Valve Device Frame Support for Washer Fluid Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing washer apparatuses face issues where the valve body is detached or tilted due to high pressure from cleaning fluid, which affects the efficient switching between flow channels for wide-range window wiping in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus with a housing having separate valve chambers, a partition wall, and a support portion that includes a film-like valve body and a frame with a higher stiffness, where the valve body is elastically deformed to open or close flow channels and is secured by a support groove and frame to prevent detachment or tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve body is made of elastic material to enable flow channel switching, then the valve can open and close flow channels by elastic deformation, but the valve body may be detached or tilted under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into two functional parts: an elastic valve element for flow control and a rigid frame for structural support. The elastic valve element enables flow channel switching through deformation, while the separate rigid frame provides stability and prevents detachment under high pressure, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and structural reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly combines elastic material (valve element) with rigid material (frame) to create a composite structure. This composite design allows the valve to exhibit both the flexibility needed for flow channel switching and the rigidity required to maintain stability under high pressure conditions.
2Device complexity
If the valve body is supported only by friction fit in the support portion, then the structure is simple, but the valve body detaches under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple functional elements: the support portion providing friction fit, the engaging portion with protrusions for mechanical interlocking, and the frame with grooves for additional constraint. This segmentation transforms a simple friction-fit structure into a multi-mechanism retention system that prevents detachment while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging portion features protrusions that fit into corresponding grooves in the frame, creating a mechanical interlocking structure. This geometric engagement provides positive retention against high pressure forces, supplementing the friction fit and preventing valve body detachment without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve body is made flexible for elastic deformation, then flow channel switching is enabled, but the valve body tilts under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly separates the deformation function (elastic valve element) from the positioning function (rigid frame with engaging portion). The elastic valve element can deform freely to enable flow channel switching, while the rigid frame maintains stable orientation by engaging with the support structure, preventing tilt under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the valve assembly have different mechanical properties: the valve element is locally made elastic for deformation capability, while the frame and engaging portions are locally made rigid for stability. This local differentiation allows the valve to simultaneously achieve adaptability for flow switching and stability for maintaining orientation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents the valve body from detaching or tilting under high pressure, ensuring consistent fluid distribution to both the front and rear windows, maintaining the valve's functionality and improving assembly and moldability of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a film-like valve body which is elastically deformed by pressure of the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber so as to open one of the first flow channel and the second flow channel and close the other of the first flow channel and the second flow channel
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a valve apparatus capable of keeping a holding state of a valve body. The valve apparatus 14 is adapted to supply cleaning fluid by switching between a first flow channel 54 and a second flow channel 55, the valve apparatus 14 being provided with: a first fluid pipe 44 having a first flow channel 54; a second fluid pipe 45 coaxially aligned with the first fluid pipe 44, the second fluid pipe 45 having a second flow channel 55; a housing 86 provided with a first valve chamber 37 and a second valve chamber 38; a partition wall 49 disposed between the first flow channel 44 and the second flow channel 55 in the housing 86; and a rib 46 provided to the housing 86 to support the partition wall 49, wherein the partition wall 49 has: a film-like valve body 50 which is elastically deformed by pressure of the first valve chamber 37 and the second valve chamber 38 so as to open one of the first flow channel 44 and the second flow channel 55 and close the other of the first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 55; and a frame 51 attached along an outer circumference of the valve body 50 and supported by the rib 56, wherein the frame 51 is higher in stiffness than the valve body 50.