Fluid dispenser unit and method for adapting fluid dispenser unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid distributor unit comprising a flow duct surrounding a connecting channel extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction and provided with at least three ports in fluid communication with the connecting channel, where at least two of the ports extend from the flow duct transversely to the connecting channel, characterized in that the flow duct is provided with at least one of the ports in fluid communication with the connecting channel. At one end in the longitudinal direction of the connection channel, the flow duct is open such that the end of the connection channel forms an opening in the flow duct, a releasable plug is inserted into the opening of the flow duct to close the opening, the releasable plug is provided with a smooth flow guide surface shape at the inner surface thereof, and the flow guide surface shape is configured to guide the flow. And a releasable locking element at least partially protruding into the connection channel to direct the reduced turbulence fluid flow, and the releasable locking element being configured to engage and extend through aligned apertures in the releasable plug and in the flow conduit to lock the releasable plug in the opening of the flow conduit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid distributor unit comprising a flow conduit surrounding a connecting channel extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction, the flow conduit being provided with at least three ports in fluid communication with the connecting channel (the connecting channel providing a fluid flow connection between the ports), wherein at least two of the ports extend from the flow conduit transversely to the connecting channel. The present invention also relates to a method for adapting the fluid distributor unit to a given fluid type and a predetermined flow rate pattern through the ports of the fluid distributor unit. Background Art

[0002] Such a fluid distributor unit is disclosed, for example, in US 2008 / 0105311 A1 .The fluid distributor unit has a flow duct with an input port and two output ports extending transversely from the flow duct of the fluid distributor unit.

[0003] Fluid distributor units are typically used in vehicle systems that utilize a fluid flow system for cooling purposes or more generally for thermal management purposes, or as a hydraulic or pneumatic fluid flow system in battery electric vehicles or internal combustion engine vehicles.

[0004] A typical fluid distributor, for example, includes a flow conduit with two input ports to be connected to two tubes delivering an incoming fluid flow, and two output ports to be connected to two tubes for delivering a fluid flow.

[0005] Currently available fluid flow distributors generate high pressure drop values ​​for the fluid flow through the fluid distributor unit due to abrupt changes in fluid flow direction and turbulence generated at sharp edges in the internal flow channels through the fluid distributor unit. This is disadvantageous because, on the one hand, the high pressure drop across the fluid distributor unit of the fluid distribution system requires more energy input to increase the input pressure to compensate for the pressure loss in the fluid distributor unit. A further disadvantage is that the high pressure drop across the fluid distributor unit is accompanied by high forces acting on the components of the fluid distributor unit, which increases the need for sufficient structural integrity and mechanical strength of the components of the fluid distributor unit.

[0006] Purpose of the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispenser unit capable of influencing the pressure drop generated in the fluid dispenser unit in order to reduce the pressure drop and improve the efficiency of the fluid flow through the fluid dispenser unit. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for adapting such a fluid flow dispenser to a given fluid flow situation to be handled, wherein the fluid flow situation is determined by a given fluid type and a predetermined flow rate pattern through the ports of the fluid dispenser unit, wherein the fluid type determines its viscosity and the flow rate pattern determines the flow conditions and the resulting pressure drop in the fluid dispenser unit. A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispensing kit comprising a fluid dispenser unit according to the present invention and a set of interchangeable, releasable plugs.

[0008] These objects are achieved by a fluid dispenser unit according to claim 1, a method of adapting a fluid dispenser unit according to the invention to a given fluid type and a predetermined flow rate pattern through a port of a fluid dispenser unit according to claim 10, and a fluid dispensing kit comprising a fluid dispenser unit according to the invention and a set of interchangeable releasable plugs having various smooth flow-guiding surface shapes according to claim 14. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the present invention, a fluid distributor unit includes a flow conduit that surrounds a connecting channel extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction. The flow conduit is provided with at least three ports in fluid communication with the connecting channel, at least two of the ports extending from the flow conduit transversely to the connecting channel. According to the present invention, the flow conduit is open at one end in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel, so that the end of the connecting channel forms an opening in the flow conduit. A releasable plug is inserted into the opening of the flow conduit to close the opening, the releasable plug being provided with a smooth flow-guiding surface shape at its inner surface, the flow-guiding surface shape at least partially protruding into the connecting channel to guide a fluid flow with reduced turbulence, and a releasable locking element being configured to engage and extend through aligned holes in the releasable plug and in the flow conduit, thereby keeping the releasable plug locked in place in the opening of the flow conduit.

