Rotary Multiway Valve Assembly for Compact Heat Pump Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems with heat pump functions for vehicles require complex refrigerant circuit designs to switch between air conditioning and heat pump modes, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage to the compressor during mode transitions.
Innovation Solution
A multiway valve with a rotary valve assembly and actuator system that allows for controlled switching between different operating modes by connecting and isolating inlet and connection openings, ensuring the compressor is not blocked, enabling a compact and efficient refrigerant circuit design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If four switching valves are used to control the refrigerant circuit, then the system can operate in both air conditioning and heat pump modes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple switching functions into a single multiway valve with a rotary valve assembly. The rotary valve assembly integrates the functions of four separate switching valves into one component, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to control refrigerant flow for both air conditioning and heat pump modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiway valve with rotary valve assembly serves multiple functions: it controls refrigerant flow distribution, enables mode switching between air conditioning and heat pump operations, and provides compact integration of what would otherwise require four separate valves. This universal component handles all switching requirements for the combined system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inlet opening is closed during mode switching, then the refrigerant circuit can be reconfigured, but the compressor may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve assembly is designed to maintain an open inlet opening throughout the mode switching process. This preliminary design feature ensures that the compressor inlet remains connected to the refrigerant circuit at all times, preventing damage while enabling seamless transitions between air conditioning and heat pump modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiway valve acts as an intermediary component that redirects refrigerant flow between different circuit configurations without closing the inlet opening. The rotary valve assembly mediates the mode transition by providing alternative flow paths that keep the compressor protected while achieving the desired circuit reconfiguration.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact refrigerant circuit design is implemented, then space is saved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve functions into a single compact multiway valve assembly, reducing the overall volume required for the refrigerant circuit while integrating complex flow control capabilities. The rotary valve assembly provides a space-efficient solution that consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiway valve for controlling a refrigerant circuit (12) of an air conditioning system with heat pump function has a housing (14), first inlet opening (21) connected by a first fluid channel (22) to a regulating chamber (19), a second connection opening (22) connected by a second fluid channel (26) to the regulating chamber (19), another connection opening (29, 33) connected by another fluid channel (30, 34) to the regulating chamber (19), an actuator (37) that actuates a transmission element (39) by a drive motor (38), which extends in the housing (14) between the drive motor (38) and the regulating chamber (19), and a rotary valve assembly (55) in the regulating chamber (19) and coupled to the transmission element (39) to be driven by a rotary motion, into consecutive and divergent switching or control positions between the inlet opening (21) and the connection openings (25, 29, 33).