Cooling Water Valve Layout for Tight Engine Mounting Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices for cooling systems in internal combustion engines face challenges in being mounted in narrow spaces due to interference between multiple inlet and outlet ports and other components.
Innovation Solution
A valve device design where the housing has a first port and multiple second ports, with a rotatable valve member that connects or disconnects the first port from the second ports, allowing for overlapping of at least one second port with others in the axial direction, enabling a compact configuration that reduces the size of the valve device and allows it to be mounted in narrow spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inlet ports are provided at different positions of the housing with pipe portions extending in different directions, then the valve device can control circulation passages effectively, but it becomes difficult to mount the valve device in a narrow space due to interference between pipe portions and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging multiple second ports in an overlapping configuration when viewed in the axial direction of the valve member. This allows the ports to be positioned at different radial locations while occupying the same axial space, effectively transitioning from a two-dimensional radial arrangement to a three-dimensional overlapping arrangement. The overlapping ports connect to pipe portions that extend in different directions, enabling versatile circulation control while minimizing the overall mounting footprint in narrow spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by positioning at least one second port such that it overlaps with other second ports in the axial direction. This nested arrangement allows multiple ports to be contained within the same axial envelope, similar to nested dolls, thereby reducing the overall axial dimension and enabling compact mounting in narrow spaces while maintaining the ability to control multiple circulation passages.
2Volume of moving object
If the valve device is designed with a compact configuration to reduce size for narrow space mounting, then mounting ease is improved, but sealing integrity between the valve member and housing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing sealing portions at specific locations where the valve member contacts the housing, particularly at the overlapping port regions. The sealing portions are strategically positioned to maintain sealing integrity at critical interfaces despite the compact overlapping configuration. This localized sealing approach ensures reliability at key positions without requiring the entire valve device to be larger.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping port arrangement in the axial direction allows the valve device to maintain sealing integrity through proper positioning of sealing surfaces while reducing the overall radial size. The sealing portions are arranged to accommodate the overlapping configuration, ensuring that sealing functionality is preserved in the compact three-dimensional arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling-water control valve as a valve device includes a housing and a valve member. The housing has an inlet port and multiple outlet ports, each of which connects an inner space of the housing to an outside. The valve member is rotatably provided in the inner space of the housing and connects the inlet port to the multiple outlet ports or disconnects the inlet port from the outlet ports depending on a rotational position of the valve member. The inlet port is communicated to the inner space of the housing independently of the rotational position of the valve member. At least a part of one outlet port overlaps with one or more than one of the other outlet ports, when viewed them in an axial direction of the valve member.