Fluid Control Valve Spring Mechanism for Flow Rate Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control valves face limitations in controlling flow rates over a wide range due to rapid increase in pressure-receiving area and potential for metal contact leading to rust, resulting in unstable flow control and reduced controllability at low flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control valve design incorporating a spring mechanism that balances the valve element away from the valve seat when the solenoid is not powered, using a combination of first and second coil springs to maintain a predetermined clearance, allowing for improved responsiveness and controllability of flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve element is biased to make contact with the valve seat using a spring, then the valve-closed state is maintained when the solenoid is not powered, but the flow rate control range decreases and responsiveness deteriorates when fluid pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the valve element's state from static (always biased to contact) to dynamic (maintaining a predetermined clearance). The spring mechanism is configured to hold the valve element away from the valve seat by a specific distance, allowing the valve to respond dynamically to fluid pressure changes without the limitations of constant contact biasing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the key parameter of valve element position by introducing a predetermined clearance rather than allowing direct contact. This parameter change enables the pressure-receiving area to remain constant regardless of valve opening degree, thereby expanding the controllable flow rate range and improving responsiveness.
2Speed
If the valve element separates from the valve seat rapidly when fluid pressure increases, then the valve opens quickly, but the pressure-receiving area increases rapidly causing unstable flow rate control at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the valve element at a predetermined clearance from the valve seat using the spring mechanism. This preliminary positioning ensures that when fluid pressure increases, the valve element opens smoothly from a known starting position rather than experiencing rapid, uncontrolled separation, thereby maintaining stable flow rate control.
3Reliability
If the valve element makes direct contact with the valve seat, then the shut-off function is achieved, but metal contact causes rust generation and adhesion problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the predetermined clearance maintained by the spring) between the valve element and valve seat. This intermediary prevents direct metal-to-metal contact during normal operation, eliminating the harmful effects of rust and adhesion while preserving the shut-off function when the solenoid activates and overcomes the spring bias.
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
Enables timely and precise control of fluid flow rates over a wide range by maintaining a consistent pressure-receiving area and preventing rapid clearance increase, thus enhancing the valve's responsiveness and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism holding the valve element to be balanced at a position at which the valve element is away from the valve seat by a predetermined distance in a case where the solenoid is inhibited from being supplied with the electric power
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid causing the valve element to make contact with the valve seat in a state where the solenoid is supplied with an electric power
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid control valve (V) includes a body portion (4) provided at a circulation flow passage (2) that circulates fluid between an internal combustion engine (E) and a heat exchanger (H), an inflow passage (5), an outflow passage (6), a valve element (7), a valve seat (8) including a contact portion (8a) relative to the valve element, the contact portion being provided to face a downstream side of a circulating direction of the fluid, a solenoid (9) causing the valve element to make contact with the valve seat in a state where the solenoid is supplied with an electric power, and a spring mechanism (10) holding the valve element to be balanced at a position at which the valve element is away from the valve seat by a predetermined distance (L) in a case where the solenoid is inhibited from being supplied with the electric power and the fluid is inhibited from flowing.