Valve Device External Annular Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve devices for fluid flow control, such as thermostatic valves in motor vehicles, are complex and expensive to produce due to the need for internal ring channels created through complex processes like sand casting or mechanical processing.
Innovation Solution
The valve device features annular channels on the outside of the valve housing, separated by a ring body, which can be produced inexpensively using aluminum die-casting or plastic injection molding, with valve housing windows that open into these channels to control fluid flow, allowing for simpler and cost-effective manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If internal ring channels are created using sand casting or mechanical processing, then the valve housing can control fluid flow, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating internal ring channels within the valve housing, the patent inverts the approach by creating external ring channels on the outer surface of the valve housing. This allows the channels to be formed directly during the molding process without complex subsequent machining or casting operations, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining fluid control functionality.
2Device complexity
If multiple separate components are used to create annular channels, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the number of parts and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated valve housing component. The external ring channels are directly formed on the valve housing body, eliminating the need for separate annular channel components or inserts. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow through the ring channels.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional casting methods are used, then the valve housing can be produced, but material accumulation and poor surface finish occur in channel areas
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the channel design to external surfaces rather than internal cavities, the patent eliminates the material accumulation problem inherent in conventional casting. External ring channels can be cleanly formed during the molding process with proper surface finish, avoiding the trapped material and poor finishing that occur in internal channels where mold release and material flow are problematic.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The device (1) has an outer ring channel (21) assigned to an outlet of a valve housing (2), where the outer ring channel is separated from another outer ring channel (22) by a separating ring body (20) of the valve housing. The separating ring body is assigned to another outlet of the valve housing. The former outlet includes a valve housing window (28), which opens into the former ring channel. Separation bars (24) of the row of valve housing window are connected one-piece with a closing body (17) of the valve housing.