Multiport Valve Assembly for Compact Heat Priority Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-port valve assemblies in heating and cooling systems require multiple components, complicating installation, maintenance, and heat priority switching, especially in systems with scarce heat sources.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a compact design featuring a valve housing with multiple fluid openings and independently movable plunger members that allow for simultaneous control of fluid flow paths, reducing the number of components needed and facilitating maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control valves are used to control flow in separate partial circuits, then flow control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control valves into a single integrated valve assembly with a common body and multiple independently operable valves. Each valve controls a separate partial circuit, but they share the same housing, seal arrangement, and actuation mechanisms, thereby reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining full flow control capability across multiple circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can control heating circuits, cooling circuits, and priority switching between them, all within a single device. The common seal arrangement and valve body design allow the same structural elements to serve multiple circuit control functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated valves for each function.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate valve assemblies are installed for heating and cooling control, then flow path control is improved, but installation and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve functions are merged into a single accessible housing, allowing all flow path controls to be operated and maintained from one location. The common seal arrangement and integrated body design mean that maintenance activities such as sealing replacement or valve adjustment can be performed on all circuits simultaneously, rather than requiring separate disassembly and reassembly of multiple independent valve assemblies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional separate valves are used in systems with scarce heat sources, then heat priority switching is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly provides heat priority switching capability alongside regular flow control functions within the same device. The integrated design allows the system to switch between heating and cooling priorities while maintaining control over multiple partial circuits, all through a single unified valve body rather than requiring additional dedicated priority switching valves.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve assembly (1000) is provided. The valve assembly (1000) comprises a valve housing (100). The valve housing (100) comprises a first fluid opening (20), a second fluid opening (40), a third fluid opening (60), a valve bore (80) having an axial extension (A1), and an intermediate portion (110) axially located between the second (40) and the third (60) fluid opening. The valve assembly (1000) further comprises a plunger (200) disposed and axially movable within the valve bore (80), wherein the plunger (200) comprises an upper plunger member (210) and a lower plunger member (220) axially movable independently of each other on a respective axial side of the intermediate portion (110), wherein the upper (210) and lower (220) plunger members, while contacting the intermediate portion (110), provide for simultaneous prevention of a fluid to flow in a first flow path and in a second flow path, the first flow path being a flow path between the first fluid opening (20) and the second fluid opening (40), and the second flow path being a flow path between the first fluid opening (20) and the third fluid opening (60).