Three-way electromagnetic valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-way electromagnetic valves in heat pump systems require large electromagnetic coils due to high pressures and fluctuating fluid states, leading to increased apparatus and operating costs, as well as significant pressure loss during gas cooling medium flow.

Innovation Solution

The valve design features a smaller valve bore diameter for the high-pressure side and a larger bore diameter for the low-pressure side, allowing for a larger fluid pressure exposure area in the opening direction of the first valve body and a larger exposure area in the closing direction of the second valve body, reducing the force required for valve opening and enabling a downsized electromagnetic coil. This configuration also adjusts valve bore diameters according to fluid flow rates, minimizing pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional three-way electromagnetic valve uses a single uniform valve bore diameter, then the structure is simple, but the electromagnetic coil becomes large in size due to high pressure forces and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structureVSAvoidelectromagnetic coil size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different valve bore diameters to different regions of the valve: a smaller diameter for the high-pressure side and a larger diameter for the low-pressure side. This local differentiation allows the high-pressure side to maintain sufficient sealing area while the low-pressure side provides adequate flow capacity, thereby reducing the overall force required for valve opening and enabling a smaller electromagnetic coil.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a conventional three-way electromagnetic valve uses a single uniform valve bore diameter, then the manufacturing is simple, but the pressure loss increases significantly when gas cooling medium flows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve manufacturingVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the valve bore diameter locally for each flow path: the smaller diameter on the high-pressure side is sufficient for liquid or mixed-state refrigerant flow, while the larger diameter on the low-pressure side accommodates high-velocity gas flow with minimal pressure loss. This localized optimization reduces overall energy loss while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a conventional three-way electromagnetic valve does not consider fluid state fluctuations, then the structure remains simple, but the pressure loss becomes greater when gas cooling medium flows at high rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structureVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the valve by providing different valve bore diameters for different pressure sides. This parameter modification allows the valve to adapt to varying fluid states (liquid, mixed, gas) and flow rates without requiring complex structural changes, thereby reducing pressure loss during gas flow while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 a downsized electromagnetic coil and reduced pressure loss, even during high gas flow rates, thereby lowering operating costs and improving system efficiency by matching valve bore diameters with fluid flow rates and states.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic coil or the like generating a driving force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2479520B1Three-way electromagnetic valve
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 FUJIKOKI CORP
  • EP2479520B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2479520B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Three-way electromagnetic valve which can downsize an electromagnetic coil and can hold down a pressure loss even in the case that a lot of gas cooling medium or the like flows. In a three-way electromagnetic valve which is provided with a valve main body (2) having an inflow port (2a), a first outflow port (2b) which the fluid in a high pressure side flows out of, and a second outflow port (2c) which the fluid in a low pressure side flows out of, a first valve seat (3) positioned between the inflow port and the first outflow port and a second valve seat (4) positioned between the inflow port and the second outflow port, first and second valve bodies (6, 7) opposed to each other with respect to two valve seats, and an actuating member (9) interposed between both the valve bodies.