Rotary Multiport Valve Seal De-Stressing for Lower Operating Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiport valves, particularly in motor vehicles, face challenges in seal reliability, service life, and operating force due to inadequate sealing and stress on seals, leading to potential seal failure and increased operational effort.
Innovation Solution
A multiport valve design featuring a rotatable control element with a compression portion and a decompression portion, where the external contour of the control element compresses and de-stresses seals in specific positions to enhance sealing effectiveness and reduce operational force, while minimizing the risk of seal displacement and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control element continuously compresses the seal to maintain blocking position, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the service life of the seal deteriorates due to constant stress
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is designed to compress the seal only periodically when blocking is required, rather than maintaining continuous compression. The elastic member stores and releases energy in periodic cycles, allowing the seal to be de-stressed during non-blocking periods, thus extending service life while maintaining sealing effectiveness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element incorporates an elastic member that dynamically adjusts the compression force on the seal based on operational requirements. The elastic member can be deformed to engage the seal for blocking, and then relaxed to release the seal, creating a dynamic system that adapts compression levels to functional needs rather than maintaining static continuous pressure.
2Reliability
If the control element uses a larger radius compression portion to ensure seal engagement, then the blocking reliability is improved, but the operating force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element features a curved external contour with a compression portion that has a specific radius of curvature. This curved geometry is optimized to match the seal surface, ensuring reliable engagement and distribution of compressive forces while minimizing the total force required compared to flat or sharp-edged designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The radius of the compression portion is specifically optimized to balance two competing requirements: large enough to ensure reliable seal engagement and distribution of stress, but small enough to minimize the operating force required. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between blocking reliability and operating force.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the seal is kept under constant compression to prevent displacement, then the sealing position stability is improved, but the risk of seal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element applies compression to the seal only when blocking action is required, rather than maintaining constant compression. The elastic member is pre-loaded to provide controlled compression only during engagement, and then releases the seal to prevent cumulative damage from continuous stress, thus maintaining position stability when needed while protecting seal integrity.
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
The design improves seal reliability, service life, and reduces operational force by optimizing seal compression and de-stress, leading to enhanced multiport valve performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
compresses, in one embodiment at least in a partially elastic manner, a first seal
Implementation Method 2
the first seal, when not required, is de-stressed... the service life, the reliability and/or the sealing effect of the seal can be increased
Data Source
AI summary
A multiport valve, having a housing having at least two connectors, a control element for blocking at least one of the connectors, the control element disposed to be rotatable in a recess of the housing. An external contour of the control element has a compression portion which in at least one first position of the control element compresses a first seal disposed on a first one of the connectors. The external contour of the control element has a decompression portion that has a smaller radius than the compression portion and in at least one further position of the control element lies opposite the first seal such that the control element compresses the first seal to a lesser extent than in the first position.