Electric Valve Sealing Structure for Rotor Fluid Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric valves in fluid-medium pipeline systems, particularly in automotive applications, face issues with fluid corrosion of the driving portion and leakage into the rotor assembly, which can lead to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
The electric valve incorporates a sealing member with a first cylindrical portion and a membrane portion, connected to the rod assembly and sealed with the housing and/or end cover, to prevent fluid contact with the rotor assembly, while allowing the rod assembly to move freely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driving portion is exposed to the fluid medium for actuation, then the valve can be controlled, but the driving portion is corroded by the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into a fluid-exposed section (valve body, valve core) and a protected driving section (motor, gear mechanism). The sealing member creates a partition that segments the internal cavity, allowing the driving portion to remain isolated from corrosive fluid while still enabling control function through the rod connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary barrier between the fluid medium and the driving portion. It allows mechanical transmission (through the rod passing through the sealing member) while preventing direct fluid contact with the driving mechanism, thus mediating between the need for control and the need for protection.
2Reliability
If the valve cavity is sealed to protect the driving portion, then corrosion is prevented, but fluid leakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member uses a flexible membrane structure that can deform elastically to accommodate the rod's movement while maintaining continuous sealing. This flexible film approach prevents fluid leakage better than rigid seals would, as it can adapt to dimensional variations and movement without creating gaps.
3Reliability
If a sealing member is added to prevent fluid contact, then corrosion resistance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the cavity to prevent fluid leakage, protects the driving portion from corrosion, and allows the rod to move freely through it. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric valve, comprising a housing and an end cover. A cavity and a valve port are formed in the housing. The electric valve further comprises a rotor assembly, a rod assembly, and a valve core assembly; the rotor assembly is connected to one end of the rod assembly; and the other end of the rod assembly is connected to the valve core assembly. The electric valve further comprises a sealing component, and the sealing component is distant from the valve port with respect to the valve core assembly; the sealing component comprises a first cylindrical portion, a membrane portion, and an annular sealing portion; by providing the sealing component, the first cylindrical portion is connected to the rod assembly and a connection position is sealed.