Valve with rotatable presetting element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valves for heating or cooling systems lack simplicity and precision in adjustment, often requiring complex mechanisms to regulate fluid flow effectively.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring a central portion with a rotatable presetting element that adjusts the effective cross-section of the flow channel without moving the valve element or seat, allowing for precise control of fluid flow by rotating the presetting element around a stationary central portion, and includes a presetting indicator for easy position reading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rotatable presetting element is used to adjust maximum flow, then manufacturing precision and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresetting adjustment precisionVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The presetting element is nested within the valve body, with the presetting element forming a flow channel that overlaps with the valve seat flow channel. This nested configuration allows precise flow adjustment through rotation while maintaining a compact structure that does not significantly increase overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of flow channel cross-section by rotating the presetting element to different angular positions. This allows continuous adjustment of the effective flow area without mechanical displacement of the valve element, achieving precise presetting through a single rotational degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the valve element and seat are kept stationary during presetting adjustment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresetting stabilityVSAvoidpresetting adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a dedicated presetting element with a specific flow channel geometry that overlaps with the valve seat. This localized flow restriction structure allows independent adjustment of maximum flow without affecting the sealing function of the valve element and seat, maintaining reliability while enabling operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flow control function is segmented into two independent parts: the valve element for on/off control and the rotatable presetting element for maximum flow adjustment. This segmentation allows the presetting element to be adjusted independently without moving the valve element, maintaining sealing reliability while providing ease of presetting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a rotatable presetting element with overlapping flow channels is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresetting adjustment simplicityVSAvoidflow channel geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The presetting element is merged with the valve body structure, where the presetting element forms an integral part of the flow path. The flow channel of the presetting element overlaps with the valve seat flow channel, combining multiple functions (flow restriction, presetting adjustment, and structural support) into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3627021B1Valve with rotatable presetting element
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 DANFOSS AS
  • EP3627021B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3627021B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP3627021B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

A valve (10) is described comprising a central portion (82) including a valve element (20) movable relative to a valve seat (28) to adjust a valve opening (30) to regulate a fluid flow. A presetting element (38) is provided to adjust a maximum flow through the valve opening. The presetting element is rotatable around the central portion. To adjust the valve in a simple and exact manner, the central portion is configured to remain stationary as said presetting element is being rotated.