Relief Valve Layout for Stable Cooling Flow in U-Turn Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cooling circuits with relief valves, the flow rate can be compromised when the cooling medium makes a U-turn, leading to increased flow path resistance due to biased flow towards the heat exchange unit, making it difficult to secure a sufficient flow rate without increasing the valve size.
Innovation Solution
A relief valve design where the inflow port is decentered relative to the central axis of the main valve body, allowing the cooling medium to flow evenly around the valve body, and the outflow port is positioned to facilitate flow towards the heat exchange unit, preventing increased resistance and allowing for a secure flow rate without enlarging the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the relief valve is provided with concentric inflow port and main valve body placement, then the structure is simple and compact, but the cooling medium flows biased toward the outer side of the U-turn portion causing increased flow path resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by decentering the inflow port relative to the main valve body's central axis. Specifically, the inflow port is positioned such that its center is offset from the main valve body center in the direction away from the heat exchange unit. This asymmetric configuration redistributes the cooling medium flow more evenly around the main valve body, preventing flow concentration at the outer side of the U-turn portion and reducing flow path resistance in the discharge-side connection pipe.
2Productivity
If the size of the relief valve is increased to increase flow rate, then the flow rate can be improved, but sufficient mounting space cannot be secured due to positional relationship with other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the valve internal structure, specifically the position of the inflow port relative to the main valve body. By decentering the inflow port, the flow distribution pattern changes, which improves the flow rate through the relief valve without requiring an increase in the overall valve size. This allows the valve to maintain a compact form factor suitable for limited mounting spaces while achieving sufficient flow rate.
3Volume of moving object
If the cooling medium makes a U-turn from the supply-side connection pipe to the discharge-side connection pipe, then the relief valve can be compactly arranged, but the flow velocity becomes higher at the outflow port causing increased flow path resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric placement of the inflow port relative to the main valve body center creates a more balanced flow path around the valve body. This prevents the cooling medium from concentrating at the outer side of the U-turn portion, thereby reducing flow velocity peaks and associated flow path resistance while maintaining the compact U-turn configuration.
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
This design ensures a stable flow rate through the relief valve without increasing its size, even when the cooling medium flows in a U-turn configuration, by evenly distributing the flow and reducing resistance in the discharge-side connection pipe.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that biases the main valve body in a direction for seating the main valve body on the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
relieve the pressure of a cooling medium supplied to a heat exchange unit into the discharge pipe through the relief valve when the pressure is high
Data Source
AI summary
A relief valve 1 includes: a housing 6 connected to a supply-side connection pipe 4a and a discharge-side connection pipe 5a and has an inflow port 61c and an outflow port 62c; a valve seat (an opening rim 61a) provided in the housing 6; a main valve body 7 which is placed in the housing 6, and capable of cutting off communication between the inflow port 61c and the outflow port 62c in the housing 6 by being seated on the valve seat (the opening rim 61a); and a biasing member 8 that biases the main valve body 7 toward the valve seat (the opening rim 61a), wherein the inflow port 61c is provided in the housing 6 such that the inflow port 61c is decentered with respect to a central axis line of the main valve body 7 in a direction in which a supply pipe 4 extends.