Rotary Slide Valve Segmentation for Flexible Fluid Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary slide valves lack flexibility in connecting individual inputs and outputs, restricting their application in thermal management systems and internal combustion engines, and are complex and costly to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A rotary slide valve with a two-part semi-cylindrical housing and a channel system connecting fluid inlet and outlet openings, allowing for individual selection and control of valve slides, enabling a high degree of integration and modular functionality, reducing complexity and part count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a central inlet supplies fluid to the entire valve chamber, then the valve chamber is flooded with medium, but this restricts flexibility in connecting individual inputs and outputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in connecting individual inputs and outputsVSAvoidcomplexity of channel system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve chamber is divided into multiple individual valve slide chambers, each with its own fluid supply connection. This segmentation allows independent control and flexible connection of individual inputs and outputs, eliminating the restriction of a centralized flooding system while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valve slides are arranged axially one behind the other, then individual outlets can be opened, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection options for individual inputs and outputsVSAvoidnumber of valve slides and control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is segmented into multiple independently controllable valve slides arranged axially, each capable of being opened or closed separately. This allows flexible configuration of connection options while maintaining a compact axial arrangement that limits overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve slides are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing individual outlets to be opened or closed as needed. This dynamic control capability provides versatility in connection options while the modular design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If a rotary gear with worm and internal toothing is used to control valve slides, then precise positioning is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of valve slidesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity and costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism is segmented into modular components (worm gear, toothed rings, valve slides) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation enables precise positioning through standardized gear mechanisms while reducing overall manufacturing complexity and costs compared to monolithic designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3232102B1Rotary nozzle valve
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 AUDI AG
  • EP3232102B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3232102B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3232102B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotary valve (10) comprising a rotary valve housing (1) with a valve chamber (2) and a valve body (3) arranged in the valve chamber (2) with several valve slides (6) arranged alternately with separating elements (5) on a shaft (4), wherein the separating elements (5) adjacent to a valve slide (6) together with the inner wall of the valve chamber (2) located between the separating elements (5) form a fluid-tight valve slide chamber (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5) relative to the valve chamber (2).