Valve for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11698136-B1
Application number	US-202217695266-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 15, 2022
Priority date	Mar 15, 2022
Publication date	Jul 11, 2023
Grant date	Jul 11, 2023

Abstract

A fluid-distribution system for use with one or more vehicle sub-systems in a vehicle includes a first transfer conduit, a second transfer conduit, and a valve unit. The first transfer conduit defines a first interior space and is coupled to a fluid source to receive and direct a fluid through the first interior space. The second transfer conduit defines a second interior space and is spaced apart downstream from the first transfer conduit. The valve unit extends between and interconnects the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fluid-distribution system for a vehicle, the fluid-distribution system comprising
a first transfer conduit defining a first interior space, the first transfer conduit coupled to a fluid source and configured to receive and direct a fluid through the first interior space,
a second transfer conduit defining a second interior space, the second transfer conduit spaced apart downstream from the first transfer conduit, and
a valve unit extending between and interconnecting the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit, the valve unit including a deformable sleeve coupled to a downstream end of the first transfer conduit and an upstream end of the second transfer conduit and defining a third interior space between the first and second interior spaces, a valve plunger arranged to lie in the third interior space, and a plunger guide including a plunger retainer extending between and interconnecting an interior surface of the first transfer conduit and the plunger to fix the plunger relative to the first transfer conduit and a plunger seat coupled to an interior surface of the second transfer conduit and formed to include a plunger-seat opening aligned with the valve plunger along an axis that extends through the third interior space,
wherein valve unit is changeable between a first configuration in which the plunger is spaced apart from the plunger-seat opening so that fluid flows through the plunger-seat opening and a second configuration in which the plunger engages surfaces of the plunger seat defining the plunger-seat opening so that fluid is blocked from flowing through the plunger seat opening, and
wherein the plunger retainer includes a plunger support coupled to the plunger to support the plunger on the axis, the plunger support having a first end arranged to lie upstream of the plunger-seat opening and a second end arranged to lie downstream of the plunger-seat opening in both the first configuration and the second configuration.

2. The fluid-distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the first transfer conduit, the second transfer conduit, and the valve unit are formed as a unitary, one-piece component.

3. The fluid-distribution system of claim 2 , wherein the first transfer conduit, the second transfer conduit, and the valve unit are formed by additive manufacturing such that the fluid-distribution system does not include any seals.

4. The fluid-distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the deformable sleeve has a first axial length between the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit in the first configuration and a second axial length between the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit in the second configuration.

5. The fluid-distribution system of claim 4 , wherein the deformable sleeve includes a first segment that extends radially outwardly away from first transfer conduit and a second segment coupled to an end of the first segment spaced apart from the first transfer conduit that extends radially inward toward the axis.

6. The fluid-distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the plunger retainer further includes a plunger-retainer arm coupled to the first transfer conduit and that extends radially inward toward the axis and the plunger support is further coupled to the plunger-retainer arm.

7. The fluid-distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the first end of the plunger support is coupled to the plunger-retainer arm.

8. The fluid-distribution system of claim 7 , wherein the plunger is coupled to the plunger support to lie between the first end and the plunger-seat opening in both the first configuration and the second configuration.

9. The fluid-distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the plunger seat includes a peripheral ring coupled to the second transfer conduit and a plunger receiver coupled to a radially inner end of the peripheral ring.

10. The fluid-distribution system of claim 9 , wherein the plunger receiver has an upstream-facing surface that is shaped to match an outer contour of the plunger.

11. A fluid-control system configured to direct a fluid from a fluid source and control discharge of the fluid for use with a vehicle sub-system, the fluid-control system comprising:
a fluid-distribution system coupled to the fluid source, the fluid-distribution system including a first transfer conduit defining a first interior space, the first transfer conduit coupled to the fluid source and configured to receive and direct a fluid through the first interior space, a second transfer conduit defining a second interior space, the second transfer conduit spaced apart downstream from the first transfer conduit, and a deformable valve unit extending between and interconnecting the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit, and
an actuator coupled to the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit and configured to move the valve unit between a first configuration in which the valve unit has a first axial length and fluid flows through the valve unit and a second configuration in which the valve unit has a second axial length less than the first axial length and fluid is blocked from flowing through the valve unit,
wherein the deformable valve unit includes a valve plunger arranged to lie between the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit and a plunger guide including a plunger retainer extending between and interconnecting an interior surface of the first transfer conduit and the plunger to fix the plunger relative to the first transfer conduit and a plunger seat coupled to an interior surface of the second transfer conduit and formed to include a plunger-seat opening aligned with the valve plunger along an axis that extends between the first interior space and the second interior space, and
wherein the plunger retainer includes a plunger support coupled to the plunger to support the plunger on the axis, the plunger support having a first end arranged to lie upstream of the plunger-seat opening and a second end arranged to lie downstream of the plunger-seat opening in both the first configuration and the second configuration.

12. The fluid-control system of claim 11 , further comprising a controller including a microprocessor and a memory storage device, the memory storage device including instructions stored therein that, when executed by the microprocessor, output a command signal to the actuator in response to an input to cause the actuator to move the valve unit to the first configuration or the second configuration.

13. The fluid control system of claim 11 , wherein the first transfer conduit, the second transfer conduit, and the valve unit are formed as a unitary, one-piece component by additive manufacturing such that the fluid-distribution system does not include any seals.

14. The fluid-control system of claim 11 , wherein the valve unit further includes a sleeve coupled to a downstream end of the first transfer conduit and an upstream end of the second transfer conduit and defining a third interior space between the first and second interior spaces, and wherein when the valve unit is in the first configuration the plunger is spaced apart from the plunger-seat opening so that fluid flows through the plunger-seat opening and when the valve unit is in the second configuration the plunger engages surfaces of the plunger seat defining the plunger-seat opening so that fluid is blocked from flowing through the plunger seat opening.

15. The fluid-control system of claim 14 , wherein the plunger retainer further includes a plunger-retainer arm coupled to the first transfer conduit and that extends radially inwar

Assignees

• Faurecia Automotive Seating Llc

Inventors

• Fitzpatrick Robert C
• Bonk Jeffery T

Classifications

• B60R16/08 Primary

  fluid · CPC title

• F16K1/14

  with ball-shaped valve member (check valves F16K15/04) · CPC title

• F16K27/0245

  with ball-shaped valve members · CPC title

• F16K1/123 Primary

  with stationary valve member and moving sleeve · CPC title

• F16K31/04

  using a motor · CPC title