Control Valve Seal Assembly for Pressurized Fluid Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control valves for pressurized fluids and hydraulic systems face challenges in performance and assembly, particularly in ensuring effective sealing and efficient fluid control, especially in motor vehicle temperature control systems.
Innovation Solution
A control valve design featuring a one-part or multi-part housing with plastic components, multiple connections with blind plugs for versatility, integrally formed inner tubes with seals, and a movable actuator that changes fluid connections between positions, enhancing sealing, assembly, and compactness through elastic seals and quick coupling connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple seals are arranged between the inner tube and actuator to improve sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but the risk of seal damage during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-mounted on the inner tube before the actuator is installed. This preliminary action allows the seal to be positioned correctly in advance, avoiding damage during the actuator installation process while ensuring proper sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube serves as an intermediary component that carries the seal to the final assembly position. By mounting the seal on the inner tube first, the seal is protected from direct contact with the actuator during assembly, reducing the risk of damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control valve is designed with multiple connections for versatility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve body is designed with multiple connection openings that can accommodate different connection types and configurations. This universal design allows the same valve body to be used in various applications with different connection requirements, improving versatility without requiring multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into modular components including the valve body with multiple openings, removable plugs, and external connecting elements. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of connections while keeping the base valve structure simple and reusable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is made movable to change fluid connections, then fluid control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to be rotatable about an axis, allowing it to dynamically change the fluid connection paths by rotating between different positions. This dynamic capability provides flexible fluid control while using a relatively simple rotational mechanism rather than complex multi-axis actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator passages are integrated directly into the actuator body, merging the fluid control function with the actuator mechanism itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate valve components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fluid control flexibility.
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 design improves sealing, assembly, and fluid control efficiency, allowing for compact and variable operation in pressurized fluid systems, particularly in hydraulic systems and motor vehicle temperature control, while reducing the risk of seal damage and fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
The seal(s) that is/are arranged between the inner tube(s) and the actuator is/are compressed, in one version elastically.
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A control valve according to the invention, in particular for pressurized fluids, has a housing (10-15) with at least two ports (11-14), at least one connecting element (31-34) attached to the housing with an inner tube (35) inserted into one of these ports, a movable actuator (20) with a first passage (21) which, in a first actuator position, connects a first and a second of these ports together and, in at least one further actuator position, does not connect these two ports together; and a seal (40) which is arranged between the inner tube and the actuator.