Home appliance using a valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances, such as refrigerators, require valves that are cost-effective and capable of providing multiple fluid flow rates while maintaining reliability, as traditional valves like rotary valves are expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic valve with a valve chamber and multiple outflow lines, where one outflow line is always open, and the valve body is movable between positions to control fluid flow through the other outflow lines, ensuring cost-effectiveness and selective flow rates without blocking the first outflow line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotary valve is used to provide multiple outflow rates, then the valve can selectively control fluid flow to different evaporators, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple positions (first, second, and third end positions) that can be selectively activated. Instead of a single complex rotary mechanism, the valve uses multiple simple linear positions that can be independently controlled, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining versatility in fluid distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The same valve structure serves multiple functions: it can direct refrigerant to the first evaporator, second evaporator, or both simultaneously, or to neither. This multi-functionality is achieved through the valve body's ability to occupy different positions, eliminating the need for separate valves for each function and reducing device complexity
2Reliability
If a bi-stable electromagnetic valve is used, then the valve is less susceptible to faults, but the cost of the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body utilizes its own weight and gravitational force to return to the default third position after being actuated. This self-returning mechanism eliminates the need for additional springs, motors, or complex return mechanisms, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability through the simple, fault-resistant electromagnetic actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve mechanisms (such as rotary valves with multiple moving parts) with a simpler electromagnetic valve system. The electromagnetic actuator directly moves the valve body between discrete positions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, gears, or cam mechanisms, thereby reducing both cost and fault susceptibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve body blocks all outflow lines in certain positions, then selective flow control is achieved, but the first outflow line cannot provide continuous flow
Solution Approach 1:
The valve chamber has non-uniform geometry with different cross-sectional areas at different locations. The first outflow line is positioned to tap into regions of the valve chamber that maintain flow pathways even when the valve body occupies positions that block other outflow lines. This local geometric variation ensures that the first outflow line can provide continuous flow while other lines are selectively controlled
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 provides a cost-effective home appliance with reliable and adjustable fluid flow rates, enhancing the keepability of stored items and reducing operational costs by optimizing refrigerant fluid flow to the heat exchanger based on energy needs.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic valve for a fluid flow comprising a valve chamber, an inflow line connected to valve chamber
Implementation Method 2
control flow of the fluid through the corresponding second outflow line; optimizing refrigerant fluid flow to the heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is an electromagnetic valve (30) for a fluid flow comprising a valve chamber (36), an inflow line (38) connected to valve chamber (36), a first outflow line (39) connected to the valve chamber (36), at least one second outflow line (40) connected to the valve chamber (36), a valve body (41) displaceable in the valve chamber (36) between more than one end positions (43); wherein at least one of the end positions (43) corresponds to the at least one second outflow line (40) to control flow of the fluid through the corresponding second outflow line (40); and that the first outflow line (39) is always open to fluid outflow regardless of the position of the valve body (41). The invention also a home appliance having the valve (30).