Multi-Level Coolant Valve Rotor for Flexible Thermal Flow Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-port valve designs are limited in flexibility and require multiple valves and actuators, leading to increased costs and complexity in thermal management systems due to limited flow configurations and ports.
Innovation Solution
A multi-level rotor-based coolant flow control valve assembly that directs coolant flow between multiple ports using a single rotor, allowing for various flow paths and configurations within a housing, reducing the need for multiple valves and supporting components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves and actuators are used to provide thermal management to desired components, then the system can achieve multiple flow configurations, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating a rotor with multiple ports and flow channels that can be configured to provide different flow modes. The rotor can be rotated to different positions to achieve various flow configurations, allowing one valve to replace multiple valves while maintaining the ability to direct coolant to different components as needed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple valve functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The rotor incorporates multiple ports (first inlet, second inlet, third inlet, first outlet, second outlet, third outlet) and flow channels that can be simultaneously or selectively activated, merging the functions of what would traditionally require multiple separate valves into one unified component
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are used to achieve multiple flow modes, then the system can accommodate different flow paths, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple flow modes through its rotor configuration. The rotor includes multiple ports and flow channels that can be selectively activated to provide different flow paths, allowing a single manufactured component to replace multiple specialized valves, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves and supporting components are used, then the system can provide comprehensive thermal management, but the space utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple valve functions and their associated supporting components into a single compact valve assembly. The rotor with its multiple ports and flow channels integrates the functionality of what would traditionally require multiple separate valves, reducing the overall space required while maintaining comprehensive thermal management capability
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 solution enables a simpler, cost-effective thermal management system with reduced space utilization and increased flexibility in flow configurations, achieving multiple flow modes with fewer components and connections.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator which is used to rotate a rotor to one or more positions, and thus direct coolant (passing through the rotor) between ports
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-level rotor for a coolant flow control valve assembly, which accommodates an increased number of inlet ports, outlet ports, and flow channels using a single rotor located in a housing, enabling a larger number of flow configurations. The housing includes nine ports which may function as an inlet or an outlet, which facilitates different flow configurations. For a thermal management system, reduced cost and less space utilization is achieved by a reduced number of valves, where the multi-level rotor is able to fluidically connect multiple inlets/outlets. This enables different flow configurations, depending on the degree of rotation. The channels at different levels are sealed from each other within the housing. The flow channels are manufactured into a single entity, therefore always having the same positional accuracy relative to each other when the rotor is repositioned.