Stackable pump and valve coolant modules

Abstract

A module for a fluid circuit of a vehicle, the module comprising an integral housing. The integral housing of the module accommodates a fluid moving device, a fluid control device and a power sharing connector. The power sharing device is configured to provide power to the fluid moving device and the fluid control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to coolant modules, and more particularly to stackable individual unit modules, each having a pump, valves and electrical connectors. Background Art

[0002] As is known, many components are employed in vehicle heating and coolant systems, such as pumps and valves that provide flow to heat exchangers, engines, fuel tanks, batteries, and other vehicle heating and cooling components. In addition, as the need for additional equipment such as pumps and valves is employed in heating and cooling systems in vehicles, mounting brackets, electrical connectors and wiring harnesses, and fluid hose connections begin to increase. Summary of the invention

[0003] Technical issues

[0004] The device requires an electrical connector in order to provide power to the device. However, as the demand for more compact vehicle packaging and additional components continues to exist, the complexity of assembly and maintenance increases. With more complex assembly and maintenance, costs increase. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the complexity of the heating and cooling system by consolidating components to maximize space. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a single unit module including a pump and a valve that helps minimize vehicle packaging space, as well as handling and maintenance complexity, wherein the module can be easily electrically connected to another module.

[0005] Solution to the problem

[0006] In accordance with and in concert with the present disclosure, a single unit module including a pump and a valve has surprisingly been discovered that helps minimize vehicle packaging space as well as handling and maintenance complexity, wherein the module can be easily electrically connected to another module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention when considered in light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a stackable module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a module of the stackable module assembly; and

[0010] Figure 3 It's a pair Figure 2 A front perspective view of modules of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the modules are coupled to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The following detailed description and accompanying drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. The description and accompanying drawings are intended to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. With respect to the disclosed methods, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and therefore the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.

[0012] As used herein, "substantially" is defined as "to a large extent" or "close to" or as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are understood to be modified by the word "about" and all geometric and spatial descriptors are understood to be modified by the word "substantially" when describing the broadest scope of the technology. "About" when applied to numerical values ​​indicates that the calculated value or measured value allows for some slight imprecision in the value (wherein, to some extent, approximate the exact value of the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; approximately). If for some reason the imprecision provided by "about" and / or "substantially" is not interpreted with its ordinary meaning in the art, then the "about" and / or "substantially" used herein at least indicates changes that may be caused by ordinary methods of measuring or using these parameters. If there may be any conflict or ambiguity between the literature incorporated by reference and this detailed description, this detailed description shall prevail. Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts in this article, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another region, layer or part. Unless the context clearly indicates, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not mean order or sequence when used in this article. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of the example embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0013] The present disclosure describes a stackable module including a device for moving and controlling a fluid flow and an electrical connector for providing power to the device for moving and controlling a fluid flow. The fluid may be configured as a cooling fluid in a coolant loop or circuit in a vehicle, for example.

[0014] Figure 1 A stackable module assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The stackable module assembly 10 is configured for use in, for example, a cooling circuit of a vehicle, such as an engine cooling circuit or an air conditioning circuit. However, it is understood that the stackable module assembly 10 can be used in other cooling circuits for other applications as desired.

[0015] The assembly 10 includes a plurality of modules 12. Each of the modules 12 includes a flow device 14, a valve 16, and a power sharing connector 18. The flow device 14 is, for example, a pump or a compressor. However, the flow device 14 may also be an alternative device that causes the fluid to flow in one direction. As shown, the valve 16 is a three-way valve having three ports 20 for receiving fluid from a fluid circuit (not shown) or delivering fluid to the fluid circuit. However, the valve 16 may be any valve, such as a two-way valve having two ports for receiving fluid or delivering fluid or a four-way valve having four ports for receiving fluid or delivering fluid. The valve 16 is electric. However, it is understood that the valve 16 may be pneumatic, hydraulically powered, or powered in other ways as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 16 is connected to the power sharing connector 18.

[0016] The power sharing connector 18 in the illustrated embodiment is a single power sharing connector 18. The term "single" as used herein and in relation to the power sharing connector 18 means that the power sharing connector 18 is unique, no more than one power sharing connector 18 on each module 12 in the module 12, and there are no other power sharing connectors. The single power sharing connector 18 facilitates consolidation of components and minimization of vehicle packaging space. However, it is understood that in alternative embodiments not shown, a module may include more than one power sharing connector 18 as desired.

[0017] The flow device 14, valve 16, and power sharing connector 18 are housed in a single module housing 22. The term "single" as used herein and referring to the module housing 22 means that the flow device 14, valve 16, and power sharing connector 18 are housed in the same housing rather than in separate housings, wherein the flow device 14, valve 16, and power sharing connector 18 can be shipped together in the housing 22 as a single unit and installed into a fluid circuit.

