Electronic expansion valve

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electronic expansion valves have complex connection structures between the valve head and screw rod, leading to high manufacturing costs and large size, which hinders miniaturization due to the need for strength and service life considerations.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a valve body with a valve head and guide sleeve, a driving portion with a balancing channel formed by the driving portion, pressing sleeve, and elastic member, which simplifies the structure, reduces size, and improves sealing performance by using a sealing member between the valve head and guide sleeve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connection structure between valve head and screw rod is made strong and reliable, then service life is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the connection structure between valve head and screw rod into a unified design where the valve head is directly connected to the screw rod through a simplified interface. The valve head includes a connecting portion that directly engages with the screw rod, eliminating the need for separate connection components while maintaining structural strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the valve head and screw rod are made longer to guarantee strength, then reliability is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve head and screw rod strengthVSAvoidvalve head and screw rod length
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating strength requirements at critical locations rather than uniformly increasing dimensions. The valve head features a reinforced connecting portion at the interface with the screw rod, while other areas maintain optimized minimal dimensions. This localized strengthening allows shorter overall lengths while preserving necessary strength characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the overall size of electronic expansion valve is reduced for miniaturization, then device compactness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall valve sizeVSAvoid machining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the valve into modular components with standardized interfaces, allowing each component to be manufactured independently with controlled precision requirements. The valve body, valve head, and driving portion are designed as separate assemblies that connect through standardized interfaces, reducing the cumulative precision requirements compared to a monolithic miniaturized design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies machining, and achieves miniaturization by allowing for a more compact design while maintaining sealing performance and pressure balance across the valve head portion.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member, provided in the accommodating cavity, one end of the elastic member being cooperated with the bottom wall, and the other end of the elastic member being able to be compressed by the end of the driving portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3974689B1Electronic expansion valve
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 ZHEJIANG DUNAN ARTIFICIAL ENVIRONMENT CO LTD
  • EP3974689B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974689B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974689B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Some embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic expansion valve, including: a valve body (10), the valve body having a valve port (11); a valve head portion, movably provided in the valve body, the valve head portion including a valve head (21) and a pressing sleeve (22), the valve head having an accommodating cavity, the end of the accommodating cavity close to the valve port having a bottom wall, a through hole (211) being provided on the bottom wall, and the valve head being used for blocking the valve port; a guide sleeve (60), provided in the valve body, the valve head portion being inserted in the guide sleeve; a driving portion, movably provided in the valve body, an end of the driving portion penetrating the pressing sleeve, and a channel being provided on the end of the driving portion and the pressing sleeve, the channel, the accommodating cavity and the through hole together forming a balancing channel penetrating the valve head portion; an elastic member (40), provided in the accommodating cavity, one end of the elastic member being cooperated with the bottom wall of the driving portion, and the other end of the elastic member being able to be compressed by the end of the driving portion; and a sealing member (80), the sealing member being provided between the valve head portion and the guide sleeve. The electronic expansion valve solves the problems of high manufacturing costs and large size of the electronic expansion valve in the art known to inventors.