Device for controlling a flow and distributing a fluid in a fluid circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerant circuits in motor vehicles are complex, costly, and require significant mounting space due to the large number of valves and connecting pipes, especially when operating with carbon dioxide, which demands high actuation force and results in increased weight and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing and a valve element that can move linearly to control fluid flow between multiple connections, incorporating pressure chambers for reduced motion energy and a drive element for easy operation, effectively combining the functions of multiple valves into a single, highly integrated component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves and connecting pipes are used to control refrigerant flow in different circuits, then the system can provide diverse thermal management functions, but the device complexity, mounting space, and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single integrated valve element with multiple valve seats and controllable openings. This single component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate valves and connecting pipes, thereby reducing device complexity and mounting space while maintaining the ability to control refrigerant flow to different circuits for diverse thermal management functions
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element is designed as a universal component that can control refrigerant flow to multiple different circuits simultaneously. By incorporating multiple valve seats and controllable openings in one element, it performs the functions of multiple specialized valves, enabling diverse thermal management operations without requiring separate valve components for each circuit
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves with actuators are installed to provide various functions, then the system versatility improves, but the weight and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve functions into a single valve element structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate valve bodies, actuators, and mounting hardware. This consolidation significantly reduces the overall weight of the valve system while maintaining the capability to perform various thermal management functions through the integrated multi-opening design
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves and connecting pipes are used to achieve comprehensive thermal management, then the system versatility improves, but the mounting space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple valve functions into a single compact valve element that occupies minimal mounting space. By combining multiple valve seats and controllable openings in one component rather than using separate valves distributed throughout the system, the patent dramatically reduces the space required for valve installation while maintaining comprehensive thermal management capability
4Reliability
If conventional valve systems are used with carbon dioxide refrigerant, then the refrigeration function is achieved, but the actuation force required increases due to high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a piston as an intermediary mechanical element between the actuator and the valve element. This piston mechanism amplifies the actuation force and translates small actuator movements into larger valve element displacements, enabling reliable operation with carbon dioxide refrigerant under high pressure conditions without requiring excessively large actuator forces
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling a flow and distributing a fluid, in particular a refrigerant, in a fluid circuit. The device exhibits a housing with connections for connection to fluid lines that are connected to one internal volume of the housing via a pass-through opening, and one valve element that is arranged in the internal volume of the housing and exhibits a drive element for moving the valve element relative to the housing. The valve element exhibits one pass-through opening and is mounted in such a way that it can be moved linearly in the axial direction along a longitudinal axis such that a passage for the fluid is opened between a first connection produced as an inlet and a second connection produced as a primary outlet or a third connection produced as a secondary outlet.