Flow Control Valve Guide Structure for Lower Coolant Pressure Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flow control valves in existing systems experience significant fluid pressure loss due to the protruding valve-element supporting structure within the valve element.
Innovation Solution
The flow control valve incorporates a valve element with a first guide portion on its outer circumference, which increases radially from one axial side to the other, reducing pressure loss by guiding coolant flow smoothly and preventing stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protruding valve-element supporting structure is used inside the valve element, then the valve element can be securely supported, but fluid pressure loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the supporting function from a protruding internal structure and relocates it to an external structure. The support portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the valve element, extending axially along the outside, rather than protruding into the internal fluid passage. This separation removes the obstruction from the fluid flow path while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the support structure from a three-dimensional protruding form inside the valve element to a surface-based structure on the outer circumferential surface. By changing the spatial dimension and location of the support structure, the patent eliminates interference with internal fluid passages while preserving mechanical support functionality.
2Reliability
If the valve element size is increased to accommodate supporting structures, then structural stability improves, but the overall valve size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting function is extracted from the internal volume of the valve element and placed on the external surface. This allows the valve element's internal passage to remain unobstructed and compact, while the support structure utilizes the external surface area, maintaining stability without increasing overall valve volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion is formed as a thin-walled protrusion on the outer circumferential surface, utilizing the shell structure of the valve element itself. This thin-film approach provides structural reinforcement without adding significant volume, as the support is integrated into the existing wall structure rather than adding bulk.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flow control valve and a cooling system, with which a pressure loss can be reduced. A rotor 12 includes a first guide portion 43 on the outer circumferential side of an extending portion 42 fixed to a drive shaft 13 and protruding into a space inside the rotor 12. The first guide portion 43 has a radial outer shape which increases from an x-axis positive direction side toward an x-axis negative direction side.