Rotary Multi-Way Valve Layout for Single-Reservoir Coolant Bleeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-way valves in vehicles often require separate reservoir tanks for each closed circuit to prevent cavitation, leading to increased manufacturing costs and more complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A multi-way valve design with a valve housing and body that allows all inlet ports connected to closed circuits to be rotated to a fully open state, eliminating cavitation using a single reservoir by connecting them to a shared outlet port, thereby reducing the need for multiple reservoirs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate reservoir tanks are provided for each closed circuit connected to opposite sides of the multi-way valve, then cavitation is eliminated in each coolant line, but manufacturing costs increase and maintenance becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate reservoir tanks into a single shared reservoir that serves both closed circuits. The valve body is designed with a fully open state where all inlet ports connect to the outlet port, allowing the single reservoir to eliminate cavitation in both coolant lines simultaneously, thereby reducing component count and simplifying the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reservoir is designed to perform multiple functions by serving both closed circuits connected to opposite sides of the valve. When the valve body rotates to its fully open position, the reservoir becomes a universal cavitation elimination device for all inlet ports, eliminating the need for circuit-specific reservoirs.
2Reliability
If separate reservoir tanks are provided for each closed circuit, then cavitation is eliminated, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reservoir tanks into one unified reservoir component. This merging reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried, directly lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the cavitation elimination function across all closed circuits through the valve's fully open configuration.
3Reliability
If separate reservoir tanks are provided for each closed circuit, then cavitation is eliminated, but maintenance time and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple maintenance tasks into a single operation. With one shared reservoir serving both closed circuits, maintenance personnel only need to service one reservoir instead of multiple separate ones, reducing maintenance time and simplifying the repair process while maintaining effective cavitation elimination in all circuits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies maintenance, reduces manufacturing costs, and effectively eliminates cavitation in coolant lines by allowing simultaneous air bleeding from both closed circuits using a single reservoir, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the complexity of the coolant line system.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body inserted into the inner space of the valve housing and configured to rotate around a rotation axis thereof coincident with or parallel to the central axis of the valve housing
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-way valve includes a valve housing and a valve body. The valve housing has an inner space formed therein, and includes a plurality of coolant inlet ports spaced apart from each other along a side surface thereof and a coolant outlet port penetrated along a central axis thereof. The valve body is inserted into the valve housing and rotates around a rotation axis thereof coincident with or parallel to the central axis of the valve housing. The valve body includes a plurality of inlet parts spaced apart from each other along a side surface thereof and an outlet part formed along the rotation axis thereof, the inlet parts and the outlet part communicating with each other, the outlet part facing the coolant outlet port to be connected thereto, the inlet part being selectively connected to the coolant inlet port by rotation thereof around the rotation axis thereof.