Vehicle Cooling Valve Fail-Safe Closure With Spring-Eccentric Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve apparatuses for vehicle cooling systems are complex and expensive due to high actuation forces required for poppet valves, and current solutions for check valves and magnetic valves are costly and inefficient in terms of power consumption, especially in electric vehicles where low power consumption is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A fail-safe valve apparatus with a fail-safe adjustment device that includes a fail-safe power source, eccentric gear, and spring device, allowing the valve to automatically switch from an open to a closed position in case of power interruption, using a combination of electrical and mechanical energy for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If electromagnetic drives with coils are used for poppet valves to achieve high actuating force, then the valve can close against high fluid pressure, but the drive becomes complex and expensive due to large magnet arrangement dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic drive system with a mechanical drive system using a cam mechanism. The cam profile is designed to provide high mechanical advantage during valve closure, eliminating the need for large electromagnetic coils and magnets. This mechanical substitution reduces drive complexity and cost while maintaining the required actuating force for closing the valve against high fluid pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is designed with a dynamic profile that varies the mechanical advantage throughout the valve actuation cycle. The cam provides maximum mechanical advantage during the closing phase when high force is needed, while requiring minimal force during opening. This dynamic force distribution allows the use of a compact mechanical drive instead of a large electromagnetic system.
2Reliability
If magnetic valves are used for locking battery cooling circuits to ensure fail-safe closed position during power failure, then safety is improved, but power consumption increases as the valve requires continuous power to remain open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the default valve position logic: instead of requiring power to maintain the open position (magnetic valve approach), the valve is designed to default to the closed position without power. A lightweight spring provides the closing force, and only a small amount of power is needed to overcome the spring force and open the valve when cooling is required. This inversion achieves fail-safe protection without continuous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides the fail-safe closing function automatically without requiring external power or control systems. When power is removed or fails, the spring automatically returns the valve to the closed position, providing self-service fail-safe protection. The system only consumes power when actively opening the valve, not when maintaining the safe closed state.
3Device complexity
If poppet valves are used for auxiliary circuits to reduce cost and simplify structure, then the valve assembly becomes simple and inexpensive, but high actuation forces are required when closing against coolant pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cam mechanism as an intermediary between the actuator and the valve stem. The cam acts as a force amplifier, converting small actuator movements into large valve stem forces during closure. This intermediary mechanical advantage system allows simple poppet valve construction while reducing the actuation force requirement at the actuator level.
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 provides a reliable and safe valve operation, ensuring coolant circulation is prevented in case of accidents or power failures, combining the efficiency of current-actuatable ball valves with the mechanical safety of magnetic valves, while minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a fail-safe power source, in particular an auxiliary battery or a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
a spring device for deflecting the eccentric pin
Implementation Method 3
electromagnetic drives with coils
Data Source
AI summary
A valve apparatus, in particular for a cooling system of a vehicle, includes a housing having at least two fluid connectors, a valve device which can be adjusted at least between a first valve position and a second valve position, and a drive for adjusting the valve device between the first valve position and the second valve position. The valve apparatus includes a fail-safe adjustment device in order to transfer the valve device from the first valve position into the second valve position in the event of an incident in which the power supply, in particular that of the vehicle, is interrupted.