Integrated Rotary Valve Body for Accurate Multi-Path Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices that adjust flow rates of coolant flows in multiple paths face issues with positional deviation between valve bodies due to loose joints, leading to inaccurate flow rate adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A valve device design featuring a housing with a tubular valve body and a seal member that partitions the space into separate chambers, allowing the valve body to be rotated such that the first and second passage members communicate with primary and secondary openings at predetermined angles, limiting positional deviation and enabling simultaneous accurate adjustment of flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve bodies are separately joined to a shaft, then each valve body can independently adjust flow rates in different paths, but positional deviation occurs between valve bodies due to loose joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve bodies into a single integrated valve body structure with multiple openings. This eliminates the separate joints between valve bodies and the shaft, preventing positional deviation while maintaining the capability to independently adjust flow rates in different paths through the integrated structure's multiple openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve body is segmented into multiple functional regions with respective openings, allowing independent flow rate control for different fluid paths. This segmentation is achieved within a single monolithic structure rather than through separate components, combining the benefits of both integration and functional differentiation.
2Ease of manufacture
If valve bodies are separately joined to the shaft, then installation and maintenance are simplified, but sealing performance deteriorates due to multiple joint interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple valve bodies into one integrated valve body, the number of joint interfaces between valve bodies and the shaft is reduced. This minimizes potential leakage points and improves sealing performance, while the single integrated structure can still be manufactured and installed as one unit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate valve bodies are used, then flow rate adjustment for multiple paths is enabled, but drive force requirement increases due to multiple joints
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve body structure eliminates multiple separate joints, reducing the total friction and resistance that the drive mechanism must overcome. This reduces the required drive force while maintaining the ability to control flow rates in multiple paths through the integrated structure's multiple openings.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve body has: a tubular portion, which is rotatably placed at an inside of a housing; and a partition wall which partitions an inside space of the tubular portion into a first valve chamber located on one axial side of the partition wall and a second valve chamber located on another axial side of the partition wall. A seal member is placed between an inner wall of the housing and the tubular portion of the valve body and extends in a circumferential direction. The seal member partitions an inside space of the housing into a first housing chamber, at which a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet of the housing are placed, and a second housing chamber, at which a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet of the housing are placed.