Multi-Path Valve Actuation With a Single Coil
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel injection valves have a complex configuration and large physical size due to the need for multiple driving units to control multiple valve members, limiting their ability to efficiently manage fluid flow and injection amounts.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus with a housing, valve members, a fixed core, a coil, and movable cores that utilize magnetic attractive forces to control the opening and closing of multiple fluid flow paths through a single coil, eliminating the need for multiple drive sources and simplifying the configuration, allowing for a smaller physical size while increasing the range of fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driving units are used to control multiple valve members, then the injection amount range can be widened, but the device complexity and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving units into a single coil that generates a magnetic field to actuate multiple valve members (inner valve member and outer valve member) through magnetic attraction. This merging of drive sources eliminates the need for separate driving units for each valve member, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to control multiple injection holes (inner injection hole and outer injection holes) for widened injection amount range.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coil serves multiple functions by simultaneously controlling both the inner valve member and outer valve member. The coil generates a magnetic field that can selectively actuate different valve members based on energization levels, enabling one component to perform the work of multiple driving units while maintaining versatile injection control capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driving units are used to control multiple valve members, then the injection amount range can be widened, but the physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple driving units into a single coil assembly, significantly reducing the physical volume required. Instead of having separate motors or actuators for each valve member, the single coil generates magnetic fields that actuate both the inner and outer valve members, thereby compacting the overall device size while maintaining multi-hole injection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical driving units (such as motors or solenoids) with an electromagnetic system. The coil generates magnetic fields that directly actuate the valve members through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components and reducing the overall physical size of the injection valve assembly.
3Device complexity
If a single coil is used to control multiple valve members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a magnetic constriction portion with specific geometric features (narrower width) to concentrate and intensify the magnetic field in a localized region. This local enhancement of magnetic flux density ensures that the single coil can precisely control the actuation of valve members by creating distinct magnetic attraction zones, thereby maintaining control precision despite using a simplified single-coil configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in energization parameters (current magnitude and pulse duration) of the single coil to achieve precise control over multiple valve members. By varying the electrical parameters supplied to the coil, the system can selectively actuate the inner valve member, outer valve member, or both, enabling precise control of injection amounts without requiring multiple independent driving units.
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 solution enables efficient control of multiple fluid flow paths with a single coil, reducing the physical size of the valve apparatus and expanding the range of fluid injection amounts, while also improving combustion efficiency by promoting fuel-air mixing in engines.
Implementation Method 1
The coil forms a magnetic field by being energized
Implementation Method 2
When the coil generates the magnetic field, a magnetic attractive force is generated between the first movable core and the fixed core
Implementation Method 3
magnetic flux density in the magnetic constriction portion provided between the fixed core and the first movable core becomes saturated
Data Source
AI summary
In a valve apparatus, a housing includes a plurality of through holes through which a fluid flows. A first valve member opens and closes a first through hole. A second valve member opens and closes at least one second through hole. A fixed core does not move relative to the housing. A coil forms magnetic field. A first movable core moves integrally with the first valve member. When the coil forms the magnetic field, a magnetic attractive force is generated between the first movable core and the fixed core. A second movable core moves integrally with the second valve member. When the coil forms the magnetic field, a magnetic attractive force is generated between the second movable core and the fixed core. A magnetic constriction portion is provided between the fixed core and the first movable core. The second through hole is opened after the first through hole is opened.