Electric Diverter Valve With Infrared Absolute Position Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric diverter valves suffer from cumulative errors and low reliability in controlling water flow due to relative position calculations using pulse feedback, leading to inaccurate flow control.
Innovation Solution
An electric diverter valve with a brushless direct-current motor, infrared detection module, and MCU that uses an absolute position detection system via a rectangular-hole position disk to accurately determine the motor's position, enabling multi-stage flow control through a touch controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor with pulse feedback function is used to drive the valve core to rotate and control water flow, then the diverter valve can be operated automatically, but cumulative errors occur in position calculation leading to low control accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pulse feedback system with an optical detection system. An infrared detection module detects the absolute position of the valve core through a position disk with infrared-transparent and infrared-opaque sectors, eliminating the need for mechanical pulse counting and return-to-origin operations, thereby resolving cumulative errors while maintaining automatic operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a position disk with infrared-transparent and infrared-opaque sectors as an intermediary between the valve core and the infrared detection module. This position disk converts the rotational position of the valve core into optical signal variations, enabling accurate absolute position detection without direct mechanical coupling to the motor
2Measurement precision
If the motor returns to determine the initial angle or position, then the absolute position can be obtained, but the operation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the position disk with predetermined infrared-transparent and infrared-opaque sectors onto the valve core or its rotating shaft in advance. This preliminary configuration allows the infrared detection module to directly read the absolute position during normal operation without requiring the motor to return to a reference point, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining accurate absolute position detection
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 system provides accurate and reliable multi-stage control of water flow rates by determining the absolute position of the motor, overcoming errors and ensuring precise outlet flow control.
Implementation Method 1
The infrared detection module is located above a side of any one of the rectangular holes and configured for transmitting infrared signals and receiving infrared signals reflected by the disk body or via the rectangular holes of the disk body when the rotating shaft rotates
Data Source
AI summary
An electric diverter valve includes a controller which controls a motor to drive a valve core to rotate with respect to a valve body to realize multi-stage control of the corresponding water flow rate of water outlets. Moreover, a disk with rectangular holes is provided to work together with a first control circuit board comprising an infrared detection module and an MCU. The MCU can obtain the length of a current rectangular hole according to the duration of week reflected infrared signals passing through the current rectangular hole of the disk to obtain the absolute position of a rotating shaft which is fed back to the controller. Thus, the absolute rotation positions of the rotating shaft and the valve core can be known and the flow proportion of different water outlets can be obtained. The users are allowed to perform multi-stage control of the water flow rate according to requirements.