Rotary Multi-Port Fluid Valve for Selective Duct Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid valves for motor vehicles and temperature control systems lack efficient mechanisms for selectively and dissimilarly switching multiple fluid ducts, leading to suboptimal fluid management and control.
Innovation Solution
A compact fluid valve design featuring a housing with multiple ports and a rotatable valve body with fluid passages that connect different ports in various rotary positions, enabling selective and dissimilar switching of fluid ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing fluid valves are used for switching multiple fluid ducts, then the basic fluid control function is provided, but the switching efficiency and fluid management performance are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple independent switching elements, each capable of independently controlling different fluid ducts. This segmentation allows for more efficient and flexible fluid management while keeping each individual switching element relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid valve is designed with multi-functionality to handle various fluid ducts and switching requirements through a single integrated valve body. This universal design improves fluid management efficiency by consolidating multiple control functions into one device rather than requiring separate valves for each duct.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid ducts are switched using conventional valve designs, then all necessary fluid connections can be made, but the valve size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple switching functions for different fluid ducts are merged into a single integrated valve body. This combining approach allows the valve to handle multiple ducts with enhanced adaptability while minimizing the overall valve volume by sharing common structural elements and fluid passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve employs a nested structure where multiple fluid passages and switching elements are arranged concentrically or in layered configurations within the valve body. This nesting allows multiple ducts to be controlled within a compact volume, improving versatility without proportionally increasing valve size.
3Ease of operation
If a rotatable valve body with multiple ports is used, then selective and dissimilar switching of fluid ducts is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to be rotatable, providing dynamic switching capability that enables selective connection of different fluid ducts based on rotational position. This dynamic mechanism improves ease of operation for fluid duct selection while the modular design of the rotatable components helps manage manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid valve, in particular for a motor vehicle and/or a temperature control system, having a housing and a valve body disposed in the housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis. The housing has a first port and a third port disposed on opposite side of a normal plane in relation to the rotation axis and a second port which is radially spaced apart from the rotation axis and in the direction of the rotation axis is disposed between the first and the third port. The valve body in at least one rotary position connects at least two ports of the housing to one another, and in at least one other rotary position does not connect the two ports to one another.