Multi-Port Valve Rotation Locking for Precise Port Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-port valves lack precise control over the rotation between the valve body and the rotating bushing, leading to suboptimal fluid connections and potential misalignment during operation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port valve design featuring a directional component with a channel and blocking extension, coupled with a cover that can move axially between two positions to control the rotational freedom of the directional component relative to the valve body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotating bushing is manually rotated to adjust port connections, then the valve can be operated to change fluid flow paths, but the alignment precision between the rotating bushing and valve body deteriorates leading to suboptimal fluid connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring-loaded rotating bushing that can dynamically transition between locked and rotatable states. The spring applies a biasing force to maintain precise alignment when locked, while allowing controlled rotation when needed for operation. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation and manufacturing precision at different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an alignment feature consisting of a protrusion on the rotating bushing and a corresponding recess in the valve body. This intermediary mechanical feature acts as a mediator to ensure precise alignment during rotation and maintains the connection between the rotating bushing and valve body, thereby resolving the alignment precision issue while preserving manual rotation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotating bushing is allowed to rotate freely during operation, then the valve can be adjusted to different positions, but the rotating bushing may be inadvertently rotated leading to fluid flow less than optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides a dynamic locking system that maintains the rotating bushing in stable positions during operation. The spring biasing force ensures that once the bushing is rotated to a desired position, it remains locked there and prevents inadvertent rotation, thus maintaining reliable fluid connections while preserving the ability to adjust to different positions when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a locking feature that preemptively prevents inadvertent rotation by mechanically constraining the rotating bushing after it has been positioned. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the potential harmful effect of accidental rotation before it can occur, ensuring stability of fluid connections while maintaining adaptability for intentional adjustments.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to fix the rotating bushing position, then rotational stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking mechanism with the existing rotating bushing structure by integrating spring-loaded features and alignment protrusions directly into the bushing and valve body. This combining approach provides rotational stability through a locking mechanism while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing existing structural elements rather than adding separate, independent locking components.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A multi-port valve is disclosed that includes a valve body having an outer surface, an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, an upper end, a lower end, a stop member extending from the upper end, a plurality of output ports for transmitting a liquid to respective outputs, and an input port for receiving the liquid from an input. The multi-port valve also includes a directional component positioned in the internal cavity and configured to be rotated relative to the valve body, where the directional component includes a stop member and defines an outer surface that includes a channel for directing the liquid from the input port to one of the plurality of output ports when the directional component is in a first rotational position and a blocking extension that extends through the channel to prevent the channel from completely extending around the circumference. The multi-port valve also includes a cover rotationally coupled to the directional component for rotating the directional component relative to the valve body.