Multi-Element Valve Actuation for Low-Power Coolant Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems for cooling systems in vehicles face challenges in efficiently controlling multiple fluid passages due to high frictional forces, which require more powerful actuators or multiple actuators, especially with the increasing complexity of coolant flow paths in new energy vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The valve system employs a design with multiple groups of valve body elements that rotate independently, using a single actuating shaft with engaging and disengaging structures to selectively actuate groups of valve bodies, reducing frictional forces and allowing control of multiple fluid passages with limited actuator power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing elements are added between housing openings and valve body to prevent coolant leakage during rotation, then sealing reliability is improved, but frictional force increases and actuator power requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into multiple independently rotatable valve body elements (first, second, third, fourth valve bodies) instead of a single monolithic valve body. Each valve body element can rotate independently to control different fluid passages. This segmentation reduces the total frictional force that needs to be overcome during rotation, as each smaller element experiences less friction than a single large valve body would, while still maintaining sealing through dedicated sealing elements at each housing opening.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve bodies are used to control multiple fluid passages, then fluid passage control capability is improved, but frictional force increases and actuator power requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system uses multiple independently rotatable valve body elements (first, second, third, fourth valve bodies) instead of a single monolithic valve body. Each valve body element can rotate independently to control different fluid passages. This segmentation reduces the total frictional force that needs to be overcome during rotation, as each smaller element experiences less friction than a single large valve body would, while still maintaining sealing through dedicated sealing elements at each housing opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating shaft is designed to selectively engage with different valve body elements based on the required fluid passage configuration. The engaging structures allow the actuator to rotate only the specific valve body element needed for the current operating condition, rather than rotating all valve bodies simultaneously. This dynamic selective actuation reduces the power requirement by minimizing the number of sealing elements in friction contact at any given time.
3Device complexity
If existing actuators are used with limited output power, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control multiple fluid passages is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating shaft is designed to selectively engage with different valve body elements based on the required fluid passage configuration. The engaging structures allow the actuator to rotate only the specific valve body element needed for the current operating condition, rather than rotating all valve bodies simultaneously. This dynamic selective actuation reduces the power requirement by minimizing the number of sealing elements in friction contact at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
A single actuator with a multi-functional actuating shaft serves all valve body elements. The actuating shaft can selectively engage with any of the valve body elements through dedicated engaging structures, allowing one actuator to perform the work of multiple actuators. This universal design maintains device simplicity while achieving the ability to control multiple fluid passages independently.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to a valve comprising a housing, an actuating shaft and a plurality of groups of valve body elements. The plurality of groups of valve body elements are disposed in the housing and capable of rotating in the housing. The actuating shaft is configured to selectively actuate at least one group of valve body elements in the plurality of groups of valve body elements to rotate. The valve is provided with a plurality of fluid passages therein, and the actuated at least one group of valve body elements can connect or disconnect at least one of the plurality of fluid passages. The valve provided by the present disclosure can control and switch more fluid passages when an output power of an actuating device is limited.