Flow control device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow rate control devices for cooling liquids in hybrid and electric vehicles experience degraded sealing performance over time, leading to inefficiencies in thermal management systems.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate control device with a dynamic sealing structure, featuring a valve core and transmission element, that maintains reliable liquid sealing through a combination of static and dynamic sealing contact portions, and a multi-way structure for proportional distribution of the working medium, allowing precise control of flow rates and reversing of the working medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional reversing device is used in the cooling liquid circulation system, then the device can reverse the flow direction of the cooling liquid, but the inner sealing performance degrades after use for a certain time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a dynamic sealing structure where the valve core can rotate to different positions (first position for cooling mode, second position for heating mode). The sealing contact portions are designed to dynamically adapt to the valve core's rotational position, maintaining reliable sealing performance throughout the service life by allowing the sealing surfaces to flex and conform during operation rather than being rigid fixed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the sealing contact portions with specific surface roughness parameters (Ra values between 0.03-0.48μm for the valve core and 0.06-0.96μm for the housing). These controlled surface parameter changes ensure optimal sealing performance across different operating conditions and over time, preventing degradation that would occur with conventional sealing surfaces.
2Reliability
If a dynamic sealing structure is implemented with specific surface roughness parameters, then reliable liquid sealing is maintained under deformation or aging conditions, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise surface roughness parameter ranges (Ra 0.03-0.48μm for valve core sealing surfaces, Ra 0.06-0.96μm for housing sealing surfaces) that balance manufacturing feasibility with sealing performance. These parameter specifications enable reliable sealing under deformation and aging conditions while maintaining practical manufacturing precision requirements through clearly defined tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by specifying different material compositions for the valve core (aluminum alloy with specific elemental ranges including Si: 7-13%, Cu: 3-5%, Mg: 0.5-1%) and the housing (aluminum alloy with Si: 7-13%, Cu: 2-4%, Mg: 0.5-1%). These composite material formulations provide optimal mechanical properties and sealing surface characteristics that maintain reliability while being manufacturable with standard precision capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a flow control device (100) for a heat exchange system. The device comprises a housing (1), a valve core (2) and a transmission element (3). The housing (1) is formed with an accommodating portion (101), a first port (102) and a second port (103), the valve core (2) being at least partially accommodated in the accommodating portion (101). The housing (1) comprises fixing elements (12) and an outer housing (11), the fixing elements (12) being located on a circumferential inner side of the outer housing (11), the outer housing (11) and the fixing elements (12) are arranged in a relatively sealing manner, and the valve core (2) and the fixing elements (12) are arranged in a relatively sealing manner. The valve core (2) at least has a first flowing passage (21). The transmission element (3) drives the valve core (2) to open or close at least one of the first and second ports (102, 103), thereby improving an internal sealing performance of the product.