Valve Device Connector Placement for Compact Engine Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices for internal combustion engines that adjust coolant flow rates have a large size due to the placement of connectors, which complicates installation and can interfere with engine components, leading to poor mountability and increased dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The valve device design includes a connector placement on the same side as the pipe member relative to the housing in the perpendicular direction, reducing the overall size and improving installation space, while also ensuring the connector does not project towards the engine, enhancing mountability and reducing the valve device's size in the projecting direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is placed on the opposite side of the housing relative to the pipe member, then the valve device can maintain a compact structure, but the connector projects towards the engine causing interference with engine components and poor mountability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connector placement with the pipe member placement by positioning both components on the same side of the housing in the perpendicular direction. This consolidation eliminates the projection of the connector towards the engine, preventing interference with engine components while maintaining a compact overall structure of the valve device.
2Device complexity
If the connector is placed on the opposite side of the cover main body, then the valve device structure is simplified, but the required space for connector operation is insufficient complicating installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the perpendicular direction (radial direction relative to the axial direction of the rotatable shaft) as an additional dimension for component arrangement. By placing the connector on the same side as the pipe member in this perpendicular dimension, the design provides sufficient operational space for connector installation and connection operations without increasing the overall structural complexity of the valve device.
3Area of stationary object
If the connector projects towards the engine, then the valve device can have a compact footprint, but it interferes with engine components reducing mountability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the connector on the same side as the pipe member rather than on the opposite side. This inversion prevents the connector from projecting towards the engine, eliminating interference with engine components while maintaining a compact footprint through optimized spatial arrangement of all components on one side of the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device include a drive device cover that is placed outside a housing. The drive device cover receives a drive device of a valve and a rotational angle sensor. The drive device cover has a cover main body and a connector. The connector electrically connects the drive device and the rotational angle sensor to at least one external device. The connector is placed on one side of the cover main body where a pipe member is placed relative to the housing in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to an axial direction, and the connector projects from the cover main body on the one side of the cover main body.