[0018] Each of the modules 12 includes a fluid inlet 24 for receiving fluid from the fluid circuit and a fluid outlet 26 for delivering fluid to the fluid circuit. The flow device 14 allows fluid to flow into and out of the module 12 through the inlet 24 and the outlet 26.

[0019] The power sharing connector 18 includes an input end 28 and an output end 30. The input end 28 is coupled to a power source 32. The power source 32 may be a power circuit 34 of the vehicle or an output end 30 of the power sharing connector 18 of an adjacent module in the module 12. The power circuit 34 includes a power connection, a ground connection (GND), and a local interconnect network (LIN) connection for providing communication of the module 12 between components in the vehicle. The output end 30 of the power sharing connector 18 provides power to the input end 28 of an adjacent module in the module 12. Each of the power sharing connectors 18 includes a LIN connection line and a power connection line that provide communication between the module 12 and the power source 32.

[0020] The plurality of modules 12 include a first module 12a, a second module 12b, and a third module 12c. However, it should be understood that the plurality of modules 12 may include more than three or less than three modules as desired. The first module 12a is adjacent to the power circuit 34, and the housing 22 of the first module 12a and the power sharing connector 18 of the first module 12a are configured to be directly coupled to the power circuit 34. The second module 12b is adjacent to the first module 12a, and the housing 22 of the second module 12b is directly coupled to the housing 22 of the first module 12a. The power sharing connector 18 of the second module 12b is directly coupled to the output end 30 of the first module 12a. The third module 12c is adjacent to the second module 12b, and the housing 22 of the third module 12c is directly coupled to the housing 22 of the second module 12b. The power sharing connector 18 of the third module 12c is directly coupled to the output end 30 of the second module 12b.

[0021] Figure 2 A module 12 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. As illustrated, the module 12 includes a flow device 14, a valve 16, and a power sharing connector 18 enclosed in a housing 22. The module 12 is an integral module 12. The lower portion of the housing 22 encloses the flow device 14. The valve 16 is configured as a three-way valve. However, it is understood that the valve 14 can be a two-way valve or a four-way valve as desired. The valve 14 can include any number of ports 20 as desired. In addition, although the diagram shows an arrangement structure in which the fluid inlet 24 is adjacent to the flow device 14 and the fluid outlet 26 is adjacent to the upper portion of the module 12, it is understood that the fluid outlet 26 can be a fluid inlet and the fluid inlet 24 can be a fluid outlet, and the arrangement structure of the fluid inlet 24 and the fluid outlet 26 can be positioned relative to the housing 22 as desired according to the application of the fluid circuit.

[0022] As shown, the input end 28 of the power sharing connector 18 is configured as a male connection, wherein a portion of the input end 28 extends outwardly from the housing 22 for connection to a female connection of a power source 32 or a female connection of an adjacent module in the module 12. The output end 30 of the power sharing connector 18 is configured as a female connection for connection to a male connection of the power sharing connector 18 of an adjacent module in the module 12. It is understood that the input end 28 and the output end 30 may be configured in other ways as desired.

[0023] The housing 22 may be formed, for example, from a plastic or metal material by a molding process. The housing 22 may be integrally formed or formed as separate parts that are coupled together to form a unitary housing 22 (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the housing 22 housing the valve 14 is coupled to the portion of the housing 22 housing the flow device 14 and to the portion of the housing 22 housing the power sharing connector 18. The housing 22 may also house an in-built engine control unit (ECU) or printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), as indicated at the rear portion 36 of the housing 22. The ECU or PCBA communicates the power sharing connector 18 with the flow device 14 and the valve 16 and ultimately with the power source 32.

[0024] Figure 3 A pair of modules 12 are shown coupled to each other. It is understood that more than two modules may be coupled together as desired and as indicated previously herein. As shown, the output end 30 of the first module 12a is coupled to the input end 28 of the second module 12b. The first module 12a is then configured to be connected to a power source 32. Thus, power connections and LIN connections may be shared between the modules 12a and 12b.

[0025] In application, the modules 12 can be used to combine valves and flow devices. For example, the first module 12a can be used in a first branch of a fluid circuit, and the second module 12b can then be coupled to the first module 12b, wherein the second module is used in a second branch of the fluid circuit. The third module 12c can be coupled to the second module 12b, wherein the second module 12b is used in a third branch of the fluid circuit. The modules 12a, 12b, 12c all share the same electrical connection without using additional hoses, conduits, wire connections, etc.

