Electric Valve Thread Assembly Using Plastic to Reduce Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
The threads of metal lead screws and valve cores in electric valves used in air conditioning and thermal management systems wear easily, reducing the service life of the valves.
Innovation Solution
The electric valve incorporates a valve core assembly with an internal thread section made of plastic material, connected with a lead screw through external threads, reducing thread wear and improving service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal lead screw is directly threadedly connected with a metal valve core, then the structural strength is ensured, but the thread wear increases and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve core assembly adopts a composite structure where the valve core is made of metal material and the thread section is made of plastic material. This composite material approach allows the metal valve core to maintain structural strength while the plastic thread section reduces thread wear through better self-lubrication properties, thereby extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different materials to different parts of the valve core assembly: the valve core body is made of metal for strength, while only the thread section is made of plastic to reduce wear. This local quality differentiation optimizes each part's material properties for its specific function, solving the contradiction between overall strength and localized wear resistance.
2Ease of manufacture
If a metal lead screw is directly threadedly connected with a metal valve core, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the thread wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve core assembly uses a composite structure with a metal valve core and plastic thread section. The plastic thread section can be formed through injection molding and then bonded to the metal valve core, which is a relatively straightforward manufacturing process that reduces thread wear without significantly complicating production.
3Reliability
If a plastic material is used for the valve core assembly thread section, then the thread wear is reduced, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies plastic material only to the thread section of the valve core assembly where wear resistance is needed, while the main valve core body remains metal for structural strength. This localized application of different materials optimizes each region's properties for its specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines metal and plastic materials in the valve core assembly, leveraging the strength of metal and the wear resistance of plastic. The plastic thread section reduces friction and wear, while the metal valve core provides the necessary structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric valve, comprising a lead screw and a valve element assembly, wherein the lead screw has an external thread section, the valve element assembly has an internal thread section, the valve element assembly and the lead screw are in threaded connection by the fitting of the internal thread section and the external thread section, and at least the portion of the valve element assembly corresponding to the internal thread section is made of a material including a plastic material. Due to the portion of the valve element assembly corresponding to the internal thread section being made of a material including a plastic material, compared with two metal parts, a lead screw and a valve element being in direct threaded connection, the thread wear is reduced, and the service life of the electric valve is prolonged.