Continuously Rotatable Valve Core Design for Coolant Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary valves used in cooling circuits face challenges with high frictional wear due to sealing contact and potential leakage when the valve core has play, making them inefficient for temperature control in electric vehicles where precise coolant flow management is required.
Innovation Solution
A continuously rotatable rotary valve with a channel structure that can establish, close, or partially connect fluid openings, allowing for proportional adjustment of coolant flow, reducing wear and leakage by enabling precise control of coolant flow direction and volume through a conical design and actuator-assisted movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve core is made with sealing contact to the valve housing, then sealing performance is improved, but frictional forces and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible sealing element (sealing ring) made of elastomeric material that can deform to create sealing contact. This flexible film approach allows the sealing surface to conform to the mating surface while maintaining low contact pressure, thus achieving reliable sealing without excessive friction and wear on the rigid valve core and housing surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If the valve core is arranged with play to reduce friction, then rotational ease is improved, but leakage occurs through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing ring is designed to be radially resilient, allowing it to maintain sealing contact even when the valve core has axial play for easy rotation. The elastomeric material deforms to fill gaps and maintain sealing pressure throughout the rotation range, preventing leakage while allowing the valve core to rotate freely within its mounting bore.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing solution transitions from a static rigid contact to a dynamic flexible contact that adapts during rotation. The sealing ring can deform and reposition itself during the rotation cycle, maintaining sealing effectiveness despite changes in contact pressure and relative position between the valve core and housing.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional rotary valve is used for temperature control, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but precise flow control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuously rotatable valve core that can assume any angular position, enabling proportional control of coolant flow rather than discrete on/off positions. This dynamic positioning capability allows precise adjustment of flow volume and direction while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of a rotary valve design. The actuator can position the valve core at any angle to achieve the desired flow control precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Rotary valve (1) comprising a valve housing (2) with a valve chamber (3), wherein the valve chamber (3) has a chamber wall (4) in which at least two fluid openings (5) are provided, wherein the valve chamber (3) has a receiving opening (6) at its end face, wherein the valve chamber (3) receives a valve core (7), wherein the valve core (7) is provided with a channel structure (8) which interacts with the fluid openings (5), wherein the valve core (7) is rotatably mounted in the valve chamber (3), and wherein the valve core (7) is continuously rotatable.