Integrated Selector Valve for Engine Exhaust Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internal combustion engine technologies require multiple complex control channels for separate exhaust gas recirculation and bypass valves, increasing system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A selector valve design that independently controls fluid flow between multiple passages using a shaft and poppets with a spring bias, allowing for centralized actuation to manage exhaust gas flow between the EGR cooler and the intake manifold, reducing complexity by integrating control of both paths into a single valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate control valves are used for exhaust gas recirculation and bypass, then independent control of each path is achieved, but device complexity and number of control channels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate control valves (EGR cooler control valve and bypass control valve) into a single integrated selector valve with a common body and shared actuation mechanism. This merging reduces the number of control channels required while maintaining the ability to independently control exhaust gas flow through either the cooler path or bypass path, directly resolving the technical contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
2Device complexity
If a single integrated selector valve is used, then device complexity is reduced, but independent control of multiple fluid paths becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated selector valve incorporates two separate valve assemblies (first valve assembly for cooler path and second valve assembly for bypass path) within a common body. Each valve assembly includes its own valve member and control mechanism, allowing independent operation. This segmentation enables the single valve to maintain independent control capability for multiple fluid paths while benefiting from the simplified overall structure of integration
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
Simplifies the electronic control module by integrating control of exhaust gas recirculation and bypass functions, reducing the number of output channels needed and enhancing fluid flow management efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is coaxially located around the shaft between the first valve poppet and the second valve poppet, pushing against the inner surface of the first valve poppet and the inner surface of the second valve poppet, biasing the first valve poppet and the second valve poppet away from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A selector valve for independently controlling fluid between a first passage, a second passage, and a common passage, comprising: a valve housing comprising an inner chamber in communication with the outlet, having a first valve seat in communication with the first inlet and a second valve seat in communication with the second inlet, a shaft slidably extending through the housing between the first and second valve seats; first and second valve poppets slidably mounted upon the shaft within the inner chamber, each having valve faces for seating against the first and second valve seats; and a spring coaxially located around the shaft between the first and second valve poppets, pushing against the inner surfaces of the first and second valve poppets, biasing the first valve poppet and the second valve poppet away from each other and toward the first valve seat and the second valve seat.