Coupled Valve Bodies for Independent Multi-Circuit Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems are limited in their ability to efficiently control multiple external flow channels with reduced design, manufacturing, and installation efforts, and require complex configurations for fluid systems.
Innovation Solution
A valve system where the first and second valve bodies are mechanically coupled via a coupling device that allows joint rotation in one state and independent rotation in another, utilizing a freewheel arrangement and gear pairing for torque transmission, enabling control of multiple fluid circuits with reduced complexity and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate valves are used to control multiple external flow channels, then each valve can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and installation effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve bodies into a single integrated valve system where multiple valve bodies (first valve body, second valve body, etc.) are mechanically coupled together. This merging approach reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining the ability to control multiple external flow channels, thereby reducing device complexity and installation effort while preserving independent control capabilities through the coupling device mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is segmented into multiple independently controllable valve bodies that are coupled together. Each valve body can be controlled independently through the coupling device, which allows selective mechanical coupling and decoupling. This segmentation enables independent operation of each valve while maintaining a compact integrated structure, resolving the contradiction between independent control and device complexity.
2Reliability
If a rigid mechanical coupling is used to connect valve bodies, then torque transmission is reliable, but the system cannot allow independent rotation of individual valve bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device employs a dynamic mechanism that can transition between coupled and decoupled states. The coupling device includes elements such as coupling elements with coupling openings and protrusions that can engage or disengage based on operational requirements. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between reliable torque transmission (when coupled) and independent rotation (when decoupled), resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary mechanism between valve bodies, providing conditional mechanical connection. It includes components like coupling elements, coupling openings, and protrusions that mediate the torque transmission between valve bodies only when needed. This intermediary mechanism allows reliable torque transmission when coupled while permitting independent rotation when decoupled, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and versatility.
3Ease of operation
If separate valve systems are used for different fluid circuits, then each circuit can be controlled independently, but the installation space and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve systems into a single integrated valve system that controls multiple external flow channels and fluid circuits. By combining multiple valve bodies and their control mechanisms into one compact unit, the installation space is significantly reduced compared to using separate valve systems. The integrated design maintains independent control capability for each fluid circuit through the coupling device, thus resolving the contradiction between independent circuit control and installation space requirements.
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 valve system simplifies the control of multiple external flow channels, reduces installation effort and costs, and allows for flexible configuration of fluid systems, ensuring reliable operation under various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling device can have at least one gear pairing with a first gear and a second gear, wherein the two gears are each arranged on one of the two valve bodies and/or on at least one transmitter connected with at least one of the two valve bodies in a power-transmitting manner.
Implementation Method 2
The coupling device can have a freewheel arrangement, which is designed in such a way that the valve bodies, in a freewheel state of the freewheel arrangement at a rotation of the valve body about the respective axis of rotation, are not connected at a predetermined angle of rotation range in terms of torque.
Implementation Method 3
The freewheel arrangement can have at least one groove and at least one protrusion corresponding to the groove and engaging in the groove, wherein the groove and the protrusion are each arranged on one of the two valve bodies and/or on at least one transmitter connected with at least one of the two valve bodies in a power-transmitting manner.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a valve system, comprising a first valve and a second valve, wherein both valves each have a housing with a plurality of housing openings, and a valve body arranged rotatably in the housing with at least one connection channel for providing a fluid connection of at least two of the housing openings,characterized in thatthe valve body of the first valve and the valve body of the second valve are mechanically coupled with each other by means of a coupling device of the valve system, wherein the coupling device is designed in such a way that the valve bodies can be rotated jointly by means of the coupling device when the valve system is in a first operating state and rotated independently of each other by means of the coupling device when the valve system is in a second operating state.