Flow Rate Control Valve Sealing Layout for Low Rotational Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flow control valve designs experience high rotational torque due to excessive sliding resistance from seal members, leading to increased friction and potential size enlargement of the drive mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a flow rate control valve with a reduced number of seal members in contact with the valve body, utilizing a seal member between the main communication hole and the valve body, and non-contact seal portions between auxiliary communication holes and the valve body, which adjust fluid leakage based on rotational position to minimize friction and drive mechanism size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seal members are provided between the hot-water inlet pipe and the valve body and between the hot-water outlet pipe and the valve body, then sealing performance is improved, but sliding resistance increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes seal members from the auxiliary communication holes, extracting only the necessary sealing elements from the system. By providing seal members only at the main communication hole while leaving auxiliary holes without contact seals, the invention eliminates unnecessary sliding friction while maintaining essential sealing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different sealing qualities to different locations: contact seals are provided only where necessary (main communication hole) while non-contact seals are used where friction should be minimized (auxiliary communication holes). This local differentiation optimizes the balance between sealing performance and rotational smoothness.
2Reliability
If multiple seal members are provided to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but rotational torque increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts unnecessary seal members from the auxiliary communication holes, keeping only the essential seal at the main communication hole. This reduction eliminates excess friction that would increase rotational torque while maintaining adequate sealing where fluid flow occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing contact seals everywhere and accepting high torque, the patent inverts the approach by using non-contact seals at auxiliary holes where friction should be minimized, and contact seals only where sealing is critical at the main communication hole.
3Reliability
If seal members are provided between the valve body and the housing, then sealing performance is improved, but friction during rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes contact seal members from auxiliary communication holes, extracting only the necessary sealing elements. This reduces the number of contact interfaces that generate friction during rotation while maintaining sealing where fluid actually flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies contact sealing only locally at the main communication hole where sealing is critical, while using non-contact sealing at auxiliary holes where minimal friction is desired. This localized approach optimizes both sealing and rotational ease.
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 configuration reduces friction during valve rotation, leading to a smaller drive mechanism size and controlled fluid leakage, effectively managing temperature changes in the cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure drop is caused due to a space portion on the fluid leaked out into the second auxiliary communication hole via the space portion formed between an inner peripheral surface of a valve body containing portion and an outer peripheral surface of a valve body circumferential wall
Data Source
AI summary
A flow rate control valve has a housing including a valve body and a main communication hole and auxiliary communication holes. The valve body includes a fluid inflow portion, a main opening portion and auxiliary opening portions formed on the valve body circumferential wall and establish fluid communication. A seal member is provided between the main communication hole and the valve body, and configured to seal between the valve body and the main communication hole. The valve body establishes the communication between one auxiliary communication hole and one auxiliary opening portion regardless of a rotational position of the valve body. In addition, the valve body changes a communication state between the main communication hole and the main opening portion and a communication state between another auxiliary communication hole and another auxiliary opening portion according to the rotational position of the valve body.