Rotatable Valve Element for Integrated Refrigerant Flow Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerant circuits in electric and hybrid vehicles require a large number of valves and connection lines, leading to high costs, weight, and complex installation, which complicates thermal management and increases energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing and a rotatable valve element that integrates multiple functions, reducing the number of components by combining multiple valves into a single unit with a servomotor drive, allowing for efficient distribution of refrigerant at different temperature levels across various components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valves and connection lines are used in conventional refrigerant circuits, then thermal management functions can be achieved, but device complexity, weight, and installation space increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management functionsVSAvoidnumber of valves and connection lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple valves (expansion valve, non-return valve, and flow control valve) into a single integrated valve unit with a common body and multiple valve elements. This merging of previously separate components into one unified device directly reduces the number of individual valves and connection lines required in the refrigerant circuit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining all necessary thermal management functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - expansion, non-return flow control, and flow distribution - within a single device structure. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive thermal management capabilities without requiring separate dedicated valves for each function, thus reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valves and connection lines are installed, then thermal management capabilities are enhanced, but weight and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management capabilitiesVSAvoidweight of refrigerant circuit components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple valves into a single integrated unit with a common body structure, the total weight of the refrigerant circuit components is reduced compared to having separate valves and their associated mounting hardware, connection lines, and seals. The shared body structure eliminates redundant materials while maintaining all necessary thermal management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple separate valves are used, then specific flow control functions are achieved, but production and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control functionsVSAvoidproduction and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated valve unit consolidates multiple valve functions into a single manufacturable component or component assembly, reducing production costs through economies of scale and simplified assembly processes. Maintenance costs are also reduced as there is one fewer separate components to service, and the integrated design allows for easier access and maintenance of all valve elements through a single service point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If conventional refrigerant circuits with multiple components are used, then thermal management is achieved, but refrigerant leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal managementVSAvoidrefrigerant leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By reducing the number of separate valves and connection lines through integration, the patent eliminates multiple potential leakage points that would exist in a system with separate components. The integrated valve unit has fewer seals and connection interfaces where refrigerant could potentially leak, thereby improving system reliability and reducing harmful refrigerant emissions while maintaining all necessary thermal management functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11724561B2Device for regulating a flow through and distributing a fluid in a fluid circuit

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

Device for controlling a flow-through and distributing a fluid in at least one fluid circuit, in particular a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit including a housing with ports for connecting with fluid lines, each of which is connected via a passage opening with the at least one interior volume of the housing, as well as with at least one valve element disposed in the interior volume of the housing with a drive element for moving the valve element relative to the housing. The at least one valve element is supported rotatably about a rotational axis and comprises at least three through openings developed as through-bores forming in the interior of the valve element a common volume. An axis of symmetry of a first opening and the rotational axis of the valve element are located on a common axis. The device is used in a refrigerant circuit of a thermal system.