Power element and expansion valve using same
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigeration cycles, minute foreign matter can enter the power element and cause local deformation of the diaphragm, leading to potential refrigerant transfer efficiency issues, as strainers that capture such matter may increase pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A power element design with a diaphragm having a thicker plate thickness near the support points compared to the central portion, which reduces local deformation while maintaining refrigerant transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strainer is provided to capture minute foreign matter, then the diaphragm is protected from local deformation, but the pressure loss in the strainer increases and refrigerant transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thicker near the support point and thinner at the central portion. This local quality variation allows the diaphragm to have enhanced strength where needed (near the support point) while maintaining flexibility and responsiveness in the central area, thereby protecting against local deformation without requiring a strainer that would cause pressure loss
2Strength
If the diaphragm plate thickness is increased uniformly, then the diaphragm becomes more resistant to local deformation, but the refrigerant transfer efficiency deteriorates due to increased rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform thickness increase, the invention applies local quality by making the diaphragm thicker only near the support point where it needs strength to resist local deformation from foreign matter. The central portion remains thinner to maintain flexibility and responsiveness to pressure changes, ensuring both strength and refrigerant transfer efficiency
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 effectively suppresses local deformation of the diaphragm and ensures efficient refrigerant transfer by increasing plate thickness only at support points, allowing for normal strainer use without compromising refrigerant transport efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
If the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the fluid inflow chamber is low, heat is taken from the working gas in the pressure working chamber to cause contraction, and if the temperature of the refrigerant is high, heat is applied to the working gas in the pressure working chamber to cause expansion.
Implementation Method 2
Since the diaphragm deforms according to the contraction/expansion of the working gas, the valve element can be opened and closed via the stopper member and the operating rod in accordance with the amount of deformation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a power element and an expansion valve using same that are capable of suppressing local deformation of a diaphragm or the like while ensuring the transfer efficiency of a refrigerant. A power element includes a diaphragm; an upper lid member that is overlapped on one surface in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the diaphragm and forms a pressure working chamber PO with the diaphragm; a receiving member that is overlapped on another surface in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the diaphragm and forms a refrigerant inflow chamber LS with the diaphragm; and a stopper member housed in the refrigerant inflow chamber LS and in contact with the diaphragm, wherein a plate thickness near a support point of the diaphragm is thicker than a plate thickness at a central portion of the diaphragm.