Rotary Valve Sealing Unit Axial Preload Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary slide valves in motor vehicle cooling circuits face issues with reliable, durable, and low-wear sealing, particularly axially and radially, while also requiring cost-effective manufacturing and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A rotary valve design featuring a sealing unit with an axial structure comprising a sealing element, carrier element, and spring element, where the sealing element is attached to the carrier element through a fastening section, allowing for a uniformly distributed prestress and a compact, space-saving configuration, eliminating the need for additional radial sealing rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element with axial preload is used on a cylindrical control body, then sealing is achieved, but the contact force varies around the circumference causing the sealing element to lift off and leak
Solution Approach 1:
The control body is given a slightly curved outer contour instead of a perfectly cylindrical shape. This curvature causes the spring element to distribute the contact force more uniformly around the circumference of the sealing element, preventing localized lifting and improving sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If a separate sealing ring is added for radial sealing, then leakage prevention is improved, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to perform both axial sealing (against the control body) and radial sealing (against the valve housing) functions simultaneously. By integrating these two sealing functions into a single component, the design eliminates the need for a separate radial sealing ring, reducing complexity while maintaining reliable leakage prevention.
3Reliability
If multiple separate sealing components are used, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element integrates multiple sealing functions (axial and radial sealing) that would traditionally require separate components. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts, simplifying manufacturing processes and assembly operations while maintaining effective sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides axial sealing against the control body and radial sealing against the valve housing. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized sealing components, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a reliable, durable, and low-wear seal with uniform contact pressure over the circumference, preventing leakage and reducing component count, thus ensuring a cost-effective and efficient sealing solution.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (33) for axially preloading the sealing element (31)
Implementation Method 2
the sealing element (31) bears against the outer contour (22) of the control body (20) with an axial sealing end face (311) facing the control body (20)
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3
AI summary
Rotary valve (1) of a motor vehicle cooling circuit, comprising a valve housing (10), a control element (20) which is movably arranged in the valve housing (10) and has a cylindrical outer contour (22), wherein a flow cross-section (21) between a first valve port (11) and a second valve port (12) arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A1) of the control element (20) can be controlled by movement of the control element (20), and a sealing unit (30) which is placed on the outer contour (22) of the control element (20) within the second valve port (12).To improve the sealing, it is proposed that the sealing unit (30) comprises a sealing element (31) for sliding sealing, a support element (32) for supporting at least the sealing element (31), and a spring element (33) for axially preloading the sealing element (31), wherein the sealing element (31) bears against the outer contour (22) of the control body (20) with an axial sealing end face (311) facing the control body (20), and the support element (32) bears against the sealing element (31) with a first axial end (326) facing the control body (20) and against the spring element (33) with a second axial end (327) facing away from the control body (20).