Multi-Port Valve Channel Stops for Precise Port Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-port valves suffer from suboptimal fluid connections due to misalignment of rotating bushings, leading to inefficient fluid flow, and are prone to inadvertent rotation during operation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port valve design featuring a directional component with a channel and blocking extension, coupled with a cover and stop members, limits rotation and ensures precise alignment of input and output ports, enhancing control over fluid flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating bushing is used to connect input and output ports, then the valve can selectively direct fluid flow between multiple ports, but the fluid connection quality becomes suboptimal when the bushing is slightly misaligned or inadvertently rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into a stationary valve body and a rotatable directional component with separate functional elements (channel and blocking extension). This segmentation allows the directional component to rotate between discrete positions while maintaining reliable sealing through the valve body's port structure, resolving the contradiction between flow direction adaptability and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional component acts as an intermediary between the input and output ports, using its rotatable channel structure to selectively connect different ports. This intermediary mechanism provides controlled, discrete rotational positions that ensure optimal fluid connection quality while maintaining versatility in flow direction selection.
2Ease of operation
If manual rotation of the rotating bushing is permitted, then the user can adjust the fluid flow path to desired outputs, but inadvertent rotation occurs during operation leading to suboptimal fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The directional component is designed to be rotatable during operation, allowing users to adjust fluid flow paths between multiple output ports. The dynamic rotational capability provides ease of operation while the discrete positional design maintains stability when positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design incorporates predetermined rotational positions that align the channel with specific output ports. This preliminary configuration of discrete positions ensures that when the directional component is rotated, it naturally settles into stable, optimal alignment positions, preventing inadvertent rotation and maintaining operational stability.
3Productivity
If the channel extends completely around the circumference of the directional component, then fluid can flow freely in all directions, but precise control over fluid flow to specific outputs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is segmented by the blocking extension, which divides the circumferential path into controlled sections. This segmentation prevents fluid from flowing completely around the directional component, instead directing it to specific output ports based on the rotational position, thereby maintaining both flow efficiency and precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking extension extracts or removes the possibility of complete circumferential flow by interrupting the channel path. This extraction of the unrestricted flow option enables precise control over fluid direction to specific outputs while maintaining efficient flow through the selected path.
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.