Refrigerant valve device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant valve devices cannot effectively change the flow amount of refrigerant through a single outlet port, requiring complex structures with two outflow pipes to manage flow distribution.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant valve device with a base, cover, valve body, and drive mechanism that switches the refrigerant flow passage between a first passage with a smaller flow rate and a second passage with a larger flow rate, allowing for adjustable flow through a single outlet port, while maintaining the other port in a fully open state to reduce pressure and prevent unnecessary leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two refrigerant outlet ports are provided to change flow amount, then flow amount can be adjusted, but device structure becomes complicated requiring two outflow pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet port is divided into two flow passages (first and second passages) with different flow characteristics. By switching between these segmented pathways, the device achieves variable flow control without requiring multiple outlet ports or complex piping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single refrigerant outlet port serves multiple functions by incorporating both a first flow passage for restricted flow and a second flow passage for unrestricted flow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate outlets while maintaining flow adjustment capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If valve body turning center is at the center, then flow distribution is balanced, but valve body size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with an asymmetric turning center that is offset from the geometric center toward one port. This asymmetric configuration reduces the valve body dimensions while the offset center creates unequal lever arms that naturally balance the flow distribution between the two passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The turning center offset in the radial dimension creates different moment arms for the two flow passages. This dimensional shift allows compact valve body design while maintaining flow balance through the relationship between offset distance and passage geometry.
3Adaptability or versatility
If valve body is turned to switch flow passages, then flow amount changes, but drive force requirement increases causing potential stalling
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric turning center position creates different moment arms for switching between flow passages. By optimizing the offset distance, the design minimizes the maximum torque required during switching while maintaining effective flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed to turn only through a limited angle range sufficient to switch between the two flow passages, rather than requiring a full 360-degree rotation. This partial action reduces the drive force requirement and prevents stalling while maintaining flow switching functionality.
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
Enables adjustable refrigerant flow through a single outlet port, simplifies the device structure, reduces the size of the valve body, and minimizes the required drive force, preventing valve body stalling due to refrigerant pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body (27) which is turnably disposed at a position as a turning center shifted to a side of one port of the refrigerant inlet port and the refrigerant outlet port in an inside of the valve chamber, the valve body being provided with a contact face sliding on the valve seat face
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant valve device may include a base provided with an inlet port, an outlet port and a valve seat face; a cover to section a valve chamber between the valve seat face and the cover; a valve body turnably disposed at a position shifted to a side of one port inside the valve chamber, the valve body being provided with a contact face sliding on the valve seat face; and a valve body drive mechanism to turn the valve body. The valve body drive mechanism may turn the valve body and thereby a refrigerant flowing passage from the inlet port to the outlet port through the valve chamber is switched at least to a first refrigerant flowing passage and to a second refrigerant flowing passage. The refrigerant flowing amount in the first refrigerant flowing passage may be smaller than a refrigerant flowing amount in the second refrigerant flowing passage.