Integrated Check Valve Structure for Lower-Cost Refrigerant Flow Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing check valves for refrigeration cycle circuits in air-conditioning apparatuses have a large number of components, leading to complex manufacturing processes and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A simplified check valve design comprising a container body with a cylindrical valve-body housing, an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat formed integrally by hydroforming, along with a movable valve body, reducing the number of components and manufacturing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a check valve is constructed with multiple components (tubular body, valve body, guide member, valve seat member, and seal member), then the valve can perform its function of allowing one-directional refrigerant flow, but the number of components increases leading to more manufacturing steps and higher manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-directional refrigerant flow functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (tubular body, valve body, guide member, valve seat member, and seal member) into an integrated structure where the container body houses the valve body that moves within it. The valve body includes integrated sealing surfaces and guide features that were previously separate components, reducing the overall component count while maintaining the one-directional flow function through the interaction between the valve body and container body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container body serves multiple functions: it acts as the housing structure, provides the valve seat surface for sealing, and guides the valve body movement. The valve body simultaneously provides the moving sealing element and the flow control mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a check valve is constructed with multiple components (tubular body, valve body, guide member, valve seat member, and seal member), then the valve can perform its function of allowing one-directional refrigerant flow, but the number of manufacturing steps increases leading to higher manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-directional refrigerant flow functionVSAvoidmanufacturing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (tubular body, valve body, guide member, valve seat member, and seal member) into an integrated structure where the container body houses the valve body that moves within it. The valve body includes integrated sealing surfaces and guide features that were previously separate components, reducing the overall component count while maintaining the one-directional flow function through the interaction between the valve body and container body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container body serves multiple functions: it acts as the housing structure, provides the valve seat surface for sealing, and guides the valve body movement. The valve body simultaneously provides the moving sealing element and the flow control mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a check valve is constructed with multiple components (tubular body, valve body, guide member, valve seat member, and seal member), then the valve can perform its function of allowing one-directional refrigerant flow, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-directional refrigerant flow functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (tubular body, valve body, guide member, valve seat member, and seal member) into an integrated structure where the container body houses the valve body that moves within it. The valve body includes integrated sealing surfaces and guide features that were previously separate components, reducing the overall component count while maintaining the one-directional flow function through the interaction between the valve body and container body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container body serves multiple functions: it acts as the housing structure, provides the valve seat surface for sealing, and guides the valve body movement. The valve body simultaneously provides the moving sealing element and the flow control mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11969774B2Check valve, air-conditioning apparatus, and method of manufacturing check valve

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A check valve includes a container body and a valve body. The container body includes a cylindrical valve-body housing portion, an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a valve seat. The inlet portion is formed at one end portion of the valve-body housing portion, and the outlet portion is formed at the other end portion of the valve-body hosing portion. The valve seat is protruded at an inner circumferential surface of the valve-body housing portion. The valve body is provided in the container body and movable in the axial direction thereof.