[0010] The fluid distributor unit according to the present invention provides a fluid distributor unit with improved flow efficiency and reduced pressure drop by placing a smooth flow-guiding surface shape that at least partially protrudes into the connecting channel in the fluid flow through the connecting channel. Due to its smooth surface shape, sharp edges are avoided and the pressure drop of the fluid flow through the fluid distributor unit is reduced. The smooth flow-guiding surface shape is placed in the connecting channel by inserting a releasable plug into the opening of the flow conduit, which allows the provision of inner surface features in the connecting channel of the flow conduit that would otherwise be impossible or difficult to achieve within the connecting channel of the flow conduit using conventional production methods for the flow conduit.

[0011] Furthermore, the openings in the flow duct allow access to the interior of the flow duct, and this, if the flow duct is formed by injection molding according to the preferred embodiment, allows for the placement of additional molding tools within the interior of the flow duct. These additional molding tools allow for the formation of smoothly curved interior walls and avoidance of sharp edges in the flow duct connecting channels, thereby reducing turbulence and pressure drop. Furthermore, for flow ducts not formed by injection molding, the access provided by the openings to the interior of the flow duct allows for the improvement of the interior wall area of ​​the flow duct through mechanical surface treatment and finishing to achieve smooth curves that support laminar flow and reduce pressure drop.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the releasable stopper is cup-shaped, with its outer surface, opposite its inner surface, comprising a recessed portion having an upstanding outer rim having an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the connecting passage of the flow conduit and including two diametrically opposed holes. The flow conduit includes two diametrically opposed holes in its outer wall, near the opening. The two diametrically opposed holes are positioned so that they align with the holes in the outer rim of the releasable stopper when the releasable stopper is in an inserted position in the flow conduit opening. In this manner, a locking element can be inserted to extend through the aligned holes and along the recessed portion of the releasable stopper, thereby locking the releasable stopper in place in the flow conduit opening.

[0013] A further advantage of the fluid dispenser unit according to the invention is that the releasable plug allows access to the interior of the connecting channel of the flow conduit for inspection and cleaning purposes.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the outer rim of the cup-shaped releasable plug includes at least one outwardly extending tongue. The opening of the flow conduit is provided with at least one complementary recess to receive the at least one tongue of the releasable plug when the releasable plug is rotationally positioned in the flow conduit opening and the aperture in the outer rim of the releasable plug is aligned with the aperture in the outer wall of the flow conduit. The tongue and complementary recess help position the releasable plug in the correct rotational orientation and further lock the releasable plug against rotational movement in the flow conduit opening. In a preferred embodiment, the outer rim of the releasable plug includes two outwardly extending tongues, and the opening of the flow conduit includes two complementary recesses to receive the tongue of the releasable plug when the releasable plug is rotationally positioned in the flow conduit opening and the aperture in the outer rim of the releasable plug is aligned with the aperture in the outer wall of the flow conduit, optionally wherein the two tongues are positioned diametrically opposite one another and the two complementary recesses are diametrically opposite one another.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the releasable locking element comprises an elongated bar carrying two locking arms on opposite sides thereof, the locking arms being connected to the elongated bar at connection areas on opposite sides of the elongated bar. Each locking arm has a self-supporting end extending from the connection area toward one end of the elongated bar (extending toward the end but not reaching the end a distance such that the end of the elongated bar extends beyond the locking arm). The self-supporting end of each locking arm is flexible and can be bent from an idle position to an inwardly bent position closer to the elongated bar. The dimensions of the holes in the outer edge of the releasable stopper and in the outer wall of the flow conduit and the dimensions of the locking element are configured so that the locking element can be advanced through the holes in the outer edge and the outer wall of the flow conduit when the self-supporting ends of the locking arms are pushed into the inwardly bent position, so that the locking element moves out of engagement with the releasable stopper and the flow conduit, thereby unlocking the releasable stopper. On the other hand, when the locking arms are in the rest position, the self-supporting ends extend outwardly beyond the holes in the releasable plug, so that the ends of the locking arms abut against the inner wall of the outer rim of the releasable plug, thereby securing the locking element in the locked position and the elongated bar extending through the oppositely aligned holes in the outer rim of the releasable plug and the outer wall of the flow conduit. If each locking arm includes only one self-supporting end, and the self-supporting ends of both locking arms are directed toward one end of the locking bar, the locking element can only be removed in the direction in which the self-supporting end is directed and can only be inserted in the opposite direction.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, each locking arm extends in opposite directions from the central connection area of ​​the elongated bar toward the two opposite ends of the elongated bar in a symmetrical manner with two self-supporting ends (but as described above, not extending the full distance of the elongated bar ends). In this way, a user can squeeze the self-supporting ends of the two locking arms toward the elongated bar into an inwardly bent position, whereby the ends of the two locking arms no longer face the inner wall of the cup-shaped releasable stopper rim, but instead face the aligned openings of the stopper rim and the outer wall of the flow conduit, which allows the user to advance the locking element by pushing it through the aligned opening and out of engagement with the aligned hole, thereby unlocking the releasable stopper, which can then be removed from the opening of the flow conduit. In other words, the connection area of ​​the locking arm is located at the central area of ​​the slender bar in the elongated direction of the slender bar, and each locking arm includes two self-supporting end portions, which extend from the connection area at the center toward the opposite ends of the slender bar, so that the locking element can be moved away from the locked position in fixed engagement with the releasable plug by squeezing the locking arms extending toward either of the two opposite ends of the locking element into an inwardly bent position to allow the locking element to advance in the direction of the inwardly bent locking arms through the aligned holes in the outer wall of the releasable plug and the flow conduit, so that the locking element can be moved away from the locked position in the locked state in the releasable plug in either of two opposite directions.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the elongated bar and the locking arm of the locking element are formed integrally as one piece, wherein optionally the locking element is made of a plastic material. In an alternative embodiment, the elongated bar and the locking arm of the locking element are formed of different materials and the locking arm is connected to the elongated bar, wherein optionally the locking element is made of a plastic material and the locking arm is made of metal.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the releasable stopper includes a through-going aperture extending from an outer surface thereof to an inner surface thereof. The fluid dispenser unit is further provided with a sensor having a terminal portion, wherein the aperture of the releasable stopper is configured to receive the terminal portion of the sensor such that when the sensor is attached to the releasable stopper, a sensitive inner end of the terminal portion is exposed to fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser unit.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the flow conduit of the fluid dispenser unit comprises a second opening leading to the connecting channel, a second releasable plug being inserted into the second opening and held locked in place by a second locking element, thereby exposing the smooth flow-guiding surface shape of the second releasable plug to the fluid flow through the fluid dispenser unit.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the upstanding outer rim of the releasable plug comprises at its outer wall a circumferential recess in which the sealing ring is received.

