Dual-Material Valve Assembly for Expansion Tank Pressure Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure balancing assemblies in vehicle expansion tanks struggle to maintain internal and external pressure balance effectively, particularly in situations where the internal pressure exceeds or drops below a threshold, leading to inefficiencies in pressure regulation.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a dual-material construction, featuring a deformable flange and a less deformable connecting portion, integrated through secondary injection molding, is used in a pressure balancing assembly. This assembly includes a support with grippers and a snap-fit structure to ensure reliable connection and pressure regulation, allowing fluid communication or isolation based on pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-material valve device is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the connection reliability under pressure differential is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device employs a composite structure with a soft flange portion made of elastomeric material and a rigid connecting portion made of harder material. This dual-material construction allows the flange to deform elastically under pressure differential while the connecting portion maintains structural integrity and resists disengagement, thereby improving connection reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the valve device are made from materials with different mechanical properties: the flange portion uses soft, elastic material for sealing and deformation capability, while the connecting portion uses harder material for structural strength. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes each region's function while collectively improving overall connection reliability.
2Reliability
If a highly elastic material is used for the entire valve device, then the pressure response is sensitive, but the structural stability and resistance to disengagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device uses a composite material system where the flange is made of highly elastic elastomeric material for sensitive pressure response and sealing, while the connecting portion is made of harder material for structural strength. This composite approach allows the soft flange to respond elastically to pressure changes while the rigid connecting portion prevents disengagement, resolving the contradiction between pressure sensitivity and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions: the flange portion uses soft, highly elastic material for pressure sensitivity and sealing function, while the connecting portion uses harder material for structural stability. This localized material differentiation enables the valve to achieve both pressure response sensitivity and resistance to disengagement simultaneously.
3Strength
If a rigid connecting portion is used, then the structural stability is high, but the elasticity and adaptability to pressure changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device combines rigid and elastic materials in a composite structure where the connecting portion is made of harder material for structural stability while the flange is made of elastomeric material for pressure adaptability. This composite construction allows the rigid connecting portion to maintain structural integrity while the elastic flange adapts to pressure changes, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and pressure adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality differentiation by making the connecting portion from harder material for structural stability while the flange is made from soft, elastic material for pressure adaptability. This localized material assignment allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally: the rigid connecting portion provides structural support while the elastic flange responds to pressure changes.
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 dual-material valve device maintains reliable pressure balance by preventing disengagement and ensuring efficient fluid flow, enhancing the assembly's durability and effectiveness in regulating pressure within vehicle expansion tanks.
Implementation Method 1
a flange connected to the second axial end of the valve body and obliquely extending outwardly in a direction toward the first axial end such that a distal end of the flange is located outside the valve body in a radial direction of the valve device
Implementation Method 2
a valve passage on/off portion connected to the first axial end of the valve body and made of a first material having elasticity, and the valve passage on/off portion is deformable to open or close the valve passage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a valve device and a pressure balancing assembly. The valve device includes: a valve body, a valve passage on/off portion and a flange. The valve body has a first axial end, a second axial end, and a valve passage running through the first axial end and the second axial end, the first axial end and the second axial end being disposed opposite to each other, and an outer side portion in a circumferential direction of the valve body includes a connecting portion configured to connect the valve device to a part to be connected. The valve passage on/off portion is connected to the first axial end of the valve body and made of a first material having elasticity, and the valve passage on/off portion is deformable to open or close the valve passage. The flange is connected to the second axial end of the valve body and obliquely extends outwardly in a direction toward the first axial end such that a distal end of the flange is located outside the valve body in a radial direction of the valve device. The distal end of the flange has a contact portion. The connecting portion is made of a second material, the second material having a greater hardness than the first material.