Thermostatic valve and vehicle comprising said valve

Abstract

A thermostatic valve (1) comprises a housing (2) having a fluid inlet (20), a first outlet (21) and a second outlet (22), a flap (4) that is movable between a closed position, in which the flap (4) closes the first outlet (21), and an open position, in which the flap (4) opens the first outlet (21), a thermostatic actuator (6) comprising an actuating rod (61) connected to the flap (4) and a capsule (60) containing a thermally expanding material, and a heating element (8). The capsule (60) has an internal portion (63a), which extends inside the housing (2) so as to be immersed in the fluid flowing between the inlet (20) and the second outlet of the housing (2), and an external portion (63b), which extends outside the housing (2). The heating element (8) is arranged outside the housing (2) and outside the capsule (60) in order to heat the external portion (63b).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a thermostatic valve for controlling the flow rate of a fluid, in particular a coolant flow rate for a vehicle engine, and a vehicle equipped with the valve. Background technique [0002] It is known to regulate the temperature of a vehicle engine using a water inlet collector or water outlet housing equipped with a thermostatic valve. The thermostatic valve controls the engine's coolant flow rate to the radiator. [0003] A thermostatic valve traditionally consists of a housing with a fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet connected to a radiator, a second fluid outlet connected to a secondary circuit called a bypass circuit, a valve for closing the first fluid outlet A flap, and a thermostatic actuator, usually a wax bladder provided with an actuating rod that makes it possible to move the flap in order to open the passage to the radiator. The change of state of the wax from solid to liquid (which results in an increase in volum...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the capsule is isolated from the circulating fluid by the valve flap such that this thermostat cannot be operated in an uncontrolled mode unless an upstream temperature sensor or a second thermostat immersed in the circulating fluid is provided

[0010] The disadvantage of electrically controlled thermostatic valves is the tightness of the electrical conductors connected to the heating element

There is a risk of circulating fluid rising through these electrical conductors to the engine computer, and causing electronics to malfunction

[0011] Another disadvantage is that the heating element integrated in the wax capsule requires the use of pure wax, which has no conductive charge

In fact, these conductive metallic charges risk agglomerating, for example via microscopic welding phenomena, on the actuating rod of the integrated heating element, making the actuating rod abrasive for the dynamic seal ensuring the seal between the capsule and the circulating fluid of

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