[0021] According to the present invention, a method for adapting a fluid dispenser unit according to the present invention to a given fluid type and a predetermined flow rate pattern through a port of the fluid dispenser unit is also provided. According to the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an adapted releasable plug having a flow-guiding surface shape adapted to the given fluid type and the predetermined flow rate pattern in terms of causing a minimum pressure drop in the fluid dispenser unit, inserting the adapted releasable plug into an opening in a flow conduit, and bringing a locking element into a locked position to hold the adapted releasable plug in place in the opening in the fluid flow conduit. In this way, the fluid dispenser unit can be adapted to the specific situation in which the adapted dispenser unit is to be used.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the step of providing an adapted releasable stopper comprises: simulating the flow through the fluid distributor unit for a given fluid type and a predetermined flow rate pattern; varying the shape of the flow guiding surface of the releasable stopper; repeating the flow simulation to determine an optimized flow guiding surface shape that minimizes the pressure drop in the fluid distributor unit; and forming an adapted releasable stopper having the optimized flow guiding surface shape. This optimization method is typically performed as a computer-implemented method comprising an optimization algorithm. Such optimization algorithms are well known and can, for example, be implemented by applying gradient descent to the pressure drop as a cost function. In this method, numerical derivatives are calculated while varying the shape of the flow guiding surface of the releasable stopper, wherein the variation continues following gradient descent until the minimum pressure drop for the optimized flow guiding surface shape has been found. Since such optimization algorithms are well known, they are not described in detail herein.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the step of forming a conformable, releasable plug having an optimized flow-guiding surface shape is performed by a molding process, optionally by injection molding of a reactive mixture of polymer precursors. Alternatively, the conformable, releasable plug may be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing, or by a material removal process.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, a method for adapting a fluid distributor unit does not perform a flow simulation-based optimization algorithm to determine an optimized flow-guiding surface shape for an adapted releasable plug. Instead, a set of releasable plugs including releasable plugs having various flow-guiding surface shapes is used, and these are subsequently inserted into an opening of a flow conduit to measure the resulting pressure drop. Ultimately, the releasable plug that produces the lowest pressure drop in the fluid distributor unit is selected as the adapted releasable plug, which is then finally inserted into the opening of the flow conduit to obtain an adapted fluid distributor unit.

