Three-Way Valve for Flow Mixing and Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-way valves require component changes for flow mixing and division, leading to increased complexity, reduced driving force, and larger size, which complicates installation and usage.
Innovation Solution
A three-way valve design that implements flow mixing and division without changing components, featuring a valve core connected to the cover, a valve seat inside the cavity, and a valve rod for movement, with a support rod and seal rings for sealing, allowing for compact structure and reduced flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional three-way valve uses many driving apparatuses to increase driving force, then the driving force is sufficient, but the device complexity increases and the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving functions into a single driving apparatus that controls both the valve core component and valve seat component through integrated drive mechanisms, reducing the number of separate driving devices while maintaining sufficient driving force for overcoming flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The single driving apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple driving tasks: driving the valve core component for flow path switching and driving the valve seat component for flow rate control, thereby eliminating the need for multiple specialized driving devices
2Reliability
If conventional three-way valve increases valve size to provide movement space for valve core, then the valve core is protected from direct impact, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the valve core component and valve seat component within a compact valve cavity arrangement where the lower valve core is positioned within the valve cavity and the valve seat component moves within the same cavity space, achieving efficient space utilization without requiring excessive movement space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement by utilizing vertical dimension for valve seat component movement and horizontal arrangement for valve core positioning, creating a compact three-dimensional layout that reduces overall valve size while maintaining protection from direct impact
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional three-way valve changes inner component to implement flow mixing and division, then the flow control function is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flow control where the valve seat component can move between different positions (first position for flow mixing, second position for flow division) under drive mechanism control, allowing the system to adapt to different flow control requirements without manual component changes
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism automatically positions the valve seat component between the first and second positions based on control signals, enabling the valve to self-adjust its flow control mode without requiring user intervention to change internal components
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a three-way valve for flow mixing and flow division. The three-way valve includes: a valve cover (10), where the bottom of the valve cover is provided with a first port (B) connected to a valve cavity (150) of the three-way valve; and a valve body (120), where the valve body is connected to the valve cover in a sealed manner and is provided above the valve cover, and left and right sides of the valve body are provided with a second port (AB) and a third port (A) that are connected to the valve cavity. The three-way valve further includes: a valve core component (70), where the valve core component is connected to the valve cover in a fixed manner; a valve seat component (50, 80), where the valve seat component is provided inside the valve cavity and is capable of fitting with the valve core component; and a valve rod component, where the valve rod component is connected to the valve seat component, and drives the valve seat component to move up and down in the valve cavity, so as to implement a flow rate variation, and opening and closing of one of the ports (A), (B) of the three-way valve.