[0026] Thus, a merger of devices in a fluid circuit is achieved. It is understood that modules 12a, 12b, 12c can also be used in various parts of the same branch of a fluid circuit. For example, instead of a branch of a fluid circuit having a valve separate from a flow device and each of the valve and the flow device having a separate electrical connector and conduit, the branch of the fluid circuit has a module 12a, and module 12a has a merged valve 16 and flow device 14 that share power from a power sharing connector 18. In addition, the second module 12b can share power from the power sharing connector 18 of the first module 12a, so it is not necessary to use additional electrical connectors and conduits for each of the flow devices 14 and valves 16 of each of the modules 12a, 12b. Additional modules 12, such as a third module 12c, can also be combined with modules 12a, 12b to merge the connection.

[0027] Advantageously, according to the invention of the present disclosure, the devices (flow device 14, valve 16, and power sharing connector 18) can be combined into one integral module in the module 12. Therefore, the modules 12 can share power between each other instead of having a separate power connector for each device in the device. In application, the packaging size of the vehicle components can be minimized because the module 12 creates a more efficient use of space. In addition, the included hoses or circuit branches can be minimized to minimize cost and assembly time. The complexity of maintenance can also be reduced because fewer parts need to be replaced or disassembled.

[0028] From the above description, those skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, can make various changes and modifications to the present invention to adapt the present invention to various uses and situations.

[0029] Industrial Applicability

[0030] The present invention relates to coolant modules, and more particularly to stackable individual unit modules, each unit module having a pump, valves and electrical connectors.

Claims

1. A stackable module assembly comprising: an integrated first module, the integrated first module comprising a first single power sharing connector, a first flow device, a first valve, a first fluid inlet, and a pair of first fluid outlets, wherein the first flow device is configured to cause a fluid to flow in a direction from the first fluid inlet toward the pair of first fluid outlets, and wherein the first valve is configured to determine a distribution of the fluid flowing from the first fluid inlet to each of the first fluid outlets; and An integrated second module, the integrated second module comprising a second single power sharing connector, a second flow device, a second valve, a second fluid inlet and a pair of second fluid outlets, wherein the integrated second module is connected to the integrated first module, wherein the second flow device is configured to cause fluid to flow in a direction from the second fluid inlet toward the pair of second fluid outlets, and wherein the second valve is configured to determine the distribution of fluid flowing from the second fluid inlet to each second fluid outlet.

2. The stackable module assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first single power sharing connector includes an input end and an output end, and the second single power sharing connector includes an input end and an output end, wherein the output end of the first single power sharing connector contacts the input end of the second single power sharing connector.

3. The stackable module assembly according to claim 2, wherein: An input end portion of the first single power sharing connector is in contact with a power source.

4. The stackable module assembly according to claim 2, wherein: An output end portion of each of the first single power sharing connector and the second single power sharing connector is configured as a female connection portion, and an input end portion of each of the first single power sharing connector and the second single power sharing connector is configured as a male connection portion.

5. The stackable module assembly of claim 1 further comprising an integral third module comprising a third single power sharing connector, a third flow device, and a third valve, wherein: The integrated third module is coupled to the second module.

6. The stackable module assembly of claim 1, wherein: The valve is a three-way valve.

7. The stackable module assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The valve includes a pair of fluid inlets and a fluid outlet.

8. The stackable module assembly of claim 1, wherein: Each of the integrated first module and the integrated second module includes at least one of an engine control unit or a printed circuit board assembly.

9. A stackable module assembly comprising: power supply; an integrated first module, the integrated first module comprising a first single power sharing connector, a first flow device, a first valve, a first fluid inlet, and a pair of first fluid outlets, wherein the first flow device is configured to cause a fluid to flow in a direction from the first fluid inlet toward the pair of first fluid outlets, and wherein the first valve is configured to determine a distribution of the fluid flowing from the first fluid inlet to each of the first fluid outlets; and An integrated second module, the integrated second module comprising a second single power sharing connector, a second flow device, a second valve, a second fluid inlet and a pair of second fluid outlets, wherein the integrated second module is connected to the integrated first module, wherein the second flow device is configured to cause fluid to flow in a direction from the second fluid inlet toward the pair of second fluid outlets, and wherein the second valve is configured to determine the distribution of fluid flowing from the second fluid inlet to each second fluid outlet.

10. The stackable module of claim 9, further comprising a third module in communication with the power source, the third module being an integral unit and having valves and flow devices.

11. The stackable module of claim 9, wherein: The valve of the first module is a three-way valve and the flow device of the first module is a pump.

12. The stackable module of claim 9, wherein: The valve of the second module is a three-way valve and the flow device of the second module is a pump.

13. The stackable module of claim 9, wherein: The valve and the flow device are housed in an integral housing.

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