[0025] In a further aspect, there is provided a fluid dispensing kit comprising a fluid dispenser unit according to the present invention and a set of interchangeable releasable stoppers comprising releasable stoppers having a plurality of different flow directing surface shapes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments of the fluid dispenser unit shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fluid distributor unit comprising four lateral ports;

[0028] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 An exploded view of a fluid distributor unit;

[0029] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 and Figure 2 An enlarged exploded view of the locking bar and releasable plug of the fluid dispenser unit is shown;

[0030] Figure 4 showing a cross-sectional view of a releasable plug and a perspective view of the flow directing surface shape of the releasable plug;

[0031] Figure 5 and Figure 6 showing a cross-sectional view of a releasable plug having a varying flow directing surface shape to direct fluid flow for varying flow patterns in a fluid dispenser unit;

[0032] Figure 7 A further embodiment of a fluid distributor unit having four lateral ports is shown;

[0033] Figure 8 Another embodiment of a fluid distributor unit having four lateral ports is shown;

[0034] Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of a fluid dispenser unit having two transverse ports and one longitudinally extending port;

[0035] Figure 10 Shown Figure 9 a fluid dispenser unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fluid dispenser unit has an improved releasable plug, the releasable plug including an aperture to permit attachment of a sensor such that a distal end portion of the sensor extends through the aperture of the releasable plug;

[0036] Figure 11 A further embodiment of a fluid dispenser unit is shown, comprising six transverse ports, wherein a releasable plug is provided with an orifice and provided with an attached sensor, the distal end portion of the sensor extending through the orifice to the interior of a connecting passage in the fluid dispenser unit;

[0037] Figure 12 Shown Figure 11 An improved version of the embodiment of the fluid dispenser unit; and

[0038] Figure 13 Shown with Figure 9 An alternative embodiment of the fluid dispenser unit is similar to the embodiment of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Will refer to Figure 1 - Figure 4 A first embodiment of a fluid dispenser unit is described. Figure 1 and Figure 2The fluid distributor unit shown in FIG. 1 comprises a flow conduit 2 with a connecting channel 4 ( Figure 2 The four ports 31-34 flow into the flow conduit 2 and are in fluid communication with the connecting channel 4 ( Figure 2 The four ports 31-34 extend transversely to the connecting channel 4. The connecting channel 4 is open at one end (see Figure 2 ), thereby forming an opening 8 in the flow duct 2.

[0040] The opening 8 in the flow conduit 2 is closed by a releasable plug 10 that is inserted into the opening and secured in place. The cup-shaped releasable plug 10 has a recess 12 in its outer surface and a surrounding upstanding rim 13. Two holes 14 are formed in the rim 13 of the releasable plug 10, and the two holes 14 are positioned diametrically opposite each other. The holes 14 in the rim 13 of the releasable plug correspond to the diametrically opposite holes 6 located in the outer wall of the flow conduit 2 around the opening 8, and these holes are positioned relative to the holes 14 in the releasable plug 10 so that when the releasable plug 10 is rotationally properly aligned and positioned in the opening 8 of the flow conduit 4, the holes 8, 14 are aligned and coincide. The correct rotational positioning of the releasable plug 10 relative to the opening 8 is ensured by diametrically opposed tongues 16 extending outwards from the upper end of the outer edge 13 of the releasable plug 10, wherein the opening 8 of the flow duct 2 is provided with two complementary recesses which are configured to receive the tongues 16 when the releasable plug 10 is rotationally correctly positioned. In principle, a single tongue 16 and a single cooperating recess are sufficient to achieve the correct rotational positioning.

[0041] exist Figure 1 , the locking element 20 is shown in a locked position, locking the releasable plug 10 in place in the opening 8 of the flow conduit 2. The locking element 20 comprises an elongated bar 22 (see Figure 3 ), wherein the length of the elongated rod 22 and the shape of its opposite ends are adapted to the position and shape of the hole 14 in the releasable plug 12 and the hole 8 in the outer wall of the flow conduit 2, so that the elongated rod 22 is in its locked position, extends through the aligned pairs of holes 6, 14, and further through the recess 12 and into the releasable plug 10 and the opposite pairs of holes 6, 14 in the outer wall of the flow conduit 2, thereby locking the releasable plug 10 in the inserted position, thereby closing the opening 8 of the flow conduit 2.

[0042] In order to hold the locking element 20 in the locked position in the releasable stopper 10, the locking element 20 comprises two locking arms 24 which are connected on opposite sides to the elongated bar 22. Each locking arm 24 is connected to the elongated bar 22 in a central connection area. In addition, each locking arm 24 comprises oppositely extending self-supporting ends 26, such as Figure 3As shown, the self-supporting end portions 26 are slightly bent away from the elongated rod 22 at their outer ends. The self-supporting end portions 26 extend less or shorter than the elongated rod 22 in the direction of elongation of the elongated rod 22, so that the opposite ends of the elongated rod 22 extend beyond the ends of the self-supporting end portions 26 of the locking arms 24. In the locked state of the locking element 20, the opposite ends of the elongated rod 22 extend beyond the ends of the self-supporting end portions 26 and are received in the opposite, aligned pairs of holes 14, 6 of the releasable plug 10 and the flow conduit 2. In this state, the ends of the self-supporting end portions 26 of the locking arms 24 abut against portions of the inner wall of the outer rim 13 of the releasable plug 10 adjacent to the holes 14, thereby preventing any movement of the locking element 20 in the direction of elongation of the elongated rod 22.

