Resin Manifold Housing Layout for Lower Rotary Valve Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifolds for electric vehicles are constrained by the height of the control valve, limiting their compactness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A manifold design featuring a resin-made manifold main body with integrated housings and flow paths, incorporating a rotary valve with a cylindrical valve accommodation portion that protrudes towards the second housing, allowing for a reduced overall height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two housings are joined to form a valve accommodation portion in each housing to house a control valve, then the manifold can accommodate control valves, but the height of the manifold is constrained by the height of the control valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve accommodation function into a single housing rather than requiring separate housings for each valve. The first housing includes a valve accommodation portion that houses the rotary valve, while the second housing focuses on flow path functions. This consolidation eliminates the need for two separate valve housings, thereby reducing the overall manifold height while maintaining full valve accommodation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the valve accommodation portion to protrude toward the second housing side relative to the joint portions, utilizing the available space in the horizontal dimension rather than extending vertically. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the manifold to accommodate valves without increasing height, effectively trading vertical space for horizontal space utilization.
2Length of stationary object
If the valve accommodation portion protrudes toward the second housing side, then the manifold height is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manifold into two functionally distinct housings: the first housing integrates the valve accommodation portion with flow path functions, while the second housing is optimized for flow path configuration. This segmentation allows each housing to be designed independently for its specific function, simplifying the overall structural complexity despite the protruding valve accommodation portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold includes a resin-made manifold main body including a plurality of housings joined to each other and having a plurality of flow paths therein, and a rotary valve that regulates a flow of a fluid flowing through the flow paths, wherein a first housing that is one of two housings having joint portions joined to each other among the plurality of housings constituting the manifold main body includes a cylindrical valve accommodation portion that is allowed to accommodate and support the rotary valve, and wherein at least part of the valve accommodation portion protrudes toward a second housing side relative to the joint portions, the second housing being the other of the two housings.