Coaxial Dual-Valve Unit With Single-Actuator Independent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling circuits in motor vehicles with multiple valves and actuators have high manufacturing costs and installation space requirements due to the need for multiple cost-intensive actuators to adjust the flow of cooling liquids through various components.
Innovation Solution
A valve unit comprising a single actuator and two coaxially arranged valves, where the first valve is non-releasably coupled to the actuator and the second valve is releasably coupled, allowing independent adjustment of both valves to achieve various switching positions, reducing manufacturing costs and installation space by using a single actuator to control both valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves and actuators are used to control cooling liquid flow, then the cooling circuit can be adapted to diverging requirements, but the manufacturing costs and installation space requirements increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valves into a single integrated valve unit with a common actuator. The valve unit includes a first valve and a second valve that are actuated by a single actuator through different rotational directions, merging the functions of multiple valves and actuators into one device while maintaining the ability to control different cooling circuits independently
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator in the valve unit is designed to perform multiple functions by rotating the valve bodies in different directions. The actuator can adjust both the first valve (by rotating in a first direction) and the second valve (by rotating in a second direction opposite to the first), enabling one actuator to control multiple cooling pathways independently
2Ease of operation
If multiple actuators are used to adjust each valve independently, then each valve can be precisely controlled, but the manufacturing costs increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuators into a single actuator that controls multiple valve bodies. The actuator is designed with a mechanism that can engage with different valve bodies (first valve body and second valve body) and rotate them in opposite directions, eliminating the need for multiple separate actuators while maintaining independent control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve unit employs dynamic coupling mechanisms that allow the actuator to selectively engage with different valve bodies based on the required operation. The coupling between the actuator and valve bodies is designed to be dynamic, enabling the actuator to rotate valve bodies in different directions (first direction for first valve, second direction for second valve) while maintaining precise control
Data Source
AI summary
A valve unit includes an actuator, a first valve and a second valve. The first/second valve includes a first/second valve housing and a first/second valve body. The first/second valve body is rotatably arranged in the first/second valve housing. The two valves are arranged coaxially to one another and rotatable about a common adjusting axis. The actuator is non-releasably coupled to the first valve body and releasably coupled to the second valve body via the first valve body. The first valve body is rotatable in a first and second direction of rotation with the actuator. The second valve body in the coupled state is co-rotatable with the first valve body in the first/second direction of rotation and in the decoupled state is not co-rotatable with the first valve body at least in the second direction of rotation. In addition, a method for adjusting the valve unit is provided.