Capacity Control Valve With Pressure-Sensitive Refrigerant Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capacity control valves for variable capacity compressors face inefficiencies in discharging liquid refrigerant, leading to increased engine load and decreased energy efficiency, as the valve opening size adjusts with pressure changes, prolonging the discharge process.
Innovation Solution
A capacity control valve design featuring a valve body with multiple communication passages, a pressure-sensitive element, and biasing members that maintain the auxiliary valve portion fully open throughout the discharge process, independent of suction chamber pressure, to ensure efficient refrigerant discharge and reduce engine load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the valve opening size adjusts with pressure changes during liquid refrigerant discharge, then the discharge process takes longer, but the valve can adapt to pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pressure-sensitive element that dynamically adjusts the auxiliary valve portion opening based on suction chamber pressure. The element extends when pressure is low and contracts when pressure is high, enabling the valve to adapt its opening size to pressure variations while maintaining efficient discharge throughout the process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the pressure-sensitive element (extension/contraction) in response to pressure parameter changes. This allows the auxiliary valve portion to automatically adjust its opening area as pressure varies during discharge, optimizing flow rate at each stage of the discharge process
2Speed
If the compressor discharges liquid refrigerant quickly after activation, then cooling operation is achieved faster, but engine load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the discharge function into two separate valve portions: a main valve portion for primary discharge control and an auxiliary valve portion for supplementary discharge. This segmentation allows the auxiliary valve to provide additional discharge capacity when needed (reducing engine load) while maintaining the ability to control overall discharge rate
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-sensitive element acts as an intermediary between the suction chamber pressure and the auxiliary valve portion. It translates pressure changes into mechanical displacement that automatically adjusts the auxiliary valve opening, enabling responsive discharge control without direct electronic control or additional energy consumption
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 solution enables rapid and efficient discharge of liquid refrigerant, reducing engine load and improving energy efficiency by maintaining a consistent valve opening, thus enabling the compressor to shift to cooling operation quickly.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-sensitive element 124 that is arranged in the third valve chest 116 to extend and contract with an ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid unit 190 that exerts an electromagnetic driving force on the valve element 181
Data Source
AI summary
A capacity control valve includes: a valve body (10) having first communication passages (11), second communication passages (12), third communication passages (13), and a main valve seat (15a); a valve element (20) having an intermediate communication passage (29), a main valve portion (21c) and an auxiliary valve portion (23d); a pressure-sensitive element (24) disposed in the valve body (10); a solenoid (30) that drives a rod (36); a first biasing member (43) that biases in a valve closing direction of the main valve portion (21c); and a second biasing member (44) that biases in a valve opening direction of the main valve portion (21c), wherein the rod (36) moves relative to the valve element (20) to press the pressure-sensitive element (24). The capacity control valve can efficiently discharge a liquid refrigerant and can decrease a driving force of a compressor during a liquid refrigerant discharge operation.