of the further preloading element
Implementation Method 3
the sealing element abuts the sealing seat and closes the through-opening
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve includes: a housing having a main body, which has an inlet opening, a valve body, which has a passage having an outlet opening and which is at least partly arranged in the main body and is axially movable relative to the main body, a valve element, which is at least partly arranged in the valve body for axial movement relative to the valve body and which has a through-opening, a valve member, which is arranged in the valve body between the outlet opening and the valve element and has a sealing element and a valve stem, which is axially movable relative to the valve body, a preloading element, which is designed to preload the valve member toward the valve element with a preload force, wherein the check valve also includes: a further preloading element, which is designed to preload the valve element toward the valve member with a preload force of the further preloading element, and/or another preloading element, which is designed to preload the valve body toward the inlet opening with a preload force of the other preloading element, wherein the valve element includes a sealing seat, which surrounds the through-opening and faces the sealing element, and in a closed position of the check valve the sealing element abuts the sealing seat and closes the through-opening.