[0043] The locking arm is flexible in the region of the self-supporting end portion 26 and can be released by squeezing the ends of the two opposing self-supporting portions 26 together between two fingers of a user. Figure 3 The illustrated rest position is bent into an inwardly bent position, thereby pushing the outer end of the self-supporting end portion 26 toward the elongated bar 22, which pushes the end of the self-supporting end portion 26 of the locking arm into the area of ​​the opening 14 in the outer edge 13 of the releasable plug 10. In this state, with the self-supporting end portion 26 of the locking arm pushed into the inwardly bent position at one end, the locking element 20 can be pushed through the hole 14 in the outer edge 13 of the releasable plug 12 and further through the aligned hole 6 in the outer wall of the flow duct 2, thereby removing the locking element 20. In this unlocked state of the releasable plug 10, it can be pulled out of the opening 8 of the flow duct 2.

[0044] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the locking element 20 is integrally formed as a single piece with the elongated bar 22 and the locking arms 24, formed from the same material, such as a plastic material by injection molding. The central elongated bar 22 is formed with a considerable width and thickness to provide mechanical strength for securely retaining the releasable plug 10 in the locked position within the opening 8 of the flow conduit 2, and for mechanically supporting the releasable plug 10 to withstand the high pressure generated by the high pressure and the significant deformation of the releasable plug 10. The locking arms 24 extending from the central connection area of ​​the elongated bar 22 are formed with a reduced width and thickness, so that the locking arms 24 are much more flexible than the elongated bar 22 and can be squeezed into the inwardly bent position of the two opposing self-supporting portions 26 using two fingers as described above. The cross-sectional dimensions and shape of the elongated bar are selected so that the elongated bar 22 can pass through the hole 6 of the flow duct and the hole 14 in the outer edge 13 of the releasable plug 10 when the self-supporting end 26 of the locking arm is pushed into an inwardly bent position at the front end without deforming the wall parts around the holes 6 and 14.

[0045] from Figure 3 It can also be seen that the outer wall of the outer rim 13 of the cup-shaped releasable plug 10 is provided with a sealing ring 18, which is received in a circumferential groove 19 in the outer wall of the outer rim 13 (for example, the groove 19 can be Figure 4 (see in ).

[0046] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 -3 is a cross-sectional view of a releasable stopper 10 of a fluid dispenser unit. The inner surface of the cup-shaped releasable stopper 10 comprises a flow guiding surface shape 11, wherein the inner surface partially protrudes into the connecting channel 4 of the flow duct 2, and the flow guiding surface shape 11 rises from two opposite directions and forms a smoothly curved central ridge. The shape of the flow guiding surface shape 11 is also Figure 4 The right side of the figure shows a perspective view of the inner surface side of the releasable plug 10 including the flow guiding surface shape 11. This flow guiding surface shape 11 with a smoothly curved central ridge is suitable for a configuration in which two ports merge into the flow conduit 2 from opposite directions (e.g. Figure 9 shown). Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , the arrows indicate the fluid flow reaching the connecting channel region from the opposite direction, wherein the flow guiding surface shape 11 partially protrudes into the connecting channel of the flow duct 2, wherein the oppositely directed flow is deflected and redirected by the flow guiding surface shape 11 to finally be deflected by approximately 90° to the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel 4 of the flow duct 2 (see also FIG. 1 ). Figure 9 ) and flows to the outlet port 33.

[0047] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A cross-sectional view shows an embodiment of a releasable plug 10 having a varying flow-guiding surface shape 11. These shapes are adapted to other designs of the flow conduit or other configurations of the inlet port. This results in varying flow rates of the flow entering the flow conduit 2. The varying flow-guiding surface shape 11 is therefore required to achieve optimized fluid flow characterized by minimizing the pressure drop of the fluid flow through the fluid distributor unit. If there are more than two input ports or more than two output ports, each pair of input and output ports has a pressure drop value, in which case the average of the pressure drop values ​​is defined as the pressure drop across the fluid distributor unit.

