Motor Valve Spring Case Nested Radial Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor-operated valves face challenges in maintaining high coaxiality between the valve seat and element, and increasing the bore diameter to control higher fluid flow requires larger sizes, making them less efficient and larger in size.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a spring case on the bush with an outer flange and coil springs between the flange and the body, allowing for a smaller actuator size without increasing height, with a guide portion and pressure equalization paths to balance pressures and improve valve element alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the bore diameter of the valve seat is increased to control higher fluid flow, then the fluid flow control capability is improved, but the size of the valve increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow control capabilityVSAvoidvalve size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring case is nested within the space between the bush and the outer housing, with the coil spring nested within the spring case. This nested arrangement allows the high-flow control valve to achieve larger bore diameter without proportionally increasing the overall valve size, as the spring mechanism is efficiently space-utilized within the existing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring case extends in the radial direction rather than only in the axial direction, utilizing the space between the bush and the outer housing. This dimensional change allows the valve to maintain a compact axial length while accommodating the larger spring mechanism required for high-flow control applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the spring case is relocated to above the chamber to secure space for fluid passage, then the fluid passage space is improved, but the axial length of the valve increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid passage spaceVSAvoidaxial length of valve
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the spring case in the axial direction above the chamber, the invention utilizes the radial space between the bush and the outer housing. This dimensional change allows the spring case to accommodate the necessary fluid passage space without increasing the axial length of the valve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring case is segmented into different sections: an upper section that accommodates the coil spring and a lower section that provides the fluid passage space. This segmentation allows the spring case to simultaneously fulfill both functions without requiring additional axial length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If a separate spring case is used to guide the valve element, then the valve element guidance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve element guidance precisionVSAvoidnumber of separate components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring case combines multiple functions into a single component: it houses the coil spring, guides the valve element through its inner circumference, and provides structural support. This merging reduces the number of separate components compared to using a dedicated guide mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining guidance precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring case serves multiple purposes: it acts as a guide for the valve element, a housing for the spring mechanism, and a structural component connecting the bush to the outer housing. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the device structure while maintaining precise valve element guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enables efficient high-flow control without increasing the valve's size, maintaining coaxiality and reducing the actuator's size, allowing for smoother operation and balanced pressures.

Implementation Method 1

a coil spring (92) for forcing the valve element (80) toward the rotor member (50)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The driver (72) has an external thread (74) formed thereon. The external thread (74) is in mesh with the internal thread (22) formed inside the bush (20). Thus, the driver (72) moves axially while rotating.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2505887B1Motor-operated valve
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 FUJIKOKI CORP
  • EP2505887B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2505887B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2505887B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor-operated valve of which a body (110) has an orifice (16), seat (18) and a valve element (180) provided opposite to the seat. The valve element (180) is operated by a driver (72) which is driven to rotate by an output gear (70) to which the rotation of a rotor (50) having been reduced by means of a mechanical paradox planetary gear mechanism is transmitted. To force the valve element (180) in the direction in which the valve is opened, a coil spring (92) is disposed in a bore (110e) formed in the upper portion of the body (110) oppositely to a bush (120).