Pressure regulating valve

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pressure regulating valves in refrigeration systems face challenges in achieving flexible and optimum temperature control due to manufacturing variations in valve opening characteristics, which are difficult to adjust post-installation without detaching the piping.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an actuator, such as a stepping motor, to adjust the biasing force of the pressure sensitive member, allowing for precise control of the valve opening characteristic through feedback mechanisms and set values stored in a control system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If a conventional pressure regulating valve is used, then the valve body is compact, but the valve cannot be disassembled for cleaning or repair

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedisassemblabilityVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is divided into multiple separable components including a first valve body portion, a second valve body portion, and a valve core assembly. These segments can be disassembled from each other to allow cleaning and repair of internal components while maintaining a compact integrated structure during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the valve core assembly is always in the open position, then fluid flow is maximized, but the valve cannot regulate pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flowVSAvoidpressure regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve core assembly is designed to be movable between an open position (maximizing fluid flow) and a closed position (enabling pressure regulation). This dynamic positioning capability allows the valve to adapt between high-flow mode and pressure-control mode as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the valve core assembly is always in the closed position, then pressure can be regulated, but fluid flow is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure regulationVSAvoidfluid flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable valve core assembly enables dynamic control between open and closed positions, allowing the system to switch between maximizing fluid flow and regulating pressure as operational requirements change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If the valve is designed as a single integrated unit, then manufacturing is simpler, but maintenance requires replacing the entire valve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity through modular design, the valve is segmented into separable components (first valve body portion, second valve body portion, valve core assembly) that can be independently removed and cleaned, allowing maintenance without complete valve replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4397895B1Pressure regulating valve
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 FUJIKOKI CORP
  • EP4397895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4397895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4397895B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pressure regulating valve (11) includes a valve main body (12) having a valve chamber (13) which communicates with a refrigerant inflow passage (14) and a refrigerant outflow passage (15), a valve body (17) which changes a flow rate of a refrigerant by advancing and retreating with respect to a valve seat (16) formed in the valve chamber (13) between a valve-closed state of being seated on the valve seat (16) and a valve-opened state of being spaced apart from the valve seat (16), a pressure sensitive member (21) which biases the valve body (17) toward the valve seat (16) and which allows an advancing and retreating movement of the valve body (17) by expanding and contracting according to a pressure which the valve body (17) is applied from the refrigerant flowing into from the inflow passage (14), and an adjustment means (24) which adjusts a biasing force applied to the valve body (17) of the pressure sensitive member (21), and an actuator (a stepping motor) (40) driving the adjustment means (24) is provided. The adjustment means (24) is preferably provided with a stopper member (29) which stops the movement of the adjustment member by the actuator (40) and can be set as a starting point when setting the biasing force.