Multi-Port Rotary Valve Assembly With Parallel Coolant Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of coolant systems in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles requires more advanced coolant valves that can control fluid flow efficiently across multiple loops while maintaining durability, economy, and fitting within limited packaging constraints, without needing multiple valve bodies or high-torque actuators.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port, rotary actuated valve assembly with a puck that rotates between different positions to interconnect various ports through separate and parallel fluid flow paths, allowing for additional fluid routing capacity and valve positions using a single puck size, driven by low-friction electric actuators and gearsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve bodies or high-torque actuators are used to increase fluid routing capacity, then the valve can control more coolant loops, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single valve body with a multi-chamber puck serves multiple coolant loops simultaneously. The puck includes first, second, and third chambers that can independently control different coolant pathways, allowing one valve to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate valves.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fluid routing functions are merged into a single integrated valve assembly. The first chamber controls coolant flow to the front coolant loop, the second chamber controls the rear coolant loop, and the third chamber provides an additional routing path, all within one valve body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve bodies are used to increase fluid routing capacity, then more coolant loops can be controlled, but the packaging space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional chambers are nested within a single valve body structure. The first, second, and third chambers are arranged concentrically and radially within the same cylindrical valve housing, allowing multiple coolant routing functions to occupy the space of a single compact valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes radial and axial dimensions efficiently by positioning chamber openings at different locations (radially spaced and radially inboard) on the puck, creating multiple fluid pathways within the same envelope volume without requiring additional valve bodies.
3Area of stationary object
If a single puck is used instead of multiple valve bodies, then packaging space is reduced, but the puck must rotate through more positions to achieve the same routing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The puck is designed to rotate dynamically between multiple discrete positions (first, second, third, and fourth positions) to selectively align different chamber openings with port openings in the valve body, enabling flexible coolant routing control from a single compact component.
Solution Approach 2:
The puck is segmented into distinct chambers (first, second, and third chambers) with separate openings positioned at different radial locations, allowing each chamber to independently control specific coolant pathways when aligned with corresponding ports at different rotational positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-port, rotary actuated valve assembly for controlling fluid flow in a vehicle is provided, which includes a valve housing defining a puck-receiving cavity. A puck is positioned within the puck-receiving cavity and is rotatable therein. The puck has a plurality of chambers that interconnect different combinations of ports provided in the valve housing depending on the rotational position of the puck. The chambers in the puck include at least a first chamber and a second chamber, each of which include a chamber opening on the distal end of the puck. The opening to the first chamber on the distal end of the puck is radially inboard of the opening to the second chamber such that at least two separate and parallel fluid flow paths are provided on the distal end of the puck along which fluid may enter or exit the first and second chambers, respectively.