Multi-Element Valve Switching More Fluid Passages With Limited Actuator Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems face challenges in efficiently controlling multiple fluid passages due to high frictional forces caused by sealing elements, which require more powerful actuators, especially in cooling systems of vehicles where the number of coolant flow paths is increasing, making it difficult for existing actuators to meet the power requirements.
Innovation Solution
The valve system employs a design with multiple groups of valve body elements that rotate independently, using engaging and disengaging structures to selectively actuate only one group at a time, reducing frictional forces and allowing for more fluid passages to be controlled with limited actuator power by distributing the rotational load.
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 requiring higher actuator power
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into multiple independent valve body elements (first group and second group) that can rotate independently. Each valve body element has its own sealing elements, so when one group rotates, only the sealing elements for that group bear frictional force. This segmentation distributes the frictional load across different groups rather than all sealing elements simultaneously, reducing the power requirement for each actuation event while maintaining sealing reliability for each group.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of housing openings and sealing elements is increased to control more fluid passages in multi-passage valves, then fluid passage control capability is improved, but frictional force increases making it difficult for existing actuators to meet power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body elements are divided into multiple groups (first group and second group), each group containing one or more valve body elements. Each group can be actuated independently by the actuating shaft through selective engagement. This allows the system to control a large number of fluid passages through multiple valve body elements while only requiring the actuator to overcome frictional force for one group at a time, not all groups simultaneously, thus maintaining compatibility with existing actuator power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating shaft is designed with selective engagement capability through engaging and disengaging structures. It can dynamically engage with different groups of valve body elements based on which fluid passages need to be controlled. This dynamic selection allows the system to adapt to different control scenarios, activating only the necessary valve body elements and minimizing frictional force requirements for each operation.
Data Source
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.