Modular Flow Path Switching Valve With Coupled Rotary Valve Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow path switching valves lack flexibility in adjusting the number and combination of coupling ports and flow paths, necessitating redesign when specifications change.
Innovation Solution
A flow path switching valve design featuring a valve unit with a first and second valve body that rotate in conjunction, allowing selective communication states between ports and flow paths, facilitated by a rotation drive part that interlocks the valve bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of coupling ports and flow path combinations are fixed according to specification, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but there is no degree of freedom and redesign is required when specifications change
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into multiple independent valve units, each capable of independently controlling a flow path. This segmentation allows flexible combination of multiple valve units to achieve various flow path configurations without redesigning the entire valve structure, thus improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each valve unit is designed with universal functionality to control fluid flow between multiple ports. By making each unit multi-functional and interchangeable, the system can accommodate different specifications and flow path requirements by simply reconfiguring the combination of identical valve units, eliminating the need for redesign when specifications change.
2Ease of operation
If multiple independent rotation drive parts are provided for each valve unit, then each valve unit can be controlled independently, but the component count and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve units share a common rotation drive part that is capable of simultaneously or sequentially actuating all valve units. This merging of the drive mechanism reduces the total component count and cost while maintaining the ability to independently control each valve unit through synchronized rotation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow path switching valve has a valve unit including: a valve main body having a first port and a second port formed in a valve chamber, and a third port formed at a bottom surface of the valve chamber; a first valve body disposed rotatably in the valve chamber, and in which a flow path is formed; a first flow path communicating with the first port; a second flow path provided parallel with the first flow path with the valve main body interposed between the first flow path and the second flow path, and communicating with the second port, a branch part communicating with the third port and branching at least in two directions; a third flow path and a fourth flow path each coupled to the branch part; and a second valve body disposed in the branch part and which rotates in conjunction with the first valve body. A communication state of the first port, the second port, and the third port is selectively switched through the first valve body, and a communication state of the third port, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path is switched by the second valve body.