Vehicle Heat Exchange Valve Plates for Leak-Resistant Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow rate control devices in thermal management systems for electric vehicles suffer from degraded sealing performance and internal leakage due to deformation or damage of rubber sealing rings, leading to reduced effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate control device with a housing and valve body assembly featuring a first valve plate and a second valve plate that are sealed against each other, along with a transmission part for proportional flow rate regulation, and an adapter for improved movement control and sealing performance, using ceramic or metal valve plates for enhanced durability and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber sealing ring is used in the piston valve, then the device can be manufactured with simpler materials and processes, but the sealing performance degrades over time due to deformation or damage when pressed by the movable valve body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sealing element from rubber to ceramic. The ceramic sealing element maintains sealing performance under pressure without the deformation and damage issues that affect rubber materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between initial sealing effectiveness and long-term durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ceramic material for the sealing element, representing a transition to advanced composite or monolithic materials that combine hardness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. This material substitution eliminates the degradation problems of rubber while maintaining sealing functionality throughout the device's service life.
2Ease of operation
If a motor-driven piston valve with speed reduction gear mechanism is used, then the flow direction can be switched effectively, but the complexity of the device increases and internal leakage occurs due to sealing ring degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic rubber sealing ring from the piston valve assembly. By removing this degradable component, the device maintains its flow direction switching capability while reducing internal leakage and simplifying the sealing system, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational effectiveness and structural complexity.
3Productivity
If the second valve plate is made movable relative to the first valve plate, then proportional flow rate regulation can be achieved, but the sealing requirement between the two valve plates becomes more critical and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the valve plates from traditional materials to ceramic. This material substitution provides the necessary hardness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability to maintain precise sealing between the movable second valve plate and the first valve plate, enabling both proportional flow rate regulation and reliable sealing performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow control device used in a vehicle heat exchange system and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The flow control device comprises a housing (1) and a valve core assembly (2). The valve core assembly (2) comprises a first valve plate (21), a second valve plate (22), and a transmission part (23). The housing (1) has an accommodating portion (1011) and a protruding limiter (13), in which the protruding limiter (13) circumferentially limits the first valve plate (21), a lower side surface of the second valve plate (22) is disposed opposite to the protruding limiter (13), and at least a part of the lower side surface of the second valve plate (22) is in contact with the first valve plate (21). The transmission part (23) drives the second valve plate (22) to open or close the circulating valve port of the first valve plate (21) and/or adjust the opening degree of the circulating valve port, such that the product sealing performance can be improved.