Direct-action-type electrically-operated valve and assembly method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional direct-acting control valves for large diameter valve ports in commercial air conditioners require large motors, leading to increased size, cost, and inconvenient mounting/detaching due to inefficient power transmission and sharp flow changes.
Innovation Solution
A direct-acting electric valve design with a fixed axial position of the rotor and valve seat, using a screw rod connected to a nut via screw threads, allowing direct rotation of the screw rod to move the valve core axially, eliminating the need for a gear system and reducing power loss, while maintaining consistent driving force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a direct-acting control valve with a large diameter valve port is used to meet the requirement of large capacity, then the driving force requirement increases, but the motor size and overall valve size become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional gear transmission mechanical system with a direct magnetic coupling system. The motor rotor directly couples with the screw rod through magnetic fields, eliminating gears and reducing mechanical transmission losses. This substitution allows the motor to directly generate the required driving force without mechanical amplification, enabling small motors to drive large diameter valve ports efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the conventional rotational motion transmission into a combination of rotational and axial motion in three dimensions. The motor rotor rotates, and through the screw rod-nut mechanism, this rotational motion is converted into axial motion of the valve core. This dimensional transformation allows efficient force transmission while maintaining compact motor dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional direct-acting control valve with gear system is used, then the valve port can be opened and closed, but the power transmission efficiency is low and the response is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the gear transmission system and replaces it with direct magnetic coupling between the motor rotor and screw rod. This substitution removes mechanical friction and transmission losses associated with gears, significantly improving power transmission efficiency and response time while maintaining full operational capability of the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary gear transmission components from the system. By taking out the intermediate mechanical transmission elements (gears, shafts, couplings), the design achieves direct drive from motor to screw rod, eliminating sources of energy loss and improving operational efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pilot control valve is used to open the main valve port, then the valve can be controlled, but the opening area increases sharply causing sharp flow changes and imprecise flow adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pilot control mechanism with direct motor-driven screw rod control. Instead of using pilot pressure to open the main valve port, the motor directly drives the screw rod to move the valve core, providing precise control over the opening area and enabling gradual, accurate flow adjustment without sharp transitions.
4Ease of operation
If a screw rod is fixed to the rotor and the nut is fixed to the valve seat, then the valve core can be moved axially, but the rotor position changes with respect to the coil component reducing driving force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fixed connection system with magnetic coupling. The motor rotor magnetically couples with the screw rod without physical fixed mounting, allowing the rotor to maintain its central position relative to the coil component while still transmitting rotational motion to the screw rod. This eliminates position deviation and maintains consistent driving force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the motor rotor and screw rod. Instead of direct mechanical fixed connection, the magnetic field transmits rotational motion while allowing positional stability, serving as a flexible mediator that maintains both motion transmission and position accuracy.
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
Enables the operation of large diameter valve ports with a small-sized motor, reducing the overall size and cost of the valve while providing precise flow control and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The screw rod is cooperated with a nut by screw threads. The nut is connected with a valve core... with the rotation of the screw rod, the nut slides in the axial direction, which allows the valve core to slide in the axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A direct-action-type electrically-operated valve comprises a valve base provided with a valve cavity, a motor disposed on the upper end the valve base, and a screw rod. The screw rod is fitted and connected to a nut by means of threads. The nut is connected to a spool. Axial positions of a rotor of the motor and the valve base are relatively fixed. The upper end of the screw rod is fixedly connected to the rotor. Driven by the nut, the spool moves along the axial direction of the valve cavity to open or close a valve opening disposed on the valve base. The spool is a tubular structure provided with a balancing channel, and a seal piece for dividing the valve cavity into two independent cavities is disposed on the periphery of the spool.