Capacity Control Valve Layout for Low-Load Refrigerant Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacity control valves for variable capacity compressors face challenges in efficiently discharging liquid refrigerant during start-up, leading to prolonged discharge times and increased engine load, which affects energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A capacity control valve design that includes a valve main body with specific communication passages, a solenoid-driven rod, and biasing members to maintain the auxiliary valve part in a fully open state from the start to completion of discharge, reducing the engine load and enhancing refrigerant discharge efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the conventional capacity control valve is used to discharge liquid refrigerant during start-up, then the liquid refrigerant can be discharged from the control chamber, but the discharge time is prolonged and engine load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid refrigerant discharge timeVSAvoidengine load
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is divided into multiple valve parts (first valve part, second valve part, third valve part) that can open and close independently. This segmentation allows different communication passages to be controlled separately, enabling the auxiliary communication passage to remain open while the main passage is closed, thus maintaining high discharge efficiency throughout the entire discharge process without increasing engine load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solenoid acts as an intermediary control mechanism that drives the rod to selectively open or close different valve parts. By controlling the solenoid, the system can maintain the auxiliary communication passage open during liquid refrigerant discharge, ensuring rapid discharge while preventing suction pressure increase that would increase engine load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the auxiliary valve part is not kept fully open during discharge, then the valve structure can be simpler, but the liquid refrigerant discharge efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid refrigerant discharge efficiencyVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve parts are designed to be dynamically controllable through the solenoid-driven rod mechanism. The first valve part, second valve part, and third valve part can independently change their opening states based on control signals, allowing the auxiliary communication passage to remain open during discharge while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single solenoid-driven rod mechanism serves multiple functions by controlling different valve parts (first valve part, second valve part, third valve part) to open or close different communication passages. This multi-functional design achieves high discharge efficiency without requiring multiple separate actuators, thus limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 rapid and efficient discharge of liquid refrigerant, reducing the compressor's drive power and shifting to a cooling operation quickly, while minimizing engine load and improving overall energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure-sensitive body arranged in the third valve chamber, wherein the pressure-sensitive body expands and contracts according to the first pressure led via the first communication passage and the intermediate communication passage when the auxiliary valve part is closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-sensitive body expansion and contraction: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a solenoid which drives a rod having an auxiliary valve seat; an auxiliary valve part for opening and closing the intermediate communication passage by separating from and contacting the auxiliary valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid electromagnetic driving: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP3719364B1Capacity control valve and control method for capacity control valve
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 EAGLE INDS
  • EP3719364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719364B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3719364B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a capacity control valve which can efficiently discharge a liquid refrigerant irrespective of the pressure in a suction chamber, and which can reduce the driving force of a compressor in a liquid refrigerant discharge operation. The present invention includes: a valve main body (10) including a first communication passage (11), a second communication passage (12), a third communication passage (13) and a main valve seat (15a) ; a valve body (20) including an intermediate communication passage (29), a main valve part (21c) and an auxiliary valve part (23d); a solenoid (30) which drives a rod (36) having an auxiliary valve seat (26c); a first biasing member (43) which biases the main valve part (21c) in the valve closing direction thereof; and a second biasing member (37) which biases the main valve part (21c) in the valve opening direction thereof, and the rod (36) relatively moves to the valve body (20), and opens and closes the auxiliary valve part (23d).