Solenoid Valve Temperature Sensor and Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The solenoid valve's temperature sensor is unable to directly detect the temperature of the gas in the tank due to its placement on the housing, which is influenced by the heat capacity of both the housing and the protecting tube, leading to poor response to temperature changes, and the power consumption is inefficient due to constant high driving current during both start-up and holding times.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a temperature detecting means projecting into the tank's inner space to directly detect fluid temperature, supported by a signal wire member that is protected and neatly stored within the housing, and a solenoid driving mechanism with feeder wire members connected to multiple points on the coil to control driving current without adjusting the drive voltage, optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is disposed on the housing to be supported by the housing, then the sensor is protected and neatly stored, but the sensor cannot directly detect the temperature of the gas in the tank and its response to temperature changes deteriorates due to the heat capacity of the housing and protecting tube
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the housing support structure and repositioned to be directly supported by the tank body. This allows the sensor to directly detect the temperature of the gas in the tank without being influenced by the heat capacity of the housing or protecting tube, thereby improving measurement precision while the sensor remains protected and neatly stored through its direct mounting on the tank.
2Ease of operation
If a certain drive voltage is applied to the coil to generate a certain driving current, then the valve can be driven to open, but large electric power is consumed during both start-up and holding times
Solution Approach 1:
The driving current to the coil is made dynamic rather than constant. During start-up time, a large driving current is applied to rapidly open the valve, and during holding time, the current is reduced to a minimal level sufficient to maintain the valve in the open position. This dynamic current control reduces overall electric power consumption while maintaining full valve driving capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil is energized in periodic pulses rather than continuously. A drive signal is applied during start-up time to open the valve, and then the coil is de-energized or maintained at a minimal current level during holding time. This periodic action achieves the required valve operation while significantly reducing electric power consumption compared to continuous full-power operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the driving current is made small during holding time to suppress power waste, then electric power consumption is reduced, but it becomes necessary to control the driving current by controlling the drive voltage which is inconvenient in handling
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the driving current to the coil based on the operational state without requiring manual control of drive voltage. The control unit automatically applies a large current during start-up time and reduces it during holding time, making the system self-regulating and maintaining ease of operation while reducing power consumption. The control logic is embedded in the system, eliminating the need for external voltage control adjustments.
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 allows for improved temperature detection accuracy and reduced power consumption by enabling direct temperature sensing within the tank and controlling driving current based on selective voltage application, enhancing the convenience and efficiency of the valve device.
Implementation Method 1
temperature sensor 510 configured such that a sensor main body 514 is inserted into a bottomed protecting tube 513. The temperature sensor 510 can detect the temperature of a gas in the tank 501
Implementation Method 2
By energizing a coil 503, the solenoid valve 500 drives a valve 504 to open a valve passage 505
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device includes a temperature sensor disposed to project from a housing to a tank inner space to detect the temperature in the tank inner space, and can detect the temperature without being influenced by the heat capacity of the housing. A coil generates a magnetic force to drive a valve with three terminals arranged at different positions in an axial direction, and a drive voltage is selectively applied between two of the terminals. A current value of the driving current which energizes the coil can be changed by selecting the terminals between which the drive voltage is applied. Without controlling the drive voltage, it is possible to suppress wasting power such that the driving current of the large current value is generated in the start-up time, and the current value of the driving current is decreased in the holding time.