Multi-Port Valve Partial Seal Layout for Lower Actuation Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-port valves face increased complexity and high actuation force requirements due to numerous seals and heavy construction, leading to higher costs and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port valve design featuring a shell body with perpendicular flow paths and a partial circumferential seal member that reduces contact and actuation force, incorporating a cylindrical outer periphery with pockets and passageways for efficient flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual seals are used to seal the various ports, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single seal member that simultaneously seals multiple ports. The seal member includes multiple sealing surfaces that contact the valve member to seal off different ports, eliminating the need for multiple separate seals and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple sealing tasks simultaneously. It includes various sealing surfaces that can seal different port combinations, making it a universal sealing solution for the multi-port valve rather than requiring dedicated seals for each port.
2Strength
If a solid piece valve member construction is used, then structural strength is improved, but actuation force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into a hollow construction with internal cavities rather than being a solid piece. This segmentation reduces the overall mass and inertia of the valve member while maintaining structural strength through the distributed wall structure, thereby reducing the actuation force required to move it.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member features a hollow internal structure with cavities nested within the wall thickness. This nested construction allows the valve member to maintain external dimensions and sealing surfaces while reducing material content and weight, achieving a balance between structural strength and reduced actuation force requirements.
3Reliability
If the seal member contacts the entire outer periphery of the valve member, then sealing coverage is improved, but actuation force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is extracted from being a continuous circumferential seal to a partial seal that contacts only specific portions of the valve member's outer periphery. The seal member includes discontinuous sealing surfaces or gaps that reduce the total contact area, thereby reducing friction and actuation force requirements while still providing adequate sealing coverage for the ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member implements partial sealing action by contacting only the necessary portions of the valve member periphery rather than the entire circumference. This partial contact provides sufficient sealing for the required ports while reducing the overall contact area and associated friction forces, lowering the actuation force requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-port valve having a partial circumferential seal is provided. The valve includes a shell body and a seal member contained within a housing. The seal member is constructed such that it does not completely circumscribe the shell body.