Valve Rotor Insertion Hole Geometry for Stable Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate control valves experience variations in fluid flow rate due to misalignment between the rotational center of the drive disk and the central axis of the shaft, leading to unintended leakage and inconsistent opening degrees of passage holes.
Innovation Solution
A valve device design featuring a drive disk with a drive-side insertion hole diameter larger than the shaft diameter, and end portions of the insertion hole with increased diameters, coupled with a lever and urging member to maintain the drive disk's posture against a stationary disk, limiting misalignment and ensuring close contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the hole diameter of the drive-side insertion hole is made larger than the shaft diameter, then the shaft can be easily inserted and assembled, but misalignment between the rotational center of the drive disk and central axis of the shaft occurs, causing variations in opening degree and flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion hole is designed with non-uniform diameter along the axial direction, creating different local qualities: the first end portion has a larger diameter for easy assembly, while the second end portion has a smaller diameter for precise alignment. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional cross-sectional view to a three-dimensional axial view by varying the hole diameter along the axial direction. This dimensional approach allows the hole to serve dual functions: large diameter at one end for assembly and small diameter at the other end for precision alignment.
2Ease of operation
If the hole diameter is uniformly large, then assembly is easy, but the rotational center deviates from the central axis, causing fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the insertion hole have different diameters to fulfill different functions: the first end portion with larger diameter facilitates assembly operations, while the second end portion with smaller diameter ensures precise centering and sealing, preventing fluid leakage.
3Manufacturing precision
If the hole diameter is reduced to improve alignment, then misalignment decreases, but assembly becomes difficult and the shaft may not be easily inserted
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion hole is segmented into two distinct portions along the axial direction: the first end portion with larger diameter for easy assembly and the second end portion with smaller diameter for precise alignment. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion hole exhibits local quality variation along its axial length, with the first end portion having a larger diameter to facilitate assembly and the second end portion having a smaller diameter to ensure precise alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and alignment precision.
4Ease of repair
If the drive disk is allowed to tilt for maintenance access, then maintenance becomes easier, but the opening degree varies and flow rate control becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion hole's varying diameter along the axial direction creates a self-centering effect that maintains consistent alignment between the drive disk and shaft during operation, ensuring consistent opening degree and flow rate control while still allowing maintenance access.
Data Source
AI summary
In a valve device, a rotor is configured to increase or decrease an opening degree of at least one passage hole formed at a stationary disk in response to rotation of a shaft. The rotor includes a drive disk and a lever while the lever is fixed to the drive disk and couples between the drive disk and the shaft and enables integral rotation of the drive disk and the shaft. The drive disk has a drive-side insertion hole through which the shaft is inserted. A hole diameter of the drive-side insertion hole is larger than a shaft diameter of the shaft, and a hole diameter of at least one of two end portions of the drive-side insertion hole, which are opposite to each other in the axial direction, is larger than a smallest hole diameter of the drive-side insertion hole.