Multi-Port Valve Sealing Ribs for Stable Rotational Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-port valves in thermal management systems experience large rotational torque and torque fluctuations due to the sealing gasket causing friction between the valve core and housing, leading to uneven rotation and operational instability.
Innovation Solution
The multi-port valve design incorporates a sealing gasket with circumferentially arranged openings and ribs, featuring arc-shaped wing portions that reduce rotational resistance by compressing against each other during rotation, thereby stabilizing the torque and ensuring smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing gasket is used between the valve core and valve housing to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but rotational torque increases and torque fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing gasket is segmented into multiple radial ribs instead of being a continuous ring. This segmentation reduces the contact area between the sealing gasket and rotating components, thereby reducing rotational torque while maintaining sealing effectiveness at the rib interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing gasket has different structural characteristics at different locations - radial ribs provide sealing at critical interfaces while leaving other areas open for rotation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of sealing reliability and rotational smoothness.
2Reliability
If a sealing gasket is used to ensure fluid tightness, then leakage prevention is improved, but rotational resistance varies causing torque fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the sealing gasket into discrete radial ribs creates multiple independent sealing zones rather than a continuous sealing interface. This reduces the cumulative friction and rotational resistance, leading to more stable torque characteristics during valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing gasket design changes the physical parameters of the sealing interface by using thin radial ribs instead of a thick continuous gasket. This reduces the friction coefficient and contact area, stabilizing the rotational torque while maintaining adequate sealing pressure at the rib edges.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-port valve includes a valve housing (20), a valve core rotatably mounted to the valve housing (20) and a sealing gasket (40/40a/40b/40c) disposed between the valve housing (20) and the valve core. The valve housing (20) defines a plurality of valve ports (22). The valve core defines a plurality of flow channels (32). The sealing gasket (40/40a/40b/40c) is provided with a plurality of openings (42/42a/42b/42c) arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction and a plurality of first ribs (44/44a/44b/44c) respectively arranged between adjacent two of the openings (42/42a/42b/42c). The flow channels (32) extend through an end of the valve core facing the sealing gasket to define a plurality of channel ports (34/34a/34b/34c); the channel ports (34/34a/34b/34c) are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction with a plurality of second ribs (35/35a/35b/35c) respectively arranged between adjacent two of the channel ports (34/34a/34b/34c). each of the first ribs (44/44a/44b/44c) or second ribs (35/35a/35b/35c) forms two wing portions (36/36c/46a/46b) at circumferential sides thereof to make a portion of the first or second rib has a larger circumferential width than other portion thereof.