One-Piece Check Valve Structure for Tight Sealing and Easy Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves used in temperature control circuits for electromobility applications are costly to produce and assemble due to their multi-part housing design, which complicates tightness maintenance and increases component count.
Innovation Solution
A check valve with a one-piece flow channel made from the same material, incorporating a movably arranged blocking body and retaining element, which reduces the number of components and simplifies assembly by integrating the blocking body, retaining element, and blocking body seat directly into the flow channel, enhancing tightness and reducing assembly effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a multi-part housing design is used for the check valve, then the assembly can be manufactured with standard components, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing and flow channel into a single integrated component made from the same material. This eliminates the need for separate housing parts and reduces the total number of components, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a multi-part housing design is used for the check valve, then individual components can be manufactured separately, but the assembly effort increases and tightness maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the housing and flow channel into one piece, the patent eliminates multiple assembly steps and connection points. This reduces assembly effort and simplifies tightness maintenance, as there are no separate parts to connect or seal.
3Device complexity
If a one-piece flow channel design is used, then the number of components is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach by forming the flow channel as an integrated part of the housing through a single molding process. This parameter change in the manufacturing method allows for reduced component count while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modern plastic molding techniques.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for the flow channel, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the tightness of the flow channel decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow channel with the housing into a single integral component. This eliminates seams, joints, and connection points between separate parts, thereby ensuring continuous tightness and preventing fluid leakage while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through molding design.
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 one-piece design improves tightness, reduces assembly complexity, and lowers production costs by minimizing components, making the check valve more cost-effective and easier to manufacture in large quantities while maintaining operational safety and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking body is movable by a pressure difference of the fluid flowing through the flow channel. Depending on the flow direction, different pressure differences can be present on opposite sides of the blocking body, so that the blocking body can be moved into the blocking position or the flow-through position.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Check valve (1) comprising a flow channel (2) through which a fluid flows and at least one blocking element (3), wherein the blocking element (3) is movably arranged in the flow channel (2), wherein the blocking element (3) is movable between a closed position and a free position, wherein a retaining element (4) and a blocking element seat (5) are arranged in the flow channel (2), wherein the retaining element (4) limits movement of the blocking element (3), wherein in a first flow direction of the fluid the blocking element (3) moves into the closed position such that the blocking element (3) seals against the blocking element seat (5) and closes the flow channel (2), and wherein in a second flow direction of the fluid the blocking element (3) moves into the free position and opens the flow channel (2), wherein the flow channel (2) extends at least around the blocking element (3),the retaining element (4) and the locking element seat (5) extend and are formed in one piece and of uniform material, as well as a pipe with a check valve (1).