[0048] Figure 7 FIG is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a fluid distributor unit. The fluid distributor unit comprises a flow conduit 2 surrounding a connecting channel 4, which is longitudinally ( Figure 7Two inlet ports 31, 32 merge into the flow conduit 2 near its upper end. Two outlet ports 33, 34 extend from the flow conduit 2 in opposite lateral directions near its opposite ends. Fluid flows enter from opposite directions through the inlet ports 31, 32 and pass through the flow guiding surface shape 11 of the releasable plug 10 (e.g., Figure 4 The connecting passage 2 (shown in FIG. 1 ) smoothly and continuously turns to direct the fluid flow in the longitudinal direction of the connecting passage 2 toward outlet ports 33 and 34. Outlet port 33 has a larger inner diameter than outlet port 34. Thus, outlet port 33 has a lower flow resistance than outlet port 34, and the flow rate through this outlet port is greater than the flow rate through outlet port 34 (assuming that the tubes connected to outlet ports 33 and 34 also have different inner diameters, with the larger diameter tube connected to outlet port 33 and the smaller diameter tube connected to outlet port 34).

[0049] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a fluid distributor unit is shown. Figure 7 The fluid distributor unit shown in is very similar. In particular, Figure 8 The fluid distributor unit shown in FIG also has two oppositely directed inlet ports 31, 32 near one end of the connecting channel 4 of the flow conduit 2. There are also two oppositely directed outlet ports 33, 34 near the other end of the connecting channel 4 of the flow conduit 2. Figure 7 In contrast to the designs shown in all, Figure 8 The fluid distributor unit shown in FIG is provided with a second releasable plug 10 so that a releasable plug 10 is also inserted into the opening of the flow duct 2 at the end of the connecting channel 4 near the outlet ports 33, 34. The second releasable plug has the same flow guiding surface shape 11 as the releasable plug 10 near the inlet ports 31, 32. The flow guiding surface shape 11 of the releasable plug 10 near the inlet ports 31, 32 helps to divert the oppositely directed inlet flow into the connecting channel 4, towards the end of the connecting channel 4 near the outlet ports 33, 34, and the flow guiding surface shape 11 of the releasable plug 10 at this end helps to divert the inlet flow in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 8 The fluid flow flowing through the connecting channel 4 in the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is diverted into two oppositely directed fluid flows flowing through the outlet ports 33, 34 in opposite lateral directions.

[0050] Figure 91 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid distributor unit in the form of a T-piece, here having two oppositely directed inlet ports 31, 32 and a common outlet port 33 directed perpendicularly to the inlet ports 31, 32. The releasable plug 10 has an inner surface with a flow-guiding surface shape 11 as previously described, i.e., a central smooth curved ridge that helps divert the inflow through the inlet ports 31, 32 toward the outlet port 33. The releasable plug 10 with this flow-guiding surface shape will also be suitable when all flow directions are reversed, i.e., the flow-guiding surface shape 11 will help divert and divide the incoming flow through the port 33 into two outgoing flows through the ports 31, 32.

[0051] Figure 10 is with Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of a fluid distributor unit of the same design, wherein Figure 10 In the case of a fluid dispenser unit, the fluid dispenser unit is equipped with a sensor 40. The sensor 40 is attached to the releasable stopper 10 by inserting its end portion 42 into an orifice extending through the wall of the releasable stopper 10, i.e., from its outer surface at the bottom of the recess 12 to the inner surface exposed to the fluid flow in the fluid dispenser unit. The end of the end portion 42 comprises the sensitive area of ​​the sensor 40, and in this way, the sensor 40 can measure a physical parameter of the fluid flow in the fluid dispenser unit, for example, the fluid temperature if the sensor 40 is a thermal sensor. Other possible sensor types are flow rate sensors, pressure sensors, etc.

[0052] Figure 11 The embodiment of the fluid distributor unit is another embodiment of the fluid distributor unit, which has three pairs of oppositely directed ports in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel 4 of the flow conduit 2. The connecting channel 4 is open at both of its opposite ends, and an opening is provided in the flow conduit 2, into which a releasable plug 10 is inserted and locked in place, as previously described. The flow guiding surface shape 11 of the two releasable plugs 10 has the same shape as previously described. Figure 4 、 Figure 7 - Figure 10 The releasable plug 10 is provided with a sensor 40 at the end near the inlet ports 31, 32, as described above in conjunction with Figure 10 The releasable plug 10 inserted into the opening of the flow conduit 2 at the opposite end close to the outlet ports 35, 36 has the same design but without the through-going aperture and without the sensor attached thereto.

[0053] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a very similar fluid distributor unit, which is Figure 11 The fluid dispenser unit shown differs in that there is no releasable plug 10 in the opening of the flow duct 2 opposite to the opening in which the releasable plug 10 is inserted and locked. Figure 12 In this case, the opening in the flow duct 2 opposite to the opening in which the releasable plug 10 is inserted is not provided with a releasable plug but serves as a further port for the flow of fluid from the fluid dispenser unit, in this case as an outlet port.

