Multi-Axis Valve Housing Layout for Compact Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control valves lack efficient manufacturability and design flexibility, particularly in integrating multiple valves with non-parallel axial directions within a single housing, which affects their performance and assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus featuring a housing injection-molded with non-parallel seating spaces for multiple valve parts and a connection part, allowing for parallel alignment and simultaneous molding of valve shafts and connection passages, enabling efficient assembly and fluid flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves with non-parallel axial directions are integrated in a single housing, then device functionality and fluid flow control are improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple seating spaces (first seating space, second seating space, third seating space) that are spatially segmented to accommodate valve parts with different axial directions. Each seating space is designed to receive a specific valve part, allowing non-parallel valve arrangements while maintaining a unified housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by providing seating spaces in different axial directions (first axial direction, second axial direction, third axial direction). This dimensional approach allows valve parts to be positioned at different orientations within the same housing, enabling complex fluid flow control without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple seating spaces for non-parallel valve parts are provided in a single housing, then assembly efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-formed with multiple seating spaces during the injection molding process, with each seating space pre-positioned to receive a specific valve part. The connection passages are also pre-formed to connect these seating spaces, allowing valve parts to be assembled in a standardized manner without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection passages serve as intermediaries between the seating spaces, providing predefined fluid flow paths that connect the first, second, and third seating spaces. These connection passages are formed simultaneously with the seating spaces during injection molding, ensuring precise positioning and alignment without requiring additional manufacturing steps.
3Productivity
If connection passages are simultaneously injection-molded with seating spaces, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but mold complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection passages and seating spaces are merged into a single injection molding process, forming both features simultaneously in one manufacturing step. This integration eliminates the need for separate manufacturing operations for connection passages, improving production efficiency while the mold complexity is managed through the unified design approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a valve apparatus, including: one housing where a fluid is introduced and discharged; a first valve part provided inside the housing and configured to control flow of the fluid; a second valve part provided inside the housing such that the fluid is introduced into the second valve part from the first valve part, and configured to control flow of the fluid introduced from the first valve part; and a connection part configured to introduce the fluid discharged from the first valve part in the housing into the second valve part, wherein respective valve shaft directions of the first and second valve parts respectively are non-parallel to each other, and any one of respective valve shafts of the first and second valve parts is parallel to an axial direction of the connection part. In accordance with such a configuration, a plurality of valve parts having different axial directions can be seated in one housing to be connected to each other, so that manufacturability and valve control efficiency can be improved.