Electric Valve Housing Seal Structure for PCB Corrosion Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric valves face challenges in effectively sealing the circuit board assembly, which is crucial to prevent corrosion and ensure reliable operation.

Innovation Solution

The electric valve design includes a stator assembly, rotor, sleeve, and a case with a separate housing and cover, where a seal ring is compressed between the housing and cover, and the cover is fixedly connected to the housing via welding, creating a simple and effective sealing structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the circuit board assembly is sealed to prevent corrosion, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliability of circuit board assemblyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into housing and cover that are separately formed, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. The seal ring is positioned at the connection between housing and cover, creating a dedicated sealing zone that isolates the circuit board assembly without requiring complex integrated sealing structures throughout the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A seal ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the housing and cover to prevent corrosion of the circuit board assembly. This simple sealing element effectively isolates the circuit board from corrosive environments without requiring complex sealing mechanisms or integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the housing and cover are separately formed and welded, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmolding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The case is segmented into housing and cover that can be manufactured separately using standard molding processes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing requirements while maintaining overall sealing reliability through the welded connection and seal ring at the interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing and cover are joined through welding to create a unified sealed enclosure. This merging of separately manufactured components achieves reliable sealing while preserving the manufacturing advantages of separate formation, including easier molding and assembly flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the sealing reliability of the circuit board assembly, preventing corrosion and ensuring the structural simplicity and reliability of the electric valve, particularly in refrigeration systems.

Implementation Method 1

a seal ring is provided at a connection of the housing and the cover, the seal ring is tightly compressed between the housing and the cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the cover is fixedly connected with the housing by welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3674588B1Electric valve
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 ZHEJIANG SANHUA INTELLIGENT CONTROLS CO LTD
  • EP3674588B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3674588B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3674588B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is an electric valve (100), comprising a stator assembly (10), a rotor (20), a circuit board assembly (30), a sleeve (40) and a valve assembly. The stator assembly is arranged around the rotor. The sleeve isolates the stator assembly from the rotor. The stator assembly is electrically connected to the circuit board assembly. A valve port (51) is formed in the electric valve. The rotor can drive the movement of the valve assembly with respect to the valve port. The electric valve further comprises a box body (80). The circuit board assembly is arranged in the box body. The box body comprises a shell (1) and a cover body (2). A seal ring (3) is arranged at a joint of the shell and the cover body. The seal ring is compressed between the shell and the cover body. The cover body is fixedly connected to the shell by means of welding. Such an electric valve has a simple structure and improves the sealing reliability of the circuit board assembly.