Segmented Channel Switching Valve for Pressure-Balanced Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing channel switching valves experience imbalance in forces applied by refrigerants of different pressures, leading to deformation, leakage, and abnormal noise due to 'stick slip' phenomena, which degrade sealing performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A channel switching valve design featuring separate U-turn and straight valve elements, with a bracket holding them and a spring member for improved alignment and pressure distribution, preventing three refrigerants with different pressures from flowing through one valve element, thus minimizing deformation and imbalance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If three refrigerants with different pressures flow through one valve element, then the valve element experiences force imbalance and deformation, but the sealing performance degrades and valve leaking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single valve element into three separate valve elements (first, second, and third valve elements), each handling a specific pressure range. This segmentation prevents force imbalance and deformation by isolating the pressure forces, thereby maintaining sealing performance while adapting to multiple pressure conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If three refrigerants with different pressures flow through one valve element, then the valve element deforms, but abnormal noise is generated due to stick slip phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the valve into three separate valve elements, each experiencing balanced forces from refrigerants of similar pressure, the patent eliminates the stick-slip phenomenon that causes abnormal noise. Each valve element operates independently without the deformation-induced sticking that occurs in single-element designs.
3Device complexity
If a single valve element handles multiple pressure zones, then the device complexity is reduced, but the durability degrades due to repeated sticking and sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts increased device complexity by using three separate valve elements instead of one, as this segmentation prevents the stick-slip phenomenon that degrades durability. Each valve element experiences balanced forces and operates smoothly without sticking, significantly extending the valve's service life despite the increased number of components.
4Force
If forces are applied to the valve element from three refrigerants having different pressures, then the valve element is pushed against valve seats, but imbalance is generated between the forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve into three separate valve elements, each experiencing forces from refrigerants of similar pressure. This segmentation ensures force balance for each individual valve element, preventing the imbalanced force conditions that occur when a single element handles multiple pressure zones simultaneously.
5Ease of operation
If the bracket pushes portions of the valve element far from the valve seats, then the valve element alignment is maintained, but the valve element floats from the valve seats and stick slip occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By using three separate valve elements instead of one, the patent eliminates the stick-slip phenomenon even when brackets push portions far from valve seats. Each valve element experiences balanced forces that maintain stable contact with its respective valve seat, preventing floating and sticking despite the bracket positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve-element unit (18) of a channel switching valve (1) includes a U-turn valve element (20), a first straight valve element (30), and a second straight valve element (40) separate from each other. The U-turn valve element 20 includes a first U-turn passage (21) making two ports among ports (pA, pB, pF) of a first valve seat (13) be in communication with each other and a second U-turn passage making two ports among ports (pC, pD, pE) of a second valve seat (15) be in communication with each other. A first straight valve element (30) and a second straight valve element (40) include a first straight passage (36) and a second straight passage (46), respectively, each making a port among the ports of the first valve seat and a port among the ports of the second valve seat be in communication with each other.