Device for regulating a flow-through and distributing a fluid in a fluid circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and weight of refrigerant circuits in motor vehicles, particularly in electric and hybrid vehicles, are increased by the large number of valves and connection lines, leading to high production costs, susceptibility to errors, and significant installation space requirements, while also affecting the vehicle's range due to inefficient thermal management.

Innovation Solution

A multipath ball valve device with a minimal number of components is introduced, featuring a valve element with through-holes and a drive element, allowing independent control of flow through three ports, reducing the need for additional valves and connection lines, and optimizing the interconnection of heat sources and sinks in refrigerant circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valves and connection lines are used to interconnect heat sources and sinks in refrigerant circuits, then the system can achieve comprehensive thermal management functions, but the device complexity, weight, and installation space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management functionVSAvoidnumber of valves and connection lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single multipath ball valve device that can independently control flow through three ports (first port, second port, third port). The valve element with multiple through-holes and the housing with integrated passages replace what would traditionally require multiple separate valves and connection lines, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive thermal management capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multipath ball valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it can independently regulate flow between different port combinations (first-second, second-third, first-third ports), enabling it to replace multiple specialized valves. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform the thermal management tasks that previously required multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valves and connection lines are used in refrigerant circuits, then various thermal management functions can be achieved, but the production costs and susceptibility to errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management functionVSAvoidsusceptibility to errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple valve functions into one integrated multipath ball valve device, the patent reduces the number of connection points and sealing interfaces in the refrigerant circuit. Fewer connection lines and valves mean fewer potential failure points, thereby improving reliability and reducing susceptibility to errors while maintaining full thermal management functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valves and connection lines are used in refrigerant circuits, then comprehensive thermal management can be achieved, but the installation space requirements and vehicle weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management functionVSAvoidweight of refrigerant circuit components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple valve bodies and connection lines into a single multipath ball valve device with a housing containing multiple passages. This consolidation significantly reduces the total weight of refrigerant circuit components while maintaining the ability to perform comprehensive thermal management functions across multiple heat sources and sinks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valves and connection lines are used in refrigerant circuits, then various flow paths can be controlled, but the refrigerant leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path controlVSAvoidrefrigerant leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple valve functions into one sealed housing with integrated passages, the patent reduces the number of external connection points where refrigerant leakage can occur. The multipath ball valve maintains independent flow path control capability while minimizing leakage risk through its integrated design that eliminates multiple separate connection interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11221076B2Device for regulating a flow-through and distributing a fluid in a fluid circuit

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

Device for regulating and controlling a flow-through and distributing a fluid in a fluid circuit has a housing with ports connecting fluid lines that are connected across a passage aperture with an interior volume of the housing, a valve element disposed in the interior volume of the housing, a drive element for moving the valve element relative to the housing.