Sliding Throttle-Chamber Valve Unit for Compact Fluid Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid circulation control systems in complex circuits, such as those in motor-vehicle internal combustion engines, face challenges in reducing manufacturing costs, space, and weight by requiring multiple adjustment and control elements, and achieving hierarchical adjustments across various circuit portions while minimizing the complexity of actuation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-way valve unit with a sliding throttle-chamber that incorporates a composite structure for the sliding plug, allowing for fluid communication control across multiple outlets through a single actuator, enabling connections in perpendicular directions and utilizing a non-driving area to manage the release states of axial and radial outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple adjustment and control elements are used to control fluid circulation in complex circuits, then the control precision and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost, space occupied and total weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single integrated valve unit with a sliding plug that can simultaneously control multiple circuit portions. The sliding plug structure allows one actuator to perform the work of multiple separate valves, reducing the total number of control elements while maintaining control reliability across the complex cooling circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve unit is designed as a multi-functional device where a single adjustment element can control fluid circulation across multiple circuit portions. The sliding plug can be positioned to control different combinations of outlets, providing universal control capability that replaces multiple specialized valves with one versatile unit.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple adjustment and control elements are used, then the control precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple control functions into a single valve unit, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while the precision sliding plug mechanism maintains control precision through its ability to accurately position and control fluid flow to multiple outlets.
3Reliability
If multiple adjustment and control elements are used, then the control reliability is improved, but the space occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple control elements into one compact valve unit with a sliding plug mechanism. This single unit occupies less space than multiple separate valves while maintaining the ability to control multiple circuit portions, thus reducing the overall space required for the cooling system components.
4Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to control multiple circuit portions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to achieve different adjustments for various circuit portions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding plug is divided into multiple controlling surfaces or sections that can independently interact with different outlets. This segmentation allows a single actuator to create different adjustment states by moving the plug to various positions, where each position selectively controls different combinations of circuit portions, thus achieving versatility with simple actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding plug operates in a linear dimensional space but creates multi-dimensional control outcomes by its position along the slide. A single linear actuator movement produces multiple possible flow configurations, effectively adding control dimensions without adding actuator complexity.
5Adaptability or versatility
If a composite structure with non-driving area is used in the sliding plug, then the hierarchical adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding plug is segmented into driving and non-driving areas, where the non-driving area allows independent control of specific outlets. This segmentation enables hierarchical adjustment where certain circuit portions can be adjusted independently of others, providing versatile control capability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through functional zoning.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Valve unit with a sliding throttle-chamber, comprising a valve body with an exchange or distribution chamber adapted to receive a sliding throttle-chamber of which the position of translation in the chamber defines ways of fluid communication between a primary inlet opening and at least two secondary outlet openings that can be selectively blocked or released by said throttle-chamber; the sliding throttle-chamber (2) has a composite structure and consists of a first part (8) controlling the fluid communication of said, at least, one secondary or radial outlet opening (6) with the chamber (3) and a second part (9) controlling the fluid communication of the secondary or axial outlet opening with the chamber (3), the two parts (8 and 9) of the throttle-chamber (2) being linked together by a driving link in translation with a dead or non-driving area between the two extreme translation positions of said throttle-chamber (2).