Three-Way Flow Control Valve Using Leakage Pressure to Cut Driving Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-way valves for flow rate control experience increased driving torque due to contact between the valve body and valve port forming members, which is not effectively managed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A three-way valve design that incorporates a pressure applying portion to utilize the fluid leaking through the gap between the valve body and seat to suppress the shift of the valve body, thereby reducing the driving torque, and a temperature control device utilizing this valve for precise flow rate control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the valve body is made to freely rotate without position suppression, then the ease of operation is improved, but the driving torque increases due to contact between the valve body and valve port forming members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddriving torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the harmful fluid leakage through the gap between the valve body and valve seat and converts it into a beneficial force. The leaked fluid is directed to the pressure applying portion where it generates pressure to push the valve port forming members, which in turn suppresses the valve body position and reduces contact friction, thereby reducing the driving torque while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the valve body position is allowed to shift during operation, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inaccurate flow rate control

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidflow rate control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the fluid that leaks through the gap between the valve body and valve seat is redirected to the pressure applying portion. This creates a self-regulating system where the fluid pressure automatically adjusts to suppress valve body position shifts, ensuring precise flow rate control while maintaining adaptability to different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the gap between the valve body and valve seat is reduced to suppress leakage, then the reliability is improved, but the driving torque increases due to increased contact friction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddriving torque

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of simply reducing the gap to eliminate leakage (which would increase friction), the patent converts the leaked fluid into a useful resource. The fluid passing through the small gap is directed to generate pressure in the pressure applying portion, which suppresses valve body position shifts and reduces contact friction, thereby maintaining low driving torque while ensuring reliable sealing through the small gap

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively suppresses the increase in driving torque and enhances the precision of flow rate control in the three-way valve, improving its operational efficiency and reducing leakage, while enabling the use of the valve in temperature control applications.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure applying portion configured to apply a pressure of the fluid leaking through a gap between the valve body and the valve seat to the first and second valve port forming members so as to suppress shift of a position of the valve body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10989319B2Three-way flowrate control valve and temperature control device using same

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 SHINWA CONTROLS

AI summary

Provided is a three-way valve for flow rate control capable of suppressing an increase in driving torque for a valve body, which is caused due to contact between the valve body and a valve port forming member. The three-way valve for flow rate control includes: a valve main body (6) including a valve seat (8), the valve seat (8) having a columnar space and having a first valve port (9), which allows outflow of a fluid and has a rectangular cross section, and a second valve port (18), which allows outflow of a fluid and has a rectangular cross section; first and second valve port forming members (70) (80), which are fitted to the valve main body (6) and form the first valve port (9) and the second valve port (18), respectively; a valve body (34) being provided in a freely rotatable manner in the valve seat (8) of the valve main body (6) so as to simultaneously switch the first valve port (9) from a closed state to an opened state and switch the second valve port (18) from an opened state to a closed state, the valve body (34) having a cylindrical shape and having an opening; a pressure applying portion (94) (96) configured to apply pressures of the fluid leaking through a gap between the valve body (34) and the valve seat (8) to the first and second valve port forming members (70) (80) so as to suppress shift of a position of the valve body (34) when the valve body (34) opens and closes the first valve port (9) and the second valve port (18); and drive means (3) for driving the valve body (34) to rotate.