[0054] Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a fluid dispenser unit is shown, which is similar to Figure 9 The embodiment is similar to that of Figure 13 In the embodiment, the outer wall of the opening 8 is Figure 9 The releasable plug 10 has an increased height and the releasable plug 10 has a correspondingly increased height of the outer edge 13. In this design, the locking element can be positioned further away from the bottom wall of the releasable plug which partially protrudes into the connecting channel 4 of the flow conduit. Figure 13 Also indicated is an alternative shape and positioning of the sealing ring, which is shown schematically in dashed lines, wherein the sealing ring has an annular shape and extends circumferentially in a groove formed in the outer wall of the rim 13 of the releasable stopper 10 .

[0055] exist Figure 13 In FIG. 1 , an alternative shape of the hole 14 in the outer edge 13 is shown as a circular hole (it can also be a square hole, etc.). This different shape of the hole 14 (and the hole 6) also allows the elongated bar 22 of the locking element to have different shapes, wherein Figure 13 In the case of the elongated bar, the elongated bar may be cylindrical, for example. Alternative shapes of the elongated bar are of course also possible, wherein the shape of the holes 6 and 14 must be adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the elongated bar.

Claims

1. A fluid distributor unit comprising a flow conduit (2) surrounding a connecting channel (4) extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction and provided with at least three ports (31, 32, 33) in fluid communication with the connecting channel (4), wherein: At least two of the ports extend from the flow duct (2) transversely to the connecting channel, It is characterized by: At one end in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel (4), the flow duct (2) is open, so that the end of the connecting channel forms an opening (8) in the flow duct, inserting a releasable plug (10) into the opening (8) of the flow duct (2) to close the opening (8), the releasable plug (10) being provided at its inner surface with a smooth flow guiding surface shape (11) which at least partially protrudes into the connecting channel to guide the fluid flow with reduced turbulence, and A releasable locking element (20) is configured to engage and extend through aligned holes (14, 6) in the releasable plug (10) and in the flow conduit (2), thereby locking the releasable plug (10) in place in the opening (8) of the flow conduit (2).

2. The fluid dispenser unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The flow duct (2) is an injection-molded part.

3. The fluid dispenser unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The releasable plug (10) is cup-shaped with its outer surface opposite to its inner surface, the releasable plug comprising a recess (12), the recess comprising an upright outer rim (13), the outer diameter of the outer rim (13) being equal to the inner diameter of the connecting channel of the flow duct (2), and the outer rim comprising two diametrically opposed holes (14), and wherein the flow duct comprises two diametrically opposed holes (6) near the opening (8), the two diametrically opposed holes of the flow duct being located in the outer wall of the flow duct so that when the releasable plug (10) is in an inserted position in the opening (8) of the flow duct (2), the two diametrically opposed holes of the flow duct can be aligned with the holes (14) of the outer rim (13) of the releasable plug (10).

4. The fluid dispenser unit according to claim 3, characterized in that The outer rim (13) of the cup-shaped releasable plug (10) includes at least one tongue (16) extending outwardly, and wherein the opening (8) of the flow duct (2) includes a complementarily shaped recess to receive the at least one tongue (16) of the releasable plug (10) when the releasable plug is rotationally positioned in the opening of the flow duct and the hole (14) of the outer rim (13) of the releasable plug (10) is aligned with the hole (6) in the outer wall of the flow duct (2).

5. The fluid dispenser unit according to claim 4, characterized in that The outer edge (13) of the cup-shaped releasable plug (10) includes two tongues (16) extending outwardly, and wherein the opening (8) of the flow duct (2) includes two complementary recesses to receive the tongues (16) of the releasable plug (10) when the releasable plug is rotationally positioned in the opening of the flow duct and the hole (14) of the outer edge (13) of the releasable plug (10) is aligned with the hole (6) in the outer wall of the flow duct (2), optionally wherein the two tongues (16) are positioned diametrically opposite each other and the two complementary recesses are diametrically opposite each other.

6. The fluid dispenser unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The releasable locking element (20) comprises an elongated bar (22) carrying two locking arms (24) on opposite sides thereof, the locking arms (24) being connected to the elongated bar at connection areas on opposite sides of the elongated bar (22), each of the locking arms (24) having a self-supporting end (26) extending from the connection area towards one end of the elongated bar (22), wherein the self-supporting end (26) of each locking arm (24) is flexible and can be bent from a rest position to an inwardly bent position, and wherein the dimensions of the holes (14, 6) in the outer edge (13) of the releasable plug (10) and in the outer wall of the flow duct (2) and the dimensions of the locking element (20) are configured such that the locking element (20) can utilize the self-supporting end (26) of the locking arms (24) to bend from a rest position to an inwardly bent position. ) is pushed into the inwardly bent position and advances through the holes (14, 6) in the outer edge (13) and the outer wall of the flow conduit (2) to move the locking element (20) out of engagement with the releasable plug (10) and the flow conduit (2), thereby unlocking the releasable plug (10), and the self-supporting end (26) of the locking arm (24) in the idle position extends outwardly beyond the hole (14) in the releasable plug (10) so that the end of the locking arm (24) abuts against the inner wall of the outer edge (13) of the releasable plug (10), thereby keeping the locking element (20) fixed in the locked position, wherein the slender rod (22) extends through the relatively aligned holes (14) in the outer edge (13) of the releasable plug (10) and the outer wall of the flow conduit (2).

