Thermoelement Pull-In Mechanism for Fluid Flow Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermoelements and thermovalves with press-out mechanisms complicate internal structures and reduce fluid flow efficiency due to protruding rods, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential foreign matter entrapment.

Innovation Solution

A thermoelement and thermovalve design where a thermosensitive medium expands to pull a shaft inwardly, utilizing a seal member and tapered surfaces to ensure smooth operation and maintain fluid flow passage area, preventing foreign matter entrapment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a press-out type thermoelement with a protruding rod is used to achieve the desired function, then the rod can project outwardly to accomplish control operations, but the internal structure becomes complex and the fluid passage area is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operation capabilityVSAvoidinternal structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the conventional press-out type where the rod projects outward upon heating, this invention uses a pull-in type mechanism where the rod is drawn inward into the casing upon heating. The thermosensitive fluid expands to create a pulling force through a seal member with tapered surfaces, inverting the traditional action direction to simplify the internal structure and maintain fluid passage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a press-out type thermoelement with a protruding rod is used, then the control function is achieved, but the rod end projects into the fluid passage causing smooth flow to be impeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidfluid flow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the rod movement direction from outward projection to inward retraction. Upon heating, the expanded thermosensitive fluid pulls the rod inward through the seal member, ensuring the rod end does not project into the fluid passage and thus maintaining smooth fluid flow and high flow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a press-out type thermoelement is used, then the desired operation is accomplished, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the mechanism from press-out to pull-in type, the invention eliminates the need for complex internal structures and protruding rod assemblies. The simpler design with the thermosensitive fluid, seal member, and tapered surfaces reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining full operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If a press-out type thermoelement is used, then the control function is achieved, but foreign matter entrapment occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidforeign matter entrapment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-in mechanism ensures the rod end retracts into the casing upon heating, preventing it from projecting into the fluid passage where it could trap foreign matter. This inverted action eliminates the foreign matter entrapment problem while maintaining the control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

5Object-affected harmful factors

If the valve structure is made more robust to prevent foreign matter entrapment, then entrapment is reduced, but the size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter entrapment preventionVSAvoidvalve size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the valve structure more robust and larger to prevent foreign matter entrapment, the invention uses a compact pull-in mechanism where the rod retracts into the casing. This maintains a compact valve size while effectively preventing foreign matter entrapment through the inverted action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design simplifies internal structures, enhances durability, and maintains fluid flow efficiency by retracting the shaft upon expansion, preventing flow blockage and foreign matter entrapment without increasing valve size.

Implementation Method 1

a thermosensitive medium enclosed in the interior of the casing and which expands and contracts responsive to a change in ambient temperature surrounding the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS9400062B2Thermoelement and thermovalve incorporating thermoelement

Publication Date: 2016.07.26 SMC CORP

AI summary

A thermoelement and a thermovalve incorporating the same, in which reliable operation is achieved with a simple internal structure, and there is no risk of contaminant jamming. The thermoelement includes a casing, a mounting portion, a shaft, a heat-sensitive medium, and a seal member for drawing the shaft into the casing when the heat-sensitive medium expands. The thermovalve includes a body including a valve body linked to a shaft of a thermoelement, and a seating part on/from which the valve body can be seated/separated.