Sequential Multiport Valve Motion for Lower Torque and Better Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiport valve systems face issues with high friction, increased torque, and compromised sealing due to simultaneous rotation and translation movements of the valve body.
Innovation Solution
A sequential valve system with a driving element that alternates between linear and rotational movements of the valve body, using distinct mechanical couplings for each movement, reducing friction and improving sealing by ensuring the direction of rotation remains consistent during both movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve body performs simultaneous rotation and translation movements, then the valve can switch between different port connections, but the friction increases and torque requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the simultaneous rotation and translation movements into separate sequential movements. The valve body first performs translation along the axial direction, then performs rotation about the central axis. This segmentation of movements reduces the friction between the valve body and housing, thereby reducing the torque requirement while maintaining the valve's ability to switch between different port connections.
2Productivity
If the valve body performs simultaneous rotation and translation movements, then the valve can switch between different port connections, but the sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement sequence into translation first, then rotation. This ensures that the sealing surfaces remain in proper contact during the translation phase, maintaining sealing performance. The rotation phase occurs after translation is complete, allowing the valve body to be properly positioned before rotational movement begins, thereby preventing sealing compromise.
3Ease of operation
If the driving element reverses direction to achieve valve body rotation, then the valve body can be rotated, but the movement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the driving element reverse direction to achieve valve body rotation, the patent inverts the approach: the driving element rotates continuously in one direction, and this rotational motion is converted into sequential translation and rotation of the valve body through the linear profile and rotation profile mechanisms. This eliminates the need for directional reversal while achieving the desired valve body movements.
4Productivity
If the valve body translates and rotates at the same time, then the port connections can be switched efficiently, but the friction between valve body and housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simultaneous translation and rotation into sequential movements. During translation, the valve body moves along the axial direction with minimal rotational friction. During rotation, the valve body rotates about the central axis with minimal translational friction. This segmentation reduces the overall friction between the valve body and housing compared to simultaneous movements, while still achieving efficient port connection switching.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a multiport valve module system, comprising a) a housing 1 with a plurality of ports 1.1a-h has a central axis X, which encloses a working chamber 1.1 closed with a cover 1.2 that is connected to the housing 1 for sealing the working chamber 1.1. b) a valve body 2 with at least one channel 2.3a-d with a central channel axis AC, placed in the working chamber 1.1 and being rotatable about the central axis X and being linear moveable in axial direction of the central axis X; c) a rotatable driving element 3 positioned in the housing 1 to drive the valve body 2 for the rotation and for the linear movement; d) a linear profile 4 of the driving element 3 engaged with the valve body 2 for linear movement; e) a rotation profile 5 of the driving element 3 and of the valve body 2 for causing the rotation. The friction is to be lowered, the torque is to be reduced and the sealing is to be improved. The linear profile 4 and the rotation profile 5 allow the rotation and the linear movement of the valve body 2 to be repeated alternately, whereby the direction of the rotation of the driving element 3 remains the same.