Rotary Valve Gear Biasing for Precise Flow Hole Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Channel switching valves face challenges in accurately controlling fluid flow rates due to backlash in gear mechanisms, leading to variations in flow hole openings and flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a gear mechanism that includes a plurality of gears and a biasing part, where the biasing part biases the rotated part toward one side in the circumferential direction, transmitting energization force to the gear mechanism to suppress backlash-induced variations in flow hole openings, allowing for precise control of fluid flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gear mechanism is used to rotate the valve body, then the valve device can be operated manually or with a motor, but backlash in the gear mechanism causes variations in flow hole openings and flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member introduces a dynamic biasing force that continuously pushes the valve body toward the closed position. This dynamic force compensates for backlash variations during rotation, maintaining consistent flow rate control while preserving the ease of operation provided by the gear mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member applies a preliminary biasing force in the direction opposite to the backlash-induced opening variation. This pre-applied counteracting force prevents the valve body from deviating due to gear backlash, thereby eliminating flow rate variations before they occur
2Adaptability or versatility
If the valve body is rotated to switch communication states of inlets and outlets, then channel switching is achieved, but backlash causes inaccurate control of fluid flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member creates a dynamic restoring force that maintains consistent contact between gear teeth, eliminating the dead zone effect of backlash. This allows the valve body to be rotated for channel switching while maintaining precise flow rate control through continuous force application
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member provides continuous mechanical feedback force on the valve body, ensuring that any deviation caused by backlash is immediately counteracted. This feedback mechanism maintains accurate flow rate control while allowing versatile channel switching operations
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device includes: a driving source making rotational motion; a rotated part provided rotatably around a predetermined axis; and a fluid passage portion having a flow hole for passing a fluid. The valve device further includes: a gear mechanism having gears to transmit rotational motion of the driving source to the rotated part by engagement between the gears to rotate the rotated part; and a biasing part biasing the rotated part toward one side in a circumferential direction with the predetermined axis at the center. The rotated part includes a rotor increasing or reducing an opening of the flow hole in conjunction with rotation of the rotated part and is rotated according to rotational motion of the driving source while being biased toward the one side in the circumferential direction by the biasing part.