Device for controlling a flow rate and expanding a fluid in a fluid circuit and method for operating the device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for controlling flow rates and expanding coolants in coolant circuits, particularly in air conditioning systems of motor vehicles, face challenges such as high pressure gradients, narrow control ranges, and complex manufacturing requirements, which affect reliability and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a valve element that features a sealing surface and a control area with throughflow apertures and a control aperture, allowing for precise control of the flow rate and expansion of the coolant. The valve element is designed to maintain a constant diameter over the sealing surface and control area, facilitating easy manufacturing and measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a valve element with constant diameter is used over the sealing surface and control area, then manufacturing and measurement are simplified, but precise control of flow rate and expansion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is segmented into distinct functional zones: a constant diameter sealing surface for reliable sealing and simplified manufacturing, and a separate control area with throughflow apertures and control aperture for precise flow regulation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the valve element have different geometric properties: the sealing surface maintains constant diameter for manufacturing simplicity, while the control area features variable geometry with throughflow apertures and control aperture to enable precise flow control. Each local region has the quality needed for its specific function.
2Stress or pressure
If the valve is designed for high pressure gradients up to 100 bar, then the control range is improved, but the control range becomes very narrow and requires very precise valve configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The valve handles high pressure gradients by separating the sealing function (constant diameter surface) from the control function (throughflow apertures and control aperture). This allows the valve to maintain sealing integrity at 100 bar while the control aperture provides precise flow regulation despite the narrow control range.
Solution Approach 2:
The control aperture acts as an intermediary element that enables precise flow control in the high-pressure environment. It mediates between the high pressure gradient (up to 100 bar) and the required flow rate control, allowing the valve to operate precisely despite the challenging pressure conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the valve element is designed with throughflow apertures and control aperture, then flow rate control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface and control area are merged into a single integrated valve element. The constant diameter sealing surface and the control area with throughflow apertures and control aperture are combined in one component, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining precise flow control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling a flow rate and expanding a fluid in a fluid circuit. The device is formed with an enclosure and a valve element arranged inside the enclosure. The valve element which is arranged movably in a linear movement in the direction of a longitudinal axis relative to the enclosure has a sealing surface and a control area formed at a first end face of the valve element and arranged adjacent to the sealing surface in the axial direction. The sealing surface is formed as a lateral surface of a straight circular cylinder with a constant outer diameter. An outer diameter of a surface of the control area corresponds to the outer diameter of the sealing surface. The control area has throughflow apertures and at least one control aperture. The valve element in the control area is formed with a substantially hollow circular cylindrical-shaped wall.