Fluid Control Assembly With One-Way Valve for Refrigerant Reflux
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigeration systems, the refrigerant tends to reflux when the compressor is turned on/off, causing a change in the flow direction, which is undesirable for consistent operation.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control assembly is designed with a heat exchange core and a mounting block, including a valve core member that operates under pressure differences to maintain a constant flow direction through one-way flow passages, ensuring the refrigerant flows from the first port to the second port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fluid control assembly is used without one-way flow passages, then the device structure is simple, but the refrigerant flow direction changes when the compressor is turned on/off, causing reflux
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid control assembly is segmented into multiple independent one-way flow passages (first flow passage, second flow passage, third flow passage), each with its own one-way valve mechanism. This segmentation allows each passage to independently control flow direction, ensuring that refrigerant cannot reflux regardless of compressor state changes, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely complex new structure.
Solution Approach 2:
One-way valve members are introduced as intermediary elements within the flow passages. These valve members act as mediators that automatically respond to pressure differences caused by compressor on/off states, allowing refrigerant to flow in the correct direction while blocking reverse flow, thus maintaining flow direction stability without complex external control systems.
2Reliability
If one-way flow passages are added to prevent reflux, then the flow direction stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow passages and their corresponding one-way valve members are merged into a single integrated fluid control assembly structure. The first, second, and third flow passages are combined with the heat exchange core and mounting block, sharing common structural elements and mounting mechanisms, which reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate independent valve assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid control assembly is designed with multi-functionality, where the same mounting block and heat exchange core structure support multiple flow passages with different one-way valve mechanisms. This universal design allows a single assembly to handle multiple refrigerant flow paths simultaneously, improving operational stability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the valve core member is positioned in the first mounting hole passage, then the one-way flow control is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve core member is pre-positioned within the first mounting hole passage during assembly, with preliminary positioning features such as guide surfaces and locating elements built into the mounting block. This preliminary action ensures that the valve core member is correctly positioned before final sealing, reducing the need for high-precision machining while maintaining reliable flow direction control.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve core member incorporates self-positioning features that allow it to automatically locate and seal against the mounting block wall portion under pressure differential. The pressure-driven self-service mechanism ensures proper positioning and sealing without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision, as the system self-adjusts during operation to achieve the necessary seal.
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 solution effectively prevents reflux and maintains a constant flow direction, enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of refrigeration systems by integrating a one-way valve mechanism within the fluid control assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The core body is operated under a pressure difference between the first sub-passage and the second sub-passage
Implementation Method 2
The mounting block and the heat exchange core are fixed by welding
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control assembly is provided, which includes a heat exchange core, a mounting block and a valve core member. At least a part of the valve core member is arranged in a first mounting hole passage of the mounting block, and the valve core member is sealable to a wall portion of the first mounting hole passage. In this way, the fluid control assembly includes a fluid flow passage that includes a first port, a second hole passage, a first hole passage, a first sub-passage, a communication hole, a second sub-passage, and a second port. A core body of the valve core member is operated under a pressure difference between the first sub-passage and the second sub-passage, to communicate or block the first sub-passage and the second sub-passage, to realize a constant flow direction of the fluid flow passage of the fluid control assembly.