Expansion Valve Vibration Suppression Using Dynamic Spring Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion valves experience vibrations and abnormal noise due to differential pressure, especially when the opening degree is small, as the spring force of traditional vibration proof springs remains constant, leading to increased fluid force and vibration.
Innovation Solution
An expansion valve design featuring a vibration proof spring with a ring portion and elastic protruding portions that increase deformation as the valve closes, arranged within a concave portion of the valve main body, allowing for adjustable deformation and reduced sliding resistance, effectively suppressing vibrations and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed spring force vibration proof spring is used, then the structure is simple, but vibration suppression is insufficient at small opening degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed spring force into a dynamic spring force that varies with valve opening degree. The vibration proof spring's contact surface is designed with a specific profile (e.g., curved surface) that causes the spring deformation amount to change as the actuating bar moves, thereby adjusting the spring force dynamically to match the varying fluid forces at different opening degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of spring force from constant to variable by designing the contact surface geometry. As the actuating bar moves to different positions (different opening degrees), the contact point on the curved surface changes, resulting in different deformation amounts and thus different spring forces, directly addressing the parameter change needed.
2Reliability
If the spring force increases to suppress vibration at small opening degrees, then vibration suppression improves, but sliding resistance increases during steady operation
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic spring force design allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions. At small opening degrees, the spring force is high to suppress vibration caused by large differential pressure. During steady operation at larger opening degrees, the spring force naturally decreases, reducing sliding resistance and ensuring smooth valve operation without excessive friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force parameter is made variable through the contact surface geometry design. The deformation amount of the spring changes with the position of the actuating bar, automatically adjusting the spring force to be high when needed for vibration suppression and low during normal operation to minimize sliding resistance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple cylindrical contact surface is used, then manufacturing is easy, but the deformation amount of the vibration proof spring cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire contact surface complex, the patent applies a specific geometric profile (such as a curved surface) only to the contact portion of the actuating bar. This localized design provides the necessary deformation adjustment capability while keeping the overall structure simple and manufacturable. The non-contact portions of the actuating bar can remain cylindrical for ease of manufacturing.
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
The design enhances vibration proof performance at small opening degrees while minimizing sliding resistance during steady operation, effectively reducing abnormal noise and maintaining controllability.
Implementation Method 1
The contact surface has a shape by which the amount of deformation of the vibration proof spring becomes greater as the valve body goes towards a closing direction of the valve
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion valve includes a valve main body having a valve chamber therein, a valve body arranged within the valve chamber, a valve body support member supporting the valve body, an urging member urging the valve body toward a valve seat, an actuating bar pressing the valve body in an opening direction of the valve against urging force generated by the urging member, and a vibration proof spring suppressing vibration of the valve body or the actuating bar. The actuating bar has an outer peripheral surface of which a part constitutes a contact surface slidably contacting with the vibration proof spring, and the contact surface has a shape by which the amount of deformation of the vibration proof spring becomes greater as the valve body goes towards a closing direction of the valve.