Spring-Coupled Valve Unit for Compact Vehicle Thermal Loop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle thermal management systems are complex, heavy, and expensive due to a high number of components, leading to packaging and weight issues in new energy vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A valve unit for a vehicle thermal management system comprising a first valve body, a second valve body, and a housing structure, where the valve bodies are rotatably arranged around a common rotational axis, connected via an actuator and a spring, allowing efficient control of thermal control loops with fewer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional thermal management systems use multiple separate components for controlling different thermal control loops, then each loop can be controlled independently, but the system becomes complex, heavy, and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve bodies (first valve body and second valve body) into a single integrated valve unit with a common actuator. The first valve body controls the first thermal control loop while the second valve body controls the second thermal control loop, allowing independent control of each loop through a unified structure that reduces overall system complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The common actuator serves multiple functions by controlling both the first valve body and the second valve body. This multi-functional actuator replaces what would traditionally require separate actuators for each thermal control loop, reducing the number of components while maintaining independent control capability for each loop.
2Reliability
If traditional thermal management systems use multiple separate components, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve bodies and actuators into a single integrated unit. The first valve body and second valve body are combined with a common actuator, eliminating the weight of redundant components while maintaining the ability to independently control different thermal control loops through the integrated structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional thermal management systems use multiple separate components, then each component can be independently designed, but the packaging space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple valve bodies into a compact unified structure. The first valve body and second valve body are arranged within the same housing and share common components including the actuator, significantly reducing the overall volume required compared to having separate components for each thermal control loop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the first valve body and second valve body are positioned within the same housing structure, sharing common spaces and components. This nested configuration allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial zones, minimizing the total packaging volume while maintaining independent design flexibility for each valve body.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional thermal management systems use a high number of components, then system functionality is comprehensive, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve bodies and actuators into a single integrated manufacturing unit. The first valve body and second valve body are manufactured as part of the same assembly, sharing common housing and actuator components, which reduces manufacturing steps, material requirements, and assembly operations compared to producing and assembling separate components.
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 results in a compact, lightweight, and less complex thermal management system with reduced component count, improving packaging efficiency and system flexibility while lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
The second valve body is connected to the first valve body via a spring. The second valve body is configured for being rotatably displaced around the rotational axis by the spring upon rotational displacement of the first valve body.
Implementation Method 2
The spring is configured for rotatably displacing the second valve body upon a spring tension at least equal to a predetermined spring tension value
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve unit for a vehicle thermal management system. The valve unit comprises a first valve body, a second valve body, and a housing structure. The first valve body and the second valve body are arranged within the housing structure and rotatably arranged in relation to the housing structure between different valve positions around a common rotational axis. The first valve body is connected to an actuator for rotational displacement of the first valve body around the rotational axis, and the second valve body is connected to the first valve body via a spring. The second valve body is configured for being rotatably displaced around the rotational axis by the spring upon rotational displacement of the first valve body.