Electrically Actuated Flow Control Valve With Separate Valve Seat Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control valves in vehicles face challenges with complex designs, manufacturing precision, and valve sealing issues, particularly in solenoid valves used in engine cooling systems, which complicate manufacturing and increase the risk of leaks.
Innovation Solution
An electrically actuated valve design featuring a valve housing with a separate valve sealing component, including a cap sealing section and a valve seat, which simplifies assembly and reduces leakage risks by allowing for robust sealing and structural reinforcement through struts, and a plunger with proximal and distal seals that interface with the valve seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If valve seats are integrally formed with the valve housing, then manufacturing is simplified, but manufacturing precision and sealing robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is separated from the valve housing and integrated into a distinct valve sealing component. This segmentation allows the valve seat to be manufactured with high precision using specialized processes while the housing can be produced separately, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve seat is merged with the valve sealing component (cap sealing section) to form an integrated assembly. This combination provides robust sealing capability while maintaining manufacturing flexibility, as the sealing component can be manufactured separately and then assembled to the housing.
2Device complexity
If valve seats are integrally formed with the valve housing, then the number of parts is reduced, but valve sealing robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the valve seat from the housing and placing it in a dedicated sealing component, the design prioritizes sealing robustness. The segmentation allows for specialized sealing surfaces and materials that enhance reliability despite increasing part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve sealing component can utilize composite construction or specialized materials for the valve seat that provide superior sealing properties compared to standard housing materials, thereby enhancing reliability while maintaining manageable complexity.
3Ease of operation
If wax motors are used with physical contact between actuator casing and vehicle fluid, then actuation is achieved, but valve construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve mechanism extracts the actuation function from direct fluid contact requirements. By using electromagnetic actuation that does not require the actuator casing to contact the controlled fluid, the design simplifies construction while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger with proximal and distal seals acts as an intermediary between the solenoid actuator and the fluid control function. This intermediary mechanism allows electromagnetic actuation to control fluid flow without requiring direct contact between the actuator casing and the fluid, thereby reducing construction complexity.
4Productivity
If solenoid valves are used in engine cooling systems, then flow control is achieved, but valve sealing and manufacturing challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate manufacturable components: housing, valve sealing component with seat, and solenoid assembly. This segmentation enables each component to be manufactured using optimized processes for that specific part, improving overall ease of manufacture while maintaining flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve sealing component is prepared in advance with pre-installed valve seat and sealing elements. This preliminary preparation allows for quality control and assembly simplification, making the overall manufacturing process easier while ensuring proper sealing for flow control application.
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 solution enhances valve sealing robustness, reduces leakage, and streamlines manufacturing and assembly processes, improving the efficiency and reliability of fluid control in vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plunger configured to couple to a solenoid piston
Implementation Method 2
a plunger configured to couple to a solenoid piston and including a proximal seal configured to selectively sealingly interface with the valve seat
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically actuated valve is provided. The electrically actuated valve includes a valve housing comprising a valve chamber and a first and second port in fluidic communication with the valve chamber. The electrically actuated valve further comprises a valve sealing component including a cap sealing section adjacent to an opening in the valve housing and a valve seat arranged within the valve chamber between the first port and the second port and a plunger configured to couple to a solenoid piston and including a proximal seal configured to selectively sealingly interface with the valve seat.