7. The fluid dispenser unit according to claim 6, characterized in that The connecting region of the locking arms (24) is located at a central region of the elongated bar (22) in the direction of elongation of the elongated bar (22), and wherein each of the locking arms (24) includes two self-supporting end portions (26) extending from the connecting region at the center toward opposite ends of the elongated locking bar (24), so that the locking element (20) can be moved away from the locked position in fixed engagement with the releasable plug (10) by squeezing the self-supporting end portions (26) extending toward either of the two opposite ends of the locking element into an inwardly bent position to allow the locking element to advance in the direction of the inwardly bent locking arms through aligned holes (14, 6) in the outer wall of the releasable plug (10) and the flow conduit (2), so that the locking element (20) can be moved away from the locked position in the locked state in the releasable plug (10) in either of two opposite directions.

8. Fluid dispenser unit according to any one of the preceding claims 6 and 7, characterized in that The elongated bar (22) and the locking arm (24) of the locking element (20) are integrally formed as one piece, and optionally, the locking element (20) is made of a plastic material.

9. Fluid dispenser unit according to any one of the preceding claims 6 and 7, characterized in that The elongated bar (22) and the locking arm (24) of the locking element (20) are formed of different materials, and the locking arm (24) is connected to the elongated bar (22), optionally wherein the locking element (20) is made of plastic material and the locking arm is made of metal.

10. Fluid dispenser unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The releasable stopper (10) comprises a through-going orifice extending from an outer surface thereof to an inner surface thereof, and the fluid dispenser unit is provided with a sensor (40) having an end portion (42), and wherein the orifice is configured to receive the end portion (42) of the sensor such that a sensitive end of the end portion (42) of the sensor (40) attached to the releasable stopper (10) is exposed to fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser unit.

11. Fluid dispenser unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The flow conduit (2) comprises a second opening leading to the connecting channel, and wherein a second releasable plug is inserted into the second opening and held locked in place by a second locking element, thereby exposing the smooth flow guiding surface shape to the fluid flow of the connecting channel.

12. A fluid dispenser unit according to any one of claims 3 to 10, when dependent on claim 3, characterised in that The upstanding outer edge (13) of the releasable plug (10) comprises a circumferential groove (19) at its outer wall, and wherein a sealing ring (18) is placed in the circumferential groove (19).

13. Method for adapting a fluid dispenser unit according to any of the preceding claims to a given fluid type and a predetermined flow rate pattern through a port of the fluid dispenser unit, characterized by the following steps: providing an adapted releasable plug (10) having a flow directing surface shape (11) adapted to the given fluid type and the predetermined flow rate pattern in causing a minimum pressure drop in the fluid dispenser unit; and The adapted releasable plug (10) is inserted into the opening (8) and the locking element (29) is brought to the locking position, keeping the adapted releasable plug (10) locked in place in the opening of the flow duct.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The steps of providing a conformable releasable plug include: for the given fluid type and predetermined flow rate pattern, simulating flow through the fluid distributor unit, varying the flow directing surface shape of the releasable plug, and iteratively repeating the flow simulation to determine an optimized flow directing surface shape that minimizes pressure drop in the fluid distributor unit; and A fitted releasable plug (10) is formed with an optimized flow guiding surface shape (11).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The step of forming the conformable releasable stopper is performed by molding, optionally an injection molding process of a reactive mixture of polymer precursors, by an additive manufacturing process or by a material removal process.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The steps of providing a conformable releasable plug include: providing a set of releasable plugs, the set of releasable plugs including releasable plugs having various flow directing surface shapes; subsequently inserting the set of releasable plugs and measuring the resulting pressure drop; and The releasable plug that produces the lowest pressure drop in the fluid dispenser unit is selected as the adapted releasable plug.

17. A fluid dispensing kit comprising a fluid dispenser unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a set of interchangeable releasable plugs (10), said set of interchangeable releasable plugs comprising releasable plugs having a variety of flow guiding surface shapes (11, 11', 11").

Images