Electric expansion valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electric expansion valves in car air-conditioners face challenges in integrating a pressure sensor due to limited space, leading to complex assembly and increased costs, as the valve body drive source occupies the mounting surface, making it difficult to accommodate the pressure sensor without enlarging the installation space or piping system.

Innovation Solution

An electric expansion valve design where the pressure sensor is integrally mounted within the valve main body, sharing the same side surface as the valve body drive source, with a through passage for conduit connection and a communication port that allows for pressure detection, eliminating the need for separate installation space and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pressure sensor is separately arranged from the valve main body, then the pressure detection function is achieved, but the installation space increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection functionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor is integrated into the valve main body by providing a sensor mounting portion on the valve body, allowing the pressure detection function to be combined with the expansion valve structure. This eliminates the need for separate installation space and simplifies the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve main body serves multiple functions: it houses the expansion valve mechanism, provides mounting for the pressure sensor, and maintains the refrigerant flow path. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components and installation space required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the pressure sensor is separately arranged from the valve main body, then the pressure detection function is achieved, but the assembly steps increase and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection functionVSAvoidassembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the valve main body is enlarged to accommodate both the drive source and pressure sensor, then both components can be mounted, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent integrationVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of enlarging the entire valve main body, the patent provides a specific sensor mounting portion on the valve body where the pressure sensor is to be mounted. This localized approach allows integration without increasing the overall size of the valve main body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Area of stationary object

If the pressure sensor is mounted on the same side surface as the drive source, then space is saved and assembly is simplified, but oil accumulation may occur in the drive source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoiddrive source operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that the sensor mounting portion is provided on a side surface of the valve body, and the electromagnetic actuator is arranged diagonally upward in the lower front surface side. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the pressure sensor and drive source are mounted on the same side surface without causing oil accumulation in the drive source, as the refrigerant flow direction and gravitational effects are considered in the positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This design achieves space savings, improved assembly efficiency, reduced costs, enhanced workability, and increased reliability by integrating the pressure sensor and drive source on the same side surface, ensuring stable operation and durability by preventing oil accumulation in the drive source.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor which detects pressure of cooling medium flowing in the through passage is integrally provided in the valve main body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic actuator having a solenoid as a primary part, as a valve body drive source which moves up and down a valve body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3249322B1Electric expansion valve

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 FUJIKOKI CORP

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AI summary

The invention provides an electric expansion valve for a car air-conditioner which can achieve a space saving, an improvement of assembling performance and a reduction of cost. A valve main body (10) is provided with a through passage (30) which has an inflow port (31) for connecting a conduit pipe and an outflow port (32) for connecting the conduit pipe, and a pressure sensor (40) detecting pressure of a cooling medium flowing in the through passage (30) is integrally provided in the valve main body (10).