Flow Channel Switching Valve Assembly With Integrated Shaft Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow channel switching valves require additional components like pressing plates and screws to prevent slippage and fixation, increasing the number of components and weight.
Innovation Solution
A flow channel switching valve design featuring a valve body with a valve chamber, a rotatable valve element, a seat member, an elastic member for sealing, and a rotary drive portion with a valve shaft that is inserted through a vertical through-hole and a fit-insertion hole, where the drive gear is fixed to the valve shaft to provide rotational support, eliminating the need for additional fixation members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressing plate and screws are used to prevent slippage and fixation of the valve shaft, then the valve shaft is securely fixed to the valve body, but the number of components and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing plate is integrated into the valve body as a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate pressing plates and screws. The valve shaft is directly inserted into the valve body with the pressing plate function built-in, reducing component count while maintaining fixation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the valve element, provides the inlet/outlet ports, and incorporates the pressing plate function to prevent slippage of the valve shaft. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixation components
2Reliability
If a pressing plate and screws are used to prevent slippage and fixation of the valve shaft, then the valve shaft is securely fixed to the valve body, but the weight of the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing plate function is merged into the valve body structure, eliminating the weight of separate pressing plates and screws. The integrated design reduces overall valve weight while maintaining the slippage prevention function
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body performs multiple functions including structural support, flow channel definition, and fixation of the valve shaft. This multi-functionality eliminates additional components and reduces the overall weight of the valve assembly
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
This design reduces the number of components and weight by integrating the drive gear with the valve shaft, enhancing the structural integrity and reducing the complexity of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed between the seat member and the valve body so as to press the seat member against the valve element
Implementation Method 2
a valve shaft that transmits torque of the rotary drive portion to the valve element such that the valve shaft is insertable into the vertical through-hole along the direction of the rotation axis in a mutually non-rotatable manner
Implementation Method 3
a rotary drive portion adapted to rotate the valve element about a rotation axis, in which when the valve element is rotated, a communication state of the plurality of inlet/outlet ports is configured to be selectively switched
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a flow channel switching valve with a reduced number of components as well as a reduced weight, and a method for assembling the same. A valve shaft adapted to be coupled to a valve element so as to transmit torque of a rotary drive portion to the valve element is inserted through a vertical through-hole, which penetrates through the valve element in the direction of the rotation axis O (i.e., vertical direction), and through a fit-insertion hole provided in a valve body. Then, a drive gear that forms the rotary drive portion is fixed to the upper coupling portion of the valve shaft protruding from the fit-insertion hole so that the valve shaft is rotatably supported with respect to the valve body.