Rotary Valve Manifold Layout for Reduced EV Cooling Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifolds for electric vehicles are constrained by the height of the control valve, limiting their compactness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A resin-made manifold with a rotary valve, where the valve accommodation portion in one housing protrudes towards the other housing, allowing for a reduced manifold height and improved compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the valve accommodation portion is formed within the housing boundaries without protruding, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the manifold height is increased and constrained by valve height
Solution Approach 1:
The valve accommodation portion is allowed to protrude from the housing in the height direction, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate the valve. This dimensional change enables the valve to be positioned outside the main housing body, thereby reducing the overall manifold height requirement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the integrated housing design.
2Length of stationary object
If the valve accommodation portion protrudes toward the second housing side, then the manifold height is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve accommodation portion is integrated into the first housing structure, merging the valve housing function with the manifold housing. This integration eliminates the need for separate valve housings and complex assembly structures, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while enabling the protruding configuration that reduces manifold height.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two housings are joined to form separate valve accommodation portions, then the modularity is improved, but the height constraint from control valve is imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The first housing serves multiple functions: it acts as part of the manifold body with flow paths and simultaneously provides the valve accommodation portion that protrudes to house the rotary valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated valve housings, achieving height reduction while maintaining the modular two-housing structure for assembly flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A manifold (300) includes a resin-made manifold main body (302) including a plurality of housings (310, 330) joined to each other and having a plurality of flow paths therein, and a rotary valve (340) that regulates a flow of a fluid flowing through the flow paths, wherein a first housing (310) that is one of two housings having joint portions (324, 332) joined to each other among the plurality of housings (310, 330) constituting the manifold main body (302) includes a cylindrical valve accommodation portion (316) that is allowed to accommodate and support the rotary valve (340), and wherein at least part of the valve accommodation portion (316) protrudes toward a second housing (330) side relative to the joint portions (324, 332), the second housing (330) being the other of the two housings.