Six-Way Valve Flow Path Switching for Heat Transfer Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat management systems lack an efficient mechanism for switching the flow path of a heat transfer medium, limiting the flexibility and effectiveness of thermal management.

Innovation Solution

A switching device comprising multiple disc-shaped valve elements and flow pipes, where the relative rotation of these elements switches the overlapping states of grooves and holes to efficiently direct the flow path of a heat transfer medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a switching valve is used to switch the flow path of a heat transfer medium, then the flow path can be switched, but the switching efficiency and flexibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path switching flexibilityVSAvoidflow path switching efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is divided into multiple groove portions (first, second, third groove portions) that can be independently configured to define different flow paths. This segmentation allows the heat transfer medium to flow through different routes by simply changing which groove portions are active, thereby achieving flexible and efficient flow path switching without requiring complex valve mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valve elements are added to improve flow path switching capability, then switching flexibility increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path switching capabilityVSAvoidvalve structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple groove portions (first, second, third groove portions) are merged into a single integrated valve body structure. These groove portions work together to define different flow paths, combining the functionality of multiple separate valves into one unified component. This merging approach maintains high switching flexibility while reducing overall device complexity compared to using multiple separate valve elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body is designed with multiple groove portions that can serve different functions depending on which grooves are active. The same valve body can direct the heat transfer medium through various flow paths (first flow path, second flow path, third flow path) by simply changing the configuration of open grooves, making the valve universally applicable for different thermal management scenarios without requiring multiple specialized valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12486914B2Switching device

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

The switching device includes a six-way valve. The six-way valve includes a lower body (first valve element), an upper body (second valve element), and a drive plate (third valve element). The switching device switches the overlapping state in the Z direction (axial direction) between the opening (first opening) of each of the plurality of groove portions (first groove portions) of the lower body, the groove portion of the upper body (second groove portion), and the through hole of the drive plate by rotating each of the upper body and the drive plate relative to the lower body.