Compound valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-conditioning apparatuses require multiple heat-medium flow-path changeover devices and flow-rate adjustment devices, leading to increased manufacturing and component costs due to material thickness unevenness and distortion during molding, as well as the need for separate motors for each function.
Innovation Solution
A compound valve with a cylindrical, rotationally movable valve element featuring a planar partition member that separates internal spaces into semicircular cross-sections, allowing for flow path changeover and flow-rate adjustment using a single motor, reducing material thickness variations and eliminating the need for secondary machining processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat-medium flow-path changeover devices and flow-rate adjustment devices are used, then the air-conditioning apparatus can achieve heating and cooling operations for multiple indoor units, but the manufacturing cost and component cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two flow-path changeover devices and one flow-rate adjustment device into a single compound valve. The valve element integrates multiple flow paths and control functions, allowing one device to perform the work of three separate devices, thereby reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining full heating and cooling operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The compound valve is designed with multi-functionality, where a single valve element can simultaneously control multiple flow paths and adjust flow rates. This universal device replaces specialized single-function devices, reducing the overall number of components needed in the system
2Productivity
If the body and valve elements are integrally molded with resin, then manufacturing efficiency increases, but material thickness unevenness causes distortion during molding
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is segmented into multiple independent flow path chambers (first valve chamber and second valve chamber) that are molded separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for uniform wall thickness, preventing distortion during molding while maintaining high manufacturing efficiency through modular production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a monolithic three-dimensional molded structure to a multi-chamber design where each chamber can be independently optimized. By dividing the structure into separate chambers that can be assembled, the design achieves uniform material distribution and prevents the distortion issues associated with large, complex single-piece molded parts
3Ease of operation
If separate motors are used for flow-path changeover and flow-rate adjustment, then each function can be independently controlled, but component cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of two separate motors into a single motor. The valve element's rotational movement simultaneously controls both flow-path switching and flow-rate adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple motors and their associated control systems while maintaining independent control capability for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A compound valve includes a body having a valve chamber; a cylindrical-shaped valve element having opening portions in its lateral side surface for allowing heat media to flow inside of the valve element, and a partition member there inside in the longitudinal direction; and a motor for controlling a rotation angle of the valve element, and the opening portions communicate with either one of a first heat-medium inflow port or a second heat-medium inflow port, and with either one of a third heat-medium outflow port or a fourth heat-medium outflow port; two heat media having different properties flow adjacent to the partition member; and, by controlling, by a rotation angle of the motor, areas of the communicating inflow ports and the opening portions, and those of the communicating outflow ports and the opening portions, the quantities of flow are controlled.